Protecting Biodiversity

As American biologist Paul Ralph Ehrlich once stated, “the first rule of intelligent tinkering is to save all the parts.”

Indeed, since the arrival of European settlers, wildlife habitats in North America have been greatly “tinkered” with, and many parts have unfortunately been lost along the way. Deforestation, draining of wetlands, damming of rivers, and conversion of prairies to farmland have drastically altered our natural landscapes and the populations of wildlife who depend on them…and who maintain them.

Healthy, functioning ecosystems are reliant on a rich and interconnected web of plant and animal life. Native plants are essential to many species, including birds and game species in Arkansas. Insects are the base of the food chain and serve to pollinate plants, including the crops that feed us. Predators help to maintain a balance of prey species, and thus the natural order of life. Today, urban sprawl, pollution, and changing climate conditions continue to further threaten the survival of biodiversity, however.

Arkansas Wildlife Federation (AWF) works to educate and advocate for balanced and holistic approaches that preserve all species in the Natural State.