Zoo

Nothing makes me revel in my natural resources degree and question my grad school future more than: stupidity, cool sustainability displays, stupidity, conservation, and stupidity. Yes, I mentioned stupidity three times. Why? Well, because stupid people make me glad I have a multi-faceted degree! I can explain and understand natural resources from a economic commodity angle, from the social side, from a politics and policy podium, and finally as a scientist. Whoever decided interdisciplinary degrees shouldn't get funding is stupid, those of in them rock! I have digressed from my intent here. At the zoo yesterday, yes I said zoo, there were a number of exhibits, signs and pamphlets about sustainability. The zoo itself has recycling bins with every trash can, they're working on ways to make their aquatic exhibits sustainable by creating recycling water systems and they have two exhibits regarding sustainability! One of the sustainability exhibits is sponsored by Trillium Creek Family Farms. This display has raised beds with a variety of produce growing in them, runner ducks, rabbits, pygora goats (I believe pygmy and angora crosses), Icelandic sheep (I want some of these!), chickens and a variety of displays regarding organic food, small farms, and things of this nature. The other display is actually a coalescing of small markers with backyard wildlife habitat types that are spread throughout the zoo. These markers lead to one area, a backyard wildlife habitat display! It is quite possibly one of my favorite zoo displays of all time! The Pacific Northwest region was my other favorite. What can I say? I am a sucker for animals found in my region. Yeah tigers, sun bears and lorikeets are amazing . . . but give me ringtails, black bears, salmon, bobcats and cougars any day. We have a lot of fabulous wildlife here in North America and people seem to sometimes forget that. Julie asked if there are breeding programs for non-charismatic birds that are going extinct (like the programs we had for bald eagles). Sadly, last time I checked there were none. It has been about five years, so I could be wrong, but that is the unfortunate part of being a non-charismatic species. People don't think about you, don't want to buy you and you aren't fantastic, you're just there. Where does this leave me? Believing that backyard wildlife habitat and preservation are my future. Maybe a zoo or wildlife rehabilitation center really are where I'll end up. North American wildlife, urban sustainability, and education? That's right up my alley!

While I'm at it . . . there is a VERY large difference between conservation and preservation folks! I grow tired of reading "environmental" slogans that use conservation to mean preservation. We saw a shirt at whole foods the other day that says "conservation is the key." Now, I agree that conservation is good, but if you ask the schmuck that'll be wearing that shirt what that means and they'll give you an explanation of preservation. Gifford Pinchot was a conservationist, John Muir was a preservationist. Conservation is maintaining something for future use (ie, making sure we have timber for future use). Preservation is maintaining something for future NATURE and WILDLIFE (ie, making sure wildlife will have a home, LEAVING the timber there, not touching it). When you say you're a conservationist you mean I want this to be here for the future but in a anthropogenic way. Preservation is ecocentric, conservation is anthropogenic. Preservation = nature. Conservation = people. Does this make sense?

Finally, back on the stupidity front because this needs to be said. At the zoo yesterday there was a family of "rednecks" in front of us through most of the PNW exhibit. These are the kind of people that go to zoos to enjoy the fact that we've put these animals behind bars, mans dominion over nature so to speak. While looking at the bobcats (one of my favorite NW predators) this girl says "We have one of those at home" Now I figure she means either in the woods near her home or maybe they have a permit to have one as a pet, or even that she's mistaken. After several attempts at getting a rise out of people with this line she gives up, stating "Well, a dead one anyway" Later, at the spotted owl (whom they tried to blind with their flash, breaking zoo policy) the father stated "hey we have a dead one of these at home too" (insert redneck, local yokel laugh). What is wrong with these people?! meh . . .