Animal Defenders of Westchester |
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Home Page We advocate on all animal protection and exploitation issues, including experimentation, factory farming, rodeos, breeders and traveling animal acts. Animal Defenders of Westchester |
Letters On Nature Education The following letter is published in the September, 2005 issue of
WESTCHESTER PARENT, a local monthly periodical
www.parentsknow.com : Though I was happy to see an article that advocated the need for
conservation and respect for environmental concerns ('Natures's Children'
Editorial, July) the article raised some peripheral issues that need
addressing. The article quotes a local source who states, "The best way to get
children to love nature is to help them feel comfortable in it. They need
the chance to hold an ant in their hands or to dig for worms in the dirt."
But these activities involve disturbing nature - is that truly the best way
to encourage a love of nature in children? Do we not want to also teach them
to respect the habitat of other living beings, who have as much right as we
do to enjoy nature without being disturbed? The article further advocated 'going fishing' in pursuit of nature's
joys; again, why advocate killing in an article about enjoying nature? The
fish want to keep their lives, just like we do - watch their struggle
against being "caught" if you have any doubt of this being true.
Furthermore, fish are proven to be very social, intelligent beings who feel
pain exactly like people do. A true appreciation and awe of nature ultimately involves as little
disturbance to it as possible..."Take nothing but pictures; leave nothing
but footprints." Kiley Blackman, spokesperson Fair Use Notice: This document may contain
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