Nature hiking in Montserrat
Weather is unpredictable in this transition period between the warm dry winter and the start of the hurricane season, but I arrived on a hot, sunny, humid day. After settling in to my guest house on the west coast I was itching to reacquaint myself with Montserrat after 16 years, so I started walking. Past the governor’s new residence (the volcano had forced even him to have to relocate) and onto the main road and south toward Salem.
Can we place a value on the joy of birds?
For many people, birds contribute hugely to their quality of life: simple birdsong uplifts people. We see or hear them every day, unlike tigers or elephants that we contribute millions of pounds to charities to protect even though most of us will never see them. So how much value do birds add to our lives? Read more
How much is nature worth?
$33 trillion according to one study. But is it possible to put a price on nature? Is it immoral to even try? What would be the point of trying to put a cash number against ‘services’ nature provides? Would such an approach devalue nature, or provide a powerful tool to defend it?
Environmental education: why every country needs a Grand Canyon
Many of the visitors who come initially to wonder at “the Big Ditch” can also learn about the fragility of it. The Park’s interpretive rangers are encouraged to address environmental and Park issues in the daily free ranger programs. Visitors can join any of these walks and talks which aim to enhance the visitors appreciation of the Park and introduce them to the challenges which it faces. Visitors are introduced to a range of environmental issues which they may not have thought impinged on their lives, including pressure on natural resources, disruption of wildlife, and the speed of species extinction. Read more