From Guest Blogger Devin Morrissey: Maintaining Parks and Wildlife Preserves After a Natural Disaster

Hurricanes Irma and Harvey have caused billions of dollars of damage to the infrastructures of both Texas and Florida. An unfortunate casualty in the aftermath of these natural disasters is the destruction of parks and wildlife refuges that are intended to preserve the natural beauty of the flora and fauna of these states. Indeed, when these areas are in peril, we risk erasing the natural history for future generations.

How Can These Bastions Be Restored?

First, it isn’t going to happen quickly. There is the inevitable consideration of cost: these recent hurricanes have incurred a massive bill to the tune of $290 billion. Of that, a considerable percentage will go towards rebuilding the infrastructure, including parks and areas that are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Given this steep price, and the focus on prioritizing essential infrastructure for transportation (including roads and gas lines), restoring these areas could take many months.

Of course, given the many risks of flooded areas, some caution is required. Before any renovations can be carried out, experts need to wait for flood water to flow downstream, a process that can take days to weeks. The spread of contaminants and pests in this timeframe can make cleanup substantially more complicated.

Flooding can lead to the spread of dangerous bacteria, industrial waste, and even pesticides to parks and refuges in affected areas. Floods can leave parks looking barren, completely destroying many of the plants and grass, and either killing or displacing local wildlife. Restoring these areas is a timely process that involves horticulturalists ensuring that the area is dry and re-seeding the ground, among other tasks.

Given the severity of the winds that blew through these areas, as well as flooding, trees and other foliage have obviously taken some damage. Damaged and dying trees can actually have a severe effect on the local ecology. They can endanger local residents and animals if they fall, and tree diseases can spread to surrounding foliage. Experts will identify trees that are unsafe and note the signs of tree disease in order to determine which need to be repaired or removed.

As animals seek higher ground, they will inevitably leave flooded areas and enter residential and commercial zones. In fact, Harvey saw the displacement of many unwelcome visitors, including 3 to 8 foot alligators. When this occurs, experts will attempt to return them to their natural habitat. Other animals, like deer, are more likely to die in the flood waters. These bodies are disposed of to prevent unsanitary or unsafe conditions.

What Can You Do to Help?

• You may be tempted to send supplies to help victims, but this is actually much less helpful than simply sending money. The costs of transportation, managing supplies, and distributing them can become overwhelming for humanitarian organizations. One of the best ways you can help, no matter where you are, is by donating. Organizations that assist in recovery efforts, like the Red Cross and United Way, strongly depend on donations.
• If you are able to make it to an affected area and want to volunteer, shelters are a great place to lend a helping hand. The Salvation Army is welcoming volunteers who want to help distribute supplies.
• If you want to help with wildlife efforts, reach out to a local Humane Society in either Texas or Florida. They will be able to give you more specific information on what you can do to help affected areas.

These are some of the methods that will likely be used in the months to come. As Florida and Texas slowly recover, we should reflect on the costs of climate change — and what we can do to slow it. As the effects of climate change become increasingly evident, biodiversity will suffer. Mankind needs to hold itself responsible for maintaining natural history in the face of these unprecedented developments.