Nature, Health and Networks

Bobcats, coyotes and bears freely roaming in Yosemite Valley. Birdsong ringing throughout our most populous cities. Dolphins and swans returning to the Venice canals (well, not so true).

The first story line is what happens when the hoards of visitors to the majestic and breathtaking Yosemite Valley suddenly stop coming. The resurgence of birdsong in our cities may be explained by a few reasons, as Streetsblog reporter Roger Rudick learned from UC Davis Professor and Co-Director of the Road Ecology Center Fraser M. Shilling.

That lack of masking [noise from car engines] that we’re experiencing now means more songbirds can hear one another–which encourages more of them to sing. It also makes the songs more audible to humans. The background noise of cities has shifted from the constant hum of millions of car engines to a layering of songbirds.

A sliver lining, amidst the tremendous toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on so many families and individuals, is this flourishing of nature in diverse settings and the increased attention being paid to nearby nature in our communities. Continue reading on Medium.