As beings of empathy, it is our innate tendency to avoid harm or cruelty toward sentient beings. We possess a moral awareness that can prompt us to consider the well-being of others, human or not. This empathy allows us to connect with animals on a deep emotional level, leading many to treat animals with the same respect and care they offer to other people. For some, these bonds with animals even surpass their relationships with fellow humans, recognizing in them a purity and strength of character that transcends human complexities. (For those that think a lot of dogs make better people than a lot of people, I’m with you.)

Our capacity for empathy should and often does extend to ecosystems. We understand that all living beings, from the smallest insect to the tallest tree, play a critical role in maintaining the balance of nature. This awareness should compel us to act as stewards of the Earth, ensuring the health of the ecosystems that support not just our species, but all life on the planet. Stewardship is not just a moral duty, but an important recognition that our survival is intertwined with the well-being of the natural world. By nurturing the interconnected webs of life, we help secure the continued flourishing of both human societies and the environments that sustain us.

Our empathy for ecosystems fosters a deeper understanding of the intelligence embedded in all life. Just as we recognize the interdependence of living beings within ecosystems, we must also acknowledge the remarkable cognitive abilities present across species. This understanding challenges the human-centered view of intelligence and compels us to broaden our definition of sentience. As we appreciate the problem-solving skills of animals like crows and octopuses, we begin to see that the capacity for adaptation, learning, and innovation is another way that species contribute to the balance and vitality of ecosystems. In recognizing the intelligence of these beings, we deepen our commitment to stewardship, understanding that our responsibility extends not only to preserving habitats but also to honoring the inherent capabilities and roles of the creatures within them.

While humans have long seen themselves as the pinnacle of intelligence, research is revealing that many species possess complex forms of intelligence that challenge our previous assumptions. Animals exhibit learning, memory, and problem-solving abilities that demonstrate cognitive development, and surprisingly, this intelligence transcends even the animal kingdom. Plants also exhibit forms of environmental awareness that resemble learning and adaptation. They communicate with each other through chemical signals, warning neighboring plants of danger, and triggering defensive responses. This type of interaction, akin to alarm systems in animals, shows that plants, too, engage in sophisticated behaviors essential for survival.

Forests have many relationships between the plants, animals, fungi, and people.

These discoveries about the sensory abilities and intelligence of plants and animals compel us to rethink our understanding of cognition. Even without brains, plants detect light, moisture, and the presence of other plants, adjusting their growth patterns in response. This challenges the traditional view that intelligence requires a brain and suggests that life operates with a broader, more inclusive form of awareness. All organisms, in their own way, engage in constant exchanges with their environments.

The recognition of intelligence and communication across species can deepen our understanding of the interconnectedness of life. Every species, regardless of its size or complexity, plays a role in maintaining ecosystem health. The interactions between species–whether predator and prey, pollinator and plant, or symbiotic partners–are the foundation of ecological stability. When one species is threatened, the effects ripple through the ecosystem, disrupting this balance.

As we uncover more about the intelligence of other species, we are reminded of our responsibility as stewards of the Earth. Humanity’s empathy, combined with our understanding of the interconnectedness of life, places us in a position of profound responsibility. We can either protect or damage the ecosystems that sustain life. By fostering compassion, promoting sustainable practices, and respecting the intrinsic value of all life, we help preserve biodiversity and ecological harmony. Isn’t that something we have always wanted? Haven’t we all wanted compassion and harmony? Perhaps our human existence could reap those benefits some more, if we only put forth the effort to sew it into the earth as well.

In doing so, we fulfill one of the highest expressions of our humanity: recognizing that we are not separate from the natural world and taking up our responsibility as an integral part of it. Our empathy, intelligence, and moral consciousness compels us to protect the intricate webs of life that sustain the health of the planet. As stewards of this balance, we must strive to ensure that future generations inherit a world where nature continues to flourish, so that the humanity of being human, can thrive as well.

Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature. ACNC is located just east of Route 62 between Warren and Jamestown. The trails are open from dawn to dusk and birds of prey can be viewed anytime the trails are open. The Nature Center is open from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily except Sunday when it opens at 1 p.m. More information can be found online at auduboncnc.org or by calling (716) 569-2345.

ACNC Summer Day Campers take turns holding and interacting with a garter snake, and learn more about why this often-feared animal is important to the ecosystem.