Despite what casual observers might think, parkland does not remain park-like without lots of help. So-called "natural areas" do not remain natural-looking without care.
Human activity — any human activity — always takes its toll, and sooner or later, parks and natural areas suddenly become something less attractive or inviting, and require human care to counteract the human activity.
That's why a move by the Royal Botanical Gardens to restrict access to the area around Olympic arena in Dundas is both necessary and important.
In March, "no trespassing" signs in that section of the RBG were erected by the organization, which is funded by both Hamilton and Burlington, other levels of government, and RBG members.
The area is known as the Hopkins Woods Special Protection Area. The restrictions are nothing new — it has been off limits for years — but the signs are now necessary to remind interlopers, some of whom are perplexed by the move.
Walkers, hikers, naturalists and especially birdwatchers use the area and "love nature," says Barbara McKean, head of education at the Royal Botanical Gardens, "but you can't love it to death."
Some users have strayed from trails intended to limit access to the area, and the result is that some species — the very species many go to catch a glimpse of — are being squeezed out by the presence of humans.
Even worse, it's not just discreet hikers or bird watchers. There are bird feeders, off-leash dogs, campfires and even ATVs in the area.
This kind of activity threatens fauna and flora in the woods, including bald eagles, as well as rare species such as the eastern meadowlark and the bashful bulrush, a perennial plant for which Hamilton is its only known natural Canadian home.
Humans, needless to say, have a long and relentless history of squeezing out and in many cases eliminating many species, usually to our great regret. Those tempted to ignore rules and venture into such areas at the RBG or other properties need only review their natural history to understand the seriousness of the matter.
What's more, restricted areas to protect natural habitat are nothing new in many parks around the world, especially those such as the RBG, which serves so many different purposes, not all of which are to amuse humankind.
Finally, the Royal Botanical Gardens, a unique Canadian gem overlooked by many local residents, has many, many areas that are open for the public in many different ways. Those other areas that are designated closed must be respected if we are to preserve this natural resource into the future, a future in which such natural areas will be under ever more pressure.