Linda

As Diablo Valley and surrounding areas become over developed, we can only hope that we have the foresight to see that we need this type of interaction if we are to remain engaged with our natural world around us. Unfortunately, many have lost sight and are now cramped in over-crowded neighborhoods and conflicts between wildlife and humans occur.

In these “new style” neighborhoods, we make room for more people, but we push out much of the wildlife and alter the natural ecosystem. A few animals have taken advantage of this “New” environment and their actions to find food and shelter have labeled them a nuisance. Where we once had equilibrium, we now have outbreaks of pests and diseases.

I am not saying that we have to stop development all the way, we just need to develop smartly. We do not have to take all of the natural land. Leaving enough natural space will help reduce the conflicts that we somehow always create. And, sometime in the future, probably sooner than we expect, these little oasis of natural spaces will be very valuable and keep the values of our homes higher.

Lastly, tolerance of wildlife can go a long way to help reduce the conflict between people who care and those who don’t want to understand what wildlife can bring. Those of us who care about Urban Wildlife need to educate those who need a little more information. Engaging those who can make a difference toward saving some urban wildlife is the right thing to do. Please support the efforts to save the Beavers in Martinez and Urban Wildlife in all urban spaces.