1) Cabela’s describes nature as something for humans to dive into and get as much out of it as possible. All of their gear promotes being “rugged” and to throw yourself into the midst of nature in the most daring ways possible. It uses nature to advertise its products since it is first and foremost a store, however, it builds upon that to become a “destination.” The huge mountain display, aquarium, and deer country exhibits (just to name a few) showcase some of the trophies that can be acquired from nature. These exhibits make the store feel more like a museum and add to the appeal of the business as a whole. Cabela’s version of nature is one that is there for the taking and humans should go explore and reap the benefits.

On the flip side, Hawk Mountain had a much more reserved display of nature. Their main attraction was the actual mountain, so they did not need a fake mountain or aquarium. Compared to the almost shove it down your throat take on nature in Cabela’s, Hawk Mountain let nature speak for itself. The museum was very fact based and focused on telling the story of Hawk Mountain and how it has evolved from a place of mass killings to a sanctuary. After hiking through the mountain and perusing the visitor center, I came away with a much more authentic feeling of nature than when I left Cabela’s. At Hawk Mountain, I felt as if nature had something to give in the form of a lesson. At Cabela’s, I felt as if I was supposed to forcefully take something from nature in order to experience it.

2) A lot of the gear we saw were recognizable, however there were some which surprised me. For instance, there was dirt-like material which would attract deer for hunters to use as bait. There were also rows upon rows of computer devices for fisherman to use on their boats in order to gauge the river, the location of the fish, and god knows what else. Most of the gear I saw always seemed to be outlayed with camo. A big theme of Cabela’s seemed to be to take something and just add a camo design. This could be anything ranging from a shirt to a doormat to a sofa. They even had pink camo for women which completely ruins the point of camo, but not the fashion sense I guess. This is just one example of how one could see Cabela’s was more focused on profiting from nature as opposed to conserving it.

The chapter And No Birds Sing mirrors the relation between humans and birds at Hawk Mountain in a different setting. In both cases, a large amount of birds were killed due to the ignorance of the human population. However, the killing of raptors at Hawk Mountain was a more active sport whereas the deaths of the robins was a passive result of human actions. While there are these differences between the two, a surprising similarity is that Hawk Mountain and Silent Springs were both the result of women taking action. This is surprising because both happened over 50 years ago when women were treated much differently and usually did not play such a big role in national movements. Both have become major successes for the environmental movement since they were constructed and written.

3) Each display at Cabela’s weaved a different tale. These stories ranged from big game hunting all the way down to local deer hunting. In these spots is where I witnessed the biggest change from the normal Cabela’s feel. People here were reading and learning as opposed to handling a firearm or figuring out the next way they were going to kill a deer. Despite this, the exhibits still had the Cabela’s undertones. For example, the big game hunting exhibit had pictures of the hunters with their kills. This detracted from the educational feel of the exhibit and gave it an arrogant, bragging-like feel instead. The other thing I find funny was when people would pose in front of the dead animals for pictures as if it were a zoo. I think the exhibits were interesting because they did make an attempt to make them look as “natural” as possible, however, the surrounding vibes the store gave off completely ruined it. Cabela’s is also humongous so there were people everywhere. This contrasted strongly with Hawk Mountain which had a much smaller portion of the population.

I was surprised by the way people acted up on the North Outlook. I think this was because I am not cultured in bird watching at all and had no idea what to expect. The first thing I noticed was the number of people. To me, it seemed like the lookout was crowded despite being not a busy day. If it were a busy day, I feel as if it would be a completely different experience. The next thing I noticed was the curt, efficient way all the watchers called out each bird they located. Other than the occasional callout for a bird, the mountain was relatively silent. This atmosphere was very peaceful and would be interrupted if there were a large amount of people there. It seemed as if most of the watchers came here to just share the space with the birds in silence. There was a mutual respect for the other veteran watchers, but as a student there asking questions, I felt as if we were interrupting this environment of theirs. When Terri and I were walking around Cabela’s, we were probably taking a lot louder and more so than when we were at Hawk Mountain, but I did not feel like I was intruding on anyone at anytime.

4) The overall business model at Cabela’s was aimed at as many people as possible, but I think it only really attracts a small portion of the population. With anything from clothes to couches to aquariums, there was something for everyone in the store. A family could come and each person could have something that interested them even if they all had different viewpoints. This being said, I still think a small sliver of the population actually comes for serious business. As mentioned above, it is portrayed as a “destination.” A lot of people come just to see what all the hype is about and say they have been to a Cabela’s. My family came once just to look around and gawk at the overall excessiveness of the store. There was nothing there that we were interested in buying, we just  wanted to see what all the hype was about. Despite all of the stuff for sale there, I think only a small fraction of people actually buy things. First off, most of the gear is top of the line so it is extremely expensive. A casual shopper is not going to go to Cabela’s to get some winter clothing or is even looking to buy a paddle board. A big part of their sales is also with the various weaponry they have. This ranged from a crossbow to an antique shotgun worth $10k. Hunters may have a use for some of these, but the majority of the weapons looked like they were for show. Someone mentioned in class that someone is not going to buy a handgun to hunt deer, and you do not need a gun as expensive as a car to go hunting. This high selling point for most of the stuff at Cabela’s really displays the audience they truly are catering to.

Raptors tend to get a bad reputation when they interfere with people’s daily life. For instance, sometimes they may attack or try and kill small dogs. After incidents like this, people are going to be more inclined to think that they are dangerous and could hurt humans. Raptors and wild animals are generally thought of as separate from day to day life which is why it is always such a big deal when one appears near us. A couple days ago, there was a deer near the Conway Residence Hall and at least five people I knew had it on their Snapchat stories. Pennsylvania is known for having quite a few deer and I am sure the majority of them had seen a deer before. And yet, it seemed like such a big occasion for them that they needed to take a picture and document it for others to see. This may also have something to do with the social media world we live in, but I think it demonstrates how removed most of us are from animals and nature. It is not that humans do not like animals, in fact, many are fascinated by them. There channels like Animal Planet and programs like Shark Week which attract millions of viewers. People enjoy going to zoos and seeing all the animals there as well. In these instances, I think people admire raptors. One of the most wanted super powers is the ability to fly. Learning about how birds’ wings are designed to fly and how fast a Peregrine Falcon can dive is fascinating to people. When we compare our own skill set with raptors, we admire how deadly and efficient they are out in the wild.

