In an age of Zoom, social media, and all things technology (which are all important and essential during COVID), how can we show our friends, family, and peers that the natural world is important and worth conserving?
Annie Dillard, in her book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, provides insight into how we can begin to value the natural world; it’s all a matter of seeing. In her home, near to Tinker Creek, Dillard explores the natural world and writes, “where Tinker Creek flows under the sycamore log bridge to the tear-shaped island, it is slow and shallow, fringed thinly in cattail marsh. At this spot, an astonishing bloom of life supports vast breeding populations of insects, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals.” Dillard’s words show how attentive she is to the world around her. She explains that, “it’s all a matter of keeping my eyes open.” How can we learn this practice that Dillard describes, the art of seeing things in the natural world?
Well, one cannot see the natural world without spending time outside; exploring your backyard in search of that jumping grasshopper or fluttering songbird. By being attentive to things around you, one can begin to appreciate and care for the natural world. I would argue that when one truly begins to see the natural world, as Annie Dillard describes, conservation will begin to become relevant and therefore more people can come together to protect the earth we live on, not just for the services it provides, but also for its intrinsic worth.
My bumble bee focused project has taught me again the importance and value of seeing. Often insects are forgotten in the world of wildlife where polar bears, whales, and sea turtles take the front stage, but in my own time spent outdoors, the world of insects is present if you’re willing to look! Small fuzzy invertebrates are buzzing flower to flower doing work essential to life on earth. When we see bumble bees on hikes or in your backyard, the value of these creatures is brought to light, making conservation efforts all the more important to the seer’s eyes.
Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Program: US Fish & Wildlife Service - DFP
Location: Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office