"Bring us your tired, your poor . . ." we are a land of immigrants. In 2007 an Ad Hoc committee was formed to address the problem of the Tundra Swan, a native arctic swan, some of which winter along the Delaware, New Jersey and Chesapeake Maryland shore lines. The result of the committee’s work is a comprehensive report and guidelines to encourage the Tundra at the expense of the Mute Swan considered an immigrant and a shallow feeding bird which could "potentially" be problematic. Little was said about man’s damage to the Chesapeake forcing the Tundra onto fields to feed.

The nativist movement of the 1830's with its often violent struggle against immigration is still going strong. But when you can’t kill the ones you want . . .take your guns and kill the ones you can. Was underlying resentment against immigration taken out on our local non-migrating ; long time resident and beloved Mute Swans? What kind of repressed anger was unleashed to do such a thing?

There are more devastating species that need the attention of scientists and stewards of our natural world. Have you been plagued by Riverton Japanese beetles? Have you had your oak trees denuded by gypsy moths? Have you lost beehives to the aggressive African bees that are spreading throughout the southern part of our Country? And there is some sort of imported python in Florida that has thrived to the detriment of lots of creatures. (What were they thinking!) Has your lawn been fouled by the detritus of the abundant Canada goose ~ a native to North America? But if you’ve read Mitchner’s Chesapeake, or not, the sound of geese overhead can bring you to tears of gratitude and awe. The fact is, immigrant species or native ~ some create problems.

All or nothing thinking . . . a wiser perspective

But, to continue about immigrants. . . have you as well, had your life enhanced by knowing and growing to love your neighbors who happen to be of a different faith and country of origin than your ancestors? Have you gained from a benefit of an "immigrant" who contributed something alien but beautiful to your otherwise drab and narrow existence? Has the majesty and elegance of the Mute Swan enriched your experience and carried you to a more gracious and leisurely time - raising your spirit and bringing a sense of appreciation for your ability to witness some beauty and strength in a world fraught with horrors? There is an alternative to just eliminating immigrant species. . . because if " being an immigrant" is the only criteria, then we’ll all have to go!

Can we re-evaluate our attitude about immigrant species and consider the good as well

as note the cost. It rarely is an all or nothing situation. When it is, humane elimination or management is an option. When we, as a concerned and responsible society, decide to eliminate or save an immigrant species, we would wisely balance the possible costs with anticipated gains. Blind prejudice against the Mute Swan is to take an all or nothing stand which implies risk to the rest of us.

Why shouldn’t the swans be allowed to eat 8 pounds of submerged vegetation a day in an open and expansive area that has obviously supported them and brought nature lovers to the Meadows for generations?

Oh, that’s right, it’s too late to consider better thinking. . . our swans are gone.

Lucinda R. Lewis #2 Layton’s Lake Drive , Carney’s Point, NJ 0069 856-769-2678