Peregrine Falcons are still here, back from the brink of extinction and a case study that demonstrates how the endangered species protections can succeed. The saving of the Endangered Peregrine Falcon hasn't cost much, and has produced many unanticipated benefits.

This bird is off the endangered list, though it's still a species of concern, and it's instructive to examine what it took to get here. What is really needed to save a species or a genus from extinction?

It took a recognition that extinction was happening, it took a commitment by humans that these creatures survive this human civilization. Wildlife biology contributed a knowledge of the life cycle and habitat requirements for the birds.

Since Falcons have been kept by royalty for hunting for centuries, there was a lot of knowledge of how to raise birds, though these birds have some unique habits that made saving them more difficult, such as the tendency to nest on clifs, bridges, and skyscrapers.

The effort brought together lawyers who crafted legislation, legislation that created habitat protection, funding for the guardians at SPRIG ( University of California at Santa Cruz) who lead the program. The effort also included volunteers, foundations, private funding, public information, web cams, web discussion groups, web pages, power company mitigation measures ( technical support and retrofitting power systems to stop killing birds), special feeding and care techniques, protection of fledglings, public interest and support, media coverage, organization, facilities, cooperation from private landowners, public land trusts, being included in the mission of the fish and wildlife service, support for the Fish and Wildlife Service, documentary films, public education programs, and more.

The costs have been spread out over 25 years, and should go on for many more decades. Saving the endangered Peregrine Falcon from extinction also brought benefits to our society. We've learned what it takes, and we've done it. Saving species who have lived on earth for hundreds of millions of years from extinction is sacred work, a sacred duty for our civilization. Here is an example of the best of our society, a case where many segments of our society came together to do a compassionate act, and it worked.

The new knowledge of how the knowledge enabled a few dedicated folks to develop technology that could help with raising birds by humans who could successfully live in the wild. Life cycle studies, population studies, and looking at the cause of death for these rare birds was part of the successful save.

In the course of the quest to save the Peregrine Falcon from extinction, we've learned about how our ecosystem was shifting, exhibiting pathology, with the birds as a signal to pay attention, to recognize the shifts that were killing off beings who lived with us for so long. The simple act of putting a metal triangle on a power pole cross arm so that these big birds aren't electrocuted anytime they perch on a pole made a big difference in Peregrine mortality. The intervention of the Peregrine experts when birds have nests in an inappropriate site reduced the mortality of the babies, but will require an ongoing commitment if the "saving" is to continue, if we are to live together with our cities. Maybe the birds will adapt to cities more successfully, or maybe with enough birds in the wild it won't matter so much.

UCAL Santa Cruz biologists effectively utilized web cams to both monitor nests, and to stir up public support, volunteers, and even some funding. Web news groups are a way of coordinating, informing and mobilizing the Peregrine Falcon community. Telemetry has helped with tracking, that gave knowledge of how the birds travel, where they like to live, etc. Private land owners who protected nesting sites, who cooperate with University and wildlife care folk play an important role in this effort. Public education through documentary films or videos, tv specials, news releases, all help to develop the public awareness that makes this effort work.

The fact that these groups have effectively worked together is a bit of "intellectual or community capital", as this shared experience of successful cooperation is a model for other projects to emulate.

So while some bemoan or belittle the endangered species protection laws, the reality in this case is that a modest amount of resources from both public and private sources has been successful. None of the "job loss" or other "terrible impacts" have occurred, the restrictions on habitat conversion to human use haven't stifled the California economy.

Climate change is going to make such challenges much more frequent and even more difficult, and they make the life-affirming response even more necessary, even more important. We can help many creatures to transition to the new world humans have created with our release of greenhouse gasses, we can help them find new niches, we can create new niches for them if we are smart.

How tools become valuable.

July 2008

Tools gain value when kept organized and ready to go. You have to be able to efficiently put your hands on a tool for it to convey a real capacity, a capability that it alone enables.

It follows that grouping tools into functional collections or kits is one way to take these concepts, and add a few choice pieces of hardware or a component, put this in a tool box, label it, and store it where it can be found amongst the other toolboxes.

