Sustainability Issues Course
Blog Presentation
Land and Habitat – Prairieland Conservation Initiative
As we move further into civilization, man continues to conquer lands that have been untouched for millions of years. Unfortunately with that civilization, comes irreversible damage to our lands and creates a dramatic ripple effect of destruction of our surrounding eco-system. As we continue to introduce pollution into our atmosphere, we are slowly raising our earth’s temperature, which in turn, is raising the temperature of our ocean waters. As that water’s temperature rises, it destroys precious coral reefs, ocean plant life, aquatic life within those oceans, and most of all, melting the much needed glaciers in the frozen Tundra. The map below shows the changes in our world’s glaciers that are diminishing because of the rising temperatures we are causing due to poor planning, careless settlement of land, and continuous pollution.
http://www.climate.org/topics/sea-level/index.html
As we clear more land for man to continue his quest to branch out and settle in our world, forests are being demolished which leads to irreversible damage to the forest’s eco-system. That damage not only contributes to the loss of trees that provide oxygen for us to breath, but it leads to land erosion, loss of many animal’s shelter, and other permanent damage that might not be fully realized for decades to come.
Hundreds of species of plants and animals are either endangered or extinct due to man’s irresponsible land development. Those extinctions have come about due to man’s quest to conquer the world. “Causes of endangerment include habitat destruction, over-exploitation, and introduction of exotic species, pollution, and disease.”1 Fortunately, just over 250 of those species are in the process of being recovered and brought back from being endangered. Therefore, we are taking steps in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go. As the problem of excessive land consumption continues, steps are being taken to prevent any further land consumption. As of now, more than 3,500 areas are being protected worldwide. Those lands include parks, wildlife reserves and some forestry areas. The image below shows the many various species of animals that are being put in danger of extinction. As you can see, this problem is worldwide, and is a concern that requires a global effort.
The Sunday Tribune
On a more local level, one particular conservation project that has been focused on for many is the Prairieland Conservation Initiative. The Prairieland Conservation Initiative, though varies a bit from state to state, the goal is the same, to preserve the land, make less of an impact on the eco-system, and protect the plants and animals who call the prairielands their home. The Coast is working hard to protect their lands so that they are able to provide fruitful land for livestock production and create a safe and sound habitat for many species.
“An effort is underway to provide technical, financial, and regulatory assistance to private landowners interested in conserving, enhancing, or restoring coastal prairie through the Coastal Prairie Conservation Initiative.”2
While prairielands don’t house the much desired forestry that is often being cut down and harvested for lumber, it indeed contains much fertile land for farming and crops. Therefore, the prairielands across the country are at risk for being completely developed and taken over for man’s needs, instead of being preserved for the rest of nature and its inhabitants. The initiative provides “assistance with brush control, grazing management, prescribed burning, or native grass establishment.”
Colorado has a program called “Peak to Prairie Conservation Plan”, and its purpose is to “preserve and protect these resources by knitting together and protecting public and private lands. The resulting landscape will be a relatively intact landscape in one of the last remaining stretches of unfragmented land along Colorado’s Front Range."3 While their goal is the same, to protect the prairielands, they also have a concern to protect their mountain ranges which consist of forestry, wildlife, and the Great Plains.
Their conservation plan often focuses on properties along the river fronts. As shown in the map below:
Colorado Open Lands
One concern with conservation and preservation within the prairielands is the risk of land erosion along the riverfront. The more vegetation and trees that are removed from rivers edge, the more the soil will break away and disintegrate. Therefore, more focus to preservation can be found along those areas.
So what can we as individuals do to support the Prairieland Conservation Initiatives throughout our country?
· - First, we can support those organizations that are working hard to preserve nature’s lands and prevent further species endangerment and extinctions.
· - Secondly, we can promote building within our designated areas and find alternative ways to utilize the land we currently have developed and re-purpose our current settled lands instead of contributing to urban sprawl. There is no need to continue to spread out and consume more land that is needed.
· -Lastly, we can support sustainable efforts as a whole. Use alternative fuels instead of fossil fuels that are heating up our atmosphere and ocean waters; we can recycle, reuse, repair or re-purpose our goods instead of contributing to the growing need for landfills; we can conserve electricity within our homes and create less of a demand for electricity; and we can support alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and nuclear with cause less of an impact on our world.
Together, we can make a difference, but we have to get involved and come a part of the solution. Become an advocate for land conservation and find out how you can make a difference!
Resources for this Blog Entry
Megan Topham – Land and Habitat Power Point
Sunday Tribune - http://www.myriadeditions.com/posters
2. Coastal Prairie Conservation Initiative - http://library.fws.gov/Pubs4/prairie_bookmark.pdf
3. Colorado Open Lands - http://www.coloradoopenlands.org/site/ourWork/landProtection/peakToPrairie/index.php
1. Climate Institute - http://www.climate.org/topics/sea-level/index.html
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