The growing season brings gardening joys, but also increased noise from lawnmowers and tools. This noise significantly impacts local wildlife, disrupting their instincts.
Birds, squirrels, rabbits, frogs, and insects are critically affected by human-made noise. These sounds mask predators and disrupt feeding, nesting, and mating habits. Kevin Munroe from The Nature Conservancy notes that animals communicate through song, which noise pollution can drown out, preventing reproduction. Artificial noises from equipment, traffic, and construction cause stress and hearing loss. A University of Georgia study found highway noises elevate heart rates in monarch caterpillars.
To help, The Nature Conservancy suggests considering sensitive areas when siting noise-producing facilities and altering noisy activities during breeding and hibernation. Small changes on our properties can make a big impact. Shift noisy yardwork to later in the day, as birds communicate most between dawn and 9 a.m., and avoid loud noises after dark. Planting dense native trees and switching to battery-powered tools can create sound buffers. Educate your community and encourage local municipalities to create sound sanctuaries. Protecting wild animals is crucial as they serve as pollinators and affect pest control, positively impacting our agriculture and economy.