ECOLOGIAL RESTORATION
ER
AT CEDAR LAKE POINT BEACH (AND BEYOND)
It's certainly happened to most of us, and hopefully more than a few times. It's the sense of discovery of a whole new world of knowledge with a single word. Last week, the word that word was "biophilia". Biophilia is a hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature. Of course, if I was paying closer attention to my musical side, I could have discovered this word much sooner, thanks to Bjork's 2011 album. I'll now listen to it while writing. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biophilia_(album) Biophilia is expansive and covers an array of topics and perspectives, that each and all point to the intersection between humans and other (non-human) members of nature. I've struggled with how to conceptualize how we as humans interact with nature. Maybe it was best illustrated in a previous blog post "But Why?" but-why.html that shows "ego" versus "eco". We as humans are one of many species of nature. But our behaviors and language suggests otherwise. We live with federal, state and local public departments of natural resources. The Wikipedia definition of a resource, "refers to all the materials available in our environment which are technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally sustainable, and help us to satisfy our needs and wants. (My emphasis added.) The biophilia hypothesis www.britannica.com/science/biophilia-hypothesis is a human experience about sense of connection with nature. It's the intersection of the Venn diagram between the needs, wants and desires of human interests and all other non-human beings. Here in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities, and statewide, we are gifted with an abundance of opportunities to connect and have a relationship with nature. Best relationships are reciprocal where each party gives back and forth. Where some places are respected and reserved and protected for their own needs, wants and desires. A Nickel of a Dollar to Nature?How reciprocal is our relationship with nature? How much does our Park Board dedicate to the environment? Topline review of the MPRB budget shows that two departments have funds that go to our natural resources. The 2024 Environmental Management budget is $4.7 million, or 4.6% of the total General Fund. That budget is actually less than 2023, which was $5.2 million. I expect there are nuances and reasons for this decline, such as funds are also from other places other than the General Fund. And I am asking those questions. But the figures from the past three years reveal that the Environmental Management budget has consistently hovered around 5%. Maybe we should consider the Forrest Department when looking at budgets that serve nature. Their budget is about $10 million. But I was a bit discouraged when my conversation with a Forest Department field staffer about their role in natural areas. His reply was, they don't do work in the woods or natural areas, they focus one boulevards and trees in neighborhood parks. So it would be a stretch to suggest that the Forest Department's 10% of the General Fund went to protecting nature. One Million trail users are arriving . . .A Cedar Lake Park Association representative reported yesterday that the Light Rail development involved installing the metal plates for the at grade crossing of the Cedar Lake Trail and the LRT. They are planning for 220 trains per day, and one million trail users, using this crossing. . . . to a vulnerable natural areaCedar Lake Park remains under the Park Board's definition, "unmanaged". Whatever ecological restoration that has occurred in the area has been initiated by citizen Park Stewards and their teams of volunteers. The efforts have been Herculean, but it won't be enough to manage the million treads of visitors, who by foot, wheels, or whatever moves them into this place that for years volunteers have been trying to restore and protect the natural environment. |
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March 2024
AuthorI'm Steve Kotvis, volunteer Park Steward for the Minneapolis Cedar Lake Point Beach peninsula who has a newfound love of restoring this natural area and more. I'm learning as I go, and enjoy sharing that with those who have an interest. I'm also a photographer, so the photos in this blog are mine unless otherwise labeled. |