|
Conclusions
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
| In his well-known essay, "The
Land Ethic", Aldo Leopold discusses the
importance of land health and the role of Homo sapiens in maintaining healthy
biotic communities. He introduces his land ethic, which includes "the soils,
waters, plants, and animals" as a part of our communities, and states its ability to
transform man from a nature 'conquerer' to a 'plain member and citizen'
of the land-community. By adopting his land ethic, Leopold
believes we may build stronger ecological consciences, which "in turn
reflect a conviction of individual responsibility for the health of the
land" (Leopold 1966). Knowledge of native fauna and flora enhances the meaning of our land ethic by increasing the depth of understanding we have of our land. Natural history is the key to understanding the function of a place and our role in this place. In other words, knowing your native natural history is essential to developing a healthy sense of place. Having an understanding of the local natural history connects us to the land and increases our concern for these areas by strengthening our environmental consciences.
One way we can demonstrate an understanding of Leopold's land ethic, and a desire to act with it in mind, is through a more natural approach to landscaping. Even in our own backyards, we can start using more native plants to attract native wildlife--while we simultaneously increase habitat areas for the local animals, birds, and insects. Putting away the lawn mower, pesticides, and fertilizers will also do us a great deal of good--who wants their children playing in all those chemicals anyway? Beautifying your neighborhood by gardening and landscaping is also shown to make a safer, heathier, and friendlier living space. A study by Coley et al. (1997) found a direct relationship between outdoor community gatherings and the ‘availability of nature influences’. They determined that “trees are an important variable in creating sociopetal outdoor spaces—spaces that attract people to them.” They conclude that one result of encouraging landscaping in your neighborhood may be greater "social cohesion" among neighbors.
Another great way for gardens to pull the neighborhood together and to establish a good sense of place is through plant sharing. Berta Porterfield shares plants with her family members and friends, and she finds that knowing where the plant came from and being able to relate it to a loved one, gives it more meaning. Plant sharing also is great at facilitating conversation, and in turn, educating people in local and natural history. As we learn more about the people, plants, and animals around us, we are able to develop a better sense of place and a better sense of self. Being aware of the interactions we have with nature is one of the first steps in developing a strong land ethic. Next, we should make the 'effort to understand and preserve' the health of the land and it's ability to continue the process of self-renewal. Finally, and hopefully, our efforts will pay off, and our lives with achieve the harmonious balance for which we are striving.
|
|||||||
