As I thought about the cardinal I saw this morning that flew away from the feeder before I could get photo of it, I wondered why so many birds were being delisted from the endangered species act. The northern spotted owl has lost 70% of its habitat due to development and timber harvesting but it is not being listed as endangered. What’s an owl compared to money? Evidently not much.
In another move this week the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service changed the definition of what constitutes habitat. Under the previous rule, the area in which a species lived and obtained its food was considered its habitat. But no more!
It’s like telling you that the second bedroom or rec room isn’t important because you aren’t in it constantly. And then your kitchen and living room get shrunk as well. Well, at least the know nothings in charge now didn’t take away your bedroom. They’ll be gone but in the meantime, the loggers can go after your living room as well.
Prayer for the Day
You have given us this earth in stewardship, O God, to protect,
But there are those who worship the gods of greed;
Strengthen our resolve to care for all your creatures
Including the ones we will never probably see ourselves.
In the name of him who considered the lilies of the field,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen
Thoughts for the Day
The earth is what we all have in common
- Wendell Berry, American environmental writer
The environment and the economy are really both sides of the same coin. If we cannot sustain the environment we cannot sustain ourselves.
- Wangari Maathal, first African woman to win the Nobel (1940-2011)
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation
For you I wait all day long.
- Psalm 25: 2-3