Well, here goes Strategy #2 as put forth by the North Carolina Environmental Defense.

Reestablish natural landscapes through active restoration and natural regeneration.  Repair past ecological degradation so that natural systems can support future ecological and human needs.

Human society is usually a consistent precursor to environmental degradation and eradication of certain species.  North America was no different.  We settled the United States and almost eradicated the American buffalo, elk, pronghorn, and wild turkeys.  Extinction ran its full course with the Passenger pigeon and Carolina parakeets.  Through conservation efforts, most game species have been restored to record levels thanks to the efforts of hunters, state/federal agencies, and concerned non-profits.

Natural landscapes are in the same predicament.  I’ll lay out several of the target restorations as laid out by the Environmental Defense to ensure a North Carolina that is just as beautiful 100 years down the road as it is today.

*Restore commercial and recreational fisheries – River herring, striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, oysters, and more have been decimated by overharvesting.  These species and fisheries need to be restored to historical levels.  Strategies for conservation might include destroying some man-made water flow and dam structures in our rivers.

*Wetlands need to be protected.  Over half of North Carolina’s 11 million acres of wetlands have been damaged or destroyed.  Wetlands are sanctuaries for game species, non-game species, and biodiversity.  Also, wetlands are an ecosystem service in water quality and erosion control.

*Restoring native food webs.  This includes the successful reintroduction of top predators – red wolves…maybe even mountain lions.  These would play an important role in restoring natural balance and reducing already over-abundant game populations – namely deer.

*Restoring natural fire regimes will enable longleaf pine ecosystems to continue their rebound and increase in acreage.  Longleaf forests are a tremendously unique ecosystem that harbors high diversity of many organisms.

*Restoring a native landscape also involves the eradication and killing of other non-native organisms.  The removal of kudzu, japanese honeysuckle, stiltgrass, Asian clams, nutria, Dutch elm disease, West Nile virus, and flathead catfish would greatly benefit the native habitats of North Carolina and restore proper ecosystem function and balance.

There were more bullets laid out under this strategy, but I tried to bounce from high point to high point.  You may or more may not agree with all of them, but I think that stepping back and looking at the big picture is appropriate and gives perspective.  Definitely food for thought.

If you enjoyed this blog post, check out Strategy #1.  Strategy’s #3 and #4 still to come.