Local Success Stories of Relationships between Animals and Humans
By Joe Russell and Jackson Klingelhofer
The county of Marin has taken many steps to restore relationships with animal wildlife. We are an interactive community that cares about the environment. Throughout our research, we found several success stories of restoring these valuable relationships. The stories we found included creating habitats for birds that feel like homes, expanding the wetlands in Marin, and living with raccoons in Marin. These stories are relevant to the community of Marin. The article that pertains to creating habitats for birds is about a man named Bob Mauceli, who moved to Marin only three years ago from the east coast. He has already taken drastic measures to help the environment in Marin. He is a birder and a lover of wildlife. Bob’s story has been featured in the Marin Independent Journal and he is also a respected naturalist. The next source of information is about U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service raising large sums of money to restore the expanse of the wetlands. Environmentalists praise this decision. This act will help revitalize the populations of several endangered species native to Marin that live in and out of the wetlands. Another success story is about the importance of living with raccoons in Marin. Many homeowners are upset with the population of raccoons and consider them pests. The Marin Humane Society has taken actions to inform homeowners on how to deal with this issue. Although raccoons can be considered problematic, they are a part of the environment and we need to deal with them without hurting ourselves. The relationships between animals and humans in Marin are extremely important and have been dealt with successfully in the past.
The relationship between local raccoons and humans is a significant issue in Marin, as raccoons have become a problem for humans to live with. As raccoons live almost anywhere in the wild, urbanization and land development have greatly harmed their habitats (Marin Humane Society). The article states “rather than diminish, these hardy critters decided to adapt and flourish.” (Marin Humane Society). Raccoons were forced to adapt to this new environment and have become pests to humans over the past decade (Marin Humane Society). Raccoons look for insects, fruits, vegetables, acorns, seeds, fish, and small mammals (Marin Humane Society). Raccoons are nocturnal and ravage properties at night destroying lawns, knocking over garbage cans, preying upon pond life, nesting in attics, and even occasionally enter our homes (Marin Humane Society). Raccoons are not afraid of humans, making them more of a pest to local residents (Marin Humane Society). The Marin Humane Society helps restore the relationship between humans and raccoons by suggesting that people fasten the lids of their garbage cans tightly, put wire mesh around the circumference of ponds in order to protect pond life, use metal guards wrapped around trees to prevent raccoons from reaching rooftops, put cayenne pepper on lawns or planters to repel raccoons, lock pet doors, and move food bowls in the house (Marin Humane Society).
In addition to the raccoons Bob Mauceli has turned to california native plants that grow even during a drought due to attract native animals and help them feel like their at home. He also has done this by working around the drought factor of California. The author of this article says, “Don’t fight Mother Nature: summers in California are dry. It’s a fact. Learn to embrace what grows naturally” (Scurich). Despite the short time he’s been here, Mauceli has already learned to incorporate native plants into his Novato habitat and garden. By having these natives in his garden, he is creating a habitat that attracts birds, butterflies, and bees (Scurich). This is exactly what Bob has wanted throughout the time he has been here. The problem is, Bob has had a hard time doing this because of the temperamental land he is on and his limited resources. With Bob’s master garden experience, he has found ways to work around these problems. One helpful thing Bob has done to avoid this problem is noticing that smaller plants are more drought-tolerant and establish themselves faster than larger plants (Scurich). However, he also knows that drought-tolerant does not mean “No Water.” Drought tolerant means that for the first two years the plants need to be watered regularly to establish themselves, then after that, the amount of water can be reduced (Scurich). In conclusion, Bob has learned that native plants are good for making an adequate habitat and attracting various desired animals.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a $1.2 billion reform to expand the wetlands and preserve those animals that are native to Marin (Wetlands Restoration). This article explains: “Recent plans for a project to restore critical wetlands in Marin has Bay Area environmentalists cheering--and for good reason” (Wetlands Restoration). The program will be focussing on restoring California Clapper Rail, Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse, and several other rare plants (Wetlands Restoration). These species need the most help because they have been struggling due to human interruption. Since the human population in Marin has been growing, the wetland space has been declining
Urbanization and land development have greatly impacted the habitats of local animal wildlife. These habitats have been limited or destroyed by humans, and it is necessary for the local population in Marin to take the steps to restoring them. As local animals, such as raccoons, deer, skunk, and coyotes adapt to these new environments, they cause many problems in the lives of humans. The success stories of Bob Mauceli, the Marin Humane Society, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are a few of many examples of how we can help restore the relationship between humans and local animal wildlife and improve the habitat of Marin.
Works Cited:
Scurich, Jane. "Marin Master Gardeners: California Natives Add Color during Drought." Marin Master Gardeners: California Natives Add Color during Drought. Marin Independent Journal, 4 Mar. 2015. Web. 31 May 2015. <http://www.marinij.com/lifestyle/20150403/marin-master-gardeners-california-natives-add-color-during-drought>.
"Wetlands Restoration Aims to Keep Marin Wildlife Thriving." Wetlands Restoration Aims to Keep Marin Wildlife Thriving. Marin Open Space, n.d. Web. 31 May 2015. <http://www.keepmarinmarin.org/story/112113/wetlands-restoration-aims-keep-marin-wildlife-thriving>.
Living with Raccoons in DuPage County. Wheaton, IL: Forest Preserve Dist. of DuPage, 2004. Marin Humane Society. Web. 31 May 2015. <http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/atf/cf/%7B1CBFF72E-B60C-4D1E-ABA7-4489FE5A93D6%7D/LivingWithRaccoons.pdf>.
