Several times in the last year or so I have been troubled by the way we are treating our next generation. To be more specific in the natural resource and outdoor recreation sectors those starting out are not being fostered. Granted times are tough but really?
When I visited the bear den early last spring I was stunned to learn that the crew was hired on a temporary basis, paid little and worked with mostly broken equipment. In fact one member was a volunteer, hoping to work his way up to the paid crew. Now keep in mind that the Maine black bear is an important species not just from an environmental standpoint but economically. Many guides and lodges rely on a successful bear season to keep their businesses going total economic impact in the millions of dollars.
Government is not alone in this. When my son finished his trips last summer he was looking for work. A well-known environmental organization that has spent millions buying property offered him full time employment for one hundred dollars a week. That’s right a grand sum of $2.50 an hour! An amount that I would be punished for paying anyone I hired. Keep in mind though that at many lodges one hundred dollars a day is the going rate as a sub-contractor that would include the use of the guides vehicle and boat.
If all of this is important why are we allowing the young people who want to do this work be treated so poorly? We have to do better!
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