Diario de sambiology
Learn all about snakes and reptiles (and probably a few amphibians) with the folks from CrossTimbers Connection this Saturday, August 8, from 10 - 11 am. They'll bring a few reptiles for us to look at up close too. Hopefully by the end of the program, you can tell others why reptiles are important. :)
Free program! Snacks and waters will be provided as well. Hope to see you there!
I'll preface this all by saying that I don't own land! I'm just a kid, and my two cents are worth just a cent and a half. So, take any of my opinions about this stuff with a grain of salt!
I have had a few discussions about landowners and landowners' rights lately... I'm drawn to a few conclusions and perhaps a little confusion on my part.
Someone stakes claim to a portion of land a few hundred years ago. This land is then transferred through time among family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. Money changes hands, hand shakes are made, names are written on deeds. But I'm curious -- who does this land really belong to? All the species that make up that land -- who do they belong to?
I did a little googling, and found out there are quite a few legal terms when it comes to landowners... "A landowner has a right to occupy the surface of his/her land. A landowner has a right to plant trees, crops, and other vegetation on his/her land. A landowner has a right to the air above and below his/her to a reasonable extent." (http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/land-ownership-rights.html)
Species (plants, animals, fungi, etc) found on this land have evolved and changed for millions and millions of generations, but then they're branded with the name of the person that has purchased the land where they originated...? These landowners thereby own the biodiversity and all of the knowledge of the biodiversity just to themselves, right?
I guess I just don't understand it and probably have some growing up to do when it comes to this, but it does seem a bit confusing to me.
Don't get me wrong, I always obey the "no trespassing" signs that I see, but at the same time, I scowl at them. I won't go on the land you claim to own, but do you really think you own it? Every species recognizes you as their owner?
I don't know! Maybe, if I own some land someday, I'll have a different opinion. Right now, it's just confusion.
What do you think?
iNaturalist is a great outlet for observations from the past. I have been enjoying several observations from some great naturalists.
When I just started to become obsessed with iNat, it was winter, and most of the plants were dormant outside... So, I spent some time inside going through my old plant collections and uploading the images. As I did this, I had such fun remembering what I saw and when I saw it! Although, I'm a bit bummed that I wasn't taking pictures of all of the other critters that I saw when I was focused on plants.
Memorable stuff: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1195588
So, if you have some older photos of animals, fungi, or plants, why not add some data to this global database?!?
And for your enjoyment, here are some fun ones that I spotted of the legendary naturalist and prolific iNatter, Greg Lasley:
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/836690
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186936
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/151283
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/233724
And here are some great entries from the man, myth, and legend, Chuck Sexton:
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1258179
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1817338
Thanks to everyone that has spent many hours uploading and sharing your observations from the past -- I, for one, thoroughly enjoy living vicariously through your observations! :)
