Instilling love, respect for nature messy but vital

<p>Becky is always coming up with projects to do with the G-kids. As a matter of fact, she just left for their house to start one we just learned.</p><p>I know they will have a good time. Three of our four G-kids are in elementary school and we are, well, we are somewhat older than that, but all of us have discovered that age doesn’t matter when you are having fun getting all gooey and sticky playing with food stuffs. I know this because last week we made bird seed wreathes.</p><p>The basic recipe for the wreath is pretty simple: Heat water and gelatin then stir in corn syrup and all-purpose flour. Add four cups of bird seed. Mix well, pour into a mold then press down to remove air bubbles. We used bundt pans but any mold would work. Smooth out the surface with a spoon or — more messy but more fun — your wet hands. Let dry in the mold overnight and after, say, 24 hours, carefully invert onto a newspaper. Let dry for a few more days. Tie a ribbon or some support around the thick part and hang it outside. The instructions say: “If possible, hang the wreath where squirrels and raccoons cannot reach it.” Yeah. Good luck with that.</p><p>At the Fun Friday gathering, while she was making a mess concocting the wreath, I was in the next room smearing peanut butter into the spaces of a pinecone. I then dredged the gloppy pine cone through a tray of bird seed. I figured out midway through that I should have attached a small wire to the pinecone before I started the peanut butter smear. My second attempt at a pinecone feeder was a bit less messy.</p><p>From the G-kids’ earliest ages, Becky and I as well as their parents have tried to develop in them a love and appreciation of nature. Feeding wild birds seemed a fairly easy way to do that. Not only do you witness the beauty of the avian world, but you get the pleasures of observing the other creatures that seem to come around when you regularly feed birds.</p><p>But a lesson I have discovered through reading and through experience is that care and intelligence must be applied when dealing with wild things. Nature cannot be thought of only as a mere exploitable resource for human needs and wants. That way leads to disaster, as we have learned time and time again. Those who really know and care about birds, The Humane Society and the Audubon Society, for example, caution against feeding wild birds without some thought and preparation.</p><p>The Humane Society says: “The general rule for feeding any wild animal is: Do not feed when it might cause harm.” They suggest researching which foods certain breeds prefer. They also say while it is a good practice to feed during spring, fall and the coldest months, it is not necessary, with the exceptions of hummingbirds and finches, to continue to feed birds in the summer.</p><p>The Audubon Society cites research pointing to increased parasites and viruses around intentional feeding sites. The group recommends cleaning bird feeders with a 10-percent non-chlorinated bleach solution a few times a year or at least between seasons. Cleaning the ground underneath feeders periodically is also a best practice.</p><p>Without wading too deeply into ethical and philosophical waters, nature is our only home. We should love it and appreciate and make every effort to care for it. To me it’s just common sense: When we are caretakers of the Earth, we play our part in the Grand Plan. When we work against nature, we all lose.</p><p>Becky and I love watching the birds. We hope the G-kids will carry on this happiness, as well.</p>