| With summer sun and greening hills the urge to | | | | the forest or placing under a rock, not realizing |
| explore and break away from the mundane | | | | that we may be attracting bear and other animals |
| redundancy of life settles into our hearts, and we | | | | to the trail where other people frequent. |
| long for that one word "vacation". Sadly many of | | | | According to the Go & Do visitor magazine |
| us are really suffering from the economic times, | | | | for the West Kootenay region (2008 issue) foods |
| which forces us to look closer to home for our | | | | tossed out of travelers windows can lure animals |
| time away from work. Those of us who can | | | | to the road where they could be hit by cars, |
| travel are much more discriminating than we used | | | | potentially causing accidents or damage to |
| to be. Where our money is spent is truly a vote | | | | vehicles. Their bodies can then attract larger |
| as to the direction that we want to see our world | | | | predators and scavengers and the problem then |
| go. Here are some easy, eco-friendly and frugal | | | | just gets bigger and bigger - all because of one |
| options that anyone can consider while engaging in | | | | little apple core. |
| lots of activities without guilt. | | | | To put this into perspective, down in the southern |
| When making any plans for you or your loved | | | | section of BC - Canada's western most province - |
| ones, consider choosing activities that support | | | | the Wild animal Rehabilitation Center, 80% of the |
| responsible ecological and environmental | | | | animals treat have injuries sustained from human |
| development in that area. Places you might want | | | | activity. I learned that information during an |
| to explore are orangutan rescue organizations, | | | | interview with a representative from the Wild |
| preserved park-lands and eco-tours. Also, consider | | | | ARC org Sara Debois on March 27, 2008 on the |
| rehabilitation projects that are happening in your | | | | Conscious Discussions talk radio show. |
| area - or start your own. There really is nothing | | | | (blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscusssions) |
| like the rewarding feeling that comes from taking | | | | Another way we can reduce this tragedy is to |
| a few bags down to a polluted area, sorting the | | | | reduce speed in areas where wildlife caution signs |
| trash appropriately for recyclables, etc and | | | | are posted or near water sources. Create a |
| knowing that when you leave that day you have | | | | game with the family and have them keep an |
| made a huge difference for the planet. Consider | | | | eye on the sides of the road to increase the |
| things like planting projects, or volunteer projects | | | | safety. In the evening the eyes of the animals |
| that you can get involved in closer to home. | | | | are likely going to reflect the light from the road |
| These shouldn't be looked at as "work" but more | | | | and will glow a red color. If you see two - or |
| as a chance to meet new, like-minded people, to | | | | even one glowing dot, you'll want to slow down |
| have fun and get involved in your community. At | | | | right away and be prepared for anything. When |
| the same time you'll be left with the knowledge | | | | you see one, keep in mind that animals will often |
| that you are leaving a lasting legacy. | | | | travel in groups of two or more, so there may |
| Be conscious when tossing food out when | | | | be a few more critters lurking around |
| traveling! You might be conscious of throwing | | | | somewhere. Dawn and dusk are particularly |
| non-organic garbage out the window when | | | | dangerous due to the lack of visibility. |
| traveling, however few people realize the potential | | | | Finally, if you do happen upon a deceased animal |
| consequences of throwing out that apple core or | | | | along a road be sure to call the local conservation |
| banana peel out the car window. Guilty of this | | | | officer or drop in to the closest chamber of |
| ourselves... up until about 8 years ago, when hiking | | | | commerce and let them know so that they can |
| we would leave the apple cores, watermelon skins | | | | clean it up and prevent a chain of deaths. |
| and banana peels in the area by tossing them into | | | | |