The Common Reader calls for readers\u2019 awareness of various environmental crises. However, the book also reminds people to appreciate and care for their local nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[UD_EXHIBITION_ITEM]<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Victoria Lopiccolo\u2019s digital reflection highlights a program that is familiar to many Delawareans \u2013 the Backyard Wildlife Habitat. Lopiccolo explains that \u201cin Delaware state, there is a program where you can register your yard as a natural habitat for local species\u2026 This is part of an effort to reduce the harmful effects of industrialization by providing a mini sanctuary for any local wildlife.\u201d By photographing the sign in a backyard, she hopes the habitat will educate people about this program and protect local nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [UD_EXHIBITION_ITEM]<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Talking about shared experiences, a student drew a cartoon about a local invasive species, the Spotted Lanternfly. The cartoon conveys encounters with lanternflies around the campus, and aims to make people aware of invasive species in their neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many concerns about our local nature, and pollution is certainly one. Conner expresses his worry about \u201chow the people of Delaware constantly seek to work and manufacture without knowing what they hurt in the process.\u201d In the poem \u201cThe Coast<\/a>,\u201d Connor writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026but the coast comes alive with the sounds of creation And the people of the coast know [UD_EXHIBITION_ITEM]<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Reflecting on the same issue, Makenna Mastrota combines a poem with a photograph she took on a trip. Mastrota points out that compared to the local coastline, which has much more trash and people are not doing anything, the ocean in Hawaii is cleaner and more beautiful. She amplified her voice in her poem, saying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Together let\u2019s make a pack [UD_EXHIBITION_ITEM]<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Another student echoes the hope of having a clean and peaceful ocean. The painting illustrates the student and a friend \u201cenjoying [the ocean\u2019s] beauty as we would be there for hours listening to birds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The clangs, the hollers, the crushes, the hums
And the fish look on in terror
And throughout the night shall hide.<\/p>
Not what they hurt
Not what they hurt
Perhaps one day, they stop, and gaze onto a world
Perhaps one day, they stop, and gaze onto a world<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
To end this toxic pollution hack
To end this toxic pollution hack
And then we can\u2019t go back<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n