I’ve been a little busy lately, but I do have a quick video from The Daily Show I want to share. It’s about how the people of Turkey Creek, MS, a historic black community founded in 1866 by freed slaves, had trouble protecting their land and cultural heritage from eminent domain, industrial pollution, and urban sprawl until the “bird people” stepped in. “Thank God for the Birds,” said Derrick Evans, a Turkey Creek community leader. I love this story because I think it comically touches on two important and almost universal issues when it comes to wildlife conservation.
- Conservation can help wildlife AND people.
- People can become resentful of conservation and conservationists when wildlife seems more important than them to the larger society.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | .Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Bird Like Me | ||||
|
||||
I pay no attention to those who get upset with conservationists. Larger society will not exist without a healthy functioning natural world. If we don’t pay attention who will? And if we don’t protect our planet who will?
Sorry for the delayed comment Bill! I totally hear where you’re coming from. But, I also think it’s important to understand why people get upset or frustrated with conservation measure and conservationists. I think the “we” in “if we don’t pay attention” and “if we don’t protect our planet” needs to include more people than are currently involved.
[...] and Commercial Fishermen Clash Over Striped Bass January 25, 2011 ChuckZoologirl’s BlogBirds + People or Birds vs. People January 27, 2011 zoologirlQuick Links 1.20.11 January 21, 2011 zoologirlEven Brian Williams thinks [...]