"The Birds and Squirrels Can Go to Long Island to Find Food Sources"

At the recent hearing to address the NYC Parks proposal to criminalize wildlife feeding in city parks, only two organizations supported the feckless solution in search of a problem:  The Wild Bird Fund and the Audubon Society.

Both stances can be viewed as political as both organizations have working relationships with city parks. Though not excuse, such serves as likely explanation for what was to more than 90% of hearing attendees "shocking" and indefensible position.

A colleague recently told me of a conversation she had with a representative from Audubon. When questioning what squirrels and birds will eat in parks where most natural food sources have been modified or removed (i.e. fruit and nut-bearing trees, certain plants) and a feeding ban imposed, she was told that, "The squirrels and birds can go to Long Island to find food sources."

On its face, the statement is laughable. Imagine, if you will, a mass exodus of NYC Park squirrels over bridges and highways on their way to Long Island.

But it tragically shows the mindset of those who have completely lost sight of both, reality as well as the original intent of NYC parks; as places of peaceful retreat for harried New Yorkers to enjoy nature and wildlife. (Reportedly, squirrels were actually placed in NYC parks for people to enjoy and feed!)

Some people might view my writings and dire warnings of "Silent Spring" on this issue to be overly dramatic or over the top.

But when one considers the diminishing and vanishing wildlife from city parks over the last decade (including deliberate round-up and killings of thousands of Canada geese), in addition to the statement from an Audubon representative, then it appears my writings on this matter not to be extreme at all.

In less than ten years, swans have all but disappeared from city parks, resident goose and duck numbers are way down, raccoons died off in Central Park last year and squirrels are now few and far between in Central Park.

Are harried New Yorkers no longer entitled to a peaceful place to "enjoy nature and wildlife" as represented by and as was original intent of NYC parks?

Are NYC parks only good now as entertainment and sports venues as represented by concerts, movies, food festivals, fireworks, marathons, bike-a-thons and BBQ's? Are these not more responsible for "attracting rats" than someone feeding birds or a squirrel?

The seemingly unguarded remark that NYC birds and squirrels "can go to Long Island to find food sources" was not so much Freudian slip, as much as the actual goal and plan for city parks' wildlife.

Birds and other wildlife are no longer cherished or welcomed in NYC parks -- as neither are the people who care about and try to speak up for them.

This struggle is not just about some people feeding pigeons.
It is about having any wildlife in city parks at all.