THE FRONT PORCH: Leave it better than you found it

By Dakota Baker, RealWV

As the weather continues to warm and we start spending more and more time outdoors, it’s important to remember that nature is a magnificent thing that deserves to be admired and respected. 

Keeping that in mind, “leave it better than you found it” is a saying we should all live by when enjoying West Virginia’s natural beauty. 

Anything You Bring With You, Should Leave With You

Something as simple as a cigarette butt left on the ground can take months, or even years to decompose, while continuing to leach the toxic chemicals into the environment. Simply stick it in your pocket or bag, and dispose of it properly. 

Disrupting Natural Ecosystems 

I’m sure most of us have seen the stacked rock towers in the middle of a creek or river. What seems like a harmless, fun activity can actually disrupt delicate ecosystems. 

Moving river rocks displaces essential habitat for fish and other aquatic creatures. 

For example, fish often lay eggs in crevices between rocks, and moving those rocks can alter the flow of water, causing the eggs to be washed away.

Other small creatures, such as salamanders and crawdads, make their homes under rocks as well. When those rocks are moved, the animals lose important protection from predators.

Leave It Better Than You Found It 

If you find yourself out and about this summer and notice someone hasn’t been particularly kind to Mother Nature, do her a favor and give her a little makeover.

If you see litter, pick it up.

If you see a stack of rocks, knock it down. That may seem harsh, but for the creatures living beneath those rocks, it can mean losing their home.

Don’t carve into trees or graffiti rocks.

Enjoy the beauty, and leave no trace behind.