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The approach to the problem at this point seems to be relying on every day people to plant things in their backyard, which seems ultimately too minor to be impa

The approach to the problem at this point seems to be relying on every day people to plant things in their backyard, which seems ultimately too minor to be impactful. I don't see a good future unless: 1) the Federal and various State governments buy up substantial lands all through this migratory corridor to preserve along this corridor as butterfly habitat. 2) Enact severe limitations on herbicides.

scoofy 2y ago
I have written about the role of urban green spaces, such as golf courses, as taking an active, and mandated role on this issue: https://golfcoursewiki.substack.com/p/golf-for-non-golfers-golf-courses https://golfcoursewiki.substack.com/p/golf-for-non-golfers-g... I love golf and hate that it's often a deeply problematic game, when, if we line the out-of-play areas with native flora, they have high enough area, and low enough humans per sq mile, that they can be effective wildlife habitats... if only the players would be satisfied with non-pristine conditions, by not using herbicides and pesticides. This is happening here and there with municipal courses in CA, but the culture of golf is still focused on surreal conditions and monostand grasses. It's an imperfect solution, but as spawl and farmland eat up more and more native areas, I honestly don't have much of an idea what else to do.
pfdietz 2y ago
I see two mutually reinforcing avenues that should be pursued. The first is creation of natural preserve areas. The second is control of invasives by introduction of biocontrol species from their native ranges (yes, there is concern of attack on other species, but there's often no other way than biocontrol to stop an invasive, and it takes time for local controls to evolve.) Invasive species are having a huge effect on natural ecosystems, to an extent I don't think some people understand. Beyond that, maximizing yield on farmland is important so more area is available to be set aside for nature.

scoofy 2y ago

I have written about the role of urban green spaces, such as golf courses, as taking an active, and mandated role on this issue: https://golfcoursewiki.substack.com/p/golf-for-non-golfers-golf-courses https://golfcoursewiki.substack.com/p/golf-for-non-golfers-g... I love golf and hate that it's often a deeply problematic game, when, if we line the out-of-play areas with native flora, they have high enough area, and low enough humans per sq mile, that they can be effective wildlife habitats... if only the players would be satisfied with non-pristine conditions, by not using herbicides and pesticides. This is happening here and there with municipal courses in CA, but the culture of golf is still focused on surreal conditions and monostand grasses. It's an imperfect solution, but as spawl and farmland eat up more and more native areas, I honestly don't have much of an idea what else to do.

pfdietz 2y ago

I see two mutually reinforcing avenues that should be pursued. The first is creation of natural preserve areas. The second is control of invasives by introduction of biocontrol species from their native ranges (yes, there is concern of attack on other species, but there's often no other way than biocontrol to stop an invasive, and it takes time for local controls to evolve.) Invasive species are having a huge effect on natural ecosystems, to an extent I don't think some people understand. Beyond that, maximizing yield on farmland is important so more area is available to be set aside for nature.