Abandoned Lots

[Anton Marais]

On Fri, 5 Jun 1998, Michael Gochfeld wrote:

> There have been several evocative accounts of the destruction of 
> "abandoned lots".  
>
<SNIP>
>
> I wonder how many tales there are of "abandoned" lots that are converted 
> from valuable habitats to not much use.  And whether this is a story 
> worth telling. 
> 
<SNIP>
>
> Mike Gochfeld
> 
Yes, a lot of us started our amateur nature efforts on vacant lots in urban
areas.  I would just like to raise my humble opinion also in this regard!
It also happened more than once that some abandoned lot, where I was roaming
on in search of insects and other creatures, was cleared for developement.

Now that I am also a landowner I begin to understand some of the dynamics
of "developement" of land.  I am currently trying to plant some of the
butterfly foodplants in my garden to help settle some colonies.  The
problem is that most of their foodplants are generally considered as weeds.
This can create some embarrassment when everyone who visits me asks why
my garden is in such a mess!  Now I try to plant the more appealing plants
in the front of my house and the more "obvious" weeds in the backyard. I
am also starting to make some pathways between the plants to make it more
appealing to the eye.  
What I am actually trying to say is that you don't have to give in to
social pressure and destroy the habitat of some of God's creatures just
to be acceptable!  If every landowner just keep one butterfly "weed" in
his garden, we could save a lot of butterfly species from extinction.
The other major problem is also ignorance.  Just ask the average person
what you can do to get rid of caterpillars and he will give you a whole
list of pesticides to use, but ask him on what foodplant does the common
Swallowtail butterfly feeds and he doesn't even know that!!

Some of the solution therefore (in my opinion) is to have a good knowledge
of your immediate environment.

Regards
Anton