Every sector of society in the western U.S. has grown accustomed to fresh, running water
on demand. We have pumped, irrigated, siphoned, dammed, bargained, and essentially stolen water from wherever we can find it, for over 100 years. And because of this, people came to believe that when we ran out of water, we could simply find more. Until recently, when we noticed the problems this mindset was causing. The rivers are now drying out, the lakes are lowering, the groundwater is not replenishing, and the snowpack is nearly nonexistent. This water challenge we are facing stems from many issues, including overconsumption and political entanglement in water policies. So we begin to question, what are the ways in which we can “solve” this problem? Can we continue to rely on an irrigated desert for booming agricultural abundance? Can we break society’s addiction to lush green lawns? The answer is multifaceted and complex. Solutions to the water scarcity problem require a holistic approach, including the implementation of scientific solutions, decentralization of the water system and shift in water policies, and an adjustment of the mindset regarding water usage. Science plays a number of roles in confronting the issue of water scarcity. Science-based solutions can be applied in technological advances, managing water for agricultural and environmental reasons, consideration of climate science, and the development of management policies and institutions (Jury & Vaux, Jr., 2005, n.p.). Technology can help us solve problems on many levels – from decreasing water contamination to advancing membrane filtration systems, which are a key component in desalination. Additionally, technology can be used to create new infrastructure and techniques for decreasing water use, such as salt-resistant and drought-resistant crops, which are crucial in the agricultural sector. Agriculture accounts for approximately 80% of water consumption. The easiest way to decrease consumption here is to create a more efficient system. Science can also help us further understand the necessity for water on the environmental and agricultural levels, with a goal to find a balance between the two. Finding this balance would rely on an understanding of climate science. Climate change will lead to greater variability within the water system, causing more erratic precipitation and drought. Understanding how to work around these more severe climate trends will allow for more effective irrigation and distribution of water, as well as how to create policy regarding the resource. Vaux, Jr. and Jury wrote, “the greatest potential for improving water security is through better management of water resources” (2005, p. 15719). Better management of these resources will require a shift to a basis in science, from a long term and outdated foundation in politics. The current water management system relies heavily on political involvement – from dam construction to water subsidies. This system arose out of a historical power struggle for water, in the days when the mindset required inventive attitudes for seeking new water sources. There are many ways in which the political involvement could be decreased or changed so that the system does not rely on people in power. One alternative would be to follow the “soft path” – which, “may also rely on centralized infrastructure, but complements it with extensive investment in decentralized facilities, efficient technologies, and human capital. It strives to increase the overall productivity of water use rather than seek endless sources of new supply. It delivers diverse water services matched to the users’ needs and works with water users at local and community scales” (Wolff & Gleick, 2002, p. 1). Another way to alter the way water policy is to integrate climate change policy and energy policy into the decision making process. For example, “water is now recognized as the largest electricity use in California” (Wilkinson, 2008, p. 4). Changing water consumption habits could also lead to conservation of energy and fewer emissions impacting the environment. In order to change our consumption ideals and habits, we must have a change of mindset, both on the political scale and the public scale. As mentioned before, the past mindset of our water system relied on the idea that the water problem could be fixed simply by finding new sources. No amounts of technological advancement or science-backed policy will act as a solution to these water challenges if people don’t understand why water management and conservation are important. A change of mindset is necessary in order to create support for science involvement, decentralization, and new policy. “Everyone will need to focus on water conservation as a way of life,” states an editorial in the Sacramento Bee, discussing the necessity of drought-resistant landscaping, high-efficiency water appliances, and implementation of systems such as rainwater capture and recycled water (2014, n.p.). The importance of a mindset lies not only in dealing with the current issues at hand, but also preparing for inevitable droughts and shortages in the future, because of the natural arid climate. Water consumption cannot go on, business-as-usual, without severe future consequences. Instead, water conservation must become a norm. We are at an opportune time to implement change to our water system, through advancement of scientific solutions, localization of water sources, and change in perception of this resource. These solutions can only be effective if they are incorporated throughout the water system on a broad scale. This will require cooperation and motivation from many sectors, as well as recognition of potential economic benefits. For example, localization of water supply would decrease the amount of energy it requires to transport water, therefore decreasing the cost. There would also be the potential for future water markets that would allow transfer between districts within a basin. The water challenge has many deep-rooted causes, but there is still the possibility of changing the way we interact with the water system that will be beneficial in the long term. Sources: Jury, W., & Vaux, Jr., H. (2005). The role of science in solving the world's emerging water problems. PNAS, 102(44). Sacramento Bee - It's time to get extremely serious about conserving water. (2014, October 16). Retrieved May 28, 2015, from http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article2923396.html Wilkinson, R. (2008, May 14). Water Supply Challenges for the 21st Century. Committee on Science and Technology, United States House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, 3-4. Wolff, G., & Gleick, P. (2002). The Soft Path for Water. In The World's Water 2002-2003 (p. 1). Island Press.
