Just back from AIC, and I must say that I’m feeling really good about the future of the profession. There’s a terrific crop of youngsters / hipsters on the horizon and while I used to worry about my and their livelihood in a Jude the Obscure “because we are too many” way, well, it was nice to see the blue hairs slightly outnumbered by the non-blue haired in Denver. Not that the blue-hairs don’t still have work to do! We young things need to be taken sharply by the collar and roughed up a bit with all the secrets to past and ongoing successes. I’ve yet to be mentored by a rock star of the profession quite like I want to be — jerked aside, occasionally reprimanded, and then emblazoned with advice for a bold future. I either lack promise or the older generation isn’t as outgoing as the new crowd, but either way, I’m on the hunt for a mentor. Watch out, conservation / preservation rock stars.