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Poems and Thoughts by Frank Maurer

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Conservation

Recyling opus 107

Turned into the yard
With my load of recycling materials.
Metal scraps here, bins there--
Ordered chaos all around.
Retrieved a dolly and receiving barrels.
Dumping now mostly plastic bottles,
Along with their myriad of caps,
Carefully segregated--each in its own barrel.
(The CRV, California return value, specially separate!)
Barrels full, up to the weight master,
Contents, each dumped together, by category.

Oh, a cap fell out on the floor!
"Please retrieve that back into my load."
The Weight Master laughed.
"That is only one cap--no weight!"
"Ah", I said, "but with the other hundred,
A measurable amount of weight does accrue!"
On that note the Weight Master
Not only retrieved my single cap,
But grabbed several other orphan caps,
Scattered and remaining on the floor,
And threw them smilingly into my load!

Moral: One vote really does count.
One aborted, polluting, but unnecessary trip does count.
One purchase of an energy efficient device does count.
One meal with no leftovers thrown away does count.
One cup of water not squandered does count.
One family with a planned size does count.

Yes, even one bottle cap, together with others,
Does count.

Rare Earth Metals opus 134

Here we go again!
Now on the seabed, rare earth metals
Have been 'discovered' in brownie-colored muck.
The question, those who are aware are now asking,
'Just how might these elements be harvested
Without destroying this whole seabed ecosystem?'
Once again, our earth most likely will be compromised
As a result of the 'needs' of the Runaway Species!

As Pogo stated in 1970, commemorating the first Earth Day in S.F.,
"We have met the enemy and He is Us."

My Dear Friend Bob. An Ode to Robert Duca opus 140

My dear friend Bob, I got to know
By fishing a pamphlet out of a Post Office trash bin.
He was a developer, advertising his wares--but he was an enlightened Democrat.
He built hundreds of houses--but he was a Humanist.
He carefully cleared lands for communities--but he was a Liberal.
He gently competed with Nature--but he cared for Sage-grouse.

Bob has a beautiful complex personality
And he is able to communicate with almost anyone
To get his points or thoughts across to reach his ends.
Bob has helped me to save thousands of acres for wildlife,
Shifting 'developing' properties elsewhere, in order to leave open space.

People ask, 'You work with a DEVELOPER?'
YES. He is balanced and enlightened and I would trade him for no one!

Thank you, Bob.

A Checklist for Energy Use in Our New Age opus 146

Our climate, because of our past negligence of the many warnings from decades ago,
That our waste will cause temperature increases in both the atmosphere and our oceans,
We are now 'paying' for it with a new unfolding world.
Because we are a travelling population, I use trips as a recipe to make decisions :

1. I have a trip unfolding before me.
2. I must first evaluate its importance and the needed results.
3. Do I really need to go on this trip at all?
4. Are there closer alternative destinations which will fulfill the trip's goals.
5. If going, can I 'double up' on travel modes (ie. 'carpooling').
6. Do I have an alternative--a less polluting mode of transport, even if less convenient.
7. Have I evaluated my possible mode of transport: air, train, bus, car, bicycle, walking.
8. With all this--watch out for rationalizations!

We must now all realize how fast our climate is changing and to finally realize
That one person does make a difference ('one vote makes a difference').
The frog in the pot of water feels nothing even as the temperature rises
Until it is too late. (Yum, delicious cooked frog meat.)
All this will take discipline and forgetting the way we used to live.
We are slowly frying to a point where we will all be nomads (towards the poles)
In this new century. (See Nomad Century by Gaia Vince, 2022.)

Also consider: EV or hybrid plugin, photovoltaic panels, wall battery,
solar box cooker, Hold back on the AC and use a fan, sundry clothes,
paint surfaces white, landscape with xeric plants, House upgrades,
plant shade trees, etc., etc.

