[texbirds] birding's future
- From: Ervin Fleming <endersgt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: texbirds texbirds <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 09:09:12 -0800
This discourse is prompted by Dennis' comments. I apologize in advance if it
seems too lengthy.
After 30 years of begging various 3rd world countries to conserve their
ecosystems (and falling on deaf ears), the miraculous happened. Ecotourism ...
now these countries are falling all over themselves to bring in the $$. It has
become a major source of revenue. Two particular areas may take credit for this
boom. First, the incredible quality of the programming out there to amaze the
public. Second, the much maligned educational system in America. Ecology has
been taught since the 70's (low emphasis) but has become a major area of study
at all levels. I taught 7th grade science for the last 14 years and even in
that time frame, the importance has ramped up greatly.
The most recent changes to the TEKS at my grade level require study of
biodiversity in microhabitats (school yards). Most schools have an area set
aside. These things influence the perceptions of the general public.
I am a scientists and naturalist photographer but not an in depth birder. In my
classes each spring, we spent 10 minutes a day for 10 days identifying
yardbirds , their behaviors, flight characteristics and any thing else of
interest. This was a Title One school with a diversity of cultural
backgrounds. We saw amazing events.... a Cooper's ambushing occupants of a
tree, a Red Tail on a shallow stoop that lasted 15 seconds, the courtship dance
of two Mockingbirds on the roof of a house and a lot more. At this age they
were naturally into the courtship and mating behaviors. The girls loved it when
the female grackles completely ignored the males' displays. Point is, they
were indelibly engaged. This goes on all over the state and country. This will
impact the future of birding as they flashback to the positive feelings they
had about birds and other wildlife.
Tom Fleming
Grand Prairie
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