The county of Marin has taken many steps to restore relationships with animal wildlife. We are an interactive community that cares about the environment. Throughout our research, we found several success stories of restoring these valuable relationships. The stories we found included creating habitats for birds that feel like homes, expanding the wetlands in Marin, and living with raccoons in Marin. These stories are relevant to the community of Marin. The article that pertains to creating habitats for birds is about a man named Bob Mauceli, who moved to Marin only three years ago from the east coast. He has already taken drastic measures to help the environment in Marin. He is a birder and a lover of wildlife. Bob’s story has been featured in the Marin Independent Journal and he is also a respected naturalist. The next source of information is about U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service raising large sums of money to restore the expanse of the wetlands. Environmentalists praise this decision. This act will help revitalize the populations of several endangered species native to Marin that live in and out of the wetlands. Another success story is about the importance of living with raccoons in Marin. Many homeowners are upset with the population of raccoons and consider them pests. The Marin Humane Society has taken actions to inform homeowners on how to deal with this issue. Although raccoons can be considered problematic, they are a part of the environment and we need to deal with them without hurting ourselves. The relationships between animals and humans in Marin are extremely important and have been dealt with successfully in the past.
The relationship between local raccoons and humans is a significant issue in Marin, as raccoons have become a problem for humans to live with. As raccoons live almost anywhere in the wild, urbanization and land development have greatly harmed their habitats (Marin Humane Society). The article states “rather than diminish, these hardy critters decided to adapt and flourish.” (Marin Humane Society). Raccoons were forced to adapt to this new environment and have become pests to humans over the past decade (Marin Humane Society). Raccoons look for insects, fruits, vegetables, acorns, seeds, fish, and small mammals (Marin Humane Society). Raccoons are nocturnal and ravage properties at night destroying lawns, knocking over garbage cans, preying upon pond life, nesting in attics, and even occasionally enter our homes (Marin Humane Society). Raccoons are not afraid of humans, making them more of a pest to local residents (Marin Humane Society). The Marin Humane Society helps restore the relationship between humans and raccoons by suggesting that people fasten the lids of their garbage cans tightly, put wire mesh around the circumference of ponds in order to protect pond life, use metal guards wrapped around trees to prevent raccoons from reaching rooftops, put cayenne pepper on lawns or planters to repel raccoons, lock pet doors, and move food bowls in the house (Marin Humane Society).
In addition to the raccoons Bob Mauceli has turned to california native plants that grow even during a drought due to attract native animals and help them feel like their at home. He also has done this by working around the drought factor of California. The author of this article says, “Don’t fight Mother Nature: summers in California are dry. It’s a fact. Learn to embrace what grows naturally” (Scurich). Despite the short time he’s been here, Mauceli has already learned to incorporate native plants into his Novato habitat and garden. By having these natives in his garden, he is creating a habitat that attracts birds, butterflies, and bees (Scurich). This is exactly what Bob has wanted throughout the time he has been here. The problem is, Bob has had a hard time doing this because of the temperamental land he is on and his limited resources. With Bob’s master garden experience, he has found ways to work around these problems. One helpful thing Bob has done to avoid this problem is noticing that smaller plants are more drought-tolerant and establish themselves faster than larger plants (Scurich). However, he also knows that drought-tolerant does not mean “No Water.” Drought tolerant means that for the first two years the plants need to be watered regularly to establish themselves, then after that, the amount of water can be reduced (Scurich). In conclusion, Bob has learned that native plants are good for making an adequate habitat and attracting various desired animals.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a $1.2 billion reform to expand the wetlands and preserve those animals that are native to Marin (Wetlands Restoration). This article explains: “Recent plans for a project to restore critical wetlands in Marin has Bay Area environmentalists cheering--and for good reason” (Wetlands Restoration). The program will be focussing on restoring California Clapper Rail, Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse, and several other rare plants (Wetlands Restoration). These species need the most help because they have been struggling due to human interruption. Since the human population in Marin has been growing, the wetland space has been declining
Urbanization and land development have greatly impacted the habitats of local animal wildlife. These habitats have been limited or destroyed by humans, and it is necessary for the local population in Marin to take the steps to restoring them. As local animals, such as raccoons, deer, skunk, and coyotes adapt to these new environments, they cause many problems in the lives of humans. The success stories of Bob Mauceli, the Marin Humane Society, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are a few of many examples of how we can help restore the relationship between humans and local animal wildlife and improve the habitat of Marin.
Works Cited:
Scurich, Jane. "Marin Master Gardeners: California Natives Add Color during Drought." Marin Master Gardeners: California Natives Add Color during Drought. Marin Independent Journal, 4 Mar. 2015. Web. 31 May 2015. <http://www.marinij.com/lifestyle/20150403/marin-master-gardeners-california-natives-add-color-during-drought>.
"Wetlands Restoration Aims to Keep Marin Wildlife Thriving." Wetlands Restoration Aims to Keep Marin Wildlife Thriving. Marin Open Space, n.d. Web. 31 May 2015. <http://www.keepmarinmarin.org/story/112113/wetlands-restoration-aims-keep-marin-wildlife-thriving>.
Living with Raccoons in DuPage County. Wheaton, IL: Forest Preserve Dist. of DuPage, 2004. Marin Humane Society. Web. 31 May 2015. <http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/atf/cf/%7B1CBFF72E-B60C-4D1E-ABA7-4489FE5A93D6%7D/LivingWithRaccoons.pdf>.