http://birdfreak.com/the-future-of-birding-and-conservation-predictions-and-wishful-thinking/ Bird Conservation Marketing - Promoting Conservation Through Birding Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:10:18 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://birdfreak.com/the-future-of-birding-and-conservation-predictions-and-wishful-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-7050 The Zen Birdfeeder Sat, 04 Apr 2009 02:03:12 +0000 http://birdfreak.com/?p=3195#comment-7050 Through the concerted efforts of recognized leaders of the birding community, along with the grassroots efforts of bloggers, twitterers, bird clubs, birdfeeding hobby stores, as well as serious birders and casual birdwatchers alike, the demand for certified shade-grown coffee is finally resulting in the return of thousands of acres of factory coffee farms to traditional shade-grown methods. Through the concerted efforts of recognized leaders of the birding community, along with the grassroots efforts of bloggers, twitterers, bird clubs, birdfeeding hobby stores, as well as serious birders and casual birdwatchers alike, the demand for certified shade-grown coffee is finally resulting in the return of thousands of acres of factory coffee farms to traditional shade-grown methods.

]]> http://birdfreak.com/the-future-of-birding-and-conservation-predictions-and-wishful-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-7045 The Future of Birding » Severson Dells Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:04:09 +0000 http://birdfreak.com/?p=3195#comment-7045 [...] more: The Future of Birding and Conservation: Predictions and Wishful Thinking   « Skunk Cabbage: An Early Spring Riser | [...] [...] more: The Future of Birding and Conservation: Predictions and Wishful Thinking   « Skunk Cabbage: An Early Spring Riser | [...]

]]> http://birdfreak.com/the-future-of-birding-and-conservation-predictions-and-wishful-thinking/comment-page-1/#comment-7037 Lana Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:55:48 +0000 http://birdfreak.com/?p=3195#comment-7037 I must admit, my outlook is considerably less positive & much more cynical, unfortunately. I've been thinking, recently, about how so much of our functioning "economy" contributes to the endangerment & eradication of other species. For example, roads that aren't paved & wooded lots that aren't cleared are considered "unimproved." If I wanted to claim squatter's rights on the property adjacent to mine, I'd have to "improve & maintain" the land (clear the trees & underbrush & keep them cleared,) for X number of years. When new houses come into our neighborhood, 1/2 acre chunks of forest are razed & all of that wood is just burned. Not used for something productive, just piled up & burned. Same story when they put in a new strip mall, except that the parcel of land is considerably larger. Here in the West, it seems like a "functioning" economy hinges upon the eradication of all things natural. I just finished reading an article that explained how the US's search for "cleaner" fuels is directly threatening the already endangered Sumatran elephant (among other things.) I wish I could be hopeful, but I know what people are like. Nothing drives human beings like insecurity (the true root of all evil.) When nature & money go head to head, generally speaking, money will ALWAYS win (at least in the long run, if not so immediately.) But I hope I'm wrong. I must admit, my outlook is considerably less positive & much more cynical, unfortunately. I’ve been thinking, recently, about how so much of our functioning “economy” contributes to the endangerment & eradication of other species. For example, roads that aren’t paved & wooded lots that aren’t cleared are considered “unimproved.” If I wanted to claim squatter’s rights on the property adjacent to mine, I’d have to “improve & maintain” the land (clear the trees & underbrush & keep them cleared,) for X number of years. When new houses come into our neighborhood, 1/2 acre chunks of forest are razed & all of that wood is just burned. Not used for something productive, just piled up & burned. Same story when they put in a new strip mall, except that the parcel of land is considerably larger.
Here in the West, it seems like a “functioning” economy hinges upon the eradication of all things natural. I just finished reading an article that explained how the US’s search for “cleaner” fuels is directly threatening the already endangered Sumatran elephant (among other things.)
I wish I could be hopeful, but I know what people are like. Nothing drives human beings like insecurity (the true root of all evil.) When nature & money go head to head, generally speaking, money will ALWAYS win (at least in the long run, if not so immediately.)
But I hope I’m wrong.

]]>