Friend or Foe: The Red Cedar opus 282

Fifty years ago, the moderately scarce Red Cedar
Was often sought out for a Christmas tree on the landscape.
Now, with the Climate Crisis and drought in the Midwest,
Red Cedar are spreading and covering the landscape,
Out competing other plants in water efficiency.
This phenomenon, of course, increases fire incidents
As well as transpiring millions of gallons of much needed water.
Do we choose control burns to prevent fire?
Or to mass cut or chain drag populated treed areas--
Resulting in mass destruction to wipe out one renegade species?

Is this at all analogous to Israel's quandry
Of eliminating masses of innocent population, in order
To ferret out the fewer Hamas, who challenge Israel's existence?
Control of nature seems to often mirror the conundrums
Challenging human population's welfare.

The World's Panama Canal opus 283

The Panama Canal, like the Suez Canal,
Is critical for economizing world shipping,
Resulting from the hard-won excavation of miles of terrain.
Today, though, with so many actual and pending earth changes,
Drought is challenging the Canal's water levels,
Reducing the daily number and size of ships passing through.
Unknown to many, the Canal's water is not sea-, but fresh--
There are several springs in the local lakes providing such
And these water bodies are manifesting lowering levels.
These lakes also provide water
For several million inhabitants of Panama.
Once again, as will occur multiple times over,
Water for agriculture vs the cities
And at the Canal, water for transport vs the same,
Will be in constant competition to provide the growing demands
For food production, transport, and the ever increasing humankind.

Yet Another Biological Team opus 290

Because of our ravaging, 'convenient' technology,
Our planet is warming faster than any past 'naturally' documented process.
As a result, oceans are rising and, by the way, are becoming more acidic.
Long before large human invasions, most predator/prey duos were stable.
Then came the Russians, French and others as fur trappers.
The Sea Otter was one victim because of its lush fur.
This species, now threatened, no longer has the numbers
To control the Asian Striped Shore Crab which burrows in the creekbank edges,
Which weakens the soil, causing whole chunks of marsh to calve off.
Specifically, the Elkhorn Slough, a coastal wetland,
Connected to the Monterey Bay area, once lost all its Sea Otters.
But now, with their return, they are ravagingly consuming the crabs,
Resulting in stronger marshland soundness and reduced erosion.
The otter's recolonization controls the crab population
And strengthens our shoreline to battle with the new impending threat.

As a footnote: Sea Otters control sea urchins, which destroy the kelp beds.
Concerning top predators, reintroduced wolves into YellowStone National Park
Are controlling elk and moose populations which consume tree saplings,
Thus alleviating the erosion-effect along riverbanks.

Each time we inadvertently destroy another creature,
We are weakening our own existence.

A Deadline or the Ultimate End? opus 328

I was negotiating with a colleague in Wyoming
About various time constraints
In order to finalize a conservation agreement.
Certain deadlines were raised
That we might reach a successful result.
I finally stated that with my age
And the unknown, relatively soon, inevitable end,
I was not able to work with mundane deadlines any more,
But rather, the absolute deadline of my very being.
Every thought and action, with this mindset,
Makes all things precious and meaningful,
Concluding in the best, timely way that one is able.

Indigenous American Agriculture opus 346

I couldn't wait for your information, so perhaps this might be useful to enhance your exhibit. The religious mounds, etc, would be another story. (I worked on this for about 10 hours!)

Contributions of Native Americans and the indigenous origins of many practices used today in the regenerative agricultural movement.

Original indigenous populations protected local ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, using good land management and farming methods. The landscape to which the Europeans arrived was not 'untouched land' -- the 'pristine myth' -- but rather that the land had been actively shaped. Indigenous Americans had advanced the practices, defining sustainable agricultural and land stewardship.

INTERCROPPING AND POLYCULTURES.

INTERCROPPING has been practiced by many early groups, including the Iroquois. The most well known is the 'Three Sisters'. The corn stalks provide a trellis for the beans, which add nitrogen to the soil. Additionally, the squash vines are a 'living mulch', improving soil health, maintaining moisture, and thus also preventing the growth of weeds.

