In general, given the limited lifespan of humans, it is necessary for us to consider all behavioral activities which are likely to produce effects that will persist beyond our own lifetime. Those activities that contribute to the destruction of our own environment must be phased out or ceased immediately relative to their degree of impact. All of us are responsible for making these corrections.

During the past sixteen years in this field of study, my own understanding of these concepts has evolved and hopefully will continue to develop in upcoming years. The primary focus is involving invasive plant control as it is essential in the maintenance of faunal populations.  Although some observations may be restating the obvious, they are significant in their implications.

  1. Invasive plant infestations worsen with time.
  2. The costs of overall control increase with each growing season.
  3. Severe infestations have profoundly negative effects on habitat.
  4. Invasive species are not bound by property lines.
  5. All natural areas are subject to the devastating effects of invasive species proliferation.
  6. Destroying or damaging natural areas is much easier and faster to accomplish than restoration.

These above statements are supportive of the need for large scale urgent action and at present have no feasible method for control other than some utilization of herbicides. (click here for more on herbicide use)

With the use of herbicides being needed due to the rapidly, ever increasing problem of invasive plants, the best way to minimize any potential deleterious effects is by treating infestations as quickly as possible when they have yet to encompass large areas (rapid detection and response) and by utilizing methods that do not require all areas, soils, and animals to be subject to exposure.

Although some issues must be dealt with as soon as possible, (IE. invasive plants, environmental toxins, habitat and agricultural area loss from perceived development), many facets of restoration management allow for a more long term approach and must be examined with the above referenced limited lifespan we’ve been afforded through our own continuing evolutionary cycle in our mindset. The natural world has a tremendous and built in capability to take care of itself and regenerate and is being hindered only by undesirable human behavior.