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The world we live in today is a representation of our accumulated information and experience. Our comforts, our expectations, our technologies and our knowledge are built on one another to create the systems we have in place. So when it comes to managing a resource that is vastly essential and high in demand, such as water, we rely on a system that has built up over time, both literally and figuratively. In California and in the Western portion of the United States, the variety of water needs and uses has provided a challenge to inhabitants since the time of westward expansion. And now that this region is facing what has been called a megadrought, we are starting to consider the fact that our fundamental water policies and infrastructure might be outdated and downright ineffective. The water challenge is complex; it is an unsustainable system defined by ancient policies, societal and economic reliance, and long-term political dominance.
In the year 1848, gold was discovered in California, accelerating the westward movement, an event more commonly known as the Gold Rush. The massive population growth led to a hasty constitution with a water rights system that borrowed from systems already in place, such as English and Spanish. These systems were designed for climates and water needs different than those of California, but this did not appear to be an issue at the time. The population expanse grew southward, creating a metropolis in the Los Angeles and San Diego region, and the fertile central valley was slowly being converted to the agricultural phenomena it is today. This was arguably the root of the problem: the idea that these developments could exist in places where water did not. In “Cadillac Desert”, he writes, “thanks to irrigation, thanks to the bureau... states such as California, Arizona, and Idaho became populous and wealthy; millions settled in regions where nature, left alone, would have countenanced thousands at best.” (Reisner, p. 2) As the population and agriculture industry in these areas grew, so did the demand for water. The issue was not whether demand could be met, but where and how to get the supply. Dams started cropping up on many major rivers throughout the US, and water was simply pumped to places that asked for it. This entire water supply system was based on an abnormally wet time period during the early 20th century, with planning that lacked foresight and has led us to the problems we face today. For example, we have dammed, siphoned, and exploited the wild waters of the Colorado River to such an extent that they no longer reach the sea. The motives behind dam building and these water management techniques have been heavily political. In his book, “Deadbeat Dams”, Daniel Beard writes, “the decision to build a dam isn’t a scientific decision or an economic one. It is, pure and simple, a political decision” (Beard, p. 68). Dams represented the illusion of progress and dominance over nature, which is seen as success in history and politics. Decisions regarding water usage are primarily made with large political bias and lack of consideration for science and environmental impact, which has corrupted policies, budgets, and solutions across the board. The Bureau of Reclamation, which started in 1902, has been the primary decision-making body for water policy. It is controlled by pork barrel politics, and comprised of wealthy politicians and their constituents, or “water nobility”. It has become a system governed by greed and shortsightedness. The government arranged large subsidies for lucrative agricultural regions, such as the Westlands in Central California, “the largest irrigation district in America” (Beard, p. 88). These incentives allow farmers certain rights over an allotted quantity of water, which leads the agriculture industry to believe it is a rightful owner of this resource. The movement of water, hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles, gives people a false sense of security and disconnects them from the source. Desert cities and agricultural hotspots have become accustomed to having access to an abundance of water in areas that would not normally thrive in this way. The distribution of water is unnatural and based on a false illusion that this water is their right. In the domestic setting, residents take for granted not only the clean drinking water they have, but also expect that their lawns will be green and their cars will be free of desert dust. Not only is the water supply system a matter of expectation, but also of economic necessity. The Central Valley is one of the biggest exporters of food, to the US and to the world. The cities that depend on this transported water are home to millions of people, and millions of jobs. The reliance on the western water supply system, no matter how corrupt, is undeniable. The water challenges of the western US are deep rooted: historically, politically, and economically, and must be addressed urgently. The reliance on these fragile ecosystems cannot continue as it has for a hundred years, with political motivations and environmental ignorance. Although the system will be difficult to dismantle and rebuild, it is not impossible. It must start from the ground up, with books such as “Deadbeat Dams” that help to bring the complexity of this issue to the forefront of public discussion. Encouraging the removal of obsolete dams is important, but a public interest in the issue is crucial. In order to incite change in the system, we must have a fundamental shift in values. People