Public education is key to protecting functioning ecosystems and all the citizens of Manitoulin Island and its visitors should inform themselves of the biodiversity crisis and find ways to prevent the problem from worsening.
One impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is that many people are spending more time in their gardens than in the past. Family camping trips with quality time spent hiking and canoeing were more frequent than pre-pandemic days. People have discovered the impact of connecting with nature on their mental health and levels of stress. While doing so, they are gaining a new-found appreciation of biodiversity.
Several books have recently appeared arguing that contact with nature and its biodiversity is critical for our well-being. In the book ‘Sacred Nature’, published last year, religion historian Karen Armstrong explores the spiritual power of nature and calls for us to reclaim this power in our everyday lives.