Interview with David Wicks, July 5, 1989

Partial Transcript: This interview picks up and continues the interview started with David Wicks on the 27th of June.

Segment Synopsis: David Wicks continues his conversation from the previous interview (1989oh146_env007). He talks about how environmental groups compete against each other. He talks about changing attitudes toward environmentalism in schools, and discusses how these attitudes differ in public versus private schools.

Keywords: Administrators; Attitudes; Camps; Competing interests; Cooperation; Development; Environmental groups; Environmental organizations; General public; Kentucky; Kentucky Day School; Private schools; Public schools; Real world application; Splintering; Teachers; Vision; Wisconsin

Subjects: Curriculum planning; Education; Environmental education.

Partial Transcript: A, a third area, which I tie into care for the environment, is care for yourself.

Segment Synopsis: Wicks talks about the connections between caring for one's health and care for the environment in a holistic approach.

Keywords: Body; Cancer; Care for environment; Care for self; Connections; Drug use; Holistic; Learning; Links; Wellness

Subjects: Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Health

Partial Transcript: Uh, a second component, uh, uh, to enhance the environmental literacy, uh, uh, of our general population--

Segment Synopsis: Wicks discusses a debate within the environmental community concerning whether development or underdevelopment causes more harm to the environment. Wicks provides examples on both sides and gives his own opinion on the issue.

Keywords: Attitudes; Environmental literacy; Garbage; Government; Inclusive; Infrastructure; Nature Conservancy; Overdevelopment; People; Population; Preservation; Priorities; Problems; Red River Gorge; Roles; Trees; Underdevelopment; United Nations (UN); Waste disposal; Women's education

Subjects: Environmental education.; Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Land use.; Natural areas; Pollution.; Refuse and refuse disposal.

Partial Transcript: Uh, uh, and, and, and, and so, you know--(coughs)--uh, I think that once again that, that first link for, for me for this wise development is...

Segment Synopsis: Wicks talks more specifically about some of the problems caused by underdevelopment, including issues that arise from poor sewage and waste disposal. He talks about how protected land can still be harmed by influences from far away due to issues like these and talks about the importance of education to reduce these problems.

Keywords: Army Corps of Engineers; Attitudes; Certification; Connections; Environmental literacy; Garbage; Government; Habitats; Infrastructure; Karst topography; Landfills; Louisville (Ky.); Mammoth Cave; Nature Conservancy; Ohio River; Operation Brightside; Overdevelopment; Preservation; Priorities; Problems; Qualifications; Regulations; Responsibility; Sewage; Sewer systems; Solid waste; Storm drainage; Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA); Underdevelopment; Waste disposal

Subjects: Effluent quality; Environmental education.; Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Hazardous wastes; Land use.; Natural areas; Pollution.; Refuse and refuse disposal.; Sewerage.; Storm sewers.; Water quality.

Partial Transcript: Um, there does seem to be some movement in that direction with the creation of the Valley Stream, um, Environmental and Technology...

Segment Synopsis: Wicks talks more about changing attitudes toward environmentalism in schools.

Keywords: Atherton High School; Elementary schools; Environmental issues; Focus; Public safety; Schools; Valley High School; Voluntary participation

Subjects: Curriculum planning; Education; Environmental education.; Louisville (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: Yes, so you were talking about the components of the--(Wicks coughs)--

Segment Synopsis: Wicks talks about how people are becoming more aware of pesticide use on their food, but also discusses ways in which society is not being environmentally friendly. He talks about ways in which the military and other large organizations could become role models for environmental consciousness. He talks more about how protected land can still be harmed by influences from far away.

Keywords: Apples; Attitudes; Chemicals; Consumption; Crisis; Destruction; Development; Expenses; Funding; Healthy; Individuals; Infrastructure; Innovative; Lawn care; Lexington Army Depot; Lifestyles; Locally grown food; Military bases; Military spending; Money; National defense; Nature Conservancy; Pesticides; Preservation; Property; Protection; Public opinion; Resource management; Resources; Role models; Spending; Standard of living; Stewardship; Tree farms; Voluntary; Wellness

Subjects: Conservation of natural resources; Environmental education.; Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Hazardous wastes; Land use.; Natural areas; Pollution.

Partial Transcript: My fourth component--and it's, and it's--you know, they, they blend together so much.

Segment Synopsis: Wicks discusses the connections between commitment to family and commitment to the environment. He talks about food in terms of the importance of regenerative farming, the use of pesticides and chemicals on food, and international trade. He talks about how self-sufficiency can improve the environment in terms of each of those aspects.

Keywords: Ability; Attitudes; Chemicals; Cold Stream Farm; Commitment; Connections; Dependency; Extended family; Family; Food; Foreign aid; Foreign trade; Health; International trade; Japan; Lawsuits; Long-term; Nature Conservancy; Personal responsibility; Pesticides; Regenerative farming; Relationships; Role models; Self-sufficient; Sustainable farming; Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA); University of Kentucky; Wendell Berry

Subjects: Conservation of natural resources; Environmental education.; Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Families.; Hazardous wastes; Land use.; Natural areas; Pollution.; Traditional farming

Partial Transcript: Okay, and maybe on that--(Wicks coughs)--

Segment Synopsis: Wicks talks about what advice he would give to young people who want to become environmentalists. he talks about the importance of improving one's own actions before focusing on the world at large. He talks about the types of training he looks for when hiring people to work at the Blackacre Nature Preserve. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Advice; Blackacre Conservancy; Blackacre State Nature Preserve; Commitment; Community service; Documenting; Ecologically sound; Environmentally sound; Family; Hiring; Interest; Jobs; Orders; Organizations; Personal; Role models; Self assessments; Self first; Skills; Training; Volunteering; Work; Young people

Subjects: Environmental education.; Environmental protection; Environmentalism