must reevaluate their expectations, learning to conserve this resource and live within a water budget. Works Cited Beard, D. (2015). Deadbeat Dams: Why we should abolish the US Bureau of reclamation and tear down Glen Canyon Dam. Boulder, Colorado: Johnson Books. Reisner, M. (1986). Cadillac Desert: The American West and its disappearing water. New York, New York: Viking. A Guideline For Petitions: How They Can Be Reformed to be More Effective for Environmental IssuesÂ5/8/2016 Introduction: “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it” - Robert Swan Petitions are a communication tool directed to the public and used to mobilize supporters and participants. They are relatively user-friendly – all you need to do is offer a signature and perhaps a few other pieces of relevant contact information, and entire policies, laws, and other reforms can be pushed forward. Sometimes they are simply a technique to spread awareness and gain attention; they are used to show that there are a lot of people who agree on an issue. But petitions do not reach as wide of a user base as they could, especially when it comes to environmental issues. Petitions often stay within older audiences because the lack of communication modes and techniques for younger generations. When it comes to new and controversial issues such as environmental concerns, disconnect between the issue and audience is detrimental to the movement itself. Environmental organizations and petition-signing outlets such as “change.org” and “moveon.org” need to develop a way to tap this resource of potential supporters. Improving communication techniques for an audience that is more susceptible to changing values and increasing the appeal of petitions themselves could achieve this. This report will describe the role of petitions in the social, political, and environmental spheres and the current outlets through which they can be accessed. I will then discuss the factors that influence one’s attitude about the environment, including extrinsic and intrinsic values, personality, and social norms. We will examine the ways in which inherent values can be changed over time, and how this can be relevant to using a tool such as petition-signing, especially among younger audiences. I will use these findings to create sample petitions that would target different audiences, showing the ways in which communication techniques and modes can be utilized. Statement of the problem: We are at a pivotal time period on earth, regarding our approach to environmental issues. Many of these issues, although they present us with a level of uncertainty, are also a matter of urgent action. We are exposed to both best and worst-case scenario situations, many of which include varying levels of famine, disease, pollution, drought, and climate disaster. Although the problems seem straightforward to some, these issues are often widely contested on political, social, and economic levels. This occurs because of fundamental disparities in society’s values. Values are determined by our personalities, experiences, upbringings, and exposure to societal norms. These factors are often seen as inherent or fixed, therefore making a person’s values inherent. This can be problematic when approaching these important issues such as politics, social injustice, and environmental issues, as a person’s viewpoint is often established based on these factors. Values are developed as we grow and learn, and many of our decisions are rooted in what we consider fundamentally important. When it comes to concern over environmental issues, research shows that environmental values are associated with openness, extraversion, and compassion, and are more likely to be acknowledged by those with a higher education (Mooney, 2015). This description more commonly fits the younger generations that have been raised in a society that is less focused on conformity and tradition. These generations have been raised with a greater focus on increasing individuality in a constantly growing world of technology and education. Through technology, new forms of communication for current issues have arisen, such as social media. Old modes have transitioned to follow the electronic and Internet age, with easily accessible online news platforms. Petitions are a form of political action and movement. Petitions were initially spread by activists who approached people at events, and although this still may occur, it is much more popular to gain signature support through system-generated emails and online platforms. Through these pathways, most people have been exposed to petitions. However, as the younger generation moves away from communication forms such as email and even Facebook, they are not paying attention to the world of petition signing despite the fact that these petitions have the potential to affect them, and vice versa. Websites such as “change.org” and “moveon.org” are not effectively reaching out to these audiences. The audiences that these sites are targeting are often older generations, those who have a long-engrained set of values and beliefs, particularly in political and social contexts. Because environmental issues are related to these by nature, older audiences are unlikely to show support for these issues unless environmental values are already a part of their value system. This is a group of people who are unlikely to change, because values are strengthened over long periods of time through exposure by pattern (Crompton, 2011). Younger generations are more likely to be influenced because their preexisting set of beliefs and values have not yet been reinforced to them throughout a lifetime. While going through the education system, values are still being shaped and changed. When it comes to influencing a person’s environmental values, the student populations at universities are ideal candidates to target. In order to communicate about these issues successfully, we must employ techniques and frames that appeal to emotions and preexisting values (Feygina, 2010). These techniques can change the way these issues are perceived and reinforce environmental values in order to influence future actions. Framing messages is