L. Brian Patrick beat me to the punch in defending Irwin's approach. While
these rants on Irwin are more about us wanting to air our views and less about
Irwin, I'll risk putting my face here.
About 10 years ago I learned how Linda Taylor of "It's Our Nature" Eco Guides
in Florida provides safe, secure, moderate hikes for women (and others) who may
be fearful of venturing out-of-doors into our parks and preserves. It was
eye-opening for me to realize that many people fear nature so much as to never
get out of their car in a state forest or nature preserve. One serious
strength of Irwin's was that he personally and physically showed that most of
nature can be approached, if one has studied and gained experience. I almost
pulled on the tail of an electric torpedo ray in the Gulf of Mexico once,
before I learned that they could shock one into a heart attack!
Steve's greatest gift, as Brian points out, was love of the natural world and
how we all share responsibility to protect nature from us. My wife and I speak
daily about the need for education of the masses who do not share the same
values. All we have (and are losing) is from ignorance and Steve's gift was
education.
Respectfully yours,
Geoff Patton, Ph.D.
Wheaton, MD
(301-946-5233)
---------------------------------
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