Time's Ideas

So this is the last blog I'm going to be writing from California. Tomorrow I'm going to be leaving. I'm just going to try to wrap it up in this last blog. When I get back I'll probably still blog once in a while about environmental things that I want to write about. But I'll miss this.
I've learned a lot about conservation while here. I've seen what it's like having a job on a preserve like this, and I've thought a lot about the complicated ethics of conservation. I've learned a ton about vegetarian cooking, nutrition, and health, and learned some things about shopping responsibly. That seems like a lot!
One thing I learned is that nothing is easy in conservation. There are always difficult decisions that have to be made, and you rarely ever win completely. But there's also hope. In the deal between conservationists and developers in the Coachella valley, only 5% of the original fringe-toed lizard habitat was saved. The rest they developed. Somebody judged that a "fair" trade-off. That doesn't seem fair to many conservationists! But every time there's something that makes me lose hope, I can always find something to restore it. They're breeding and releasing California condors. The population has climbed from only about 22 to over 300 condors! The fringe-toed lizards are still alive, too. I'm really glad of how many people care about the earth and fight for its protection, and how many more decide to help every day.
Sometimes you have to kill something to save something else. That was one of the hardest things for me to learn. I liked catching crayfish, but it isn't just the fun. We still had to kill some of them. It's hard to choose which ones live or die. It was really hard for me to get rid of the fish I'd gotten to know and name and love.
A good thing I learned is that people can make a difference. I've always felt like very few understood the importance of being conscious or thought about the environmental impacts of our actions. But watching my aunt talk to people and teach them about the conservation work being done made me realize that the other people at least thought about something they'd never considered before. I saw some eureka moments on their faces, amazement, realization, and understanding. That meant a lot to me.
I think if I had to pick a favorite day, I'd probably spend the next 8,000 years deciding. And still not have decided. I'll say a few.
Despite the heat that day, I loved the pupfish surveys! That was one of the more interesting things I've seen. I'm really happy I got to help! Not only was it great to see an endangered fish, seeing the springs and surrounding wetlands was very cool.
Of course, all of the outings we did I loved. I could talk for hours about them. Again. But I'm sure you don't want to read it another time.
And the movie was fun. And all the work. And everything I've done. Ok, maybe I didn't choose a few after all. Oops.
I've even crazily considered becoming vegan someday.
I've really enjoyed this and enjoyed writing. I guess I could write some more about things I've thought about, but I think I should sign out and leave things be. I'm sure all of you have spent at least a little time thinking about things while you've been reading the blogs. It's more enjoyable thinking for yourself anyway. Thank you everybody for reading and supporting me in this! I really hope you liked it!