This year’s Earth Day has a theme of “Protect our Species.” The theme calls for us to be aware of the many forms of life that contribute to a healthy environment. In the words of Rachel Carson, “Nothing in nature exists alone.” As such, we are called to protect endangered species and appreciate the value of all species.
In that spirit, the Sustainability Committee at Pare is pleased to share our 8th Annual Earth Day Photo Contest. Please enjoy the photos submitted by Pare’s staff below, and vote using the poll located at the top of this post. The winner of the 2019 Earth Day Photo Contest will receive a Gift Card to B-Good. Voting will close on Wednesday, May 8th and the winner will be announced in the next blog post.
PHOTO 1 – Lunch Buddy
On a pretty summer day, this young bunny deemed it safe enough to come out for lunch as I was enjoying mine. While it is hard to distinguish between the Eastern and New England cottontails, I am hopeful that this little rabbit is part of the efforts to restore the species. Learn more at https://newenglandcottontail.org.
PHOTO 2 – Wild Turkey
By the nineteenth century, the species of eastern wild turkey which had been plentiful prior to the arrival of the first colonists in the seventeenth century was virtually non-existent due to hunting and destruction of habitat for agriculture. In the 1980s the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management reintroduced wild turkeys. Their population has since flourished. While some view wild turkeys as a nuisance, their presence is a symbol of a thriving ecosystem and reminds us that we share a common home.
PHOTO 3 – Grizzly Bear
The largest predator in the western plains and still a protected species, the grizzly’s recovery from near extinction in the lower 48 has made its presence in ranching areas ubiquitous. Contrary to most paradigms, grizzly bears do not account for a large percentage of cattle deaths. In ranching areas such as Tom Miner Basin, cattle deaths attributed to actual grizzly attack are few. Most grizzly bear encounters with cattle are bears coming upon cattle winter weather deaths or sickened animals. Attacks on humans are rare too, and are usually the result of hunters and grizzlies happening upon each other purely by accident and scaring each other, especially during elk bow hunting season in the fall. And grizzly bears are not the most dangerous animal in the western plain states, by far. In fact, more people are killed by moose, than all other predatory animals (grizzly bears, black bears, coyotes, wolves, mountain lions) combined.
PHOTO 4 – Sandy Can’t Read
Photo taken after Superstorm Sandy at Misquamicut Beach. Notice the sign in the location of a former dune that reads “Please Help Protect the Dune Area Please Keep Off”
It’s a reminder that we need to do more to Protect All Species.
PHOTO 5 – Flowering Cherry Tree
Flowering trees are beautiful to look at in the springtime, but also provide a necessary function in our food chain. Flowering trees like the cherry tree (pictured) provide a much needed food source for bees and other pollinators after a long winter. In turn, those pollinators provide a service to the human species by pollinating many of the fruits and vegetables we eat in the summer and fall. If you enjoy your summer and fall harvests, plant a tree that flowers in the spring.
PHOTO 6 – Condor over the Grand Canyon
It is easy to lose track of a giant condor when faced with the enormity of nature’s beauty. But never forget that the beauty of nature comes alive through the species that call it home.
PHOTO 7 – Honeybee
Providing an estimated $20 billion to U.S. crop production, honeybees are an indispensable asset to our food production economy, bio-diversity, and way of life. Keep this in mind when self-performing or contracting pest/weed control services to make sure that you are using bee friendly products.
PHOTO 8 – Backyard Lake View
This lake provides not only a beautiful backyard view, but an incredibly diverse ecosystem for species including beavers, ducks, herons, and pickerel. Ecosystems with a large number of species tend to be more resilient to climate change, so protecting them protects us too!
PHOTO 9 – Butterfly Walk
It is estimated that Monarch butterfly populations have declined 90% in the last 20 years, largely due to development and agricultural practices that are wiping out Milkweed, their only source of food. A friend had an abundance of milkweed in her yard and gave me several bags of seeds. On a windy fall day, two tots and I went on a “butterfly walk” to set the seeds free at our favorite park. We kept the last bag to start a backyard butterfly garden of our own, and hope to pay it forward one day.
PHOTO 10 – Bridge of Flowers
This is the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls, MA. In 1929, this old trolley bridge was converted into a public garden with many species of flowers and trees that bloom from early spring to late fall. These flowers support bees and pollinators who need nectar and pollen all season long.
PHOTO 11 – Spotted Turtle
The Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) was once listed as a “Species of Special Concern” and today remains a species of greatest conservation need in Massachusetts. Protecting wetlands, upland corridors between wetlands, and potential nesting areas will be vital to the continued existence of one of the state’s most charming reptiles.
PHOTO 12 – Sunset
Sunset a few evenings ago.
PHOTO 13 –Hardy Blackstonian turtles
Hardy Blackstonian turtles. Conditioned to survive in Blackstone stone river. Adaptation or the effects of water quality improvements? Either way more work is required to save these creatures.
Stay Connected
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive emails and periodic updates in your inbox.
Fields marked with an asterisk * are required
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
1 year
Set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Functional" category .
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Cookie
Duration
Description
_ga
2 years
The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_17714930_1
1 minute
Set by Google to distinguish users.
_gid
1 day
Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
CONSENT
2 years
YouTube sets this cookie via embedded youtube-videos and registers anonymous statistical data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Cookie
Duration
Description
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE
5 months 27 days
A cookie set by YouTube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or old player interface.
YSC
session
YSC cookie is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages.
yt-remote-connected-devices
never
YouTube sets this cookie to store the video preferences of the user using embedded YouTube video.
yt-remote-device-id
never
YouTube sets this cookie to store the video preferences of the user using embedded YouTube video.