The damage has been done

Dear Editor:Delia Malone (letters to the Editor, March 29): I don’t feel the wildlife needs managing. They manage themselves stunningly well using the genius of the natural world.People however desperately need wild awareness training and wilderness paradigm enhancement. Any park where harmlessness and appreciation for nature can be communicated is immensely valuable for educating us in relating to the world with a reverent/respectful mentality.Nancy Chromy (letters to the Editor, March 29): The reason I live in town is to reduce my impacts on wild lands. Watching every rich field and dell get cut with roads for houses and shop pads, with drainages rerouted for waste systems, drying up fine wet swales has been hard to stomach these past 40 years. Dogs now roam with the sheep, deer, elk, coon, skunk, porcupine and myriad others. Even in town, we are visited by deer, coons and others weekly. My hope is to educate us wood dwellers to be aware, fearless and respectful of animal neighbors, to coexist with them.”Aware of” means we tread our paths with presence. “Fearless” means no need to kill to reduce a perceived threat, and “respectful” means I give animals room in my life to accommodate their animal needs, which often seem sloppy and destructive.If these trails were far from the rumble and fume of our busyness, I would be with you both, asking that the trail not be built. These areas are already highly impacted for these critters. They have already accommodated for our presence. Now it’s time to learn to accommodate for their presence, and these areas offer a rare and effective campus. Bambi will thrive if we intend.John HoffmannCarbondale