THE FUTURE OF EXTENSION EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN WILDLIFE DAMAGE MANAGEMENT

Almost 10 years ago in October 1981, at the Fifth Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop here in Lincoln, I presented the keynote address to those in attendance entitled, Wildlife Damage Control and the Cooperative Extension Service (Miller 1981a). Although a great deal of change has occurred within the Extension System and within other agencies responsible for animal damage control since 1981, the role and responsibility for Extension educational programs in the prevention and control of wildlife damage has not changed significantly. There have been some changes in the audiences requesting assistance and in the manner, delivery mechanisms, and methodologies used in getting information to those who need it. There have also been some discreet changes in sensitivity among specialists about the way their recommendations and educational programs are presented with a growing awareness that people are sincerely concerned about animal welfare and wildlife management implications