Support ECR

To write a letter to the President click here (for subject click Policy comment, then click Environmental Issue), to the Interior secretary click here (email: feedback@ios.doi.gov), to contact Senator John Kerry (MA) click here and Senator Scott Brown (MA) click here.  In my opinion, the Obama Administration has not lived up to their bargain of conservation and using science ahead of politics. The administration could redeem themselves to a degree if they read this letter (which I sent them) and create these new national parks here in the East: Cape Cod National Park (using public land in the town of Barnstable), Maine Woods National Park, and White Mountains National Park (centered around the Kangamagus Highway in New Hampshire – currently a National Forest)..

5. Help create a Wildlife Watching area in the town of Barnstable. It is important to stess that this is not an anti-hunting request. Rather it is a request for democracy, for non-hunters to have a place to watch wildlife that isn’t in danger of getting shot. For instance, in MA in 2006, 73,000 people hunted and generated $71 Million toward the economy while 1,919,000 people wildlife watched, generating a staggering $755 M to the state (http://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/fhw06-ma.pdf). However, there are currently no designed wildlife watching areas in Massachusetts except for smaller private settings. I argue for a fairly large, ecosystem-sized area dedicated to wildlife – like my hometown of Barnstable. I also argue that (above) in creating more Eastern National Parks.

Past testimony in support of a wildlife watching area (Feel free to use this letter with minor changes to send to the people below):

“I am writing to support of the establishment of a Wildlife Watching area in the town of Barnstable, proposed by Dr. Jonathan Way of Eastern Coyote Research and supported by the Humane Society of the United States among other organizations. I believe this idea has great merit, particularly in a place like Barnstable that clearly could benefit in the promotion and subsequent economic revenue such an area could provide. Increasingly states and local jurisdictions are recognizing that there is a large untapped revenue source through the growing number of Americans who partake in wildlife watching each year and are seeking areas to protect and promote such areas for this purpose. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 30% of Massachusetts residents participate in wildlife watching activities (including outdoor hiking, photography, and, wildlife viewing) contributing $755 million to the economy, while fewer than 1% hunt (and far fewer trap).

In addition to potentially generating additional revenue for Barnstable, the creation of a wildlife watching area would provided needed protective zones for wildlife. Wildlife need protective zones where they are not pursued by trappers and hunters. Ecologically, such areas serve as sanctuaries where wild animals can den and raise young, which in turn helps to provide additional wildlife watching opportunities. Coyotes are an increasingly popular species to view and study, and Dr. Way’s studies in the Cape Cod area have certainly served to generate more interest in this species locally and statewide. Coyotes are just one species that would provide additional wildlife watching opportunities in a protected area within Barnstable.

I look forward to hearing from you about Barnstable’s consideration of establishing a protected wildlife watching area within the township.”

Email the following people to let them know that you support a wildlife watching area in Barnstable:

Town Manager John Klimm: email@town.barnstable.ma.us

Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce: info@capecodchamber.org

Governor Deval Patrick: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3utilities&sid=Agov3&U=Agov3_contact_us

Senators John Kerry (MA) click here and Senator Scott Brown (MA) click here

State Reps. Matt Patrick: repmattp@cape.com and Jeff Perry: Jeffrey.D.Perry@state.ma.us – Note both of these addresses will soon change to new representatives

Executive Office of Environmental Affairs: env.internet@state.ma.us

6. Open letter to Governor Patrick about Coyote/Wildlife Management. Note: I never received a response from the Governor. I don’t think he cares to get involved in this mess called wildlife management. But feel free to write in and voice your own concerns.

Past letter written to governor Patrick on this issue:

“Dear Governor Patrick:

As a wildlife consultant who assists state and county governments with creating coyote coexistence management plans, I would like to ask you, as Governor of Massachusetts, to do all in your power to support the invaluable coyote research carried out by Massachusetts resident Dr. Jonathan Way. Dr. Way has been studying coyotes throughout Massachusetts , primarily in the Cape Cod region, for over a decade. His contribution to the field of science and our understanding of coyote ecology has been invaluable. As such, I urge you ensure that the state provides him a lifetime permit to continue his coyote research without political interference. Dr. Way regularly publishes his data and reports his findings to the public. Moreover, his recent book, Suburban Howls, is a testimony to the value of having predators like coyotes around us.

Why is it so difficult for him to study and ultimately help these creatures when others can easily buy hunting licenses to shoot them? Just because he does not support killing coyotes does not mean that he shouldn’t be able to study these animals.

Please do what you can to ensure that Dr. Jonathan Way receives a lifetime permit to study coyotes in Massachusetts .

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely, _________ ”