Yesterday I received the latest issue of Connecticut Wildlife magazine. Connecticut Wildlife is a publication produced by the Connecticut DEP. The magazine has articles about all the various wildlife projects being undertaken in the state. It is published every-other month. At $6 for a 1-year subscription, $11 for a 2-year, and $16 for a 3-year subscription, it's a great value. I recommend the magazine for anyone interested in local wildlife. You can get more information about the magazine at www.ct.gov/dep.
There was an interesting article in the July/August 2008 edition. The article described a new technique the DEP has enlisted for estimating the amount of land within Connecticut suitable as habitat for deer. The article explained that overall deer habitat is down 8.1% from 1985 to 2002. That's a span of 17 years. If we extrapolate that out to 2008 one can assume that habitat would be down 11% from 1985 to today. That may or may not seem like a big number to you. However, keep in mind that for the last several years, the state of Connecticut has actually lost human population. So while the human population has declined, habitat loss has continued. Also, although the overall number was 8.1%, Hartford County lost 26.2% and Fairfield County lost 15.1% of available wildlife habitat. Those are big numbers. Even while continuing to lose human population, Connecticut has managed to become the second most developed state, behind NJ (Some sources have CT as the 4th most developed state.).
I don't know the exact cause or answer to the problem, or even if it is a problem. However, I suspect that it is indeed a problem, and I strongly suspect that the relatively rapid loss of habitat is an indicator of an important issue facing the state: Urban sprawl. The issue of urban sprawl in Connecticut is not getting enough serious attention from our politicians. Urban sprawl is one of the greatest single threats to lifestyle here in Connecticut. It is exacerbated by a local property tax system that encourages development. Quality of life in Connecticut will be impacted if we continue on the current trajectory. New Jersey has already seen the lose of quality of life. NJ law makers have now begun to take the issue seriously. Connecticut would be best served to do the same.
I recommend checking out the Connecticut Wildlife magazine.
Posts
2 comments:
A six-legged fawn is recovering at West Rome Animal Clinic in Rome, Ga. after sustaining minor injuries this weekend from two dogs in Everett Springs, Ga. Due to the injuries, one of its two tails had to be amputated. The fawn has two distinct pelvises and uses one leg from each pelvis to walk
Not sure what your point is with this comment. I can assume you are discussing collisions between wildlife (deer) and people. If that's the case, you are right. As Urban sprawl increases, encounters (including auto accidents) between people and wildlife will increase.
Post a Comment