5) The mental image of Cabela’s that comes to mind is one that someone mentioned in class. They witnessed some fish eating other fish in the tank and some dead fish floating at the top of the tank as well Diver Dan manhandling the catfish. The aquarium was supposed to be an educational exhibit where people can learn about different types of fish. At first glance, that is what it looks like. Then, after stepping back and really looking at the display, one could see just how negligent Cabela’s really was. Their whole store tries to give off a “nature” feel, but this one example displays how much they actually might care about nature. Even within their own exhibit, they do not really care about the animals or wildlife. I think this little detail lets one see through the huge facade that Cabela’s has erected in its store.

On the flip side, my mental image of Hawk Mountain was much more positive. When Terri and I hiked off on our own, we met an older gentleman who was along the Escarpment Trail observing the birds away from the hustle and bustle of North Lookout. We talked to him for a couple minutes before moving along on our way. It was interesting to see how even at a sanctuary like Hawk Mountain, it was still too busy for some people. He seemed just as enthusiastic as the other people we saw on North Lookout and yet he would rather be at a different spot with maybe not as good a view just to have his own privacy. Out of all the people I witnessed on Hawk Mountain, he seemed the most in tune with his surroundings and the most at peace.

Whilst exploring the various forms of the culture that surrounds nature, nearly all prevalent and discussed attitudes have been positive and relatable from my standpoint. We have talked about nature – land, sea, animals, man, skies – adoringly, admiringly, appreciatively, thankfully, respectfully, curiously, nurturingly, thoughtfully. We have lauded its beauty and lamented its ill health, and we have all shared personal anecdotes of our encounters with it as a wondrous entity worthy of our inquiry. I felt we were challenged to peer over the ideological fence into a territory most of us find foreign in our adventures on Saturday.

The day began in comfortable territory, a gravel parking lot and a welcoming trailhead. The drive up to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary had become more picturesque with each turn we took, and the trees were tall around us as we walked up to the visitor center. However, the marketability of the destination was rapidly evident by the hordes of young boy scouts, families, and teen couples milling about the ticketing desk and gift shop. As we were asked to consider, I took note of the items for sale and the audiences they seemed to target. Being a young white woman from a treehugging family, I felt as though I was probably precisely the target audience. The type of merchandise available mirrored stereotypical interests of women and families. There were earrings, greeting cards, baby onesies and stuffed animals of various woodland critters. There were also practical items like hats and books and weather gear, as well as fair trade coffee and snacks. The goods appealed to an environmentally conscious consumer with an affinity for displaying that status.

It was interesting to note that once we were on the trail and at the cliff’s edge, this merchandise was not seen. The only people I saw with “Hawk Mountain” anything stitched into their apparel were those who worked at the sanctuary. Otherwise we seemed to be surrounded by everyday people with personally unique apparel and a simple affection for large birds of prey. It was here where I felt the cultures surrounding Hawk Mountain divided. At the center and before the viewpoint, visitors were loud and excitable, actively consuming as much information and visual stimuli as possible. Upon the ledge, the atmosphere was calm , unreflective of the cutting winds that brought the beautiful birds nearer and nearer to us. There was an unspoken respect between viewers and a clearly defined language between the veteran birders, and the experience was calming and uniting despite the cold. It felt like a respectful and thoughtful interaction with a nature we all felt at one with, and the juxtaposition of the farmlands on the horizons indicated a  purposefulness in that connection.

Though Hawk Mountain certainly had a tourist-y appeal, it was forgivable compared to what we encountered next at Cabela’s. Upon entering the “World’s Foremost Outfitter” I felt bombarded with camouflage, dead animals, and guns. I had expected it to be large, I had expected it to be absurd, but I had not expected it to be so violent. Following our peaceful and honestly humbling experience with the birders and their beloved subjects on the Hawk Mountain viewpoint, it was especially jarring to be confronted with racks upon racks of weapons and hunting apparel. I now know that if there is an article of clothing to be worn in this world, it is for sale at Cabela’s in some shade of camo.

But that was to be expected, after all, it’s a hunting store in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, land of the deer. What was most striking was the obviously intentional representation of man and nature vs. man in nature. The tendency was certainly to combine the two in a man over nature kind of sense. It would be difficult to say Cabela’s or its shoppers care not at all for the nature they consume, but the image portrayed in the big-game taxidermy and hunting trophy photos mounted on every free swath of wall was that the most important way to interact with nature was to dominate it. There is an underlying vibe of Cabela’s insistence that its consumers have the power to manipulate the nature around them, and that it is their 2nd amendment-given right to do so. The busy gun registration/check-out lines and various incarnations of guns for all ages incorporated this inclusive notion that nature is ours to take.

I am curious whether I would have felt so deeply uncomfortable at Cabela’s had we not just arrived from Hawk Mountain. I am also curious if I would have felt more or less uncomfortable had we not ended our time at Hawk Mountain with the slightly distressing Golden Eagle presentation. My main comparative takeaway between the two destinations was a curiosity about what a frequenter of one place (or similar) would think of the other. Would a Cabela’s enthusiast feel strange at Hawk Mountain? If so, for what reasons? Would they feel compelled to lower the numbers of certain kinds of raptors if they were reported in higher numbers? Would they wish there were snacks available on the trail? Or a history of the largest or otherwise most impressive birds “taken” at the sanctuary before it’s conservation designation? Likewise, would other more Hawk Mountain-y people (like I imagine much of the class would associate as) feel similarly dismissive or uncomfortable about the representation of a nature so deeply manipulated it barely mimics any kind of recognizable reality? Would either of these kinds of people walk away with a broadened perspective on whether their interpretation of the cultures of nature is best or not? I know I will pay more attention to merchandise in “outdoor” and “travel” stores from now on as well as the “information centers” of places of nature worship. I think these things have a lot more to do with our understanding of something that should be so innately ingrained in our culture than they ought to but given that we are at this point in consumer relations to “the great outdoors” I think it is most appropriate to consider how much is the right amount to control nature in our actions-violent or otherwise- and how much is the right amount to allow it to control us- as we wait for birds to fly by.

On our trip to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary I noticed a particular side of Nature, the center seemed to want its visitor to experience. The sanctuary wanted to immerse us I in Nature and let us observe some of the best that nature can offer.

