Small acts of nature conservation. A couple of these we already do but others would be new and different to work on this year, in the garden especially. Includes things like not raking up all the leaves in the Autumn. You can rake them off the grass and into the flower beds, good for the plants and the wildlife.
We are part of the natural world, but we as a species are unique in that we have the ability to be aware of how we fit into things. We can intervene. That may be our blessing and our curse – to live with the duality that we are somehow both natural and unnatural.
I will admit my human interest – I’d be happier knowing I lived in a country where beavers swam in the rivers and far north, a few lynx and wolves padded through the recovering woods of the highlands. I’d like the crayfish infestations to be controlled, and I’d like to see species other than green parakeets flocking over my street.
Some mistakes of the past can be put right; the effects of invasive species can be negated, and long-absent species that were once part of Britain’s natural world can be reintroduced. I don’t advocate causing human suffering for the sake of giving nature a leg-up back to where it may once have been; but I do believe there is a way to mediate between the needs of those with competing interests for the land, to instill what’s left of nature with a bit more diversity, and the knock-on effect from that, excitement.
Then it’s a case of seeing what happens when we allow this ambiguity in.
And perhaps I’ll just have to learn to live with the parakeets.
via Parakeets and Purity | The Learned Pig.
How adaptable is nature and should we think we can allow nature to fix or heal from our decisions? I think the idea that endangered species should be left to fade is valid, but not completely. It depends on whether the danger is natural, or man-made. We should not re-create the planet to suit ourselves and expect nature to cater to our needs alone. Nature may make changes, adapt and struggle but we should be part of that - not set ourselves above it.
It's a shame people think of sharks as such dangerous killers when in fact, humans are responsible for far more human and shark deaths than sharks. That's something for you to think about next time you go swimming.
Once upon a time I added some pet links to my column and some pet links to this newsletter. Other than that I'm not in favour of pets.
I do like animals, I've supported cats. Never say you have kept or owned cats. We all know that's just a myth. But, I've supported cats, fed them, built them shelters they usually ignored, that sort of stuff. My cats lived outside all year round. Most of them were feral so it suited us both just fine. If I had bags of money to get rid of I would start a program to catch and neuter/ spay feral cats. I think the Humane Society means well but they just miss the point. Being choosy about good homes is never going to help wind down the unwanted pet population. Better to go with the Chinese method and eat them than to store them in tiny cages and then kill them when space gets too tight. At least eat them, it's the natural process. Costs less too.
Anyway, now that I've offended, disgusted and sickened everyone, in one way or another, let's get on with the discussion of pets.
I don't think people should keep pets. The odd family dog is ok, if you have the space. Having the space is vital. Dogs needs space, they need places to drool, bark and do all those other annoying dog things. Bet you never would guess I'm not quite a dog person, eh?
But, keeping several dogs and topping that off with cats, fish, birds, reptiles and rodents is taking things way too far. You are not a zoo! I've never really seen this set up work well for the people or the animals. It's just not healthy for people and animals to share the same home. The pioneers did it cause they had to. The livestock helped keep the cabin warm and in turn the livestock had a better chance of surviving to feed the family come Spring. But, we moved on from there, right? I seriously think anyone with more than one pet should be looking for space to build a barn. If only for the smell situation!
Then, we come to those exotic pets. Let's just say NO! and leave it at that.
Animals should have their space to be wild, free and in constant danger of being eaten by each other. It's how things work in nature. People should leave it alone, it worked much better before we started keeping pets. Ugh! Pet keeping is one of my little pet peeves.