Once you've used a tool, clean it, put it back in the toolbox. Track when a drill bit needs replacement, when the Teflon tape runs low, and keep these crucial elements stocked.

The meta view then is to have toolsets that are complete for a set of actions. An example is a pop rivet toolbox. Has the pop rivet tool, a selection of pop rivets, drill bits for each size of pop rivet, reamer. Simple, but with correct drill bits, more likely to be ready to go to work immediately. The correct assortment of tools, hardware and container means that 80% of the jobs can be done without a trip to the hardware store.

Fortunately some older guys told me to organize my tools, and helped instill good habits. My father worked that way. As I've gained experience, I'm so glad that I've lived by these values and understandings. It's nice to be able to go to my shop and just do a task. Simple, but when I was very young, the acquisition of the tool was my priority, it took a while for me to appreciate how the organization multiplies the value.

The shop is quite small, and yet it functions well. Has lots of power, a data connection, phone, natural light, and privacy. I don't like to be bothered when working in the shop, though I do enjoy visitors and collaborators.

Good security for the tools and the shop is vital, best to have an alarm system. This minimizes the times that you have to start over on the workshop….a non trivial consideration as the collection grows and becomes more useful.

Anyway, as the shop develops, it adds to the value of the tools, the kits, and we have a system capability, a capacity to do things that results from the synergism. At this level we might see for example a fume hood/dust-exhaust system adding value, as the tools can now be employed in a wider variety of ways, and health is maximized. At this level we might see a jib crane or a bridge crane, forge, etc.

At the shop level, attention to the sources of energy and utilities adds value. Lots of electrical outlets is basic, with compressed air a common upgrade, data ports, and sometimes various forms of water ( cooling water, de-ionized water, distilled water, potable water), gasses ( natural gas, nitrogen, etc.), sometimes its cryogens such as liquid nitrogen. Various forms of sewer add value, including ability to handle silt, acid waste, or the ability to contain, these add value.

The national laboratories take this concept two levels higher.

Laboratories combine the specialized work spaces/work shops into ensembles that convey a sophisticated capability such as that needed to do materials research. The national system of laboratories delivers a capability to manage the technical capabilities and research fields in a coordinated manner.

Culture is ultimately what gives value to tools, and this includes individual behavior, clan or tribal values, dynamics and practices, social organization, and how education works. The culture of the craftsman, the culture of the laboratory worker, these are important meta level assets that must be passed through time via organizations.

The simple transmission from master to apprentice has a modern analogue in the way that a PhD is earned, how folks get a doctorate in experimental science. It's not much changed as a cultural practice, a way of maintaining our cultural intellectual capital since long before Jesus was the son of a carpenter.

At the basic level, it's a decision to adopt the craftsman's practice that was important to me. The cultivation of the beginners mind is also important, but informed by cultivated habits of care that express an understanding of how this all fits together.

Thanks

Small Services

Living with a very old cat gave me some lessons and is a privileged time of communication with another being. I’ve had a couple of cats that made it to 17 or 18 years old, but Kiwi making 20 is a surprise, beyond expectation.

We work out the nurse thing ( she depends on daily care) a bit at a time.

Kiwi has a particular bray-meow that signals that she wants me to come to her cat-bed for some important service. This is repeated in an urgent loop sequence. Once I answer with my Laguna whistle, she'll calm down a bit, perhaps emit a short meow now and then. If I fail to appear in a REASONABLE TIME, she'll resume the braying meow. Once I'm there in front of her, I give a very short meow in response to once of her calls.

This signals a change, and she sometimes pantomimes what is needed. Example, moving her head to toward the empty food dish, the soiled bedding, etc. Sometimes she meows a greeting. If I'm sleeping, she has patterns that are sure to wake me up, with intervals between sounds precisely phase locked with my cycles of deeper sleep, less deep sleep...... When I'm smart, I get up, take care of changing the bedding, give fluids, give meds, feed her, and then go back to bed myself..... Once she’s sure that I understand her and am doing what she asked me for, she’ll become almost chatty. Completely different demeanor.

