With Earth Day approaching this month, many of us are reflecting on our responsibility to care for the natural world.
That’s why I feel compelled to speak out about Mountain View County's brushing policy along Barrie Lake, which runs alongside Township Road 324 between Range Roads 22 and 23. This policy raises concerns about the ecological sensitivity of the area and the many species that depend on it for protection and survival.
The willows that have been cleared are not simply overgrowth—they are essential early food sources for pollinators, moose, and deer, and critical nesting and shelter sites for numerous bird species. Among them were eight species of warblers, site-specific nesters now returning to find their habitats gone. The area also supports red-winged and yellow-headed blackbirds, black terns, long-billed curlews, Canada geese, mallards, mergansers, pelicans, cormorants, great blue herons, amphibians, muskrat, and fish.
To remove habitat without proper ecological assessment risks unintended consequences for the balance and biodiversity of this area. Could discretion not have been applied? Was there no room for a more thoughtful, site-specific approach—one that recognizes the ecological value of the vegetation before cutting it away?
Yes, we live in a farming community where land is cultivated—but that is exactly why we need to be stewards of the small pockets of wetlands and wild areas that remain. Biodiversity is in decline around the world. We all have a role to play in protecting the small but vital spaces we still have.
Some residents have said the brush and willows “look scruffy,” and supported the county’s efforts to clear them. I believe this comes from a lack of understanding of the ecological role this vegetation plays. What may seem untidy to the eye is, in fact, part of a vibrant, functioning natural system. Perhaps what’s needed is not a neater area—but a slower pace as we drive by, giving ourselves time to notice and appreciate all the life it supports.
I ask the county—and fellow citizens—to reconsider this brushing policy. Engage with local residents and ecologists. Let’s work together to preserve the ecological integrity of Barrie Lake and other natural areas. I also encourage others in the community to speak out and become a Friend of Barrie Lake. Together, we can help protect this special place for future generations.
As Earth Day approaches, let’s also consider other small but meaningful acts of conservation—planting native species, reducing pesticide use, supporting pollinators, picking up litter, or simply taking time to observe and appreciate the wild places around us. Every action matters.
Marnie Ragan
Mountain View County
