University of North Texas 
While visiting and encountering the pristine nature of the Omora Ethnobotanical Park during this past winter, I thought a lot about nature conservation. I was a student in the biology class held by Professor Kennedy studying freshwater aquatic invertebrates of the Robalo Watershed. The following are my philosophical reflections from my time spent there.
First, how can we persuade people to conserve nature even at the price of economic
development? For me, nature is an important part of our spiritual life and it is the
perfect teacher to motivate people to conserve it. I think this is one of the main
arguments that can be used to explain our motivation to conserve nature. When I was
hiking in the mountains, I was greatly touched by the beauty, quietness, vacuity,
and creativity of nature. Its beauty, discovered by intuition has influenced Chinese
people for thousands of years. In China, it is also a way of human life. By participating
in nature, we can experience the most profound beauty of it. So, I think natural conservation
is not just a scientific concept, but also it is also a philosophical concept.
Second, how can we intensify the interdisciplinary approach to natural conservation? During this trip, I met a lot of people from different backgrounds; such as music, biology, art, and philosophy. It will be a huge project if we could communicate by using a common language. For example, I met a musician from Chile and he once composed the song for mosses. I think it is quite a good idea and practice. But the thing is that how we can make the lyric of the song compatible with the scientific knowledge of mosses? My opinion here is that environmental art is empty if it does not have a firm foundation of scientific knowledge. For example, the small insects seldom attract our attention partly because they are so small and tiny, even ugly. But by collecting them and doing research with Dr. J. H.Kenney, I realize the important role they play in the stability of entire ecosystems. Without the careful study of the scientist, it would be difficult for the environmental artists to know or integrate these ecological principles into their work.
Third, nature conservation is not just a local project because nature itself has no innate boundaries. Conservation requires an international effort, unbounded by territories. I think that the precondition to do this is to intensify the cultural dialogue and understanding between cultures. Without it, nature conservation is almost impossible. Nature conservation can not only protect the nature but also promote peace and love to the people around the world. So it is indeed a meaningful thing! It needs more passionate people to promote this idea to the world!
The following is a quote from Lao Tzu's Dao De Ching. The words often enter my mind when I encounter the beauty of nature.
"Attain complete vacuity,
Maintain steadfast quietude.
All things come into being,
And I see thereby their return.
All things flourish,
But each one returns to its root.
This return to its root means tranquility.
It is called returning to its destiny.
To return to destiny is called the eternal (Tao).
To know the eternal is called the enlightenment."
(Chapter 16)
Contributor: Shan Gao, Ph.D Candidate, Philosophy, University of North Texas