With the advent of “National Wildlife Week” (April 7-13) I’m reflecting on how human activity has altered and negatively impacted the natural world. Imagine the complex web of life is like a colourful tapestry hanging on the wall. At first some minor damage occurs with fraying along the edges. Then loose threads appear which are pulled and removed but the colours and pattern of the tapestry largely remain intact. However, over time one too many threads are pulled causing the tapestry to completely unravel and fall to the floor in a tangled heap. Many wildlife species across the globe are showing an alarming drop in their numbers due to multiple threats that are directly linked to human activity; climate change, habitat loss, poaching, pesticides and overfishing just to name a few. But we can slow and even reverse this troubling decline by establishing a network of large and interconnected protected areas. With more room to forage, find food and a mate, it gives wildlife a better chance to survive and even thrive.
Gary Markotich
Napanee