Perspectives on the Shutdown: Wetlands & Wildlife
Perhaps like us, you’ve been wondering about how the coronavirus shutdown is affecting the natural world, water resources, infrastructure, and the work of environmental advocates. We reached out to a group of experts in the Finding the Flint Working Group to see what they are noticing during these weeks of cancelled meetings, work-from-home experimentation, and quiet time outdoors.
Bunch identifies bunny and bobcat tracks along the banks of the Flint under the Forest Parkway bridge.
Here’s our Q&A with Finding the Flint partner, Danielle Bunch, the Senior Conservationist with Clayton County Water Authority. She helps manage the wonderful Newman Wetlands Center in Hampton, Georgia. Danielle grew up exploring the foothills of Appalachia and after receiving her Masters of Environmental Conservation Education at NYU, she now enjoys exploring and learning about Georgia's wetlands and wildlife.
How are you? What are your days like at the Newman Wetlands Center right now?
I’m doing okay given the circumstances. I work from home mostly, or out on the trails.
We had to make the decision last month to close the Wetlands Center. As parks outside of Clayton County closed down, we saw a big increase in the number of visitors, like double and triple our normal amount. At first we just closed the building, but left the trails open. But we have a narrow boardwalk, and it’s very hard to pass and keep a safe distance. It’s only a mile trail, not really conducive to groups spread out. We saw groups meeting that weren’t following CDC guidelines for social distancing and we couldn’t guarantee safety for everyone. We made the decision to close the trails to keep our staff safe and to keep the community safe.
Since the Wetlands Center is closed, I’m missing the opportunity to share our trails and to talk with visitors; however, having the time to work on other projects out on the trail isn’t so bad. I’m also spending a lot more time working on social media engagement than I normally would, which is a good learning experience, but not my ideal way to spend time.
What have you noticed about how the coronavirus shutdown is affecting wildlife, trails, and environmental education?
We have seen a lot more wildlife throughout the park, throughout the day. Often, species such as coyotes, bobcats, and Wood Ducks would be more elusive, staying hidden or coming out when fewer people are around. Now, they’re moving around more freely and out in the open.
Right now, I’m at the treatment wetlands and I just saw coyotes! They are not usually out during the day. There’s normally people here doing water testing or removing plants, there’s always noisy work going on. In the past 10 minutes I’ve seen a muskrat and coyotes and lots of birds. I’m looking at a bald eagle right now…
Meanwhile, our environmental education is now limited to social media. Some of our regulars are participating in our social media posts, but it’s not the same reach we’d have if we were open and hosting school groups.
Do you think these changes are temporary?
I cannot imagine this will last for a long period of time. I don’t think animals are going to suddenly feel safer around us. The more opportunistic species like coyotes are taking advantage of the freedom, but they are responding to the absence of humans.
Any silver linings that we should try to preserve?
I hope people will continue to take the time to be outside and learn more about our natural world.
How can we help?
We don’t need any supplies or donations right now because we are closed. When we re-open, we would love to plan some joint programming on watersheds and our local rivers with Finding the Flint partners.
Recommended reading:
Check out the Atlanta Coyote Project. Dr. Christopher Mowry from Berry College has been posting about the increase in urban coyote sightings, with footage!