As one of many Canadians genuinely fearful of being 'absorbed' as a 51st state, we're resolute in our solidarity with all efforts of scientists and ecological warriors on both sides of the border to do whatever it takes to preserve and hopefully, restore our shared land, water and air quality. The sheer madness unfolding in the US may be the very thing required to ignite the complacent among us, and if so, then so be it. Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. I take tremendous comfort in knowing that good people everywhere are standing up to the worst among us at a time when our human habitat is under threat and all sense and reason seems to be lost. Fight the good fight, as you always have done Mr. Lovie, and know that millions of Canadians stand with you.
My scientist friends are out there in the bay this week taking water samples to check on the health of the Pacific herring, just as they do every year, freezing their bodies and pulling up buckets. Hearing the annual familiar sound of the engines and scooping makes my heart glad. Anne and Erin continue their work and ours no matter what. As we all must do.
It's the only thing that keeps my spirits up these days; knowing how many dedicated, skilled people are out there doing the work, paid or not, to help nature recover from the incessant damage other humans have no qualms doing. We're birders up here in the Pacific Northwest, and if I think of how numbers are way down, I can easily despair, but every story of every person, world-wide, working to restore the balance, without fanfare, encourages me to continue doing whatever I can, knowing we're all in this together. It's our only hope.
I recently suggested this amazing man, Stephen Carr Hampton, move his blog to Substack, and he's here now. Here's a clip from his bio:
I am an enrolled citizen of Cherokee Nation (ᏣᎳᎩ). I write about Native issues, past and present, birds and climate change and environmental issues, and sometimes other things. I’ve been a birder since age seven and have a PhD in resource economics. I probably know more about birds than I do about economics. I spent twenty-five years with California Fish & Wildlife, involved in oil spill response, natural resource damage assessment, wildlife and habitat restoration, and tribal relations.
I’m grateful to currently live near the traditional Indigenous portage of qatáy on S’Klallam and Chimacum lands (aka Port Townsend, Washington), where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets Puget Sound, surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Olympics, Pacific Ranges, and Cascades.
Thank you, John! I greatly appreciate this "inside look" at what is happening. I am deeply concerned and also trying to figure out how to engage locally. Ann
Thank you John. As a commissioner in a water district close to you, I'm very concerned that our funding (USDA and PWB loans) will be lost. Work has started but will we be able to finish? It's one day at a time sprinkled with much stress and anxiety. Keep on keeping on!
Thanks so much John. Very helpful, informative, uplifting, and hopeful to have your writings and advice to keep us hanging on and standing up. Hearty Thanks for all you are doing!
Thanks for writing this, John, including your personal contact with friends being offered what seem to be fake buyout offers. It's also distressing that funds are being cut off that are essential to protect of the environment - and to everything else so many of us dedicate our lives to. My husband and I are, of course, still able to directly donate our estate to a local environmental group, but our hopes to preserve the 240 acres that surround us, and the shoreline, both depend on federal grant money I'm sure will be eradicated. We'll all find other ways to help and guide. Thanks for what you do.
As one of many Canadians genuinely fearful of being 'absorbed' as a 51st state, we're resolute in our solidarity with all efforts of scientists and ecological warriors on both sides of the border to do whatever it takes to preserve and hopefully, restore our shared land, water and air quality. The sheer madness unfolding in the US may be the very thing required to ignite the complacent among us, and if so, then so be it. Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. I take tremendous comfort in knowing that good people everywhere are standing up to the worst among us at a time when our human habitat is under threat and all sense and reason seems to be lost. Fight the good fight, as you always have done Mr. Lovie, and know that millions of Canadians stand with you.
Thank you so much, Lorian. “Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better.“ I think you may be right.
My scientist friends are out there in the bay this week taking water samples to check on the health of the Pacific herring, just as they do every year, freezing their bodies and pulling up buckets. Hearing the annual familiar sound of the engines and scooping makes my heart glad. Anne and Erin continue their work and ours no matter what. As we all must do.
It's the only thing that keeps my spirits up these days; knowing how many dedicated, skilled people are out there doing the work, paid or not, to help nature recover from the incessant damage other humans have no qualms doing. We're birders up here in the Pacific Northwest, and if I think of how numbers are way down, I can easily despair, but every story of every person, world-wide, working to restore the balance, without fanfare, encourages me to continue doing whatever I can, knowing we're all in this together. It's our only hope.
I recently suggested this amazing man, Stephen Carr Hampton, move his blog to Substack, and he's here now. Here's a clip from his bio:
I am an enrolled citizen of Cherokee Nation (ᏣᎳᎩ). I write about Native issues, past and present, birds and climate change and environmental issues, and sometimes other things. I’ve been a birder since age seven and have a PhD in resource economics. I probably know more about birds than I do about economics. I spent twenty-five years with California Fish & Wildlife, involved in oil spill response, natural resource damage assessment, wildlife and habitat restoration, and tribal relations.
I’m grateful to currently live near the traditional Indigenous portage of qatáy on S’Klallam and Chimacum lands (aka Port Townsend, Washington), where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets Puget Sound, surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Olympics, Pacific Ranges, and Cascades.
His newsletter is very worth subscribing to.
Thank you, John! I greatly appreciate this "inside look" at what is happening. I am deeply concerned and also trying to figure out how to engage locally. Ann
Thank you, Ann.
Thank you John. As a commissioner in a water district close to you, I'm very concerned that our funding (USDA and PWB loans) will be lost. Work has started but will we be able to finish? It's one day at a time sprinkled with much stress and anxiety. Keep on keeping on!
Thanks, Jaci. Yes, it's all so uncertain right now.
“Uplifting” in knowing you are hanging on in!
Thanks so much John. Very helpful, informative, uplifting, and hopeful to have your writings and advice to keep us hanging on and standing up. Hearty Thanks for all you are doing!
Thanks for all you do, John. The power of the people is always stronger than the people in power. At least I hope so!
I hope so too, Julie.
Thanks for writing this, John, including your personal contact with friends being offered what seem to be fake buyout offers. It's also distressing that funds are being cut off that are essential to protect of the environment - and to everything else so many of us dedicate our lives to. My husband and I are, of course, still able to directly donate our estate to a local environmental group, but our hopes to preserve the 240 acres that surround us, and the shoreline, both depend on federal grant money I'm sure will be eradicated. We'll all find other ways to help and guide. Thanks for what you do.