Urban Ecology Program
Introduction
Human activities on this planet have adversely affected ecosystems that have been in existence for millions of years. The major cause of this is the clearing of forests and excavations, which not only rid the land of vegetation but also the animals that have been reliant on that flora (Corlett, 2015). To avoid complete and utter destruction of the natural environment, there is a need for humans to adapt their activities such that they promote the conservation of the remaining species of flora and fauna. Urban Ecology program intends to achieve this in a neighborhood that has witnessed a large portion of its forest cover cleared.
Background
There are large portions of land in this neighborhood that were wooded in the past. However, in the recent years, the wooded parts have been cleared to create space for new housing. The building companies and the city authorities might not have noticed the effects that this clearing of the wood is having on the environment. The trees getting cut are affecting the ecological balance of this area (Jim, 2013). The habitat that was formerly a home to the wild animals has been cleared. This has made the aminals roam around the human residential neighborhoods in search of food, and it is fueling a conflict between humans and animals. In addition to that, many animals are getting hit by cars as the roam in the neighborhoods that were once their natural homes. This is what has led to the inception of Urban Ecology Program, an outfit that is concerned with the conservation of nature and the wild animals.
Program overview
This program intends to encourage research on the complex relationship that humans have with their environment. While the manmade habitat has continued to grow, the natural ecosystem is in decline (Corlett, 2015). This can result in the extinction of plants and animals, which contributes to the loss of biodiversity that has played the role of balancing the natural order for millions of years. The rate at which the wood cover has receded coupled with the deaths of the wild animals is approaching a crisis and needs to be stopped.
The findings from this research will then be used to implore the authorities to stop the clearing of woods by declaring that the remaining forest cover be considered a home and sanctuary of the wild animals (Klaus, 2013). The findings will also be used to educate the residents and the youth on the importance of conserving what remains of the woods, and also explain to them the benefits of maintaining the ecological balance in their neighborhoods. The challenge likely to face this initiative will entail having to serve the needs of humans and at the same time preserve nature.
The community will be involved in the formulation of the policies suggested to the authorities. This will ensure that these policies aimed at retaining and protecting what is remaining of the wood contain the input of the members of the community (Jim, 2013). Following this process will make the community receptive to the changes and directives made by the city authorities towards the preservation of life.
Mission statement
The mission of Urban Ecology Program is to conserve the natural ecosystem that has remained so far, through research and partnership between the community and city authorities.
References
Corlett, R. (2015). Global Ecology and Conservation. Global Ecology And Conservation, 4, 673. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2015.12.001
Jim, C. (2013). Ecology and conservation of strangler figs in urban wall habitats. Urban Ecosystems, 17(2), 405-426. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11252-013-0322-3
Klaus, V. (2013). Urban Grassland Restoration: A Neglected Opportunity for Biodiversity Conservation. Restoration Ecology, 21(6), 665-669. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rec.12051