As surveyors, it’s our responsibility to conduct surveys in a manner that minimizes disturbance to both humans and the wildlife around them. With increasing development, particularly in more rural areas, it’s become increasingly important for survey crews to understand how local ecosystems may be impacted by their work so they can adjust their activities accordingly. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how surveying crews can reduce the impact of their activities on local wildlife while simultaneously completing high-quality surveying without delay or disruption.
Surveying land can be a great tool to help better understand our environment and its wildlife. However, it is important to be mindful of how our actions could disturb the local wildlife when doing so. The primary goal should be to cause as minimal disruption as possible while still conducting effective surveys. One way to accomplish this is to establish methods that do not require entering into an animal’s habitat or field of view. This can help minimize disturbances from noise or pointing lights near animals. It is also important to plan for times when activity may cause more disruption than normal, like when mating seasons are occurring, and adjust plans as needed in order to protect the animal population. By prioritizing responsible surveying practices, we can ensure that local wildlife can continue living without disruption from our activities.
When surveying land, you may have the misfortune of encountering wildlife. In these situations, it is crucial to know what to do in order to protect one’s self and the wild animal. You should begin by standing still and assessing your surroundings. If the animal appears aggressive or agitated, step away slowly without making sudden movements that could scare the animal further. Do not attempt to touch, corner, or harm a wild animal. If you are able to move away safely, find a secure area and remain out of sight until the animal has moved on. Taking photo documentation of any wildlife encounter can be useful for tracking population trends and could lend valuable insight into the health of their habitats. Knowing how to responsibly encounter wildlife while surveying land will keep both yourself and the wild animals safe during your exploration.
Land surveys are essential for the accurate categorization of land and understanding of the way the environment behaves. It is important to respect wildlife during such surveys as disruptions caused by humans can potentially cause serious harm to both the environment, as well as to us. Taking precautionary measures when it comes to respecting wildlife while surveying will help maintain environmental balance and prevent potential conflicts between wildlife and humans.
Respectful wildlife survey practices involve aware observation and minimal human interference in order to reduce stress on natural ecosystems and reduce conflict between wildlife and people. Ultimately, respecting wildlife during a land survey shows kindness not only toward nature but also towards ourselves.
The impact of land surveyors on local wildlife can be significant. By following the guidelines above, we can help to minimize that impact and play a positive role in conservation efforts. What other steps do you take to limit your impact on the natural world? Do you have any suggestions for our readers? Let us know in the comments below.