I received the following e-mail from James Trager, Restoration Biologist at Shaw Nature Reserve, and thought it deserved sharing:

With Halloween approaching come teachable moments concerning our “appearance-challenged” fellow life forms. These comments from naturalist colleagues of mine in Iowa…

Greg’s comments:
As an interpretive naturalist (in Delaware) I did live native animal programs for scout troops, overnight programs, and in classrooms during the winter months. I learned to interview the adults in the room quietly and privately beforehand to see if they were fearful of any of the animals I brought. Invariably someone was afraid of snakes (size and venom were irrelevant). I asked them not to exhibit their fear, or to leave quietly if necessary before the snakes came out. The goal was to avoid a dramatic fear response/scene (believe me it happens) from an adult that would imprint on the kids, especially those in lower grade school. These were largely urban kids, but that’s mostly irrelevant. For many it was their first experience with snakes up close and personal and I wanted them to have a positive, informed experience. They were welcomed to touch gently, but no one was forced, and a climate of respect and appreciation was fostered for each animal. We purposely did not give these animals ‘pet’ names because we wanted the kids to respect them for what they were…namely wild animals deserving of appropriate habitat where they could live undisturbed for the most part. Pet names and cutesy descriptions tend to trivialize the experience. Its a matter of philosophy and personal example, as Chad said. Kids are watching us…Homo sapiens are superb at mimicry.
Everything has it’s place. What good are mosquitos? What good is poison ivy? I heard those questions a lot. The trick is to give them another point of reference, the unstated part of these sorts of questions is ‘What good is it to ME?’. Lakota tradition regards other life forms as co-equal. Vine Deloria suggests that Sioux ceremonials at the most fundamental level are a manifestation of creation becoming thankfully aware of itself (via human consciousness). Its a perspective largely foreign to the prevailing culture. Maybe that’s what ecological restoration is ultimately about…a ceremony, a sacred rite, a celebration…
Greg Houseal
Program Manager, Iowa Ecotype Project
Native Roadside Vegetation Center
University of Northern Iowa

Ginger’s response:
The example set by adults toward other species has a profound effect on children, and I have seen an entire classroom of kindergarteners mimic the terror their teacher displayed toward a live spider. It changed the way I present information about “creepy” creatures during Naturalist programs. I follow a formula, “My Five Favorite Things About Spiders/Bats/Snakes, etc”. My joy and enthusiasm are as contagious as another adult’s fear and prejudice.
The final point Greg made is brilliant. Yes, our restoration efforts ARE a ceremony recognizing equal importance among species and celebrating our respect for our fellow living things, plants included. Have you ever met a tree that looked profound? Have you ever offered a prayer of thanks for a hillside of native prairie, so rich in color and motion and life that you wept as you looked at it? Well, maybe I’m a little emotional… Have you ever watched an ancient, sacred bit of earth come alive with beauty and diversity under the attentive, loving care of human hands? If there is a spirit shared equally among living things, we, restorationists, reconstructionists, preservationists, keep it alive in our hearts and in our work.
Ginger Vietor
Aurelia, IA