also important when appealing to people from different age ranges or backgrounds. When seeking support from a younger audience, this is an important consideration. Petition writers can employ these techniques as a way to gather more support. The effectiveness of these techniques can be examined by looking at the successes of petitions. We can examine how petitions and their writers capitalize on both intrinsic and extrinsic values and how these are translated into the movement process. We will see the ways in which petitions are successful at mobilizing supporters and participants on environmental issues. This will then show how successful they are at inciting change. This project seeks to underpin the issue of modern petition signing within the environmental realm: the lack of mobilization of a relevant and concerned audience of young adults. Although petition signatures are not the most important source for environmental activism, they certainly play a role in gaining support for issues and lobbying to government officials. To get young people involved in this form of activism could not only increase political involvement but also inspire further action from this age group. Objectives: This project will review current techniques and successes of petition signing, the development of environmental values, and the ability to change a person’s inherent values to encourage support for a cause. Then I will examine how these variables differ considering the age group involved. The goal of this project is to produce three documents:
Plan of Action: The project will be carried out through three phases. These phases include research, compilation, and production of documents. The first phase will involve a combination of researching articles, studies, and literature. I will be looking for further information on changing values and how to inspire environmental values where they do not already exist. I will research topics that have been petitioned for in the environmental field and examine successfulness and unsuccessfulness. I will also research more in depth the various communication styles and techniques that can be used and how framing messages and storytelling can be effective. The research and interviews will help me to gather information on the effectiveness of petitions, how to change environmental values, and environmental science topics. Apart from these forms of research, I will also explore both the past usefulness of petitions in creating policies and other reforms. Additionally, I will examine various current petitions. I hope that this examination will give me a sense of how to make a petition successful. Doing so will give me a broad range of information to draw from in order to produce these documents. The second phase will involve compiling my findings from the research into a detailed report. The report will provide background information on the petition formats and guidelines, describing not only why petitions have the potential to be more effective for environmental issues but also the ways in which this can be achieved. The third phase will allow me to use the research to produce the aforementioned documents, using techniques borrowed from existing petitions and employing a range of targeted communication strategies. The end products will act as a recommendation to petition platforms such as “change.org” and “moveon.org”, showing these organizations the ways in which this form of gaining support can be reformed. Management Plan: This schedule of this project will follow strict personal deadlines in order to ensure that each component is completed in time for the peer review deadline of June 2nd. The research will be completed no later than May 25th. The documents will be produced by May 29th. These deadlines allow for ample amounts of time for review and compilation of the information, which will be completed no later than June 1st. These personal deadlines will allow extra time for each portion so that there is limited stress related to this project. Other considerations, such as cost and personnel, will be unnecessary. My major and my previous coursework have given me the necessary qualifications for this project. Being an Environmental Studies major, BA, I am aware of the significance of environmental issues as well as their involvement with social, economic, and political issues. I have taken a broad range of courses that have increased my knowledge in these topics. I am also pursuing minor in Professional Writing; these courses as well as a course on Environmental Communication have given me experience with a broad range of writing styles and communication techniques, as well as the chance to perform informational interviews. This variety of coursework has given me the skillset necessary to carry out a research project such as this one, and successfully compile and report on my findings, and produce effective recommendation documents. References: Crompton, T., & McMahon, S. (2011, November 30). Balancing intrinsic and extrinsic values. Retrieved May 19, 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable- business/social-psychologists-environmental-values Feygina, I., Jost, J. T., & Goldsmith, R. E. (2010). System justification, the denial of global warming, and the possibility of "system-sanctioned change". Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36(3), 326-338. Markman, A. (2012, November 20). Creating Attitude Change By Influencing Values. Retrieved May 19, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ulterior- motives/201211/creating-attitude-change-influencing-values Mooney, C. (2015, January 27). Can your personality explain how you feel about the Keystone XL pipeline? Retrieved May 19, 2015, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/01/27/can- your-personality-explain-how-you-feel-about-the-keystone-xl-pipeline/ Analysis:
