kamal.nasreen1996
Monofilament Recycling Bin
My photo indicates a monofilament recycling bin located at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm in Bolingbrook. The recycling bin encourages people to recycle their used monofilament fishing lines in hopes to reduce harm to wildlife. It was enlightening to see a monofilament recycling bin in an area where there is an abundance of fishermen. I feel like this is a great way to educate the public on the detrimental effects that monofilament fishing lines can cause and encourage those to recycle. Monofilament fishing lines are made from a single fiber of plastic. They are non-biodegradable and can exist for years in the environment. Ultimately, leading to serious environmental issues if not disposed properly. Since these fishing lines are durable, thin, and clear it threatens many native species in the area. Often times incorrect disposal can cause the animal to become entangled in the line leading to a slow and agonizing death.
While at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm I observed at least fifteen different fishermen going about their day. It made me wonder whether or not they all knew about the recycling bin and if they found it useful. A part of me wanted to raise awareness and encourage the fisherman to use these bins so it could reduce the amount of injuries to the wildlife in the area. Fishing hooks and lines are major causes to wildlife entanglement. Since they are clear and thin, animals like geese, fish, frogs, and birds are at risk for crippling injuries. Often times birds mistake these fishing lines as nesting material and are unable to break free due the durability of the fishing lines. I kept envisioning the deleterious effects the lines can be causing the wildlife and it made me upset knowing that there are forest preserves in the area that have not implemented the monofilament recycling bins. I have visited many local forest preserves in my area and surprisingly there are very few that implement the monofilament recycling bins. I assume the reason why they have not been implemented is because the parks may not be aware of the damaging effects it can have on wildlife.
The effort taken by the park showed tremendous care for the environment and it enlightened me knowing that a local forest preserve is taking a conscious effort to protect the wildlife in the area. It is now up to the fisherman to make the change and correctly dispose the fishing lines. Not only that, but other forest preserves should follow suit and attempt to encourage proper disposal of fishing lines and other litter. One way this can happen is by posting up signs that clearly command people to dispose of the fishing lines. Another way is to appoint people that are responsible to make sure that all litter, not just fishing lines, is being disposed of properly in order to keep the area suitable for the wildlife living there as well as maintaining the beauty of the nature. Hidden Lakes has done an excellent job of taking a step in the right direction in terms of setting up the monofilament recycling bin. If initiatives like this are taken in the future, then it will be exciting to see how the forest preserves will bloom in the coming years.
#BIOL394Photo1
Monofilament Recycling Bin
My photo indicates a monofilament recycling bin located at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm in Bolingbrook. The recycling bin encourages people to recycle their used monofilament fishing lines in hopes to reduce harm to wildlife. It was enlightening to see a monofilament recycling bin in an area where there is an abundance of fishermen. I feel like this is a great way to educate the public on the detrimental effects that monofilament fishing lines can cause and encourage those to recycle. Monofilament fishing lines are made from a single fiber of plastic. They are non-biodegradable and can exist for years in the environment. Ultimately, leading to serious environmental issues if not disposed properly. Since these fishing lines are durable, thin, and clear it threatens many native species in the area. Often times incorrect disposal can cause the animal to become entangled in the line leading to a slow and agonizing death.
While at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm I observed at least fifteen different fishermen going about their day. It made me wonder whether or not they all knew about the recycling bin and if they found it useful. A part of me wanted to raise awareness and encourage the fisherman to use these bins so it could reduce the amount of injuries to the wildlife in the area. Fishing hooks and lines are major causes to wildlife entanglement. Since they are clear and thin, animals like geese, fish, frogs, and birds are at risk for crippling injuries. Often times birds mistake these fishing lines as nesting material and are unable to break free due the durability of the fishing lines. I kept envisioning the deleterious effects the lines can be causing the wildlife and it made me upset knowing that there are forest preserves in the area that have not implemented the monofilament recycling bins. I have visited many local forest preserves in my area and surprisingly there are very few that implement the monofilament recycling bins. I assume the reason why they have not been implemented is because the parks may not be aware of the damaging effects it can have on wildlife.
The effort taken by the park showed tremendous care for the environment and it enlightened me knowing that a local forest preserve is taking a conscious effort to protect the wildlife in the area. It is now up to the fisherman to make the change and correctly dispose the fishing lines. Not only that, but other forest preserves should follow suit and attempt to encourage proper disposal of fishing lines and other litter. One way this can happen is by posting up signs that clearly command people to dispose of the fishing lines. Another way is to appoint people that are responsible to make sure that all litter, not just fishing lines, is being disposed of properly in order to keep the area suitable for the wildlife living there as well as maintaining the beauty of the nature. Hidden Lakes has done an excellent job of taking a step in the right direction in terms of setting up the monofilament recycling bin. If initiatives like this are taken in the future, then it will be exciting to see how the forest preserves will bloom in the coming years.
#BIOL394Photo1