𝖯𝗋𝖾𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗏𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖿𝗎𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾, 𝗇𝗈 𝖾𝖿𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗍 𝗍𝗈𝗈 𝗌𝗆𝖺𝗅𝗅 𝙋𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙖 𝙍𝙞𝙘𝙖 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚, 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩

The United States, home to over 200,000 species of plants, animals, and microbes, is facing a biodiversity crisis. 

Nature Serve reports that one-third of U.S. species are at risk, with more than 500 species already extinct or missing. Habitat destruction has led to the loss of most vegetation in nearly 60% of the continental U.S., excluding Alaska.

Faced with growing environmental challenges, younger activists like Megan Okke, a Pelican native studying Conservation and Ecology at North Dakota State University's Biology program, are taking a stand. 

Megan recently returned from an educational tour in Costa Rica to study local ecosystems. She expressed the critical need for biodiversity preservation and emphasized that protecting habitats in our communities can have significant global impacts.

Costa Rica thrives through community effort and renewable energy 

In the 1900s, Costa Rica’s biodiversity faced near destruction largely due to excessive farming. It has since made a remarkable turnaround by implementing renewable energies such as wind turbines and irrigation canals. Reforestation, conservation of species, and recycling also played pivotal roles in the nation’s environmental recovery. 

“It is truly mesmerizing to see the rich biodiversity there,” Megan recalls, “and the community effort is evident, everyone is doing their part.” 

The local recycling system encompasses everything from bottle caps and compost to aluminum, ensuring maximum materials recovery and reuse. 

In Monteverde Cloud Forest, Megan also witnessed a thriving ecosystem with abundant plants, frogs, and insects. Some plants uniquely adapt to growing on trees without soil, and all life forms flourish.

Regenerative agriculture is key to combat biodiversity decline 

Farming in the U.S., much like in Costa Rica’s past, is contributing significantly to biodiversity decline. 

However, recent years have seen an increase in farmers shifting from traditional practices to conscious farming or “regenerative agriculture.” This method is a gentler approach to “mother nature,” aiming to regenerate soils, pastures, and biodiversity while caring for the land.

Megan, a Pelican Rapids High School graduate, pointed out the adverse effects of traditional farming practices on natural habitats across the U.S. “I understand farming is a sensitive subject in rural areas,” said Megan, “but we need to seek a more holistic way that allows farms to coexist with nature instead of destroying it.”

Regenerative agriculture plays a critical role in building a sustainable future for farmers but presents its own challenges. 

With increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather conditions, understanding carbon and plant sugar levels in soils has become vital. Successfully reintroducing biodiversity into farmlands requires a shift in practices and an in-depth knowledge of ecological balance.

Nature sanctuary in the backyard

Modern conveniences like lawn mowing may also be inadvertently driving away beneficial wildlife, including bees, birds, and bats, which are often misunderstood due to their “controversial” nature.

“Minnesota is home to 8 species of bats, all of which are insectivores, and will keep mosquitos, flies, and ticks under control in your backyard,” Megan explained. 

Despite common misconceptions, bats in Minnesota rarely transmit diseases to humans; the risk of contracting rabies from bats is less than 1%. Yet, the stigma against bats is severely harming the local bat populations.

“People put up bird houses, but I would love to see them put up bat houses,” smiled Megan. She suggested putting up cameras in bat houses for safe observation, and DO NOT handle it without protection. Providing a safe habitat for these seemingly “unlovable” creatures will go a long way in their population recovery.

Megan also encourages residents to plant wildflowers instead of traditional grass lawns. This practice attracts local biological life and aids pollination efforts crucial to our environment’s sustainability.

Reducing carbon footprints is a collective effort

While cities like Pelican are making strides in environmental conservation, there’s always room for improvement. The key lies in recycling and reducing waste — something everyone can contribute to.

Megan stated she purchases eco-friendly products such as shampoo and laundry detergent to reduce chemical waste. These products are also packaged with recyclable materials, making them 100% waste-free without higher costs. She also encourages using reusable shopping bags over plastic or paper bags as a simple yet effective method to minimize waste.

“Reducing carbon footprints takes all of us,” Megan stated, “there is no effort too small when it comes to saving our planet. Think about the legacy we want to leave for our children and future generations. Our goal should be to leave this planet better than when we found it.”