Today was my first day as an Animal Care volunteer at the ECHO Center in Burlington. ECHO’s mission is “to educate and delight people about the Ecology, Culture, History, and Opportunity for stewardship of the Lake Champlain Basin.” ECHO is filled with exhibits featuring frogs, turtles, fish, and more, as well as interactive simulations of different aspects of the lake. During my interview for the position, I was asked what I thought of animals in captivity. I replied that it makes me sad to see them trapped like that, but that I understand the importance of it, especially for endangered species. My interviewer said that, at ECHO, they try to give the animals the best possible quality of life, and that it is very important for people to have access to these animals so that they can form attachments to them. The goal is to educate people about the fragile ecosystems here so that we know exactly what we are harming. The word “ecosystem” may not mean much, to many people. But that fascinating little salamander or that huge snapping turtle can attract attention much better than the concept of an ecosystem.
ECHO tries to be as environmentally friendly as it can. But it still uses a lot of resources with all the electricity and water required to maintain these animal enclosures. The environmental impact must be huge. I believe that it is completely worth it, though. When I was in middle school, I went to the ECHO Center several times on field trips for science classes. I was exposed to incredible animals that I had never seen before. I was excited to learn more and to take part in the effort to conserve these species. When people find a motivation to care about the environment, they make a conscious effort to reduce their environmental impact and also start educating others about the importance of conservation. It’s a giant ripple effect. When one person becomes a vegetarian and explains to their friends and family that the meat industry has a huge environmental impact and causes terrible suffering for animals, those friends and family might start to eat less meat or even consider becoming vegetarian themselves. They might not. But some do. As we have heard quoted in class many times, “No man is an island.” This is true of our negative effect on the environment - littering, using resources, and all the other harmful things we do cannot stay restricted to ourselves. It effects the ecosystems around us and hurts more beings than we can imagine. But this is also a positive thing. When we reach out to others and educate them about why they should care and what they should do, it will have an effect as well. We don’t have to make a huge deal of it. We don’t have to wear signs around our neck that say, “Fossil fuels are destroying the o-zone - bike or walk, don’t drive!” or “I’m a vegan - ask me why!” It’s the simple, every day steps we take that people notice. They may not seem to have an effect, but they will. And actively educating those willing to learn about the environment can have huge impacts. Who knows how many kids have been inspired to become marine biologists because of ECHO and places like it?
Regardless of whether snapping turtles have rights or not, they aren’t going to be very happy cooped up in a tank. But by taking the time to show it to others and make them excited about just how interesting and unique it is is giving it more value than by simply leaving it alone and ignoring whether it’s endangered or not. Because by educating others, we are trying to ensure a better future for its entire species. We are giving it inherent value, making it something that deserves to be treated well and thrive.
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