INTERCROPPING, thus relies on crops that are complementary and compete minimally for resources. This improves crop productivity and yield stability over time, increasing soil health. Other benefits are pest management, weed reduction, insect and disease control. Temporary cover crops (eg. legumes) also improve soil health, sequester carbon and aid in biodiversity. Remember how the Pilgrims were shown the fertilizing method of planting a dead fish in each crop mound.

POLYCULTURES imitate nature by planting various species in the same area, with similar benefits of intercropping. Polycultures demonstrate greater use of nutrients, light, and water than monocultures.

WATER MANAGEMENT.

Today's water management historically returns to indigenous practices. Planting-mounds used by indigenous people in more humid climates drained excess moisture.Mounds or ridged-furrows are used the same way today.

Peoples in arid climates (the Hohokam, Arizona tribe) built canals for their irrigation to farm. The Pueblo people used small dams to productively redirect water, thus preventing erosion. These methods are used today and with modern technology, drip irrigation prevents water loss and erosion.

AGROFORESTRY.

Early peoples practiced agroforestry, by managing trees, crops and wild, then domesticated animals together for mutual benefit. SILVICULTURE or tree management (remember Pennsylvania means 'Penn's Woods'), including growth and composition to enhance wildlife and better hunting, had been traditionally practiced for millenia. SILVOPASTURE was used to graze animals (wild, then domestic) among trees. Better forest health, increased soil carbon levels, shade for animals (ever more important with increasing heat due to the Climate Crisis) and greater wildlife habitat are enhanced by using both silviculture and silvopasture methods.

Of course controlled fires were used by early peoples for forest management. With the ENVIRONMENTAL SUCCESSION process, nutrients were shifted from the soil to an organic plant form. The Midwestern and Southwestern grasslands were burned in selectively chosen forest areas to promote regeneration of forests which still exist today in the Midwest and Texas Hill Country. The ash from these forest fires were used to fertilize crops by collecting it and transferring it to crop areas. Of course, the regenerating grasses, shrubs, and trees, having increased tender leaf growth, attracted wildlife for better hunting. The clearing of much brush and undergrowth allowed for easier hunting with bows and spears. As a byproduct of these fires, grasshoppers and locusts were 'fried' for delicious meals (entomophagy, the eating of insects, which as our protein sources become limited, will be used by future Moderns, once again). Today we use prescribed, controlled burns to reduce fire hazard, clearing areas near cities and towns. The native people also did this around their villages and encampments for exactly the same reason!

PERMACULTURE.

Permaculture, coined by Bill Mollison, was a practice to farm, using all the surrounding environmental features to maximum benefit; working with the natural forces, as opposed to against. The indigenous people planted legumes, plants which 'fixed' nitrogen and added other vital nutrients to the soil. This practice by Moderns is used to reduce dependence on fertilizers and to improve soil health.

For further information:

Books titled '1491' and '1492' by Charles C. Mann.
Permaculture books by Bill Mollison.

Creating a Conservation Easement opus 348

These properties, as an entity, will be donated to the U of WYO with an easement. This is the result of many years of work to accrue all parcels and lots along with much personal remuneration, to enhance the State of Wyoming and its wildlife, situated in an agricultural setting. The Little Medicine Bow River is a tremendous asset for the project property.

It is our wish to have a stable working ranch, protecting its wildlife in perpetuity. We wish to use one of the existing lots (Lot 46 seems most appropriate--topography, its juxtaposition to the larger sections, etc.) as the 'building envelope' for the ranching family, and to keep all sectioned areas as one working entity.

Because of the status of Sage Grouse in the State, let alone the nation itself, we wish them to be totally protected. Because of the Black Footed Ferret on the northern neighboring ranch, we wish they also be protected, and that all other wildlife be legally hunted, if need be, respecting all Wyoming laws.

If peripheral fences are upgraded, they should be wildlife friendly. Internal fences should be temporary.

All geographic features should be left in place to maintain the aesthetic beauty of the ranch.

We wish to work with the WSGLT and the University of WYO to achieve the most suitable result.

Thank you for considering this application to be part of your conservation efforts.

