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All Living Things
By Producer, Kelly Meinhart
 atbirds...Red-tailed
hawks...White-tailed deer...slugs...Maple trees…Lady Slippers…Monarch
butterflies…Black bears…bear dens…bird nests…Painted
turtles…Bullfrogs…wetlands…Wood frogs…Rainbow
trout…lakes…rivers…streams…Cotton-tail
rabbits…Squirrels…Large-mouth bass…sedges…humans.
 hy
the list? Each one of those listed, and over 25,000 other species
of known organisms call Pennsylvania home. Unfortunately over
800 of them are considered rare or endangered.
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 The
word ‘bio-diversity’ might be a bit overwhelming
at first. But if you break it down simply, and considered the
information I’ve just given you – it’s really
quite simple. Biodiversity is life. It is all
living things and their homes, or the natural habitats that
they call home.
 reserving
a diverse community of natural species and habitats is a challenge.
Our ever-sprawling population threatens much of Pennsylvania’s
remaining pristine areas. What follows from our expansion is
fragmented habitats and pollution, both of which are considered
the two biggest threats to biodiversity in our state.
 f
you’re unsure of why habitat fragmentation is such an
impact, consider that most wildlife require a specific amount
of space from one another in order to live – to find enough
food, and to reproduce. When we split these areas into smaller,
unnatural ranges, by dividing them with roadways, or housing
developments — we are decreasing the amount of food available
for those species and threatening their reproductively rates.
To put it in perspective, simply consider the numbers of black
bears that have been roaming into suburban and urban areas throughout
Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Ask yourself why, and you’ll
see that much of their roaming into ‘our’ territory
is because we are sprawling through theirs.
 osing
our diverse populations and habitats is unacceptable. Yes, it
is our right to flourish and to procreate, but it shouldn’t
be at the expense of entire species or spaces. It’s our
responsibility to try to live sustainably, use our resources
wisely, and to consider what impacts we might be having on other
species.
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ith
that in mind, I would like to introduce you to the Pennsylvania
Biodiversity Partnership (PBP). The partnership is the first
of its kind, and will help to reshape the way land is used in
Pennsylvania. Through sound science and education the partnership
hopes to work with state agencies and individuals alike to increase
awareness and make real changes to protect all living things
in Pennsylvania.
he
partnership was first recommended by a panel of scientific experts,
known as the 21st Century Environment Commission, who recognized
the need for broad-based, scientifically sound preservation
of Pennsylvania’s remaining open spaces. In their first
report, released in 1998, they write:
“The diversity of
life is a key measure of the health of our environment…
Urbanization and fragmentation of landscapes, the introduction
of exotic species and air and water pollution all degrade
natural habitats and pose the greatest threats to Pennsylvania’s
remaining natural diversity. Future population growth and
development will inevitably continue such pressures on the
state’s natural diversity and thus on its environmental
health. Without a concerted effort to maintain and enhance
natural diversity, populations of many native species will
continue to decline and several will face extinction.”
 he
Pennsylvania Biodiversity Partnership was created in response
to the recommendations of the Commission, and released “Snapshot
2002, Biodiversity in Pennsylvania” as an executive summary
of the threats to biodiversity, and the steps to be taken in
the coming years to protect it.
 ue
Thompson, Director of the Partnership is a highly motivated,
dedicated scientist who has spent her life studying the natural
world. A Botanist by trade, she has spent countless hours looking
through the microscope to better understand our natural world
– and to develop ways to preserve it. Sue also readily
understands the need for positive partnerships to make change
happen. Sue says it’s her mission to;
“Get people to think
about biodiversity and that all species interact with one
another – so we must consider ALL species and learn
to live sustainably. Pennsylvania is unusual in that we have
large areas of forestland – but we also have huge sprawl
problems. As a scientist, I’ve seen pristine forests
cut down for pastureland – many of which later become
unusable. We must work together to find a balance between
economic benefits and preserving natural resources.”
 e
sure to watch the video clips of Sue for more information about
the partnership and more details about the issue in general.
If you’re interested in learning more about the partnership,
how you can get involved, or how to get a copy of the Snapshot,
check out the PBP website listed below.
For additional information
on biodiversity partnerships, organizations and laws visit
LandSavers — Biodiversity
in PA.
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For more information check out the following sites:
Pennsylvania
Biodiversity Partnership
21st
Century Environment Commission
Wild
Resources Conservation Fund
GreenWorks
television series features the 21st Century Environment Commission
GreenWorks
television series features Biodiversity
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