We have all heard the saying it takes a village to raise a child into a responsible adult. A parent can read all the articles they want but there is so much more support when they talk with friends who have children who share experiences. That expression is based on good neighbors helping their neighbors.
Idaho is full of big hearted citizens and nonprofit
charities. Idaho is also a community filled with many wonders of nature – wild spaces
and species. How do we become good neighbors and keep Idaho WILD? We make time
to learn about our native neighbors. Winter is a wonderful time to begin your
studies. The wild animal residents will leave foot prints in the snow. There
are only a few bird species who remain through winter’ you will be able to commit
to memory the handful by vision and hearing. Did you know the shape of a birds
beak gives clues to what it eats? Did you know there are four types of tree
squirrels or that striped skunks will dig up underground wasp nest?
Time in nature is a reciprocal relationship. When you spend
time learning the names of all the feathered, furry, scaled, and even wild
animals with skin you will be healing yourself. By observing what they eat and where
they find shelter, you can come a good neighbor. Your time in nature, even the briefest
exposure, will relax you and help you cope with the daily annoyances.
The estimated human population growth into Idaho over the
next five years is staggering. The best way to maintain the beauty of our
glorious neighborhood is to take the pledge to present the present as a present
for future generations. We do this by connecting with local charities working
to help wild animals. We do this by learning about our native wild animal
neighbors and then sharing what we have learned with our fellow human
neighbors.
One easy way to observe wild birds is to maintain a yard
with native plants. It is the best way to offer a diversity of natural foods.
If you decide to put up bird seed or suet feeders in the spring or summer, please
continue in winter. Remember if you do use feeders, please keep them clean.
Dirty feeders will spread diseases such as salmonella and conjunctivitis. When songbirds
flock together and one gets sick, inevitably the others will become ill. Sadly,
the diseased birds who perish can still spread the disease. If you make the
decision to offer supplemental foods, rejoice in the assortment of animals who
visit. Your invitation for one, rapidly turns into many.
