Our flora and fauna neighbors also deserve your consideration
Did you know that humans and our domesticated animals make up 96% of the total mammalian biomass on Earth?
The other day I was driving down Old Bedford Road (where the speed limit is 30) and a squirrel darted out in front of my car trying to cross the road. She got scared in the middle and stopped, huddled on the yellow line looking terrified. I stopped so I wouldn’t kill her.
There was an SUV coming toward me in the other lane. The squirrel was clearly visible, and I was flashing my lights. The other car didn’t slow down one bit and barreled through. Meanwhile the SUV behind me was honking his horn even though I couldn’t have been stopped for more than seven seconds.
Please have some patience and consideration for the non-human residents of Acton. This is their home, too. Can you imagine how terrified she was? It just takes a bit of care to not cause them harm.
Other ways we can be kind: not spraying pesticides; planting native plants including milkweed, New England aster, goldenrod, wild bergamot, purple coneflower, and Joe Pye weed. Actively remove non-native invasive plants; turn your outdoor lights off at night (this helps migrating birds); “leave the leaves” as fallen leaves are an important part of the life cycle and provide natural habitat for insects, amphibians, and small mammals; and put out a water source like a birdbath.
Did you know that humans and our domesticated animals (livestock and pets) make up 96% of the total mammalian biomass on Earth? All other mammals are only 4%. This is a glaring imbalance and a reason to eat more plants and adopt a companion animal rather than paying a breeder, which adds to this overreach.
She may “only” be a squirrel, but small acts of respect for anything wild is to remember that we are just one strand in a magnificent tapestry.
Erin Sharaf
Old Bedford Road
