Species Preservation and Public Education Promote Ecological Balance by Helena Souffrant, Ohio Young Birders Club

Photo: Springfield Bog by Tom Fishburn.

With the rapid growth of the human population comes the demand for more land and resources. According to Wildlife Biologist Kevin Kenow of the U.S Geological Survey’s Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, the ideal habitat for migrating birds is disappearing. 

With the rapid growth of the human population comes the demand for more land and resources. According to Wildlife Biologist Kevin Kenow of the U.S Geological Survey’s Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, the ideal habitat for migrating birds is disappearing. Examples include wetlands, forests and prairies. Instead, the rich habitat has been taken over by human development, urban and agricultural runoff and other forms of habitat degradation. As a result, many of the migratory birds that once flourished are now absent in these altered and degraded areas.

Every animal species plays a role in the food chain (especially birds!). Every species is vital to keeping everything in balance. When humans meddle with the food chain, everything gets thrown out of whack. The result is unprecedented loss of biodiversity. To illustrate, each year about 27,000 plant and animal species have been driven to extinction due to human influences.

Ohio is widely filled with farms and fields. The once promising fields of crickets and katydids have now been cruelly taken over by pesticides, chemicals and developments. Crops are great for economic success, but when striving for success you must also gauge what is not directly in front of you. The environment plays an unbelievably crucial role in our everyday lives. Many people are used to focusing on school, work and money. We often forget that there is a natural world out there. As humans, we feel naturally inclined to focus on what is directly in front of us. Whether you are trying to muster up enough courage to ask for that raise or are trying to get a B on your next physics test, it is important to know what obstacles you must pass in order to get to where you want to be. The same analogy can be applied to sustainability and the protection of birds worldwide. Windmills are great for cities but not for birds. Eliminating the use of pesticides and insecticides is great for birds but does not add to your lawn’s aesthetics. Everything needs to be done in respect of the other aspects. Everything needs to be in balance.

Because of these factors, along with many others, groups such as the Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society, American Birding Association and the Ohio Young Birders Club are so important in preserving the lives of birds and educating the public on the importance of birds. These amazing feathered creatures have inhabited the planet for millions of years. It would be too short of a stay if they were to go now because of human influence.

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Above: photo courtesy of Young Birder, Helena Souffrant.

​Young birder Helena Souffrant, a sophomore at Western Reserve Academy. She is 15 years old. Helena has been interested in all things nature for many years. She is a member of the Ohio Young Birders Club and the Earth Initiative Club at her school. Helena also enjoys playing both the hammered and mountain dulcimers. 

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