Before going to Hawk Mountain we read a passage from Silent Spring, that discussed the harmful impacts of pesticides like DDT on animals besides insects, especially birds. These impacts were the result of human negligence toward the environment and brought to center stage by Rachel Carson. Similarly, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary was the result of a similar motivation by an environmentally concerned citizen. This citizen was the Sanctuaries founder, Rosalie Edge. Edge decided to purchase the 1400 acre site after discovering the thousands of hawks and other birds being shot from the sky by hunters seeking bounty or even simply for game. Carson even mentions Hawk Mountain in her book and acknowledges the significance of the work done by those who observed and tracked birds there on the site. This part of what people are attracts people to Hawk Mountain now, rather than hunting birds themselves they are there to watch them.

When I was on top of the mountain I found the scene to be much more lively than I anticipated. There were a group of ‘serious observers’ with scopes set up on tripods keeping an eye for birds. There was also a number of other employees from the Sanctuary giving us a background of Hawk Mountain and offer their own binoculars so that we might get a better view ourselves, the more casual observers.

The observers would shout out when they saw a bird in the distance, so that even the casual observers, could get a glimpse and the other trackers could I.D. the hawk. The moment that struck me the most was when one of them spotted a rare hawk, a Goshawk. Every one of the spotters stopped and went silent to watch this lone hawk glide across the sky. This is why they did it, standing out in the cold on a Saturday in late November, to get a chance to see a part of nature they find truly beautiful. This is what nature should be to those who work and visit Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.

…

Funny that when doing research on Hawk Mountain the ad next to a picture of dead hawks is for Cabela’s. 

Cabela’s obviously carried a lot different vibes than were found at Hawk Mountain. At Cabela’s it seems that nature is what man is of master of, Nature is conquered rather than something that we can observe or be a part of. To the average Cabela’s customer, it was sort of like they were selling you merchandise to help you on this quest and promoting man as the ultimate predator.

It wouldn’t be hard to create a profile of the average Cabela’s costumer; he’s probably a white male, middle-aged, probably has a wife and kids and can afford to shop for ‘competitively priced’ outdoors/hunting gear and have plenty of room to through whatever he buys in the bed of his pick-up. But Cabela’s wants this family man to bring in his family. There are very clearly distinct sections the store. While dad shops for a new gun or fishing rod, mom can take the kids to see the fish in Aquarium or the Deer County or go shopping for clothes and home-goods. Cabela’s is more of an experience than a place to go shopping. It’s why the first thing you see when you walk in is a Mountain of taxidermy. They are selling this experience and the guns, clothes, bait, furniture and food you buy are your souvenirs.

The displays themselves were rather impressive, especially the mountain. The display offered a few types of information. One was a touchscreen display, that offered a short description of the animals on display, showed a short video clip that creature in the wild and for some let you play that animals call through a speaker disguised as a rock.

The other information, visible on most of the taxidermy in the store, was the animals name and also the date it ‘taken’ and by whom. This was slightly more disarming, cause it was a reminder that everything on the hill was once a living animal now the center of a display as a trophy. This idea that nature was out there to be taken was one very clearly present in the store.

As with mentioned the mountain display, the Deer Country exhibit also displayed certain information. The hall included, I’m guessing, about 300 or so “trophy bucks” from across North America and the more prominent ones mounted on the walls with an article featuring the hunter and the bucks’ statistics. The stats, of course, were the point value assigned to the buck based on the B&C (Boone and Crockett Club) score. The scores are based on criteria like number of points on the antlers, the length of the spread and the length of points. According to the B&C website a typical record buck for Whitetails would rank somewhere in the 220 range. And though this room was seemed to highlight the hunt and glorify those who took these record bucks, it seems like it might not have been all about bagging the biggest buck but perhaps there was some conservationist promotion as well. On the way out of Buck Country was a sign overhead that read; “Ensure the beauty of the Outdoors – Support Wildlife Conservation”. This is arguably the most important sign in the store, but also probably the most widely ignored. Because I think the majority of people going to the store are not likely there to buy a gun to help contribute to conservationist efforts by hunting for the sake of population control.

There was another good quote I got out of the trip, taken from front of the biography Rosalie Edge, Rosalie Edge: Hawk of Mercy, found in the visitor center. The quote is actually the second subtitle of the book, ‘The activist who saved nature from the conservationists’. I think, in this case, the conservationists were the ones shooting hawks out of the sky about 80 years ago. These conservationists then, might have a lot in common with those leaving the Deer Country in Cabela’s, taking hawks or deer in the name of conservation or population control.

The trip to Hawk Mountain and Cabela’s over the weekend was certainly an enlightening experience, as well as for me, my first time bird watching. From walking into the main center at Hawk Mountain, you see that there is an appreciation for nature as well as efforts from staff to try and sustain their effort through merchandise and charging to walk the trails. Nature there is both depicted as honest but also as fragile, needing assistance for preservation, and this is why you can see the staff of Hawk Mountain trying to fundraise to support their efforts.

When I walked the trail and began to speak to our host and even fellow birdwatchers, I got the sensation that there was an “us against the world” mentality, and I would believe this to be true. This small sanctuary, where vital work is being done to try and understand migration patterns and the strength of bird populations, is trying to exist in a nation and a world that is still mostly tone-deaf when it comes to issues of the environment and supporting sustainability efforts. I felt out of place at Hawk Mountain; I felt as if the fellow birdwatchers on the North Lookout were scoffing at my presence there, as if it were just another college tour, and not someone who could possibly appreciate nature as much as they could. When Erik and I tried to strike up a conversation with a fellow taking pictures of passing birds, I quickly got the feeling that he did not want to talk to us, distract him from his task at hand, and that we were taking away from his experience. This “crossroads of naturalists” was seen nearly everywhere at Hawk Mountain: the gift shop more for the casual tourist, as they tried to raise funds, versus the museums, which were more for the avid bird watcher, the raptor show, where some people could understand that the bird was in duress, but others thought it was cool how an eagle was being controlled by a human. I always loved an approach to nature that was similar to Walt Whitman’s “Learn’d Astronomer”, and one that Professor Brandes discussed at his conference in California, where everyone regardless of experience was given a seat at the table. I did not get this feeling at Hawk Mountain.

