The Gulf of Mexico oil spill has mucked up the natural habitats of many avian species. Migratory birds usually found the Gulf of Mexico to be a home away from home during winter months. In a rare show of environmental consciousness, American farmers are pitching in.
Across eight states (the five Gulf states and Arkansas, Georgia and Missouri), American farmers are inundating their lands and helping to create alternative wetlands for these migratory birds. It could prove to be a big succor for millions of ducks, geese and shorebirds that make their way south on a flyway that stretches as far north as Alaska and Iceland.
Craig Gautreaux is one of those farmers who flooded his rice and crawfish fields. As part of the environmental project he is turning 762 acres of his land into wetlands. The $20 million project will cover his costs that include pumping and holding the water, but will not give him any benefits in terms of financial profit. In the spirit of things, he says –
“I want to keep the birds around.”
Even without knowing whether the project will be a success or not, government officials hope to have 150,000 acres of manmade wetlands ready by Aug. 15. Otherwise, the dangers remains that millions of birds will arrive at the Gulf of Mexico and find their nesting grounds under layers of oil.
The project is proving to be successful as far as enthusiasm goes. Grantt Guillory, 37, who raises crawfish and soybeans in southern Louisiana’s Atchafalaya River watershed, says,
“Anyone who buys a farm and runs it themselves, I guess you don’t do it to get rich. You get into it because you’re somewhat of a steward to the environment. I care about these birds and I’m afraid the oil spill is going to devastate some of these species.”
Depleting of bird habitat has been going on for a long time. The oil spill has only hastened it. The good thing is that it has brought attention to the problem and along with it much needed funding.
For the 50 million birds and counting, it could be the life saver as they make their long flight towards the oil swept shores.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