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Santa Barbara County has a unique set of ecosystems that are home to broad range of native wildlife, marine life, and plant species. These outstanding features of the area are on display at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History to educate and immerse members of the community in the surrounding areas. The museum is home to many elaborate and informative exhibits and serves as an excellent example of effective communication of the local ecology and natural history. The museum uses many communication techniques including sensory, narrative, and design tactics that make the displays appeal to a range of audiences. I examined the Cartwright Hall of Plants and Insects to go more in depth with an analysis of these techniques and found many of them to be in use in this exhibit. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History could serve as a blueprint to help MOXI design their exhibits for local members of the Santa Barbara community, employing a range of interesting and engaging topics and communication strategies. Setting the Scene: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is located on 17 acres of lush riparian oak woodland along Woodland Creek, off Puesta Del Sol Rd in Downtown Santa Barbara. The building itself is consistent with the traditional Spanish Colonial Revival architecture style of the Santa Barbara region, with white stucco walls and clay tile roof. The architectural design of the museum helps set the scene of the museum experience, with local and historical reference in the design. In front of the museum is a Blue Whale skeleton, named “Chad”. The skeleton is the first of many impressive displays. Upon entering the museum, visitors are directed to the admissions office from where one can purchase a wristband and receive information about various exhibits and current special events from the desk attendant. Complimentary illustrated maps are available for the taking. The admissions office leads to a central courtyard amongst the various exhibits. The Exhibit Halls: There are eight permanent exhibit halls, two halls with changing exhibits, and five outdoor exhibits. Each exhibit hall is arranged according to theme, but there are many overlying similarities. Most of the halls are in low lighting, which accentuates the display cases and draws the attention to the backlit descriptive signs. It is also clear that each exhibit hall was arranged so that it would draw interest for both children and adults, with display cases that start at ground level or waist level so that they accessible for children’s eyes as well as adult’s. The descriptive signs that provide background and context for each exhibit are at adult eye level. Each hall is designed to elicit a certain mood. For example, the Bird Hall, is dimly lit so that the stark white cleanliness of the bird displays stands out. This is done to disassociate the birds from being unclean. This is true for the other display rooms that also feature taxidermy animals and preserved insects. They are presented in a very clean and appealing way so that people maintain their interest in the displays and are not discouraged from examining the exhibits. The Marine Life Hall is also in dim lighting, but in this exhibit this is done in order to create the feeling of being underwater when you enter. In addition, the walls of this exhibit are entirely blue and these depths can be accessed by a descending ramp. While all of these halls incorporate a wide range of important communication techniques, I will focus on the Cartwright Hall of Plants and Insects for this project. The Cartwright Hall of Plants and Insects – Introduction: The Cartwright Hall of Plants and Insects is located on the left side of the courtyard after entering the museum from the admissions office. I entered this room from the far left entrance, nearest to the Mammal Hall. Upon entering, the visitor is exposed to a moderately well lit, three-part room with glass display cases surrounding the walls. In the first section of the room, there is a large hexagonal structure in the center of the room with videos of beehives projected onto the exterior. There are many large, realistic plant and insect window exhibits in this portion of the room, featuring detailed replicas of various ecosystems and habitats. There is a wooden stepping stool/bench lining the base of the room that is approximately a foot off the ground, allowing a place on which young children can stand and get a better glimpse of the display cases. In the middle portion of the room, there is a display that replicates a burned landscape and describes the importance of wildfires. The room then extends to a third section that has a second exit leading back to the main courtyard. The third section has brighter lighting and features more interactive plant and insect exhibits. In the center of this part of the room is a large, thin, double- sided display case that holds thousands of insects. The insects are neatly organized and held up by pins. This portion of the insect exhibit is particularly striking, representing insect species from butterflies to beetles in a very beautiful and eye-pleasing manner. This portion of the room also includes a microscope that people can experiment with, as well as a variety of displays that allow visitors to see the stages of growth for certain insects. Design of Layout: The layout of this room is designed to draw attention to both adult and children audiences. Although this is true for most exhibits at the museum, this one is very clearly apparent with contrasting fonts used at different eye levels and the stepping stool baseline for children. For example, in the first section of this exhibit, there are large glass replications of natural habitats that are waist-level up with interpretive signs at adult eye level. These signs feature cursive headings and a standard print font in white, against an earth tone background. Beneath these glass displays are terrariums that hold live reptiles and amphibians. The terrariums are at a child’s eye- level and the descriptive signs are written in a playful font with a colorful purple and green theme. The descriptions for these creatures are included in both English and Spanish, which is another important communication aspect in an area with a largely Hispanic population. Other parts of the display room feature interactive learning flaps that allow both children and adults alike to guess what kind of insect