I believe that if I had to pick one lasting mental image of Hawk Mountain in my brain it would be the look on everyone face when the first eagle flew past us. Being in that space with everyone and sharing in the sense of awe and amazement was a special experience, because there is nothing better than experiencing something incredible for the first time, and a lot of our class were doing this together. None of us were that cold yet, some were wondering if we would even see a single bird, and having that Golden Eagle fly past was a truly special experience. The picture for me that i will hold onto in my head is not of the actual bird, or the scenic overlook, but rather the look of amazement that all of us had. “Oh cool!” and “wow” were popular phrases being shared amongst the class, and I am glad that I was able to be a part of this.

I enjoyed in my experience in Hawk Mountain greatly, so long as I was able to make it my own. On our first hike at Great Ledges, every group we walked past said hello, conversations were struck, and even one group took their picture with us. Unfortunately at Hawk Mountain, I felt no such camaraderie, but I was happy I was able to share the experience with the professors and the class.

Cabela’s was a fun contrast to Hawk Mountain, and I am glad that the two were paired with one another on Saturday. I believe that there is a respect for nature in Cabela’s that, though it may be different than our class’s respect for nature, is certainly still existent. If I had to sum up Cabela’s in a sentence this is my best shot: Cabela’s is a reflection of our American culture, rather than our American culture being a reflection of Cabela’s. It is a destination for such people to travel to, to shop in, to even see all the different animals and feed the fish because it is an institution in our society, as it is easy to forget that there are other places in the country besides the Northeast. The taxidermy and all of the different animal landscapes were fascinating; the attention they derived was hopefully a healthy appreciation for seeing new species and animals that a person is genuinely interested in, as I was. Most of the questions I heard kids asking their parents in these sections were anatomical questions, or just where these animals live; natural, exciting kid questions that reflected a genuine interest in the animals and nature, though they may be depicted in a much more dramatic scene than is the real world.

I almost found Cabela’s more welcoming than Hawk Mountain simply based on the people who were there. For me, there was a sense of elitism at Hawk Mountain, where some people could somehow enjoy the experience more so than I could because I was less knowledgeable about birds than they were, but there was none of this at Cabela’s. I agree with almost none of the political or social views of the people who tend to work at or frequent Cabela’s, but I felt as if it was a welcoming place that revolved around people’s love for the outdoors.

Cabela’s grew out of an appreciation for nature, for sportsmen, and although the type of person who goes there to shop has changed, the store has tried to remain true to its roots. There is no doubt that its business model has adapted to try and remain relevant with its customers, such as with the 2nd Amendment signage as well as the funny slogans, but there is certainly at its core a nod to nature in nearly every corner of the store. I would say that most of the store is designated to products that would help people out in nature, to get out into the wilderness, and experience the great outdoors. For me, Cabela’s is much better than a video game store such as Gamestop, because it promotes an active relationship with nature, even though that relationship may evolve around hunting or other activities that are frowned upon by the general naturalist community.

If I had to select a lasting image of Cabela’s it would be the welcoming man at the door. His job is to say hello to every group who walks through those doors, and to ask them if they have any questions regarding their experience at Cabela’s. I felt that at Cabela’s, there was something for everyone; it was almost a great equalizer, in the sense that everyone had their own space, and could take away from the experience whatever they wanted to. The welcoming man at the door was not only welcoming you to Cabela’s, but also welcoming you to experience nature, one product at a time.

As the name suggests, Hawk Mountain is a place where the birds rule. The now-famous destination is visited by thousands of people who come to experience nature. From the visitor center at the base to the rocky outlook at the peak, Hawk Mountain is a living memorial for the awe-inspiring eagle populations. From the moment you step foot into the Hawk Mountain Visitor Center, you know that you are there for the birds. Pictures, statues, stuffed animals, and books fill every free inch of the facility. The focus on these winged creatures is overwhelmingly informative. Educational pieces are carefully placed throughout, allowing the visitors to learn as they go. It seems almost impossible to leave Hawk Mountain without a better understanding of eagles and their migratory tendencies. A closer look, however, reveals the significance of the center’s focus. While strolling around the building, one begins to understand the “story of place” that belongs to the picturesque Pennsylvanian hill. From an environmentalist’s perspective, the history of Hawk Mountain can be seen as a place that has transformed from death and destruction into a place where the birds are celebrated and protected. The birds, which were once hunted for pleasure, are now a symbol of nature that is constantly celebrated for its profound beauty. While much of the Hawk Mountain experience is upheld by human development, the meaning of Hawk Mountain as a whole serves not only as an educational advocate for nature, but also as a memorial for uninterrupted beauty which nature provides.

Today, Hawk Mountain is a place to admire the annual migration of healthy eagle populations, however, the strength of these species has never been assured. Decades ago, the extinction of the Bald Eagle seemed imminent. In the early and mid 1990s, widespread hunting and chemical dispersion put the fate of countless eagle populations in jeopardy. During these times of struggle, Hawk Mountain became a place where scientists would develop factual evidence of the human induced threats that the birds were facing. In her book Silent Spring, famous environmentalist Rachel Carson noted that the declining counts of eagles on Hawk Mountain was a direct result of DDT use across the country. Her work helped raise awareness for the environmental harms of DDT and the threats that they posed to various bird species. Since then, annual bird counts taken from the top of Hawk Mountain have served as critical tools in monitoring the strength of the bird populations.

Beyond the scientific significance that is so central to Hawk Mountain’s story, is a place where scientists, tourists, and nature lovers alike can come together to experience the great outdoors. During peak migration season, the mountaintop can often resemble a busy Manhattan corner, with bundled up birdwatchers perched atop each and every rock. Despite the crowds, the hikers and birdwatchers remain mostly silent as the visitors admire the views with their eyes instead of their words. The occasional “bird over 5,” or “I’ve got two way up high,” makes up the majority of the conversation. As an Eagle appears on the horizon, slowly gliding towards the mountain, a sense of excitement becomes evident in the crowd. There is a shear beauty to the birds that everyone can admire. They glide back and forth upon the wind currents, twist and turning with the grace of a falling leaf. The spectators stare up in awe, as if admiring a shooting star or the famous Blue Angels in a choreographed air show.

While this is a pretty bad photo, I think it is significant to the Hawk Mountain experience. I was riveted by the gliders and the similarities that their flight patterns had with the eagles. It is a great example of man trying to be like a bird.

