Exercise 3: Connecting Past and Present
October 28, 2023 By: V. Pattenden
Exercise 3: Connecting Past and Present
Article 1: Urbanization
The following article explores the impacts of urbanization on surrounding wildlife populations in a case study based in India and further reiterates findings of relative studies around the world. The author explains that many areas have shifted their conservation practices away from creating new protected spaces for habitat protection to instead focus on improving existing habitats that border and intersect urban areas. The article asserts that these measures are not only critical for species survival but promote co-existence between humans and their non-human neighbors. Furthermore, the findings from such ventures, including relative industries such as utility companies, have found that improving and revitalizing “buffer zones” and “corridors” is cost effective, sustainable, and improves accessibility (Conniff, 2018). Although it is recognized that there are some drawbacks to this approach, its success exceeds its limitations and inspires some positivity in the face of our rapidly urbanizing landscapes.
https://e360.yale.edu/features/habitat-on-the-edges-making-room-for-wildlife-in-an-urbanized-world
Article 2: Conservation
The following article concerning Bowen Island, BC, reiterates a land use conflict between an environmental group and the local regional districts development plan to expand the area’s parkland boundaries and install new infrastructures. The opposing group, which included a large portion of residents, asserted their main concern being over the proposed campgrounds and increased risk of damage to the vulnerable coastal ecosystem through increased traffic and human exposure (Chan, 2023). The group’s initial offer to provide funds to conserve the land was refused by the regional district, therefore, they made a new bid to purchase the land for $30 million last Spring but to no avail. While the park expansion is cited to go ahead, the developers face extreme opposition which is hindering their progress and with due diligence the residents in opposition may be able to safeguard the coastal wilderness they call home.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bowen-island-cape-roger-curtis-regional-park-campground-proposal
Hello,
I thought the first article you shared was interesting because, as we have learned in Unit 3, the intersection between nature and humanity is where we cause the most damage. I think the idea of “buffer zones” is smart because its a relatively low effort, low cost way of reducing the impact of urban society from spilling into nature
This article really resonated with me, especially as someone who’s seen the impact of urban expansion firsthand—both in Kamloops and in my family’s home region in Nigeria. The idea of revitalizing buffer zones and wildlife corridors instead of always pushing for new protected areas feels both practical and hopeful. It challenges the traditional “humans here, nature over there” mindset and reminds me that meaningful conservation can happen even in developed spaces. Like the article, I believe coexistence is possible—and necessary—especially as cities like mine continue to grow. It made me reflect on how even small urban planning decisions can have a huge ripple effect on the ecosystems around us.