pollinates certain flowers. This part of the exhibit, among other parts, is meant to create a shared experience between parent and child. There are colorful photographs included, and the guessing aspect makes it fun for children, but the reading and information displayed is geared more towards an adult audience. This allows parents to express information to their child and help them discover what lies hidden beneath the flap. The display cases are extremely detailed and accurate depictions of real natural settings (see Figure 1). They each feature different types of plants and insects and have a colorful painted background landscape that matches the foreground display. The butterflies hung in display truly look as if they are floating, frozen in a moment in time. The display cases are one of the most impressive parts of the exhibit, each case done with great care and attention to detail. They are all incredibly realistic and educational, showing the broad range of habitats and creatures that can be seen in the surrounding areas of Santa Barbara. The eye-catching aspects increase a desire to learn more about the display – what natural habitats represented, and the similarities and differences between them. The descriptive signs are always placed in an intuitive juxtaposition to the case, so that further information can easily be acquired. Citizen Science: There is a portion of this exhibit that describes the mystery of Monarch migration and asks the visitors to engage in citizen science. This part of the exhibit discusses the mysteries of this phenomena and the tagging process in order to try to determine migration patterns. The display asks visitors for their participation in citizen science, instructing them on what they should do if they ever find a tagged monarch butterfly. Part of the display even includes a few images of letters that children wrote about tagged butterflies they had found. This invitation to participate in the scientific process is extremely engaging for children, especially when they can see that other children have helped with this important process and were given the opportunity to tell their stories to real scientists. Sensory displays: The insect room features an interesting bee exhibit. This is both a visual and audio exhibit. It is hexagonally shaped and the exterior shows a close-up video of the inside of a beehive. The structure can be entered from two sides, and once inside the structure, the visitor is surrounded by the humming buzz of honeybees. The visuals are also played on the inside of the structure. However, the experience is purely sensory and does not include any text or learning materials once inside the vessel. In fact, I was rather disappointed by the lack of context of this part of the exhibit from an adult perspective. It would have been more engaging to me if there had been a descriptive component once inside to educate visitors about the structure of beehives and the importance of honeybees. This led me to believe that this portion of the insect exhibit is intended for a child’s enjoyment. Unique Components: One crucial display in this exhibit is the display that educates audiences on the importance of naturally occurring wildfires in habitats such as chaparral hillsides of Santa Barbara. This part of the exhibit consists of a central glass display that can be accessed from all sides and photography with descriptions of chaparral landscapes on the surrounding partitioned walls. The glass display case presents a scene of a small tree/shrub that has been blackened by fire, and surrounding plants growing up out of the darkened earth, representing the resurgence of plant life that occurs after a natural wildfire. The placards on the display case describe some of the benefits of wildfires, such as the increase of diversity, increased plant life, and increased insect presence. The surrounding photography shows gorgeous photos of areas that have been affected by wildfire and come back to life, with a fun fact that states, “In the past 11,000 years, every square inch of southern California chaparral has gone up in flames an average of 500 times”. This exhibit is incredibly important because wildfires are most often seen as unnatural occurrences that should be stopped, but the truth of the matter is that they are actually crucial to ecosystem functioning. Exhibits such as these help to educate the public about the importance of wildfires and help increase understanding about the way that wildfires should be approached from a human perspective. This exhibit performs this function well, describing the growth patterns of chaparral shrubs and detailing why this is necessary. The visuals are also effective, showing both a display and images of ways in which natural wildfire can be seen as a beautiful and life enhancing in this region. The large insect display case was by far the most outstanding part of this exhibit (see Figure 2). It was incredibly detailed and yet it was also refreshingly simple. By placing big black beetles in a case with large monarch butterflies and displaying them in an attractive manner, the visitor is most likely going to see the insects out of their normal context. This is important in relation to communicating about insects, which are often seen as disgusting “creepy-crawlies”, particularly by children. The shock factor of this display case also helps its communication technique. The case holds more than 4000 insects, representing over 500 species, all commonly found in Santa Barbara County. The description placard also says that, “While this may seem like a large number... there are over 75,000 known species of insects with millions more waiting to be discovered and named. In fact, three out of every four species of animals are insects!” This description is important for putting Santa Barbara’s insect population into perspective. First, it sets the local context, then it places these numbers in comparison with the global population of insects, most of which is entirely undiscovered. It also describes the portion of the animal kingdom that is made up on insects, making the reader even more aware of the abundance of insects on the planet. Successes: