Native Plant Conservation Campaign News: Senseless Sightseers Spoiling Spectaular Superbloom - social media strkes back! 

April 13, 2019

 

The 2019 superbloom has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors to California public lands. Unfortunately some visitors do not understand or respect the  native plant communities they come to enjoy. Trampling, off road driving, flower picking and rampant selfies are taking a toll on plants, wildlife and natural areas. In at least one case, a helicopter was used to avoid the traffic jams and landed in the middle of a wildflower field, crushing the flowers the people came to see. Some parks have even been closed to protect the fragile desert ecosystems.

 

Social media has exacerbated the problem. Wildflower photos posted by "influencers" who have large online followings draw crowds to their featured locations. 

 

The Guardian UK reports that some on social media are striking back with posts that shame those who trample wildflower fields and otherwise "love public lands to death".

 

All of this reminds us that the native plant conservation community must balance promoting the beauty of these plant communities with taking steps to protect them from too mujch damaging public attention. For a start, stay on the trails and ask others to do so as well!

 

Undisclosed location. Photo (c) Emily Roberson.