Celery Bog lost hope of community union

focb April 23rd, 2008

[NOTE: This is Russell Allison's Letter to the Editor, Lafayette Journal & Courier for Wednesday 19 March 2008]

Celery Bog lost hope of community union

A few short years ago, I attended the dedication of the area called the Celery Bog. At that event were Morgan Burke from Purdue University and then-Mayor Sonya Margerum. It seemed to be a union of two groups working together for the greater good.

At the beginning there were no trails, no bike paths, no Lilly Nature Center, no viewing platforms and few visitors. Even in its wild state, I saw promise of a good thing. I began making a photo journal of the area.

To this date, I have found 150 species of birds. A lot of them are in photo albums on display at the Lilly Center. Some of the birds using the area are rare; some are endangered or have been declining in numbers.

Examples of some of the birds using the recently destroyed trees are: double crested cormorants, black crowned night herons and great egrets. These used the trees as roost areas.

While sitting on the viewing platform, I have met many people and a lot of dogs. I have met parents with little kids. It was fun to let the kids look through the scope at a bird they had never seen before.

Purdue wants young people to take an interest in conservation, the environment and science. How much damage was done by a few unthinking people? What happened to the joint cooperation?

Russell E. Allison

West Lafayette