This exhibit has many successful components. The realistic depictions of Santa Barbara County habitats in the plant and insect display cases effectively represent the surrounding natural areas and succeed in educating people about plants and animals that live in these areas. The various unique and thoughtful displays, including the insect wall and the wildfire display, are examples of the ways in which this exhibit is influential and has left a lasting impression on me as visitor. Having displays and exhibits that are both thought provoking and visually pleasing is crucial to attracting the attention of adult visitors. While on the other hand, this exhibit also successfully caters to a child audience as well, with colorful signs and fonts, interactive portions, objects and displays that are available to touch, and activities that can be completed by the parents and children together. Improvements: Although this exhibit is beneficial on many levels, there are a few ways in which it could be more effective. As I mentioned before, the beehive simulator seems out of place because it does not have any descriptive placard or interactive sign. This portion of the exhibit has the opportunity to have appeal to both parents and children and does not take advantage of the various ways in which it could do so. The exhibit also could have included more narratives in its displays; this would have improved the storytelling feature of the exhibit and perhaps made different parts more relatable and fun for children. Recommendations for MOXI: This exhibit is a beautifully designed and very well executed display of Santa Barbara County’s insect and plant populations. The information being conveyed is relevant to local visitors of the museum and helps them understand their surrounding community. The displays are carefully constructed and well thought out, with great attention to detail. They are also immaculate and well organized, which is important in an insect exhibit where people might otherwise have an aversion to viewing some kinds of insects. The exhibit also successfully communicates to a range of audiences, with something to offer for many age groups as well as both Spanish and English speakers. Overall, this exhibit was very effective in both attracting me and educating me about the surrounding plant and insect species of Santa Barbara County. The Cartwright Hall of Plants and Insects, as well as the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural history, uses many valuable science communication techniques that can also be employed in the production of MOXI exhibits. How is it that a beast as powerful and resilient as the California grizzly came to be nonexistent? The bear, once abundant throughout all of the state, had fully disappeared by the beginning of the 20th century. It is evident in the colonization history of the United States that expansion across the land was greatly influenced by the abundance and economic value of game. But the expansion into grizzly territory was not a chase of the grizzly himself; in fact, the humans feared him and were threatened by him. The bear presented an obstacle that they had to overcome. And when they overcame him, hunting this bear became a sport, a prideful undertaking. A century later, he was gone. And yet, despite his demise, the bear became a symbol for the state – he is pictured on the flag, on the state seal, and he is representative of a wild California. What provoked this complete annihilation of our state’s mascot? The history is complex and compelling, and gives insight into the relationship between humans and nature at the time. The California Grizzly became a symbol of the state because he was a symbol of the frontiersmen’s conquering of the west – a majestic yet formidable creature that needed to be overpowered in order to possess this vast and boundless landscape. There is no way to determine the exact grizzly population before the arrival of the frontiersmen, but every historical account describes their presence in great abundance. For example, many reports from the time of initial arrivals in California include quotes describing the widespread population. George C. Yount arrived in Napa Valley in 1831 and stated that, “they were everywhere, upon the plains, in the valleys, and on the mountains...it was not unusual to see fifty or sixty within twenty four hours.” Similar statements express equally abundant populations of the bear from Humboldt County to Sacramento Valley to the San Bernadino Mountains. The bear was thought to have spanned from the far reaches of Northern California to the southern most tip, and inland throughout most of the Sierra Nevadas. These presumably vast populations of grizzly were diminished to nothing by the 1920’s when the last certain account of a killing was documented. (Storer; Tevis, 1955) Before the arrival of the pioneers from the east, the grizzlies and the Native American Indians coexisted in an ecological relationship, both predators of their own kind. In “Hunting Grizzlies in California” from 1853, the author stated that, “Indians in this country hold them in great awe. They do not kill them or eat their flesh, influenced by a superstitious belief that they are the embodiment of the spirits of bad Indians after death.” Whether or not this statement is entirely true, it was inferred from the perceived relationship between the two. The Native Americans saw these creatures for the dangerous and powerful beasts that they could be, but this was not vindication to remove the species from existence. The westward expansion movement brought people of a contrasting mindset. Upon the arrival of European Americans in California, the bear was feared and seen as a threat to colonization. Stories had been heard of its menacing capabilities as a predator, but nothing could compare to seeing the power of the beast firsthand. Its abundance prevented expansion throughout the state and it posed a risk to the economic benefits sought out by miners and farmers. The Manifest Destiny had promised a land full of opportunity, and these bears were a hindrance, frequently described as “monsters” and “beasts”. But this was not the only