Community's video advocates openness to animals......

      Early this morning I was going through the many local newspapers and came across an article that was very different from others I have read. I thought I would share it because of the future implications it brings with it. An abstract way of designing and organizing future neighborhoods that would benefit both humans and nature.
      I found it to be very uplifting and promising for the future of mankind living peacefully in conjunction with all our neighborhood friends. This article is based upon a neighborhood in Rockwall, Texas that is in the process of re-thinking and re-designing how they would like the future to be. Hope this will be one to open up the imaginations of everyone. Perhaps to view ideas in new and innovative ways.
    "The reason this has come front and center now is that Chandler's Landing and adjacent neighborhoods, the city of Rockwall and the county are building out," said Bruce Paton, president of the Chandler's Landing Community Association board.
    "Natural corridors are decreasing and wildlife is squeezed into smaller and smaller corridors. Encounters become more likely."
   "With the critters (coyotes, snakes, alligators and bald eagles) coming around more and more, Mr. Paton decided to shoot a DVD explaining the animals, their habits and why they are welcome as neighbors. The DVD also helps dispel residents fears."
     This is a relatively new neighborhood built in an open setting that accommodates the needs of human and animal life. The many ponds in the area draw a variety of animals to drink, relax and to rest under one of the many trees. I believe this to be a very interesting and innovative way to build new neighborhoods.
    Our ancestors learned very early on how to live peacefully among the many animals, right?  So is this really a new and innovative way of thinking or have we at long last realized that stepping back might just be the way to go?
   "The way land is being managed here.....adds to the quality of life for the residents here as well as they quality of life for the animals that are here and we want to maintain that balance," Mr. Moore says on the DVD video.
   "Mr. Moore will use the video for educational purposes across the area in his work with other cities and community associations. He said most wildlife will not harm residents or pets unless they feel cornered. The wildlife also keeps the rodent population in check, he said."
    Don't you think this would be such a wonderful way to co-exist with all our animal friends as our early ancestors did? Of course I realize that we will not be able to build communities such as this one everywhere, but where we can would it not be a much nicer place to live?
   "We have to provide for the amimals as we build out, or else they will not be around for our kids and grandkids," Mr. Patton said. "It is a privilege to have the ability and where-with-all to do that."