My Mount Monadnock Campers' Hike opus 389

When I was about 10 or so, driving somewhere with my father and the family,
I distinctly remember his verbal disapproval of all the trash thrown
out along the highway.
Soon thereafter, Massachusetts signs popped up on the roadways
Declaring a $1000 fine for dispensing trash on the highway's edge.
That lesson stuck with me on a field trip during my wonderful Audubon
camp activities,
Where we learned of the geology as we climbed Mount Monadnock (most
climbed in NH).
In our backpacks we all carried a lunch enclosed in a brown paper bag.
We hiked to the top, the counsellor pointing out geology, flowers, and
tree species.
At the summit, we perused the sights below and ate our lunches.
There were about 20 kids and lots of paper waste accumulated.
The question arose: what to do with the trash--
(This item for discussion would never have occurred today!)
Our counsellor, I distinctly recall, told us to stuff the bags between
a rock crevice.
I was horrified and immediately countered with
'We should not do this--it is wrong!'
I am not really sure why I was so motivated
(Perhaps from my father's outrage with the highway trash),
But I organized all the kids to gather the bags, stuff their backpacks,
And carry the trash down to be disposed of in parking lot receptacles.
There was complete cooperation, overruling the counselor's instructions--
And that was the beginning of my efforts to support nature for the
rest of my life!

The Consequences opus 420

Thoughtlessly, we forged forward with our 'civilizing',
Innocently seeking an ever-more comfortable and profitable life.
From the excessive waste, resulting from our mindless exploits,
We all are now paying our dues,
Obliged to face and cope with the empirically obvious consequences.

Sally Sobottka, My Friend opus 444

Sally Sobottka appeared in my life sometime in the 80's,
Attending a Quail Ridge land trust fund raising dinner on the Reserve.
She expressed her strong devotion towards environmental needs
And within months she became a Quail Ridge board member.
For many years, she worked to further the land trust's efforts
To reach out, manifesting education, stewardship, and preservation.

On Thursday, 10 October, Sally quietly passed away amongst her family.
She and I had, in later years, often chatted on the phone,
Since neither one of us was very mobile.
To the end, Sally continually expressed her love and devotion for QR
And reminisced about her times walking amongst its wonderful flora.
She shall be missed--were there more of her ilk.

Frank

Water, Water Everywhere, but For How Long? opus 448

When I returned to California once again in 1978,
The purpose was quite different in that I was to be a small farmer.
The way I looked at my environment was indeed also quite different.
I already knew that this state had at most very few months of rain
And that agriculture depended mostly on its many aquifers.
These waters had remained eternally deep under the Earth's surface,
Until about the early 1900's when the first deep-water wells invaded below.
I also knew that California had no regulations
On well construction and the numbers thereof.
Thus, it struck me deeply during my first forays into ag land,
Witnessing field after field being watered with a torrent of sprinklers.
My first thoughts went deep down to the unseen aquifers below,
Wondering how long this kingdom of agriculture would survive.

Thankfully, 10 years ago, to most, the invisible
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was passed,
Which started to regulate the amount of water taken out
To match that which comes in.
Lands taken out of agriculture are now harboring
Native species of plant and animal, as well as buffering flooding.
More recently, added to this was the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program,
A support plan for the transition toward a smaller irrigated footprint.

The great question is, of course, are these efforts far too late,
Or will those in charge be able to make definitive decisions--
Or will food demands, economy, and political party mantras
Overwhelm reason and empirical evidence guiding outcomes,
Driving our way of life, as we know it, to simply collapse, unnecessarily?
I have witnessed the loss of historical forests in eastern Turkiye
As well as loss of the water table in now parched lands of India.

Search for Purpose opus 472

'Search for Purpose' is the title of a book by Arthur Morgan,
A self taught engineer and later president of Antioch College in Ohio.
Morgan thus later followed Horace Mann, the enlightened first Antioch president.
Under Morgan a work-study program--the Co-op Program-- was established,
Where students had to combine academics with real-world jobs.

