How have you been inspired by Bernd Heinrich?
Bernd Heinrich illuminates the path to explore the natural world – to see a layer that you would not think previously existed. He blurs the confines of straight-line thinking that leads most along the edges of the box. Most find that on this path to knowledge there are corners. Bernd finds these corners; he does not, however, consider them dead ends. Instead they meld into a continuous path with no end. His methods of thinking are revolutionary and he possess unique and imaginative experimental design. Designs such as throwing a rooster carcass into the snow to mimic a ruffed grouse dive-bombing, to test whether they aggregate, or placing hot baked potatoes into squirrel nests to estimate their thermal properties. Heinrich ignites a spark and encourages students and staff to delve deeper into our cognitive process in order to explore the unknown endlessly.
-Emily Hill; Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences- Wildlife Concentration; Junior
Bernd Heinrich’s descriptive works about life-science have motivated, inspired, and captivated me. His absorbing book, The Geese of Beaver Bog, published in 2004, made me to see the world through a different lens – a lens that used a holistic view to interpret the fascinating natural world of a Canadian goose. Bernd’s patience in understanding the natural world, and curiosity, helped me reflect on personal values and how I perceive the natural world. Meeting Bernd, being able to tell him how much I enjoyed his book, and listening to him describe observations while explaining his thoughts and views, gave me a deeper appreciation for his books, articles, stories, and other written works. After the memorable evening meeting with Bernd, I am left now with a deeper understanding of aspects that make a good naturalist. Listen to the forest, note small changes, pay attention to patterns and be inquisitive, those are a few lessons I gained from the evening. I have a deep appreciation for the author who helped smooth rough edges and give shine to the naturalist inside of me. I am thankful to Paul Smith’s College for providing this unique opportunity, which gave so many people I am sure the inspiration that I have for Bernd’s mind-opening written works.
-Benjamin Wrazen; Environmental Science B.S.; Sophomore
Bernd is one of my favorite authors. He looks at the world and ecosystems in a different way than a lot of other scientists and researchers. Bernd notices the little things about the environment and reminds us that we really don’t know all that much about the world and the organisms we share it with. He inspires me to take a deeper look into the natural world.
-Sarah Schultz; Ecological Forest Management; Junior
I read Ravens during the winter of 1997-98, while attending Unity College. Prior to reading this book my understanding of science was purely as a process of rigor, formalities, objectivity, and boring writing. This book was my first exposure to the roles of creativity, passion for the outdoors and excitement in the scientific process. At this fledgling stage in my wildlife career I had no conscious interest in graduate school. This book watered the seed of interest for my subsequent research-oriented pursuits. Amazingly, Bernd was the keynote speaker at my 2000 commencement. However, lost in the whirlwind of activities, I missed the opportunity to meet him in person. I am very grateful to the Adirondack Center for Writing for filling this void in my life.
-Ross Conover; Faculty, Wildlife Biologist
Bernd’s father, a world expert in ichneumon wasps, actively collected, categorized, and published descriptions of new species. His father and mother were paid by museums to collect birds and mammals around the world. Bernd grew up collecting beetles, raising birds, and exploring. Although Bernd’s work has long inspired me as a naturalist, today he inspires me differently as a parent – as a mom. I want my seven-year-old son to have the freedom to explore the natural world, the way Bernd did. I want my son to walk barefoot in the spring mud and climb trees (and not worry about the “what ifs”). I want my son to have role models that value our natural world and who explore the world themselves. Bernd inspires me to take the time (even if I think I should be doing laundry or making dinner) to answer my son’s questions and discuss his hypotheses about the critters and the skies they live under. Bernd inspires me to slow down to admire a rock, a feather, a piece of moss, or whatever else has captured my son’s attention so that my son will know the value of exploring and of the natural world.
-Jorie Favreau; Faculty, Wildlife Biologist
Bernd Heinrich and Ben Wrazen
