Böcker av Davy Murrah

The Pascagoula River is the largest unobstructed river in the contiguous United States. Because of this lack of restraint, the river has been left to rise and fall naturally with the seasons, overflowing annually into the adjoining bottomland forest. This phenomenon makes the Pascagoula River one of the wildest rivers, surrounded by some of the most ecologically diverse woodlands, in North America. Herman Murrah (1935-2002) lived his entire life on the banks and in the swamp surrounding this river in southeast Mississippi. Watershed: Herman Murrah and the Pascagoula River Swamp recounts pivotal moments in Herman's life and in Mississippi's conservation history more broadly. In this book, Herman's eldest son, Davy, details the adventures that continue to inspire young conservationists in the fight to protect our remaining natural ecosystems. As a young adult, Herman worked as a game warden in the Pascagoula River Swamp. When the Pascagoula Hardwood Company, then owners of the swamp, decided to sell the vast tract of forest for clearcutting, Herman was incensed. Determined to protect this natural wonder, Herman teamed up with other visionaries to persuade the State of Mississippi to purchase the land and preserve it in perpetuity to the benefit of future generations of humans and wildlife alike. Eventually, the state agreed and finalized the purchase. Herman was appointed area manager for the upper portion of the newly designated Pascagoula River Wildlife Management Area. He dedicated the remainder of his life to preserving, protecting, and improving the swamp for the good of south Mississippi.

"Watershed tells the story of a young boy raised on the bank of the Pascagoula River. His was a family whose livelihood hinged on the bounty of the river and swamp. His experiences while growing up in this natural wonderland taught young Herman Murrah to appreciate and develop a passion for this unique piece of paradise. As a young adult, Herman worked as a game warden in the Pascagoula River Swamp. His appreciation of the uniqueness of one of the last natural ecosystems in the US continued to grow. Herman became determined to preserve and protect this natural wonder. When the current owners of the swamp (the Pascagoula Hardwood Company) decide to sell the vast expanse of hardwood to be clear cut and destroyed forever, Herman teamed with several other visionaries to save this ecological anomaly for future generations by persuading the State of Mississippi to purchase the swamp and preserve it perpetually. Once the State purchased the swamp and it became the Pascagoula River Wildlife Management Area, Herman was appointed area manager for the upper portion. He dedicated the remainder of his life to preserving, protecting, and improving the swamp for the good people of South Mississippi. Herman's love affair with the Pascagoula River Swamp lasted a lifetime and beyond. His story continues to inspire young conservationists as we strive to protect some of our last remaining natural ecosystems"--