At any rate, the book describes that purpose is discovered and created,
And that one needs to plan, always having several life pathways ready,
In case a first choice is not feasible to accomplish.
My choices were careers in music, religion, or biological sciences.
Religion dropped to a study of interest only,
While music was greatly fulfilled with my orchestral pursuits,
But the study, learning and fascination in biology won out.
Slowly, this evolved into field biology, conservation, and related
small farming.
After much thought and anguish, what I have done is now there and manifested:
An educational, experimental small farm, working with children,
A successful educational land trust,
Protecting open space which harbors native flora and fauna,
And a writing attempt to teach, provoke thought and preserve my
thoughts in life.
I guess my deep and most important activity, including the present,
Is to always stimulate thought in others to question and understand
Why we are here in our condition and to relate ourselves to human and
natural history.
It has been a challenging, but fruitful sojourn during this one-time experience.

The Romantic Tumbleweed opus 493

The tumbling Tumbleweed--a Western cowboy song
Which many are able to easily humm.
But sadly, and realistically, this innocent plant
Is a voracious non-native invader from Russia.
Tumbleweed seed was brought into South Dakota
In the 1870's by Russian immigrants,
Contaminating flax seed accompanying them.
Millions of dollars have been spent
To attempt to eradicate this ubiquitous weed.
The song romanticises the poetic tumbling of this floral form,
When actually with each tumble,
It is distributing yet ever-more seed.
This physical means of distribution is devastating,
Engineering yet another non-native to spread throughout the West.

Things are not always what they seem until time often passes,
And knowledge with accurate facts becomes known.

The LA Fires opus 502

They watched in grieved silence as their church,
Then a synagogue, then a mosque burned to nothing.
Four major fires have ravaged, so far, more than 1200 structures.
Where is their god, to which many have sent earnest prayers?
In our wasteful life of comfort and ease,
Has the voice of god been all around, but has not been heeded?
Surely our collective inner voice has attempted to guide us,
But we are blinded by our votes and present way of life.
Was Carter's then plea, to reduce our use of energy overall,
And our public disdain and impatience with this visionary man,
The very voice which we should have,
Almost five decades ago, wisely heeded?

Cloth vs Paper? opus 552

Online, a writer was complaining about the terrible thinness of napkin-plys.
He wondered if there were someone who could recommend a thicker-ply brand.
I emailed back the following: 'Please, save trees and,
Since you obviously are very cognizant, concerning napkins,
Use good-old cloth napkins, where thickness cannot be rivalled,
Having feel and quality which are superb.
(Just throw them occasionally in with your regular wash.)
We are a throwaway society and by which, such actions
Could result in a small, but important ripple effect.
Do consider other things in your life-use which could also be modified.
If we do not consider these actions now,
Our children and grandchildren will certainly pay.'

On Ornaments and Clothing, with Easter in Mind opus 568

Humans (Homo sapiens) are a naked ape with a flattened face.
This is the result of neoteny, an adult form, maintaining juvenile characters.
Humans have no natural pigments as with Mandrills.
We know that Neanderthals utilized some forms of decoration,
But humans have gone all out for bodily adornment--
Painted faces, use of feathers, jewelry, and regal robes.
It is Easter today, and outstanding clothing, including garish hats,
Are in great prominence during this one day of holiday time.
As one commentator stated, "To catch the eye of god" (and man and woman).
Human bodily decoration, be it jewels or cloth, are always prominent.
The garment industry makes millions and causes great waste,
As our decorations go out of fashion. Many garments just go to the dump.
One example is the killing of egrets for their plumes--
Almost to the complete decimation of that species.
(That is one reason why the Audubon Society was created, by women,
In order to raise awareness and create laws to save birds.)
We, as a 'decorating species', must now consider:
Fewer changes of clothing, purchasing good used garments,
Not always following mindless trends, and recycling clothing responsibility.
Read Thoreau's 'On Walden' focusing on 'On Clothing'.
I say no more.

Distribution of Energy opus 575

The 'need' for Modern Civilization's energy-hunger,
Greatly compromises the state of our planet:
Masses of wires or pipelines;
Air pollution or radiation dangers;
Dams or huge diversions of waterways;
Disruptive construction (ie 'walls'),
Destroying wildlife habitats and corridors.

