Given our surroundings, it seems only natural to feel a connection to the rustic wilderness around us. A core value as a member of the Montana Conservation Corps is to become stewards of our environment, and this task is undertaken in a variety of ways. Perhaps the most intriguing fashion of stewardship is connecting with one of the many animal species which is unique to Montana and the surrounding areas. On my crew alone, we have a wolf (solitary but loyal to the pack), a buffalo (strong and gentle), an owl (intelligent and vigilant), a prairie dog (fond of napping and lovable), and the rattlesnake (quick, clever, and surprisingly strong). I suppose that I too, the Ironman himself, has even taken up this idea of connecting with a local animal: the dung beetle.
Now, don’t get me wrong, the dung beetle may have not been everyone’s first choice, but it is truly a most unassuming creature. As most crew leaders may find apropos, the dung beetle is most at home in the “stickiest” of situations. Tirelessly they tread, focusing on their ball, all while thinking about the future that this stinky sphere holds in store. For the beetle, this odorous orb is the key to reproduction and the legacy that passing of one’s genetic coding involves. However, for this man sized beetle, my ball is a bit more symbolic.
Just as Sisyphus struggles with his boulder, we too, as members of MCC struggle with our own lives. Troubles on the trail, homesickness, adjusting to life where a muddy stagnant pool of water is seen as a beautiful oasis. These are just a few of the the elements that add to our individual dung balls. Like the dung beetle though, it is important to remember that the destination, and not the ball itself, is why most of us are out here. Experience, kinship, and memories are just a few of the rewards that await us in October/November. The leagacy that we push forth, while often times daunting and unnerving, is something that is worth pushing. We hold in our hands (or mandibles, given the circumstances) the future for the next generation of little MCC beetles, wolfs, owls, snakes, buffalos…
Yes, the dung beetle is a most unassuming creature. While it cant fly like an owl, hunt like a wolf, run like a buffalo, bask like a prairie dog, or strike like a rattlesnake, the dung beetle is amazing in its own right. Strong, steadfast in resolution, and doesn’t mind getting a little dirty; a creature worthy of our praise and admiration.
Now, don’t get me wrong, the dung beetle may have not been everyone’s first choice, but it is truly a most unassuming creature. As most crew leaders may find apropos, the dung beetle is most at home in the “stickiest” of situations. Tirelessly they tread, focusing on their ball, all while thinking about the future that this stinky sphere holds in store. For the beetle, this odorous orb is the key to reproduction and the legacy that passing of one’s genetic coding involves. However, for this man sized beetle, my ball is a bit more symbolic.
Just as Sisyphus struggles with his boulder, we too, as members of MCC struggle with our own lives. Troubles on the trail, homesickness, adjusting to life where a muddy stagnant pool of water is seen as a beautiful oasis. These are just a few of the the elements that add to our individual dung balls. Like the dung beetle though, it is important to remember that the destination, and not the ball itself, is why most of us are out here. Experience, kinship, and memories are just a few of the rewards that await us in October/November. The leagacy that we push forth, while often times daunting and unnerving, is something that is worth pushing. We hold in our hands (or mandibles, given the circumstances) the future for the next generation of little MCC beetles, wolfs, owls, snakes, buffalos…
Yes, the dung beetle is a most unassuming creature. While it cant fly like an owl, hunt like a wolf, run like a buffalo, bask like a prairie dog, or strike like a rattlesnake, the dung beetle is amazing in its own right. Strong, steadfast in resolution, and doesn’t mind getting a little dirty; a creature worthy of our praise and admiration.
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