old-restored habitats

[Diane Falk]

Good evening all :)
Thank you Mark Walker, Chris R. and Neil for bridging the tender area
lepidopterists face regarding species support vs. extinction, etc.. 
I might have quietly viewed your discussion from the safety of my office
computer screen,...but then I like to believe we humans were blessed
with brains so we might resolve complicated problems such as Skippers
and Karners and resource depletion.

I sense that many efforts to protect, nurture, and/or rebuild old 
habitat simply fizzle and expire due to appathy and arrogance. First
a project draws attention and funding.  Hard work and tenacity must
follow.  Educating the next generation, exploring what works, sharing 
explicit failures within our extensive lepidoptera network, and per-
ceiving our "failures" as _lessons_ in humility.  I want my children's
children to experience the flight of butterflies here at Serendipity.

Mark,...it took courage to admit you were not actively participating
in finding a solution.  Your email, however, coaxed me to share with
fellow lepidopterists  my continued private and small scale habitat
reconstruction in northeastern Illinois.  Last year, 1998, forced me
to realize I am never allowing doubters and pessimists to harm me again.
I almost lost this entire project.  

There is a very long story behind that---which I need not include.  My
point to all is simple:  Ignore the loss of habitat---Expect the loss
of species.  We humans can be a wasteful group.  We have an abundance
of excuses,...most reek of arrogant ignorance, for doing what we please
when it pleases us.  Why then do we wonder in a panic what to do at the 
very last moments Mother Nature allows us?

I remain quite involved with ecotourism, environmental education, the 
replenishing of native habitat  on my eleven acres, and providing 
host and nectar plant resources here at Serendipity Children's 
Memorial Gardens Foundation and Serendipity Bed and Breakfast. I neither 
suggest my methods are the panacea for healing our biodiversity woes,
nor do I ignore useful information posted via leps-l at lists.edu.

Very soon now my Serendipity web returns to the internet.  Should any
of you reading this find I have listed mistakes or enjoy and utilize
any resource I have found please contact me at my new 
em:  diane at serendipity-gardens.com  Oh! And should anyone ask---I have
no paid employees, nor do I receive any portion of funding for my 
personal gain. (very big smile)

Warmest regards, Diane Falk C.E.O.
Serendipity Children's Memorial Gardens Foundation
http://www.lake-online.com/gardens2.htm
http:www.serendipity-gardens.com



 




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