Conserving Nature's Habitats

A habitat is a home where species of life live.
Suburban habitats take much room, but they can be wildlife habitats.
One of my best nature trips this past summer was a lawn in Charlotte, North Carolina.
We see lots of life on our lawn here in Pennsylvania.
Flower gardens, particularly of native plants like asters and goldenrod, provide nectar to butterflies, bees and other kinds of insects.
Berries on shrubs and trees feed rodents and small birds.

The major degradation of habitats started with the industrial revolution during the 1750's.
People consume way too many resources, especially in the United States, China and India.
And there is too much waste: We need to reduce, reuse and recycle paper, plastic, glass etc.
Too much consumption does not make us happier, and it could kill us and other forms of life.
We need to reduce our use of everything, including fossil fuels.  Climate change may be accelerated by the greenhouse affect from carbon dioxide and air pollutants.
We should not use agrofuels such as trees, corn, etc.  We should rely on solar, wind and geothermal energy.
Habitats are destroyed by pollution, monoculture, deforestration, herbicides, pesticides and so on.
Habitat destruction also destroys wild plant and animal life.
But there are causes for hope.
Here in New Holland, Pa. minnows, frogs, ducks and other aquatic animals are continuing to live
in Mill Creek downstream from where treated sewage and industrial waste are released into that
creek.
Rye and white radishes are planted as a winter cover crop to contain soil, and enrich it by putting nitrogen into the soil.
Stream bank fencing keeps pollutants out of waterways and provides good wildlife habitats.
Bald eagles, ospreys and peregrine falcons have made great comebacks in the United States because of the law and the ban on using DDT, and the birds' adapting.
Game animals are managed for sustained hunting.  And game lands also harbor non-game species of plants and wildlife, free from housing developments.
Many people are using solar, wind and geothermal energy.
What can the avergae person do?  Plenty.  Give or sell land to a conservancy that will preserve that land in a natural state.
Give money to game commissions to buy land for hunting, and non-game species of life.
Donate money to other organizations that preserve land.  The Wetlands Institute near Stone Harbor, New Jersey preserves many acres of salt marshes and salt channels.
Support land and wildlife protection acts.
Create or sign petitions that preserve natural areas.
But environmentally safe products.  Use clean energy sources.
Write letters to congresspeople asking for their help in protecting natural habitats.
Allow children to be aware of nature.
Only run dish washers and wash machines when they are full.
Take shorter showers.  Don't water lawns. Sweep decks and porches; no water. 
Use biodegradible products.  Turn off lights when not in use.  Don't use plastic bags.  Drive less.  Heat the home less.  Don't build on floodplains- let them be wildlife refuges.
Vote for congresspeople or presidents or govenors that have good records on preserving natural resources.
We must have more respect for other kinds of like, then we are more likely to use, but not abuse.
We must live more in harmony and balance with nature, to use but not abuse.
We must manage land more wisely, protecting habitats as well to preserve life's diversity.
Oceans, beaches and salt marshes need to be preserved for our food and recreation, and provide homes for certain wild plants and animals.
Rivers, lakes and wells need to be protected for our water use and for wildlife diversity.
Forests, prairies and deserts need to be preserved for their renewable resources for us, and to maintain their diversities of wild plants and animals. 
But habitat loss equals a loss of wild plant and animal diversity.
And all of the above will be for nothing if we don't soon reverse human population growth.  We need to reduce human numbers to manage the Earth's resources for all life.