Park planners are conducting a survey to identify Richmond residents’ attitudes regarding the city’s wildlife and natural spaces, as well as to “develop socially and culturally sensitive public education, programs and policies.”
The survey touches on controversial topics such as hunting, snow geese and pets in public spaces. It also delves into apparent cultural issues.
One of the questions in the survey, conducted in English, asks respondents if they agree or disagree that “some wild animals, such as snakes, bring bad luck.”
Richmond resident Linda Love, a student in the Masters of Public Administration program at the University of Victoria, is conducting the survey, which can be taken online at LetsTalkRichmond.ca.
Love was unavailable for comment, but her supervisor, Dr. Lynda Gagne, said the survey could help identify different attitudes toward wildlife.
She said literature supports the notion Asian cultures view wildlife differently than here in Canada.
Gagne said it’s not uncommon for such surveys and studies to help guide policy.
“It sounds like the city is interested and I would see something coming out of this,” said Gagne.
City spokesperson Ted Townsend said what precipitated the survey is the city’s increasing urbanization and interplay with rural boundaries, such as farms and the river.
“Some parts of our community remain natural and rural, others are more urban,” he said.
“We’ve seen attitudes toward nature and wildlife change throughout the years,” added Townsend.
The questions appear to grasp for an understanding of how residents interpret nature inside the city’s core, in parks and in more natural settings, such as the dyke.
The survey asks if it is “morally wrong” to build housing on sensitive habitat. It also asks if nature makes one “uncomfortable.”
The survey delves into the attitudes surrounding other controversial topics as well; Is berry picking in public parks acceptable? What about taking plants from natural areas?
Opinions on dogs are also explored. Should dogs be given precedent over wildlife in natural areas?
As for Richmond’s love-them-or-hate-them snow geese, the survey asks if they, in fact, make you “happy” or if they ought to be “controlled.”
An opinion on whether hunting of waterfowl should be reintroduced to the city limits is also sought.
The survey attempts to gauge if people think wild urban animals are a nuisance and where one should draw the line for human habitation.
Townsend notes, as an example, some people think a raccoon is a nuisance whereas others consider it benign.
He said council will adopted policies informed, but not necessarily dictated, by the findings.
Townsend noted the survey had 60 responses by Tuesday. It closes March 31.
