Young Cottontail Rabbit - "Kiss the Daisy"

June 2024 - Is hating invasive species necessary?

Early morning, soft low light. A baby rabbit is breakfasting in the long fresh grass near one of our apple tree, close to the cover of salal and rhododendrons. It is a picture of sweetness, innocence and curiosity about the new world around it. Stretching up, the little one sniffs and lips at the daisy before nibbling it in. I feel a sense of peace and tenderheartedness, and marvel at the beauty and newness that spring can bring. I just want to soak it all in. After a few photos, I quietly retreat from the area, with a soft smile on my face.

This is one of my favourite photos. And yet I really struggled with whether to include it in my 2024 nature calendar or not. You see, Eastern Cottontail Rabbits are an introduced species on Vancouver Island, unfortunately causing threats to endangered wildflowers, Garry oaks, and more. There are folks who think that encouraging any sort of affection towards invasive species is completely unacceptable and irresponsible; that any field naturalist worth their salt would teach people that these animals are, quite simply, pests with a negative impact and that they need to be dealt with humanely, end of story.

However, I believe it is possible to be aware of and even take action to mitigate the negative impact of an introduced species without hating or vilify the creatures in question. It’s possible to know the issues and still, for example, come to care about an individual rabbit that one sees in one’s yard on a regular basis. It doesn't mean that one can't see the bigger picture and the need for ecosystem protection. It just means that we are human, and its pretty normal to have conflicting emotions in these situations.

Other days, other baby bunnies - I nearly trod on the one hiding in the grass.

Also, when we’re encouraged to hate other species for their harmful environmental impact, we are indirectly taught to hate ourselves because of our own impact. When we’re encouraged to see a species in such a reduced way, as destructive and nothing else, we’re often lead to see ourselves in that reduced way too – devoid of heart, soul, individuality, and complexities. And I think that does more harm than good.

When I mention the issue of invasive species to people, sometimes they’ll retort “Well, we’re invasive too!” (To which I now reply, “Yes, it is true. But one of the ways we can reduce our impact is by doing what we can to manage the other invasive species that we’re responsible for bringing to the area.”) The truth is, people can and do identify with these creatures. Thus, if we are to take steps to reducing negative impacts – from other invasive species and ourselves – I really think we need to come from a place of compassion for the individuals within the species and ourselves, and to honor the complexities and nuances of life. Perhaps in some ways, it is easier to take these steps when coming from a place of anger and hate, but in other ways it alienates us from ourselves and our hearts.

This beautiful baby bunny is unaware of the conflict and confusion it may cause us humans. It isn’t responsible for the larger situation it is born into. In this moment, snacking on non-native grass and daisies, it is simply itself. A sweet, innocent individual with a new world all around it to explore. I hope that the image lifts your heart, and helps you to connect with your own innocence and wonder as well, to remember feelings of openness and curiosity, of a spirit of exploration and of play. And I hope it will remind you to pause and “kiss the daisies,” too, whatever that may look like for you.

My next post comes out on the 15th. I’ll introduce you to sweet Cielo, a young woman’s first horse. Her description of their special bond will tug at your heart.

Blessings to you,

Lindsay