The birds come and go. So do the people. Filing up and down the mountain by the thousands, the people who visit Hawk Mountain leave with very little. The nature photographer leaves with some images, the family with a stuffed animal and the bird watcher with a memory. What all these visitors share, however, is a respect for the natural. Often considered as a “Crossroads of Naturalists,” Hawk Mountain offers a unique perspective of environmental conservation. On the façade, Hawk Mountain is an undeniable tourist destination. Parking lots sprawl through the woods for acres, dozens of staff roam about, and well constructed trails lead even the most fragile city-dweller to the top of the mountain. Despite all this, Hawk Mountain is a place where nature is honored. The people who visit are there to experience a phenomenon that is entirely non-human. The migration of the eagles is something that we hope to have no control over. Instead, we look on in envy as the birds soar past the mountain. At Hawk Mountain, we are celebrating the intrinsic value that nature provides.

A short trip down the road and one can leave behind the crisp mountain air for welcoming arms of consumer America. Occupying 250,000 sq. ft. of floor space, the colossal Cabela’s Retail Store can be defined as many things. Whether it’s a redneck vacation destination, the ultimate zombie-apocalypse hideout or your one-stop hunting shop, the “World’s Foremost Outfitter” offers just about anything that the avid outdoorsman could ever squeeze onto his holiday wish list. Gliding through the rows of jacked-up pickup trucks towards the immense log structure, one can’t help but curiously question the unique sense of nature that the store is attempting to provide. Step through the sliding doors and the Cabela’s greeter immediately welcomes you. “Welcome folks, only 40 days until Christmas… nothing says I love you like a brand new shotgun from Cabela’s!” Despite being momentarily thrown off by this introduction, my concentration immediately shifts to the stores cherished centerpiece. Beyond the horizon of trees (camouflaged hunting clothes) rises a towering mountain covered in… dead animals.

A closer look reveals an interesting dichotomy between man and nature. Life-like taxidermy animals are perched all around the display. A massive black bear is propped in a killing position next to a small sign that says, “taken illegally” with a disclaimer describing the shame in illegal poaching. Does it really matter how the animal was “taken?” It seems trivial for Cabela’s to make this disclaimer when many dead animals fill their store. Nonetheless, almost every shopper stops to take a look at the animals. Many are hunters, carefully examining the prized trophies. Others simply stare. I too can’t help but feel strongly about the exhibit. The animals are beautiful and I can’t help but admire the balance between power and grace that they represent. Despite my awe, the exhibit still feels wrong to me. Maybe it’s the terminology; “taken,” “his kill,” “harvested,” that seems so barbaric and unnatural.

As I stroll through the Deer Country exhibit, I continue asking myself similar questions. Why does this store need to display so many dead deer? What right do we have to take their lives? Is this really nature? In the trophy room, a sleeveless man with a buck tattooed on his bicep shoots me a dirty look. His children dart from trophy to trophy, exclaiming facts about the different types of deer that they likely learned from hunting their father. This observation is important because it reminds me that my perception of nature isn’t the only perception that exists. In Cabela’s one can find a respect for nature that relies on a healthy interaction with the natural rather than distant observation. Hunters, in essence, rely on the preservation of nature to continue practicing the skill that they cherish. In that regard, one could argue that the hunter, while different than the bird watcher on Hawk Mountain, has equal respect for a different type of nature.

Despite the family-friendly atmosphere which Cabela’s markets, the store can’t hide its overwhelmingly masculine character. Tucked away in the corners of the behemoth shopping center are home decoration and cooking sections. Distinctly separated from the hunting and fishing supplies. Hunting and fishing are largely male dominated endeavors and often provide a man with an “escape from his wife.” Thus, it seems very intentional that the hunting sections are very far away from the home departments of the store. Like the hunting and fishing departments, the home decorations section tells its own story. These areas are likely constructed to appeal or distract the female shoppers, who have likely come to the store with their husbands and families. Even in these stereotypically feminine departments, the merchandise emulates a strong sense of masculinity. Decorative signs read messages such as “shopping at Cabela’s with your wife is like hunting with the game warden,” and “If she cooks and lets me hunt, she’s a keeper.” One can’t help but wonder if the women milling about these departments actually want to be there at all.

Downstairs in the gun section, the focus on nature is all but lost. Patrons take numbered tickets and wait in line for service at the gun counter as if waiting to buy a pound of turkey at the local deli. Buzzwords like “self-defense” and “protect my rights” can be heard throughout various conversations. Shoppers grab shotguns off the racks, holding them to their shoulders and pointing them to the ceiling as if imagining a duck in their sights. Signs strictly read “18+ to handle the weapons,” while fathers guide their wide-eyed toddlers through shelves of lead and semi-automatic weapons. Pink guns for their daughters, and M16 replica pellet guns for the young men. The gun section goes beyond the hunter’s needs. Offering a myriad of handguns and assault rifles that look like they belong in a military armory, rather than a civilian shopping center. It’s off-putting, all of these weapons in one place. It was this department of the store that really through off the nature dynamic for me. The guns take away from any respect for nature and replace it with a focus on death and destruction.

To the keen observer, a visit to Cabela’s in a distinctly unique experience. First and foremost, Cabela’s is a company that seeks to profit off of the sale of outdoor supplies. When considering the store’s definition of nature, one must remember that its overarching goal is to sell product. The company is unselfishly marketing itself to a type of consumer that they are trying to sell to. Cabela’s is more than a store, however, it is also an entertainment experience. Nonetheless, one cannot forget that this experience is meant to appeal to a very narrow demographic. But, the people who shop at Cabela’s undoubtedly have some interest in or passion for the environment. While they may be unlikely to consider themselves preservation environmentalists, hunters and fishers rely on the health of the environment as much as the bird watchers atop Hawk Mountain. Within the store, one can find a constructed nature that is intended to appeal to those shopping in the store. After all, if you aren’t a hunter or fisher, you are unlikely to have much of a reason to make the trip. Thus, although they appeal to very different demographics, both Cabela’s and Hawk Mountain alike successfully provide an outlook on nature that benefits those who seek out each experience.

“A Leaf of A Stream” in front of the Tetons.

“A Leaf of A Stream” in front of Cabela’s

Extra Note: A lot of us were intrigued by the statue outside of Cabela’s at the time, it seemed out of place, extravagant, and historically inaccurate. As it turns out, the statue is actually came from one of my favorite places on earth, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. There is a interesting story behind the statue. Does it seem out of place in either of these locations?

