I think it is important to study your "backyard." While I have a passion for biodiversity conservation all over the world, finding a study site close by allows me to be hands on and to visit regularly. I also think keeping up with our natural ecosystems close to home, identifying their health and resilience, and recognizing native and nonnative species is an imperative part of being a knowledgeable citizen supporting your area.
Lake Shenandoah was at one time surrounded by mowed grassy areas, but was recently turned into an abundant pollinator ecosystem supporting local flora and fauna. The increase in pollinators creates better biodiversity in plant life, creating more resources for additional species such as rabbits, deer, squirrels, birds, and many more.
Dams, erosion control, fishing access, and a boat launch are all concerns to the efforts to improve biodiversity and the overall health of the developing ecosystem. It is also important to recognize this location is near a golf course, residental homes, and many busier roadways creating runoff full of nutrient, biological, and chemical pollution. Pollution in this shallow lake has a history of being difficult to maintain, greatly impacting fish species as well as other wildlife.
Note: Percy will be my study buddy, but obviously he scares the native fauna so his visits will be limited and always leashed.
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