Jack Ward Thomas stood fast in defense of the validity of the controversial “Spotted Owl Conservation Plan” despite his dislike of the wide attention that has come to him and his dismay at the economic dislocation foreshadowed by the report.

The highest ranked research biologist in the U.S. Forest Service, Jack Ward Thomas was asked by Forest Service Chief Dale Robertson to lead a team of 17 wildlife biologists in developing a scientifically credible conservation strategy for the threatened Northern Spotted Owl. Robertson specifically directed the team to go wherever science might lead them and assured them of the total support of all four federal agencies involved. Thomas knew the report would be controversial and that public criticism would focus on him and his committee. With gravest concern for the economic distress that implementation of their work would cause, Thomas and his team were determined to make it as airtight and scientifically unimpeachable as possible.

The most difficult consequence of the controversy for Thomas was the loss of his anonymity. When asked about reported death threats, he admits there were some, but says he understands and sympathizes with those who are facing an uncertain economic future. A very reluctant hero, he also feels uncomfortable that so much positive attention is focused on him, claiming, “most of the 17 on that committee knew more about the Spotted Owl than I did.” Quoting Einstein, he says, “For the most part I do the thing which my own nature drives me to do. It is embarrassing to earn so much respect for it.”

Thomas says that most people don’t appreciate that “the issues are not limited to questions of owls and timber supply, as important as these are. The matter is not that simple; it never has been.”

Update:

Jack Ward Thomas became the thirteenth chief of the U.S Forest Service, serving in that post from 1993 to 1996. Under his leadership, the Northwest Forest Plan was adopted. After retiring from the Forest Service, Thomas became Boone & Crockett Professor of Wildlife Conservation at the School of Forestry of the University of Montana in Missoula.

Keep up with him at http://JackWardThomas.com/