Now, to ever-more quickly solve questions using AI,
Additional masses of energy are sucked into the system
To divert electrons from basic human needs
To frantically decide
How to continue moving one way or another!

Blind Devotion? opus 584

Easter Islanders, blindly carved ever-more of their 'sacred heads',
Until all 'needed' resources were completely diminished.
With the creation of our excessively hungry new god--AI--
Will we also inevitably go the way of the now extinct Islanders?

Puking Carbon opus 585

When I was younger,
I travelled wantonly everywhere--
And at a whim, but with good intentions;
Spreading carbon waste everywhere.

Now that I am (very) older,
I am relieved that I am
More tied to my bed and the toilet,
So that my mostly non-vital travelling
Will not add to the horrible carbon pollution
That may eventually take us all down--
Oh, that is, except for the plant world!
(Or the cockroaches,
Which have survived enumerable changes,
Cohabiting perhaps
With the horseshoe crabs and trilobites!)

A Story of the American Bullfrog opus 618

American Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus, used to be Rana sp.)
Were introduced into California in the late 1800's (1896?).
The main thrust was to form a basis for a new food industry!
In addition, thoughts featured the pet industry and recreational purposes.
During the Gold Rush, miners ate up to 80,000 Red-legged frogs (Rana draytonii) a year.
This nearly wiped out that native population of frog,
Thus, the concept for a new food industry in the State.
But hungry miners are not a model to be used for a less hungry general population.
Frog legs were commonly consumed pre-1900 and thousands of pounds
Were even annually harvested and exported throughout the US.
When the demand for frog meat was not realized,
The captive frogs were released into the wild, causing ecological havoc,
By disrupting the delicate balance of California's ecosystems.
Female Bullfrogs lay clutches of up to 20,000 eggs, twice a year.
These frogs consume a wide range of prey, including
Aquatic eggs, insects, fish, birds (including young ducklings) and small mammals,
Some of which are native species, already threatened or endangered.
Bullfrogs are carriers of chytridiomycosis which has devastated amphibians worldwide.
Their presence has led to changes in nutrient cycling and water quality.
Bullfrogs are so adaptable, that it is difficult to manage control.
Just the cost to the State attempting control has been very expensive.
On a positive note, these frogs are now used in research,
Studying developmental biology, physiology, and ecology.
When introducing a non-native species of any kind, one must always be aware
Of the unintended consequences which may result.

(Note: I first looked into this introduced species,
Suspecting that the Calaveras Frog Jumping Contest
May have been the source for this introduction,
But the Contest was just part of the whole phenomenon.)

Radioactive Rhinoceroses? opus 622

The poaching of elephants and rhinos is done by those who have no reverence
For earth's ancient creatures--only for monetary ivory and 'aphrodisiac--horns'.

Yet another plan to cease this horrible murder--
Insertion of a radioactive chip, placed into the rhino's horn.
With this insertion, horns may be detected and origins traced.
It appears the radioactivity will not harm the bearer.
So much effort, just to attempt the survival
Of an incredible and ancient elder of the mammalian world.
But, another aspect of this whole situation,
Is that, there must be more of an effort
To involve the local citizenry to feel a part of things,
Thus having a stake in the preservation of these creatures.
Local care and efforts towards preservation
Is the only way this horror will ultimately be averted.

To Andrew: The Dual Existence of our Saturdays' Time Spans opus 628

Most noble Andrew; It is such as you who nurtures
The human world by caring for another Homo sapiens' offspring,
Plus further caring for that creature which co-evolved with us--
The dog, having evolved by way of human attention from the noble wolf.

While I, in a completely different vein, have spent the day
Toiling to save for conservation, a mere 2660 acres
Of our planet for use by other creatures than just us alone.
Which is more noble, that of the care of a child and dog
Or preserving a mere 2660 acres of the planet's large surface?
Time might tell--a result which neither of us may ever know.
We live with the anticipation that, that for which we exert our energies,
May be manifested to the delight of those angels
Which are only in our mythical heads.

