Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)

mysteryowl

(7,390 posts)
Tue Feb 12, 2019, 10:08 PM Feb 2019

What 'the wall' will do to the National Butterfly Sanctuary... [View all]

National Butterfly Sanctuary (100 acres) is at risk of being bulldozed by Trump's wall.
www.nationalbutterflycenter.org

This is what the wall will do to the NATIONAL sanctuary:

1) Eradicate an enormous amount of native habitat, including host plants for butterflies, breeding and feeding areas for wildlife, and lands set aside for conservation of endangered and threatened species-- including avian species that migrate N/S through this area or over-winter, here, in the tip of the Central US Flyway.

2) Create devastating flooding to all property up to 2 miles behind the wall, on the banks of the mighty Rio Grande River, here.

3) Reduce viable range land for wildlife foraging and mating. This will result in greater competition for resources and a smaller gene pool for healthy species reproduction. Genetic "bottlenecks" can exacerbate blight and disease.

IN ADDITION:

4) Not all birds can fly over the wall, nor will all butterfly species. For example, the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, found on the southern border from Texas to Arizona, only flies about 6 ft in the air. It cannot overcome a 30 ft vertical wall of concrete and steel.

5) Nocturnal and crepuscular wildlife, which rely on sunset and sunrise cues to regulate vital activity, will be negatively affected by night time flood lighting of the "control zone" the DHS CBP will establish along the wall and new secondary drag roads. The expansion of these areas to vehicular traffic will increase wildlife roadkill.

6) Animals trapped north of the wall will face similar competition for resources, cut off from native habitat in the conservation corridor and from water in the Rio Grande River and adjacent resacas. HUMANS, here, will also be cut off from our only source of fresh water, in this irrigated desert.

This link is to a PDF. (I don't know how to upload it to DU. If someone can that would be great.)
https://www.nationalbutterflycenter.org/images/What_the_Border_Wall_will_do_here_.pdf

Go Fund Me - help protect the sanctuary.
https://www.gofundme.com/protect-the-national-butterfly-center

The sanctuary is at risk of being bulldozed for Trump’s wall.
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/429192-texas-butterfly-sanctuary-to-file-emergency-restraining-order



20 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»What 'the wall' will do t...