Several small victories for wildlife this week: Thanks to the outcry by groups over Peapack-Gladstone’s original proposal to gas the geese in Liberty Park, the Borough Council has come up with a three step plan. First it will use drones to chase geese away from the park; the second step is to use the bird repellent Flock Free, which will have to be reapplied after rainstorms because it is not a commercial grade.
The final step is to remove the remaining geese to a protected area. The Barnyard Sanctuary in Knowlton stepped forward and will take the remaining geese. So these geese are saved, but we who want nice parks with ponds need to consider how best to cohabit with the wildlife displaced by development.
Another small victory on Thursday where some drivers going through the Great Swamp don’t seem to realize the speed limit is there for a purpose. Blocking traffic for one of the largest snapping turtles I have ever seen trying to cross the road, a man in a pickup on the other side stopped. He picked it up from the back by covering it with a blanket and got it across. Then it went slowly down into the wet grass.
Prayer for the Day
Knowing we must do more than marvel at your creation, O God,
We create places of refuge and protection for your creatures;
Aware that we have displaced wildlife and destroyed habitat,
We establish places out of the reach of developers.
May we do more than simply naming roads for displaced wildlife,
And protect your earth from those who do not care.
In the name of the One who cares for all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
So much of the habitat destruction and pollution is based on the simple principle that we somehow have been given free license over other species to degrade the planet.
Greg Graffin, American singer and evolutionary biologist
The most important thing is to preserve the world we live in. Unless people understand and learn about our world, habitats, and animals, they won’t understand that if we don’t protect those habitats, we’ll eventually destroy ourselves.
Jack Hanna, Retired Director of the Columbus Zoo, hosted TV show on animals
Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
Fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling God’s command!
Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all Cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds. – Psalm 148: 7-10