understanding of the creature; some acknowledged that it seemed as if the bears did not seek combat unless provoked. Colton wrote in the New York Observer and Chronicle in 1851, “with all this ferocity of disposition, [the bear] rarely attacks a man, unless surprised or molested.” Although the bear might have been intimidating, he was not always on the offensive. Humans entered his ecosystem as much as he entered the humans’. The colonization of California required that humans manipulate the balance of the ecosystem – for farming and agriculture, for mining, and for the establishment of cities. This could not have been done without the removal of some grizzlies, but the annihilation of the species altogether? The grizzlies spanned throughout most of California and were an extremely adaptable species. They could be found in lowland river habitats, along the coast, up in the high Sierra Nevada’s, and in the dry mountains of Southern California (Storer, Tevis 1955). Many of these areas remain remote and unsettled to this day, especially in the forests and mountains of Northern California. If removal of this species from every corner of the state was not crucial for our supposed rightful colonization of the west, why was the bear hunted so extensively and so intentionally? Throughout the time period of the most prominent hunting of the grizzly, it is evident that the hunter’s dominance over the species was an act of arrogance, of supremacy. Many artistic depictions of the species present humans in the position of power, overtaking the bear and sometimes even humiliating him. Walker’s painting from 1876 shows a scene in which six white cowboys have roped a bear around the neck with lassos, and the bear is on his back in a state of compromise. Another artistic piece from 1863, titled, “Adams, the Hunters, and His Bears,” depicts a circus ringleader with not one, but many bears at his disposition and command. These representations of human’s relationship with the creature portray a common theme of the time period before conservation: humans were superior to other creatures and in control of the environment around them. Even in the state seal, the bear is at the feet of its human counterpart and is characterized as a small, almost pet-like creature. Portraying the grizzly as diminished of his power further enforced the idea that there was nothing that could not be conquered by the pioneer. To defeat a grizzly was to be a true frontiersman, to prove oneself as a pioneer. Shinn describes the American pioneer as, “brave, rugged, and honest as the grizzly himself,” showing that they saw their mastery over this creature as a sort of evidence of their superiority in the west. Grizzlies were sought out; the killing of these creatures was not simply a defense mechanism. There was a thrill and excitement that came with fighting such a beast; the risk and adventure involved made the bear hunters into heroes (Bell, 1881). The numbers of tales involving the pursuit of this hunt, many of which ended in severe injury or near death, show how the killing of grizzly bears became symbolic of the pioneer’s dominion over the beast. It was frequently rejoiced when a grizzly was overpowered: as mentioned in a story told by Bell, the grizzly was “helpless as a child” lying on the ground before the hunters. The bear’s dissociation from something monstrous to something weak and helpless is a common theme among writings from the time. The bear presented a new obstacle to the frontiersmen, and the frontiersmen gladly accepted the challenge. Perhaps the most shocking evidence of this intentional slaughter is the acknowledgment of the impending extinction in the 1890s without any efforts to preserve the species. Some viewpoints from the time went so far as to suggest that the extinction was not only inevitable, but also necessary. In Shinn’s writing in 1890, after the main period of grizzly hunting in the late 1800’s, he repeatedly writes “when” while he is discussing the extinction of the grizzly bear. Shinn writes about the bear as if it does not deserve a place in modern society, romanticizing its disappearance and comparing the future folklore of the beast to that of mythical dragons. His intention to remove the bear from existence seems to be a reflection of many hunters and ranchers of that time. Another article from 1890 recognizes it’s steep decline in population and predicts only a matter of time until its extinction (Kelley, 1890). This justification rests on the argument that grizzlies were a threat to livestock, and that to kill a grizzly for this was an obligation for herders and ranchers. Why preserve a creature that had so boldly dared to inhibit the proliferation of the Europeans, and that the frontiersmen had so successfully brought to near extinction? Wouldn’t that have been a lost cause? So we followed the persistent belief that the land and its native life were to be conquered and not conserved; we protected our livestock, we proved ourselves as pioneers, and we destroyed one of the great wildlife species of North America. The grizzly has not only become a symbol for the state of California and our conquering of the west, but also for the human superiority complex and its impacts on the environment. This kind of dominance plays a major role in our history – politically, economically, and environmentally. Can we conclude that the mass destruction of the grizzly played an important role in shaping society today, or that California would not have flourished if we hadn’t removed them? We cannot answer these questions because nothing can reverse the irreparable damage of species extinction. No reverence on a flag or a state seal will alter the decisions of the past. Environmentalism arose in time to correct and mitigate some of our mistakes as humans interacting with our environment, but for others it was not soon enough. For this, the California grizzly will remain shrouded in mystery. We must see that this defeat, or more accurately, obliteration, of the grizzly is an important lesson in understanding both our powers and our limitations as an intelligent species. Works Cited
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