Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat News
The Newsletter of the Great Lakes
Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund
Volume 8, Number 4 • July-August 2000
Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat NewsThe Newsletter of the Great Lakes
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Have you ever realized how many opportunities for aquatic habitat protection present themselves in ordinary conversation? A good friend of mine has always said “seize every teachable moment.” By this she meant we shouldn’t let the small comments and questions concerning our work and passions slip by without acting on them.
For example, in ordinary conversation you may have a friend give you a report on her garden containing beautiful Purple Loosestrife. SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY! Explain to her the impact that this plant has on wetlands and share the fact that one plant can produce millions of seeds that can then be dispersed by wind and animals. For me, the trick here is to provide the information without stepping up on my soap box, and knowing when to let the topic drop.
At a recent public event I was presented with many such opportunities, and as usual I found that many of the folks were happy to learn about the impacts their actions may be having on the environment, and how to reduce those impacts. Although there were the occasional nay sayers that just didn’t think their individual behavior made a difference, I think reaching 9 out of 10 people with simple conversations is a great return on my efforts for simply being willing to seize those teachable moments.
In this season when we all tend to be on or near the water among other outdoor enthusiasts, I hope you will seize the moment if someone is growing harmful exotics, terrorizing water fowl, or dumping into a storm drain.