Veterinary medicine has been my profession for 45 years. I have always had the greatest respect for all creatures both domestic and wild. At 5 years old I began fishing the streams and rivers of the Eastern Sierras. Since then I have had the pleasure to fish many of the rivers in California. Fishing, camping, hiking, rafting, canoeing, and even daydreaming on rivers has been an essential, inspiring part of my life.
Throughout my lifetime I have been a witness to the gradual decline in California river habitat which affects the creatures dependent on rivers. Since all living things are interconnected the loss of river dependent lives will eventually affect humans negatively. I want to become an advocate for rivers and the lives they support to help stem the decline of these natural California treasures. I have been a member of many conservation groups throughout my life and would like, at this time of my life, to become more active as an advocate for something I feel passionate about, rivers.
I believe my background in the sciences and veterinary medicine will allow me to help educate others about fish and wildlife which are dependent on healthy rivers, and help others to understand the impact of domestic animals on river habitat. I hope to learn as much as possible from FOR to help advance these goals. People in cities and need water. Agriculture, an important economic factor for our State, needs water. Vertebrates such as fish, wildlife, waterfowl, and invertebrates need water. It is important to use common sense and science to equitably distribute the limited water we have for the benefit of all and for our grandchildren to enjoy.