The news is full of sad stories about dying animals, species of all kinds being wiped out, and the random shooting of animals, among other depressing events. Amid all that it’s easy to forget that efforts aplenty are afoot to reverse the declines, save species, restore habitat and pull endangered animals back from the edge of extinction. The animals and birds are our brothers and sisters, after all.
Here are seven examples of tribal initiatives that are taking back the spirit of environmental stewardship—be they restoring the land, reintroducing species or creating safe conditions for their intersection with modern human life.
The Animals' Bridge
Wildlife navigating our busy highways must participate in a deadly game to make it to the other side. Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks department reports that wildlife trying to cross busy U.S. Highway 93 in western Montana often resulted in injured and dead deer, bears, bobcats and other creatures. But that was before wildlife passageways through the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana became part of the reconstructed 56-mile stretch.
