Cool Conservation Quotes, Vol. 1

Shady Glade was a towering sycamore and a cluster of willows and cottonwoods along the banks of a winding creek. Early every spring hundreds of birds flocked into the treetops to build their nests, raise their young, and then go their way at the end of summer.

The year round population of the glade was no more than sixteen: half a dozen rabbits, a pair of possums, a single skunk, five green frogs, one bullfrog, and an old raccoon. They lived there together in a peaceful neighborly fashion. These simple woodland creatures were content to believe that nothing could ever spoil their quiet little world. They hardly noticed the big city looming up to the sky way off in the distance.

Then one spring day there came a deep rumbling sound. ...

--- Opening lines of Farewell to Shady Glade, by Bill Peet (1966). Written to raise awareness of environmental problems, the book is dedicated “To Rachel Carson with the hope that the new generation will carry on her all-important work toward preserving what is left of our natural world."