Habitat for Wildlife

* Re “Wildlife Losing Area Habitat to Development,” Nov. 28.

I was surprised that this article made no mention of the community of Oak Park. By building some residential tracts at a relatively high density, the developer of our community was able to set aside more than half the land area as open space. More than 1,300 acres are now owned by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, to remain undeveloped. Additional public acres having only minimal development as parklands include the significant streams.

Creek beds have been left unpaved so that runoff can replenish the water table. When development impacts natural springs where wildlife could drink, artificial springs are created. Where streams cross under roads, the culverts are extra large to create migration corridors. When a large oak tree falls in the open space or along a stream, it is left in place to provide shelter for small animals. (Collecting firewood is prohibited.)

Oak Park is an urban community of about 14,000 integrated with a wildlife habitat.

DAVID E. ROSS

Oak Park

* Now that researchers have confirmed that development is isolating species that need to traverse migratory corridors to survive, what can be done about it? Are people going to continue to study the disappearance of these animals until they are all gone?

Ventura and adjacent counties should make protecting these corridors an urgent priority before it’s too late.

JOCELYN DE VAULT

Newbury Park