A New Year

Double rainbow on Cape Lookout National Seashore after the passing of a summer storm, hope for better weather ahead.

As 2016 quickly comes to a close, and we move into a new year, 2017, it is a time of reflection, but also a time for hope, hope for a wonderful year ahead of us all. What do I hope for? Well, that sometimes depends on the day, but as I look forward to yet another year, I hope for many things. I hope that fewer species of plants, animals and other organisms become extinct as a result of human activity than in 2016. I hope that a little less natural habitat is lost to human activity, and that we preserve a little more to prevent future destruction. I hope that a little less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, and that 2017 is not another "hottest year on record". I hope that our streams, rivers and lakes are less polluted in 2017, and that so many of the freshwater species found in these habitats thrive in a new year. I hope that the growth of the human population on this planet slows, at least a little. I hope that fewer people die of starvation, of malaria, of cancer, around the world, and that we do more to protect the health of not just natural habitats, but the health of all living things. I hope that we plant more trees than we cut down, plants are so important for us, and all animals. And mostly, I hope that family, and all of my friends, both old and new, have a fun, healthy, happy and adventurous 2017. These are just a few of the things I am hoping for as we move into another year. Please, be well.

Brian

p.s. And I also really hope that Trump doesn't screw up too badly, might be a long four years.

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