#7

Large deer along the freeway in Carson City

When I was in Carson City this weekend, I saw one deer in my friend’s front yard. I saw some birds, but when it came to wildlife, that was about it. However, in Carson City, along the freeway you can find metal sculptures of local animals including deer and birds of prey. They are larger than life bronze artworks that catch the eye, yet camouflage nicely into the landscape.  In contrast to the bronze animals, along the streets under the freeway, there are figurines of miners and mine carts. This shows the mesh between wildlife and how humans are using resources, taking away from possible land for wildlife. But the fact that the city put money towards constructing these bronze animals along the freeway instead of building billboards to make a profit by displaying advertisements shows that they are at least somewhat nature-conscience.

As I try to tie this into my research about recycling in Nevada, I consider the relationship between the wildlife and human mining action in Nevada and compare it to the relationship between the Earth and the amount and number of landfills there are in Nevada. Right now Nevada does not do much when it comes to recycling. Nevada needs to be mindful of keeping habitat for its wildlife, and it also needs to be aware of its garbage impact. Recycling more would decrease its garbage impact. I will be doing community service this semester with Nevada Wildlife, so hopefully I’ll be able to learn more about the wildlife/Earth, garbage/recycling and citizens of Nevada relationship, and if people are trying to change it, how are they going about doing it.