May time Sunday be spared from your Mother's needs,
For us to have a moment of communication under the pine,
 
Juxtaposed by our tiny pond.

Deep Sea Mining of Polymetallic Nodules opus 636

The new potential of deep sea mining 
For ever-more-needed metals is looming large.
The seabed in places is littered with polymetallic nodules,
Containing nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper.
Mining firms claim the deep seabed could provide 
A major new source for these minerals.
The nodules could be retrieved with an uncrewed collector--bus size,
By crawling along the seabed, hoovering up nodules, 
Which are sent up in a miles-long tube to a waiting ship.
Are there environmental impacts with this method?
Supporters say it will cause less disturbance than terrestrial mining.
However, many marine scientists and policy makers disagree--
Sea sponges and anemones grow on the nodules;
Sediment plumes from the mining may harm creatures used to clear water;
Noise pollution could interfere with animal communication and navigation;
Yet unknown species may be eliminated before identification.
Hundreds of researchers have called for a pause because of a knowledge gap.
Some companies like auto makers and tech firms
Have pledged not to use seabed minerals.
One mining company is developing robots that would hover above the seabed,
With mechanical arms to pluck only uncolonized nodules,
Thus eliminating sediment plumes, reduce noise pollution, leaving the seabed intact
Such a robot needs further deep sea testing for validation.
International regulations are in a turmoil, with several mining firms ready to begin!
Once again desperation for resources, accompanied with capitalism,
May result in yet one more environmental habitat to be in great danger.

Like-mindedness or Absent-mindedness? opus 652

Days later I was shopping for food and mainly for a gallon of milk. Jon had shown me four graphs comparing milk with several other 'milks' (almond, oat, etc.). One graph showed the excessive use of fresh water needed to produce a gallon of milk. The second graph demonstrated milk's production requiring excessive land surface. The third graphed the great excess of CO2 and methane produced (from the cows!). The last showed the excess eutrophication or runoff of Ag bodily waste (N being one).

All these facts made me deeply ponder just what I was doing, consuming milk. At any rate, I saw at the store half gallons of Oat Milk, so I grabbed two of them. As I remembered, I then pulled out a gallon of my regular milk purchase. Returning home, I unloaded my purchases, carrying them into the house. I suddenly realized I had not brought the milk into the fridge. I checked and double checked, but could not find the milk! Had I left it at the checkout or in the cart? Being empirical, I perused the grocery receipt-- No milk had been purchased. My absentmindedness might possibly have actually been overwhelmed By Jon's influence, and had hypnotized me with an obedient like-mindedness! At any rate,this week's imbibitions will be mostly oat milk!

Final Statement Made on Wyoming Deed Restrictions opus 665

'And in conclusion, it is with great joy and expectation That Family Welborn and Family Maurer (Grantors) Pass on this worthy Wyoming conservation project To accomplish its conclusion with the best of effort and ability, Incorporating honorable Human Trust.'

(This concludes a 20 year effort to further conservation-open space.)

Relationships 12 October 2025. 1150 Hours opus 676

Dear Marye,

Your email this evening flooded my screen,
As if dark cave waters flowed out into liberating sunlight!
How nice to hear from you and your wise, aging thoughts.
I do thank you for your compliment.
I am truly humbled.
I can no longer walk much distance, so the farm is my realm.
I have detailed pictures in my head about Quail Ridge,
And the Nevada lands, which I will pass on to my boys,
And New Mexico Conservancy (Deer Canyon) which is passed on to a new family,
And the Pennsylvania 10 acres, owned by my great,great uncle now passed on to another family,
And the two great 3000 acre ranches in Wyoming,
Which will be passed on as conservation areas for ranching and wildlife.
I do drive a plug-in hybrid and shop and go to doctors appointments.
I always have in my pocket a meteorite or Libyan Desert Glass or a Neanderthal tool to show them.
My writing--Poetry or whatever it is--takes hours in the day.
I have met a programmer who is as hungry to program as I am to write.
He is organizing my writing which may manifest into several books!
As far as the young lady you are putting forth--
Check to see where she is coming from
And I would be delighted to at least start with phone calls.
As you know, I love talking with my fellow humans.
Please be in touch with another flood of words.
I would love to talk any time you desire and have waited for such.