When she's had a difficult time, she communicates it in a different set of meows. I'm sensitive to this, but it usually passes and she is very interested in life, snuggles with Carol ( our New Jersey Mat’s rescue cat), so I consult with the vet, and we go on, one day at a time.

Of course when she's happy eating, she purrs even while wolfing down some Fancy Feast "Tender Beef", chomping loudly. She purrs when I rub her head, when she rubs/marks my hand after I scratch behind her ears.

Kiwi also has taken action when I was not paying sufficient attention, and I appreciate that. I've had a hard time with the responsibility for this being, I do my best, and give thanks for the lessons. When I place her in a carrier cage to go to the vet, she’ll emit a distressed call. I hear it until we’re in the Vet’s back room. I reassure her that we’re doing our best, never knowing if it’s the last time. She’s really fragile, and I’m thankful when we both wake up in the morning.

It's also a communication that I have learned to read the pantomime a bit better, I'm able to observe when the eating pattern changes, and respond. Eating changes may signal a need for fluids, or it may be a sign that she's getting stopped up, or doesn't like the food offered. I'll do what the vet suggested first, heat the food for 8-10 sec in the microwave, then present it. Many times this works. Next step is usually to give fluids usually 120cc ringers lactate, wait an hour and present new food. Most of the time this works. Consult vet.

Good communications with a vet is essential, and I buy periodic blood tests to check kidney function. Her numbers aren't great, but are ok and pretty stable, better than a year ago.
There is always a question in my mind when I provide care for a being other than a human, should I be giving all to the greatest human need?

In this case, I felt a spiritual calling to give Kiwi the hospice care that I'd given to Alex, Alicia Star and Sharon’s cats. I was not expecting that these simple supportive measures would be so effective, would extend her time with me for this long. I'm thankful for the time and the amazing experiences, lessons I'd never imagined. I don’t know how I would do in such a situation myself, of if I was doing extended care for a loved one.

Very much like farming, you can’t go away without planning and covering the time away. Has been challenging with my job, and required travel. Having Grace Bruening’s Cat Care Service able to provide competent respite care has been a key capability covered. It's such a privilege to have enjoyed the past couple years when she passed a threshold of need for daily care that often leads to folks getting rid of a pet. For me, it's involved learning how to skillfully administer fluids with sterile technique, learning to be observant of her body rhythms, her need for "production", her meds being out of balance. By taking her to the vet before things get too far out of balance ( and her surviving my mistakes and learning process) she’s been helped through some rough spots, some difficult issues.

It's also been quite amazing to see her relationship with Carol- our rescue cat. Carol and Kiwi sleep together on Kiwi's heating pad, and Carol lets Kiwi put her forehead against her flank, they share food, and water. Carol and Kiwi are together for a while just about every day.

Snowy ( big white Turkish Van) now eats with the other cats at Kiwi's station, most mornings. They have never had hissing, he respects her, eats in his own space.Kiwi's set up includes a 23x32" heating pad with thermostat, insulation under, towels and fleece (usually 3x day). Also fresh water bowl, side towel, ramp towel + fresh water bowl for Snowy, cat scratching post ( Kiwi doesn't use it anymore, it's for Carol). There is an incandescent lamp over her bed provides light and heat.

Kiwi doesn’t stray far from her nest, but does come over to sit by me if I’m watching tv, for example. Her continued interest in life, in the other cats, her interactions with Sharon and me, all point to a being who likes to be here.

I've had cats who were sick that clearly wanted to curl up and pass ( Grey Kitty ), others who were with me to the end, and others we've euthanized. So while Kiwi isn't having serious pain, while she wants to be here, I'm here to, with her, doing my little bit.

For a moment, let us suppose that the Conservative push to eject Latino immigrants is wildly "successful" and the NeoCon push to fortify the borders to Iron Curtain levels turns away waves of illegal immigrants. What would be the consequences to the U. S. at this time?

I believe that it would push our economy deeper into the recession that already threatens to amplify into a depression as the liquidity crises spreads and reaches new sectors of the service economy that represents 80% of our modern economy.

The Latino "aliens" come to this country to work, to raise their families, and as a group is a determined bunch, a productive and hard working people largely driven to come here by lack of opportunity at home. So the movement of people to this country is both a relief valve from the pressures of poverty in their home country, as well as an important source of foreign exchange flowing to Latin America.

