b'Texas has worse regulations for managing an apex predator cat than any other state and most countries.alike, are coming into an alignment to decide (orThere are still those among us who know darn well not) the fate of a next-in-line apex predator, thehow to steward land and leave it better than we found mysterious mountain lion. Without even a flinch,it. We know about conservation and how to ask for we rubbed out grizzly bears, jaguars, and thepermission and quietly listen to the answer. We know gray wolves. Will our Lone Star State allow thenever to take more than is needed, only kill what we remaining pumas to go the way of the others? We arewill eat. Most all of us can muster the gratitude to approaching the shrinking line of their range, like thefreely give respect and thanks to the creator.diminishing edge of darkness. Some of us have always known these eternal As people, we have choices to make. If we choose toteachings are meant for our childrens children. It do nothing, eventually Texas becomes an add-on, ais them that we teach to walk towards the future, to plug-in to the eastern block of United States. Then welightly step forward with confidence, compassion, can say, OK, let us be wholly urban all the way toand utmost care. the east coast. When we kill the last cougar, then we can say, The West now begins in New Mexico.The fate of our very existence lies nestled within each of us. Its in the palm of our hands, in our head and Or will natives and newcomers re-join hands inour heart. Its always been right here.saving us from ourselves? We can decide to prevent wasting of mountain lions to the point of no return. We need to slow down. It takes time to better understand long term consequences of our actions. Its as good an excuse as any for Texans to heal their differences and live again in ways that were once widely known. A proud, honorable people with a strong sense of grit, a streak of independence, and hearty purpose. Texans know how to be friendly and help a neighbor. We have big hands for waving howdy. We have even bigger handshakes that once upon a time you could trust with your life. Bill Neiman, co-founderNative American SeedFast, Cheap, and Goodpick 2'