“Since the beginning of time, men of all races and nations have sought out the far away and distant places. Legends have been born because of this ambition. Men have pushed themselves to forge oceans, climb the highest mountains and explore the bottoms of the seas. This spirit was at its highest with the settlement of the Americas and so was born the great American heroes that settled our country. 

Daniel Boone was one of these great Outdoorsmen that became famous during his life, for his exploration and brave acts. Others became American legends, not realizing they would be celebrated in history books two hundred years in the future. Some of the outdoorsmen and explorers were Lewis and Clark. Their loyal young guide and hunter, John Colter, traveled with them to the Pacific and returned almost to St. Louis. Not quite back to the boundaries of civilization, he asked for permission to leave the expedition and return to the unknown Rocky Mountains. He became the first White man to explore the Yellowstone. The human life expectancy in the wilderness was six months. If you made it that long, the mountain men would say, “That boy gets the Boone and Crocket stamp.” 

This is a small piece of our history, but it has engraved the outdoor spirit into many of us. It has molded us into people that are eager and thirsting for the outdoors. We always want to get into the big woods or just go see what is on the other side of the mountain. Daniel Boone was quoted for saying late in his life, “my life was like a leaf on a stream, twirling, drifting back and forth, but always going forward”. This sculpture is not of Daniel Boone, but rather a salute to all of the men that came before us and made the woods, mountains and rivers ours.” – (Vic Payne Studio) 

Hawk Mountain Conservatory and Cabela’s have very different views of what nature is. An evaluation of the two could not be a better comparison of the different cultures of nature. Hawk Mountain is a bird sanctuary that currently hosts thousands of visitors each fall. It is a popular tourist destination where people come from all different places to view the unique raptor migration. Cabela’s is at the completely different end of the nature spectrum, it is a created “nature” that promotes consumerism of products for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreational activities. The cultures of nature that are featured in both Hawk Mountain and Cabela’s challenge us to define and reshape our own relationship with nature and the outdoors.

When you first walk into the Hawk Mountain Visitor Store you see a plethora of interactive maps and modules that appeal to youth. They are not very extravagant but appeal to younger generations who are entranced by the lights and buttons you are able to press. As you travel deeper into the store you see a simple glass counter display cabinet that hosts a plethora of brochures and other little knick-knacks in stained woven baskets. Opposite to that there is a shelving unit that holds a coffee thermos with a donation jar requesting a twenty-five cent donation per shot of Java. The wall is lined with packages of coffee for sale, as well as GORP and other snacks. As you travel deeper into the small store there is a rack of wilderness puppets and songbirds that chirp when you pick them up. There is a wall of sweatshirts, t-shirts, and vests with that have the hawk mountain conservatory logo stitched into the left breast. In the back corner there is a display of hats and socks with patterns of chipmunks and eagles. The central display is made up of books. The literature is mostly centered about the conservation of birds but also “how-to” books for bringing nature home. The backside of the store is sitting area for people to watch birds as the feed on the feeders that are hung in the trees. Identification posters are hung above the windows for people who choose to sit there and watch the birds.

Nature according to the Hawk Mountain store is made up of education, conservation, and a touch of consumerism. They are selling a version of nature that is something to be preserved and admired. The historical part the visitor center is unique because it is completely devoted to the birds that migrate over Hawk Mountain. There is a human story to this site, but it is pretty much left out of the story so that the concentration is on conservation.

The top of Hawk Mountain it is quite the site. The landscape is rural, with little of pockets of villages and towns that look very small. The trees have all lost their leaves at this point and the only green left is that from the pines that don’t lose their needles. At least 50 people, including us, have gathered at its rocky face. The air is frigid, but people are bundled and sit still quietly while they observe. When we first come there are no birds around and I begin to get restless with the cold. Dr. Laurie Goodrich, the Senior Conservation Biologist, our host explains to us the different locations where people are calling out bird sightings. Just as she begins to explain, an older gentleman on top of the hill calls out “over head” and a raptor flies south, 300 feet or so above us. Everyone’s head tilts up in unison, desperate to see the beautiful creature float on by. The larger birds are more graceful, very rarely flapping their wings to stay in the air. Laurie explains to us that the birds are in essence surfing the air like humans would surf in the ocean. The wind current pushes them south with little energy exerted from the bird. It is a beautiful and majestic site, even from far away. In the distance you can see glider planes that flip in the air. They use this ridge the same way the birds do to stay a float in the sky.

After sitting on top of this mountain for a few hours, it becomes clear why this location is referred to as the “Crossroads of Naturalists.” I have no idea where any of these people are from, what they do for a living, or how they came to discover Hawk Mountain. I do know that they are all here to observe the wonder and magic of the raptors. Their definition of nature is set by the birds, by beauty, by conservation, and observation.

Cabela’s has a completely different way of defining nature. It a destination for people seeking taxidermy, gun licenses, outdoor apparel and so much more. When you first walk into Cabela’s you are astonished by the size of the store. It rivals the size of a football stadium of a small college. It is designed to have cozy cabin feel, paneled with wooden beams and painted with earthy tones. Everywhere you look there is another stuffed animal that was murdered for no other reason than to be a trophy on a wall. Each section of the store is broken down into different categories, there are also different sections of taxidermy. There is a polar scene, a safari scene, an American wilderness scene, a pond scene that included live fish, as well as an aquarium that featured live fish. The consumer sections include general apparel for the outdoors, a fishing section, home and cabin furnishings, a food court, a camping section, and of course the gun outlet. At Cabela’s, nature is defined through consumerism.

Consumerism, however, has competing narratives in the Cabela’s story. First you have the people who are there purchasing shotguns. These people have absolutely no connection to nature. Shotguns are not used for hunting; they are used for “protection” and for killing people. They have no place being in an “outdoors store” but if there is a demand by consumers, the sellers will sell. On the other side of the spectrum you have the camping section, for people who feel like they need to be in nature to experience it. It is full of hiking backpacks, tents, lanterns and other camping items.

Another way people experience nature is through the taxidermy. The animals are not alive, but they are lifelike and people come to see them. This is part of what makes Cabela’s into such destination for families to come here. I witnessed a little girl ask her father about a stuffed fawn in the “Deer Country” and he responded “Yes, that’s Bambi!” This was particularly disturbing to me because this little girls experience with nature appears like it has only ever been through a cartoon movie and a taxidermy hall of fame full of stuffed dead deer. The Taxidermy was also interactive at the central display where you could push the touch screen and hear different noises the animals made, pictures of them, and videos.