Yours, Frank.

For History's Sake opus 681

For history's sake, I am recording this to demonstrate my constant efforts
To help our planet. You need do nothing or take me up on it!

Dear Reader,
All the Poems and Thoughts are written by an 84-year-old poet/biologist,
Frank Maurer, always concerned about where we are headed,
Pricking society to simply conduct some clear thinking.

My Maurer/Timm Quail Ridge, UCD Student Endowment
(started a few years ago, along with the 36-year-old Conservancy)
Is up to $200,000 now and growing.

If you wish to donate (for in perpetuity) with even a single donation,
Which will be matched, as long as funds are available,
(and are tax deductible through the University of California, Davis),
Email me for any information and/or instructions,
And if you need to confirm my legitimacy.

frankmaurer41@gmail.com

Just state your questions, including for donation instructions,
And I shall respond.
Devotedly Yours, 
Frank Maurer.

History Reveals Itself! opus 683

Nice talking with you after the ProBus meeting. After speaking with Richard, I now know I have an historical connection with you!

On my nascent attempts to start Quail Ridge Wilderness Conservancy many years ago, I spoke with your mother, who was a firm supporter of my efforts, which have now flourished with success. This is a greater reason that we might work together to name our Field Station after your parents!

Please contact me and let us have a meeting together. Your mother was so wonderful with me, giving me the courage to face the original daunting challenge I faced.

Many thanks. Please email me or just plain call me!

Frank Maurer. 530-219-4477.

Trilobites and Sea Slugs, Equal Their Accumulation of Species Numbers opus 711

Five million years ago, Trilobites evolved onto the planet.
They endured almost 300 million years
And, given that time span, evolved into 25,000 species.
Today, we have a present group which has equaled that species number:
It is the Sea Slugs, related to our common garden 'pest'.
But far more elaborate, fending off aquatic predators from their soft body parts,
By warning with incredibly colorful hues and by ingesting poisonous plants,
Which yield them very unpalatable to the lurking predators.
Time and evolutionary success, is the formula for the huge numbers--
Each species having time to evolve into an ever-distinct niche.
Well, Homo evolved into several different specific variations,
But we, Homo sapiens, are the only remaining species of the group.
Might we extrapolate something from this outcome?
No longer do we have fellow species to challenge us in various niches.
It is clear we did not diverge enough, creating fierce competition,
(Perhaps also because of powerful brains and strong customs),
While these other two groups, Trilobites and Sea Slugs,
Diversified into contemporary life styles and niches,
But did not evolve so closely that competition increased.
We, Homo sapiens, have evolved as a singular genus and species,
But will our future be to overwhelm all other life on our Earth,
Or will our wisdom prevail, having a benevolent conservation approach
Towards our fellow interacting life-partners on this, our only planet?

The Christmas Bird Count (A Christmas Remembrance) opus 717

The US Audubon Society, this year, 126 years ago, 
Began the Christmas Bird Count.
The winter season was chosen to count bird populations,
Which are settled in for the winter, and more accurately counted.
These 'amateur' data gathering efforts aid scientific understanding 
Of bird population dynamics.  
As a child, birds were a major group on which I focussed.
Starting with many avian observations in my home yard,
I grew restless to explore beyond my half acre homestead.
I learned about the Audubon Christmas Bird Count 
And gained permission from my parents to join a count,
Which unfolded for me on the Massachusetts coast.
Sea birds were all unfamiliar to me and I drank in all the new species.
Many years later, I began the count on the Quail Ridge Reserve,
Which Nora and I labored so diligently to create and see flourish.
On pondering this wonderful past, I began to calculate
That, now being 84, and having joined my first Count at about 12,
(Before the halfway mark of its existence!)--
A bit of a shock, and then pride welled within me
To realize I had been participating in such an historical flow of events.