In this country, Latino Immigrants rent homes, providing an important sector of the rental market, buying food to feed their families, and many times paying taxes "informally" without being able to access the services that the taxes pay for. No doubt the lack of universal medical care means that many use expensive emergency rooms instead of clinics, but this is a marginal effect, as is the number in jail. Mixed into the stream of hard working folks are the usual number of criminals praying on both the immigrants and our locals.

On balance, removing this population would drive up the cost of many basic services, especially the cost of housing. In construction these days in many border states, Spanish is the language of the workplace. Without Spanish speakers, the workplace hammers would be silent or at least muted. Likewise with many other simple services, child care, food prep, warehouse operations, landscape maintenance, cleaning, and the like. Without this "grey market" the cost of doing business would inevitibly rise and our economy would show the scars.

Without this very economically efficient sector, we would see vacant rentals, higher costs, and an important sector of our economy wither.

Yet the George Bush machine, the conservative talk shows, the populist cheerleaders who build the idea that authoritarian rule is a good thing would have us believe that this sector is "the problem" in the tired old pattern of blaming immigrants for our woes.

Over time it was the Irish, the Italians, the Japanese, the Chinese, and now the Latino. We know from our history that as we assimilated these groups, our country became stronger. This is a time when we need to grasp that there is a better way, and we must embrace the very people who can help us through the recession at this critical time: Latino immigrants.

We must not ignore issues and lessons our immigrant history teaches us are important: filtering out the criminals, the gangs and attending to the public health issues. In the past, the mafia grew when the protection of human rights by the government didn't meet the need, and likewise diseases such as TB developed hot spots among illegal immigrants. Today in LA we see a similar growth of "Latin Gangs" who represent a power beyond control by the government in large sectors of Southern California, Arizona and Texas today.

These observations point to the need to legalize the 12 million people to the extent that we can bring them into our system as legitimate citizens, the need to ensure that our police protect all of us regardless of immigration status, and the need for education and health care for the families that are here for whatever reason. In this way we hold our American values true, we protect our economy and we build a road that ensures that we get the best.

This does not mean that open borders are the answer, indeed for our national security we need to do more to address the corruption that smuggling engenders, we need to selectively encourage the folks we want to come here and we must educate the children who are here to speak English, to gain the basic skills that make a civil society function.

Unregulated immigration also brings risks to our security including disease and a flow of criminals who insinuate themselves into the flood. By respecting human rights, we can more effectively handle the public health issues. Treating babies as humans and giving them proper diet and health care shows our basic values, and gives them the best chance to grow up to be productive members of society. Babies don't get to choose where they grow up, and shouldn't be punished for the criminal acts of their parents.

When we honor our commitment to human rights, we feed the hungry, we ensure shelter for us all, and we provide basic health care services, environmental justice, education and police protection in a universal manner. This doesn't take away from our country; indeed it makes us stronger as a nation and ensures that our "Homeland Security" means more than concentration camps, secret police, and "security theatre" at the airport. We must spend more on our core human security needs as our people are our country. Our care for the environment is an expression of our self respect, and our understanding of our place in the web of life. This environmental movement needs the support and energy of the immigrants, support that won’t be found amongst folks with unmet basic survival needs.

So let’s stop blaming Latino's for our problems, lets stop the "minutemen" authoritarian and racist harangues and get back to the struggle to meet human needs. If government programs must be cut back, I’m suggesting that our war budget must take the hit not basic programs such as food stamps and aid to the homeless. It’s late, and evidence mounts that Latino’s are already returning to their homeland as our economy contracts, as residential construction declines, and as the borders are increasingly tight.

Immigrants continue to come by the thousands per day from Asia, from Europe and most of them are not walking across the border from Mexico, they arrive by boat and plane. WE must open our colleges again, and encourage the best and the brightest to do research here, to earn business degrees, to become teachers and workers in our economy. Instead of an unregulated flow, we can shape the flow to our needs more effectively if we attend to these basics.

Our country will be better and stronger with this approach.