The signage in Cabela’s made for many different contradictory views of nature. In the Deer Country section above the exit there is sign that says, “Ensure the Beauty of the Outdoors- Support Wildlife Conservation.” They have this sign placed over the exit of a room filled with over 200 dead dear who are only seen as important because of how many “points” they have on their antlers. You don’t see any does hanging above anyone’s mantel because they are not considered a trophy. That exhibit does not support conservation- it supports a selfish human practice to elevate our self-esteem.

Other signs featured in Cabela’s said “Its in Your Respect for Tomorrow. Its in Your Nature.” There are many ways to interpret this sign, and it is also pretty contradictory. The first sentence implies that one should practice conservation, but the other that it’s in your nature to hunt or fish. This sign is up for interpretation, much like most of the items in Cabela’s.

Cabela’s version of nature is different for every person who walks into it. I wouldn’t be so quick to judge the people who walk into that store and say that they are hunting or killing obsessed, but rather than they view nature in a very different way than the people at Hawk Mountain viewed nature. Your interpretation of Cabela’s is based a lot on what culture of nature you grew up with. If you grew up in a household where hunting was praised, it is a seen as a mecca for all things hunting. On the other hand, if you grew up in a place where there was no guns or hunting, going into the gun section might frighten you.

One similarity I viewed at both Hawk Mountain and Cabela’s was that everyone was for the most part white and of middle to upper class. I don’t know if that is a result of the region of Pennsylvania where these two destinations are located, or is it that experiencing nature is reserved for white upper-middle class Americans. I have been to many national parks up and down the east coast, and it is very rare to see people of color interacting with nature. I would be interested to see the different demographics of people who go to national parks and people who shop at places like Cabela’s.

However at Cabela’s gender distinctions were obvious, while at Hawk Mountain there was none. Each individual section, such as fishing, hunting, and home goods had its own minimal section that was supposed to appeal to women or girls. The fishing section had pink rods, the hunting section had pink guns and pink camouflage blankets. In the home section the gender distinctions were more obvious with signs featured that said “I let her shop so I can hunt” and pink camouflage bedding for little girls.

Hawk Mountain and Cabela’s offer two different cultural interpretations of nature. Hawk Mountain promotes conservation while Cabela’s is based off of consumerism. It would be wrong to say that Hawk Mountain is only about conservation, when they are clearly making a profit off of their gift store. Cabela’s is not purely a consumer destination because it promotes conservation in its signage and outdoor recreation. The comparison of the two offers an interesting spectrum of how one can view nature- conservation, consumerism, or someplace in between.

Upon arriving to Hawk Mountain, you could tell that it is a popular tourist destination. Immediately as I stepped out of the van I was trampled over by a bunch of young Boy Scouts hastily making their way to the visitor center. By the time I made it to the visitor center it was packed with people every which way you looked. As I walked around the center I was able to learn a lot about the sanctuary, its history and its governing principles and ideals. The mountain used to be a spot where people go together and killed mass amount of raptors, as the public saw raptors as vermin and thought they would cause a great threat to their populations of livestock. In 1934, Rosalie Edge, an advocate for birds of prey bought the mountain and it became a sanctuary to conserve birds of prey. Rosalie saw the importance of raptors to the ecosystem and understood their role as indicators of ecosystem health, as they point out the underlying health of ecosystems. They also benefit farmers and their farmland because they prey on mice, voles and insects. Later, in 1962 Rachel Carson use Hawk Mountain as an example in Silent Spring to raise awareness about birds of prey. In her book she talks about how while sitting up on the North Lookout fewer and fewer eagles were being seen. She emphasized the negative impacts of DDT on the bird populations.

Today, according to the sanctuary, they feel it is important that research, education, training and environmental advocacy are emphasized. These four aspects are evident not only in the visitor center but also while at the North Lookout point. While sitting at the lookout point there was an incredible atmosphere. With everyone working together, people sharing equipment and the usuals helping the newcomers, it was a great environment to be in. There were people off all different backgrounds. One side of the mountain was occupied by clearly more experienced watchers, people from the sanctuary who were keeping the official bird count, and people who are at home citizen scientists. On the other side there was a mix but mostly everyday people taking day trips up to the mountain wanting to learn about birds of prey. While sitting on the mountain as people would see birds they would yell out the location, high or low and what type it was, allowing everyone to learn and experience. However, it was clear while up at north lookout point that Hawk Mountain is a tourist destination and it was definitely not an experience of solitude and reflection, as there were people every which way you looked.  

We ended our time at Hawk Mountain with a showing of a golden eagle from a local educational center. As soon as the bird handler removed the eagle from the van the whole crowd gasped, it was beautiful. As the handler chauffeured the eagle to the front of the crowd, every single person (except the members of our class) took out their phones and cameras to snap photos the magnificent creature. The whole time the bird was in front of the crowd, it was clear that it was anxious. As the bird was perched in front on the handler’s arm, it let out an uncomfortable groan, and it did not stop. For 20 minutes straight. As they opened the discussion up for questions, the crowd was so curious, asking so many questions that they had to cut the session off and not everyone got to ask their questions. It was really nice to see how curious all the people there are about birds of prey and educating themselves. Although the presence of the golden eagle did provide an element of education that I didn’t get from sitting on the north lookout, it was at the same time a very sad experience. It was clear that the bird was uncomfortable and had had enough. The handler noticed the bird was starting to get antsy and needed to go back in the van, but he gave us a couple more minutes to get some last minute pictures of the bird’s wing span- and not but a few minutes later did the bird jump off the arm of the handler and head straight for a woman’s head.

Fast forward just one hour and there I was standing among hundreds of animals, ranging from everyday animals like deer and raccoons to polar bears and elephants. All dead. All stuffed. It was quite the opposite experience from Hawk Mountain. As I stood next to the huge mountain in the middle of the store I examined the taxidermy. When you look at each individual animal there is a plaque in front of it that says the specie name, who ‘took’ them and where they were taken. It is an understatement to say that I felt a little bit out of place, “Hi, my name is Jackie Cirincione, I have been a vegetarian for about 5 years and grew up in a household that rehabilitated wildlife.”  

