Michael Sauers

March 15, 2024

Even as I get older the idea of spring excites me. It is a time of renewal, a fresh start. Nature explodes and reminds us of its importance. Colors, fragrances and growth abound. We take it all in and we consider the importance of preserving and protecting the magnificence of diversity. Absorb it! Process it! Enjoy it!

There are a few considerations we should adopt. First, slow down. Wildlife and its newest members are everywhere. They are very vulnerable to traffic whether they crawl, fly, hop or run. Where you see one there are probably many more. Many young animals travel close to adults. Baby raccoons will stay close to their mother even though she has been struck by a car. This is why we often see several dead raccoons in close proximity. Many other animals have similar behaviors. Some birds, such as robins, are low flyers. Spring rains bring out frogs, toads and salamanders who attempt to cross roads. Heat brings snakes to roadways to absorb heat. Slow down and keep your eyes open. Thanks.

If you are revamping your landscape you may want to consider making it wildlife friendly. Cut down the lawn area and put in pollinator friendly flowers, shrubs and trees. This will begin the process of supporting other creatures up the food chain. Eliminate lawn chemicals, add a water feature, start a compost system and establish brush piles as safe places. Obviously this takes some thinking but you can do it. The rewards are incalculable. Involve your children.

Say good-bye to your burn barrel. It is an instrument of pollution guaranteed to affect relations with your neighbors. Burning plastics is particularly offensive. You are dousing yourself and your neighbors with cancer causing chemicals. Burning trash fouls the air and necessitates closing windows on beautiful days. Practice environmental shopping. Most materials can be composted, recycled or just not purchased.

Try to not have backyard fireworks. They are polluting, noisy, dangerous and frightening to our companion animals. Like burning, they will affect relationships with neighbors. If necessary go to a public fireworks display.

Finally, go to as many state/federal/county/local parks, forests, game lands, lakes, natural area, etc. as possible. TAKE THE KIDS! These must be protected from development. Enjoy!

There is more. Do some research.