WHY CARE?

~Contributed by Prudi Koeninger & Kristi Ontiveros

Our place in the Metroplex: Growth and prosperity come at a cost, and wild animals across North Texas are paying dearly. Problems arise as DFW sprawls, encroaching on wild animals' homes. At DFW Wildlife Coalition, we make it our mission to educate residents and help them cope with unexpected wild neighbors. We can learn to coexist. Texans want to know what to do about opossums in their back yards and coyotes in their parks. We not only know what to do, but also can alleviate fears. That makes us an important and unique resource.

The DFW Wildlife Coalition strives to educate the public on peaceful coexistence with our native Texas wildlife. We believe that our mission also carries another deeper, more meaningful message that will benefit  both humanity and the wildlife we encounter more frequently than ever before. That message is one of survival. Not just about survival of the body but survival of the soul as well. We need nature and all her complements for our survival.

In our climate controlled environments, cars, homes and offices we surround ourselves with images and reminders of nature and animals. We design our neighborhoods with walking trails and parks so that should we find a moment, we can visit nature and be reminded of a peaceful place. We plant trees in our yards and adorn them with birdfeeders.  We even try to mimic nature with sound machines in our bedrooms so that we may get a better nights rest or wake up to the beautiful sound of birds chirping. Why do we do these things? Because we need nature. It is where we once lived. And it is alive and well in our own backyards. We look to nature to find things we forgot about, things we no longer have the time to think about, and things that remind us about miracles and fill our hearts with awe.

In nature not only do we find plants, trees and flowers but also all the  birds, mammals and reptiles we receive calls about on our hotline. They are all a part of nature. Nature has its own tempo and rhythm, and the animals have adapted well. Sometimes it is we who are offbeat. The animals have learned to adapt, and now it is up to us to return the favor. Luckily, they can teach us how. All we must do is be willing and observant students.

The DFW Wildlife Coalition advocates coexistence not because the animals are something to be dealt with but because the animals represent all those things that nature intended. Coexistence is not the eradication of one species for the convenience of another. It is all species living in harmony. Each brings something of benefit to the other.

So why care?  Because not only does it mean health and vitality for the animals we share our habitat with, and for our environment, but for our human spirit, as well. We hope you will join us on this remarkable journey to continue to foster a strong and balanced relationship with nature and the wildlife we support.