OHJulie Loc: Lakewood, Ohio

The Woodcock like other ground nesting birds numbers have shown significant decline in Ohio. Bath Preserve has created what I think are original signs but with an effective message to it's visitors that's hard to ignore. These are posted all over the walking trails.

(Download)

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Good advice. I have enjoyed visiting there.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Sadly, in my experience here, almost everyone lets their dog off the leash in the nature preserves as soon as they can, no matter the signs. I don't think dog walking should be permitted at all in nature preserves myself. People walk their dogs on nature trails rather than the city park because they don't want to clean up after their dog and because they don't want to keep them leashed, and in the city park they would need to do those things or risk a fine. Besides harassing wildlife, dogs are a vector for invasive plant species that degrade nature preserves, since they carry seeds in on their fur and paws. There are quite a few people we meet in the hundreds of preserves we visit who are interested in and knowledgeable about nature, but very, very rarely do we meet a dog walker in a nature area with much interest in the preserve other than as a nice dog walk.

I hope those signs are effective, but the "teach people to love nature and they will respect it" approach that has we have been using for decades has simply not worked. I think we need to go to a law enforcement model to stop the abuse of nature preserves, unfortunately. There is one county here that has signs up at the entrances to their preserves that spell out the stiff fines for poaching, bike and ATV use, dog running, etc., with a hotline number to the local sheriff department. That seems to work.

Mike

OHJulie Loc: Lakewood, Ohio

Well based on history in this country and around the world, law enforcement, just like with drugs has been totally ineffective. Just like a lot of things I don't know the answers to these difficult, controversial and protecting nature questions. I still believe education and how we raise awareness with our children/grandchildren is the only answer. Appreciate your feedback!

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Understood. Thanks.

Mike

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I hope people follow that advice. On the other hand, nesting on the ground sounds like a Darwin process of elimination. : )

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

Yeah, but what about cats. They are allowed to roam all the time. Ever see a cat on a lease?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/29/cats-wild-birds-mammals-study/1873871/

From the article:
"Cats that live in the wild or indoor pets allowed to roam outdoors kill from 1.4 billion to as many as 3.7 billion birds in the continental U.S. each year,"

But then there are the times when somebody's free-roaming cat provides dinner for a coyote family.

OHJulie Loc: Lakewood, Ohio

Jerryc, kind of agree, nesting on ground does seem risky at best no matter where they are. Ed I still don't understand why dogs need to be on leashes and cats can roam. Although if I had a beloved cat I certainly wouldn't let them roam free anymore than I would let my dogs out unattended, if nothing else but for their own safety.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Quite to the contrary. That should be self-evident.

Mike

SteveFranz Loc: Durham, NC

Many years ago I walked through a wildlife preserve in Louisiana. They had a very effective way to keep dogs out. Signs just noted that their alligators loved dogs. Other signs warned people away from alligator nests - there was no fencing separating the path from the water. I noticed one alligator about 3 feet from the path & I hurriedly tiptoed away.