I continued walking and I arrived in a room called Deer Country where there are hundreds of deer packed into one room. Hanging on the walls are the ‘world record breaking deer.’ On each individual plaque that hang on the there is a description that glorifies the best deer that have ever been  killed and a news article about the killing and who did it. As a stand there it was very interesting to me to hear the people talking about all the different types of deer. Listening to a father explain to his son the types of deer, their defining characteristics etc. Continuing on my journey through the store, I encountered the Africa section where they have zebra, hippopotamuses, elephants etc. all displayed. Next to the elephant there is a photo of Cabela himself next to the dead elephant with the location of where in Africa he was when he killed the elephant. While I was in each of these exhibits the interactions between the consumers and the exhibits was fascinating. I saw many people taking selfies with the animals. One little girl and her mother took a selfie in front of the elephant and when the were looking at it daughter said to her mom, “It’s cool because it looks like we were in the jungle!”

Cabela’s is truly an experience, between the taxidermy displays, the interactive games, the restaurants and the gift shop. However, at the end of the day it is a retail store that sells hunting, fishing and camping supplies. There are plenty of everyday household goods to buy but almost all of them have a connection with hunting. For example you can find couches (in a camouflage design), chandeliers (made of deer antlers), seat covers for your car (in a camouflage design) etc. While browsing the racks you can see popular clothing brands like The North Face and under armor but with a Cabela’s twist. I would go as far to say that at least 80% of the apparel, gear and household items come in a green camouflage for men and a pink camouflage design for women. Whether it’s a fleece jacket, Philadelphia Eagles apparel or car mats they all have the pink option. No one who is actually going to go out to hunt is going to wear pink to camouflage themselves, perhaps Cabela’s is contributing to a whole other conversation about gender and gender roles. Additionally, they also have a bunch of products that I have never seen before, such as a game strap (which comfortably holds 23 birds).They have a product there called ‘Gulp! Alive!’ which is a mimic of an actual fish. The fish you can buy is a natural presentation of a real fish in action, scent and taste and it lives longer and is more durable than a real fish.

Like I said before, the atmosphere at Cabela’s is much more than just a store, they create an experience. Not only do they have their merchandise for sale but they also provide customers with displays, interactive games and exhibits, restaurants, a gift shop. You don’t plan to just run into Cabela’s and just grab something, you plan to stay for a few hours. Although I did not particularly enjoy my experiences at Cabela’s I did learn a lot and it did cause me to think from another perspective and think about the different cultures of nature. After my visit I concluded that I do think that there is a value in taxidermy, in the form of educational experiences. A person can learn a lot about an animal from seeing it in person and being able to visually explore.  However at Cabela’s I found the amount of taxidermy to be excessive and not used for an educational purpose. I felt like that the taxidermy and the atmosphere and experiences in the store were there to emphasize the thrill of the game and the desire to kill for the take home trophy. I felt similarly with the way in which they define nature. In Cabela’s nature can be seen as a trophy, a sport and a game. At this store man dominates nature, “it’s in your nature” is their slogan.  Many of the consumers at Cabela’s are people who are going there to buy guns which they will use to kill and catch their own food, people who find nature to be a commodity and something that they should be using. What it comes down to between me, and I can assume the people Hawk Mountain, having different values of nature than the people who shop at Cabela’s. Who is to say that my values are right and theirs aren’t? I know that I will never agree or find value in killing for the take home trophy or killing for my own food but after this field trip my eyes were opened to a different lifestyle and set of values that I can do nothing but acknowledge and understand as a reality in our country.

After spending multiple hours at both Hawk Mountain and Cabela’s this past Saturday, and after much time thinking about the relationships they have to each other, to people, and to the environment, I was able to compartmentalize each place’s role in society. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary didn’t seem like an unusual site to visit for our class (which might generalize that everyone in our class is interested in nature and its conservation) but Cabela’s was equally as important for our class to see –how the “other half lives”. My initial feeling of both places, Hawk Mountain fitting our stereotype while Cabela’s did not, was slowly broken down after the time spent at each location.

Hawk Mountain is considered a “traffic bottleneck” for birds migrating south for winter, according to Rachel Carson. At first, back in the day when conservation was a rare word to come by, hunters abused this vantage point until the 1930’s when it was converted into a sanctuary to stop the killing of raptors. This spot is very popular amongst bird watchers, students, boy scout troops, environmentalists etc. because the scene is awe-inspiring. At first I wasn’t too enthused by the bitter cold and the craggy rocks, but I was soon convinced of the beauty of the spot. This spot proves that those birds’ migration have been unaffected by humans over thousands of years, and the Sanctuary’s existence allows for them to continue on. Those of us perched on the mountainside were learning, teaching, and observing with each other, which is reminiscent of other experience’s I’ve had in nature but never in a department store. The people on the mountain were young and old, from near and far, and most had the same goal of being there- to watch the raptors drift with the exceptional winds provided by the landscape. Maybe some were forced to be there or just wanted views of the autumn landscape, but everyone was seeing and hearing the same things. No one is intentionally excluded from experiencing Hawk Mountain Sanctuary while that didn’t seem the case in Cabela’s.

The health and abundance of birds of prey in the US is a reflection of the country’s regard and regulations for human and environmental health. Herbicides and pesticides were not regulated, which means that they weren’t tested before widely implemented across massive regions. It was apparent at this time that the United States’ love for industry prevailed and the environment lost. Cabela’s reminds me of that time, it seems caught in the past while the rest of the nation is moving forward. Cabela’s average consumer would be on Hawk Mountain pre-1930’s conservation movement. Today’s Hawk Mountain sanctuary hiker would rarely be seen in a Cabela’s store. Although the stores are filled with merchandise from hunting to camping to home décor, the taxidermy and store environment cater to an audience that views nature through different lenses. The audience might not always be there for nature, which was the issue my group encountered while roaming the store. So many guns, so many people buying guns, and so little regard for who and what they’re buying. This statement is bold, but we were shocked at the quantity of handguns Cabela’s sold because they are a recreation store that promotes hunting, not defending oneself.

Both locations are considered great establishments, using nature to further their establishments. Both locations are also very dependent on the animals. If Hawk Mountain didn’t serve the birds during migration, no one would fund the organization. If hunted animals went extinct, much of Cabela’s business would flounder. I believe that Cabela’s relationship with Hawk Mountain isn’t direct, but Cabela’s supports hunters who shoot animals, which may include birds of prey. Hunting is a past time and it built this country’s industry in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, yet in today’s situation I believe that sport hunting of animals with low populations falls below the importance of animal and nature conservation.