Having returned from a wonderful bit of traveling , off to the barrier islands of the Carolinas, to visit Sea Turtle and Shorebird Sanctuaries, I couldn't help but consider Human impacts on the Earth's Natural Systems. We Humans with our Post-Industrial hubris are just beginning to understand the negative impacts our actions, our consumerism, and our arrogance are having on Mother Earth. Some have already learned these lessons and try desperately to share their knowledge with others, but have to shout out so loudly to be heard over the clamor of greed, acquisitiveness, and the grinding gears of the miltary-industrial machine that their voices are carried away from the ears of those who need to hear them.
Pleasantly, Humans are an adaptive species and some good has come from those who listen to their conscience, and even the reputed consciousness of the land, more of a reality for some than for others. These latter folks can and will take action in this world to help nature adapt, at the same time as they themselves do, to keep the precious natural life cycles of the Earth continuing in perpetuity, for they know if the Earth's Natural Systems suffer so do the animals, plants and Humans.
Among the Atlantic coast of North America's barrier islands are turtle and shorebird sanctuaries, salt marshes, and beach dunes. At the same time that these ecosystems mitigate flooding and damage from the onslaught of hurricane force winds and rain they also offer habitat and breeding grounds for so much wildlife. Greedy, acquisitive people will want to build their fancy beach houses (beach MANSIONS really) on stilts within the dunes, and sometimes they will be disciplined for their arrogance by Mother Nature, as she tears down their strong, colossal houses, which are less than twigs to her, then often they will build them again. But within those barrier islands there are areas were building is not allowed, and the normal, natural systems take place smoothly, year after year. Some bird sanctuaries thrive in these locations, and as a low impact visitor, we Humans can not only enjoy a beautiful beach, but the beauty of the flying ones as well. Do you hear the language of birds? Its carried on the wind....
Sea Turtles first great challenge is to dig their way out from under the beach sand after they have hatched, and then race for the sea, guided by the moon. Many things want to eat them on the way to their new home in the deep and blue, only one in 10,000 actually make it. This year on the full moon of Lughnasadh I was at a turtle sanctuary were 108 of them hatched and dug their way to the surface, trying to follow the song of the sea to their new home. All the people in their massive houses did agree to turn off their porch lights so the turtles could follow the moon to the sea and not the flood light into the dunes where ghost crabs would eat them. A veritable wall of people surrounded that nest and did all they could, in the moonlight to keep the turtles from straying off course, so they could make it to the sea. All turtles survived and swam out to where their adventure begins. We as Humans can also be good stewards of the plants, animals and environment. and we can protect the earth for the future as well! We must take action, and try very hard to hear the song of nature still singing within the trees, the breeze, the ground and the air and use our knowledge to improve the future of this planet, and leave an equally beautiful place for our children, grandchildren, and the children of our friends living on the land, in the sky, and under the sea.
This week on Wheel of wonder I'll begin a series of shows focused on Climate Change, due to Human pollution and ignorance and strategies and actions that can be taken, and are even now being taken to protect the Earth and all the natural systems she is the architect of, that support and feed us so we can continue to live on this wonderful planet surrounded by awe-inspiring beauty and the hope that life continues. Blessed Be
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