Dear Santa:
Many people make Christmas wish lists that include a world of desires. Christmas lists from my past often included the latest doll. One year I knew I was getting a Chatty Cathy™ because my parents and their friends played with it while I secretly watched from the stairwell. I heard Cathy say, “Let’s play house” or “Tell me a story” as they hooted and carried on. I couldn’t wait to pull the string myself and see her eyes blink.
My small but worthy list follows and pleads for gratification.
Paper Plate Signs (also known as litter). Santa, why do so many people post and leave their paper plate signs along roadsides? I know they help others find things but why leave them? Could you please fix this litter problem? Speaking of litter, the tons of trash dumped on our roadsides is shameful. Can you help people see how awful it is? And while you are at it can you tell me why some people do not consider their cigarette butts litter?
Running Dogs and Feral Cats. Some think their dogs are perfect angels and deserve total freedom. Domestic dogs are predators and pack animals, even though we consider them tame. I notice that you use reindeer instead of dogs to pull your sleigh. Please ask people to keep their dogs on their own property. A bullet could seal a dog’s fate if found chasing wildlife. The same is true for the cats dumped each year on refuges by irresponsible people. Refuges are homes for native wildlife. Feral animals are not welcome. Evil people who abandon animals are not brave enough to dispatch them humanely or turn them over to someone who can care for them, like a shelter. They view public lands as havens for unwanted pets. Santa, I will not even mention the unwanted emus, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, Muscovy ducks, chukar, and bobwhite quail dumped on refuges. These deserted animals do not survive. They succumb to predators or starve.
Snag Theft. People cut many prime snags (also called animal homes) for firewood each year. More than 60 bird and mammal species require suitable snags for survival, often using aspen, western larch, ponderosa pine, and true firs. Santa, make sure they leave the biggest ones, but anything at least ten inches in diameter can be habitat. This is especially true of hollowed-out trees, which can serve as homes for owls, raccoons, wood ducks, bats, and squirrels – to name a few possible residents.
Filled Wetlands. Despite the fact that we know wetlands are important and governments are required to protect them, more and more are being filled to create parking lots, building sites, or agricultural fields. Please make them stop, Santa. Wetland habitats are vital to hundreds of wild birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fishes. They also filter sediments and pollutants, slow water flows and reduce flooding. During dry periods, wetlands recharge groundwater and maintain stream flows.
Illegal All-Terrain-Vehicle (ATV) Use. Santa, I do not buy into the idea of equal access for all motorized vehicles; there are designated places for ATV use. I wish those renegade ATV riders would stay where they belong. Not all vehicles are equal and they do not have to go everywhere. Illegal use creates ruts, damages plants, erodes, and compacts soils. But most importantly, it disturbs wildlife and damages habitats.
That is all Santa. While you are making my every wish come true, could you find a way for more of the bluebirds to nest in all those boxes? Do not get me wrong, I like swallows but would be delighted to see more blue. Could you keep all those critters away from barbed wire fences, especially flying squirrels and deer? Oh, and it would be so very special if I could catch sight of a white weasel this winter. Since I promise to be good, viewing a live lynx or bobcat would be a very special treat. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
