2 . The words “protect animals” appear everywhere in books and on screens since some animals are in danger of dying out. But sometimes the reality can be a little different from what people read or watch.

About 300 black bears were killed in Florida, the US, in October, 2015. It’s been the first bear hunt since 1994.

Animal protection groups were against this decision. But local officials explained that the black bear population had grown to 3,500 and become a menace to local people. In the past two years, bears have hurt at least four people in Florida.

This brings an old question back into the spotlight — which is more important, protecting animals or protecting people’s interests(利益)?

This question is asked in other countries too. In Switzerland, a wolf was sentenced to death by the Swiss government months ago. This is because the wolf killed 38 sheep and local people lost a lot of money. Days ago in China, three old men were arrested for killing a serow (鬣羚), a protected species. But they insisted they didn’t know about this and killed the animal because it ruined their crops.

However, these stories don’t always mean that animal protection stops due to human interests, especially involving economic development. A man named Zhou Weisen set up a wild animal base in Guilin, Guangxi. He saved over 170 tigers and 300 bears. But his base also offered jobs to local people.

“There may never be a standard answer to the question of whether we should give more attention to the environment or human development,” said Robert May, a British biologist at Oxford University. “But we shouldn’t push either one to the side, as the future is hanging in the balance.”

5 . As we all know, trees are not moving: they stay more or less where you plant them, and no one worries about finding a tree wandering around a park or backyard.

However, there is one special exception, some say: the so - called walking palm tree (Socratea exorrhiza) found in the rainforests of Central and South America. Many people believe it can really walk around. This is because of its unusual root system; while most trees have one trunk (树干), the palm breaks into many smaller roots a few feet of the ground, giving it the appearance of many little legs.

The amazing walking ability of the palm tree has always been told by rainforest guides to tourists for years, and appears in many sources of documents as an amazing plant adaptation. As journalist Sherry Seethaler writes in her book Curious Folks Ask 2, “Screen writers searching for the perfect B - movie plant hero could take inspiration from the walking palm. The tree walks slowly from shade to sunlight by growing new roots toward the light.”

A tree that walks in search of the sun is a fascinating, strange story. And it's not true, either; the tree is real enough, but it doesn't walk. It sits where it began to grow, not moving except under the force of wind.

Biologist Gerardo Avalos is one of the world's top experts on the Socratea exorrhiza. His analysis of the plant and its roots shows that the walking tree can't walk because its roots don't move. A few roots on one side or another may die of, but the trunk itself remains, well rooted to the spot.

“My paper proves that the belief of the walking palm is just a myth (谎言) ,” Avalos said. “Thinking that a palm tree could actually track the sunlight changes by moving slowly over the forest floor. . . is a myth that tourist guides find its amusing to tell the visitors to the rainforest.”

8 . When you think of a national park, you generally picture fresh air and wild animals, right? Well, now you're going to have to add tea shops and something called “the Underground” to your definition, because London, England has signed up to be the first “National Park City.”

London was founded by the Romans around 2,000 years ago and people have continually lived there since then. In all that time, however, nobody had the idea to replace all the parks with big box stores or high buildings, which means London already has a much lower urban density(密度)than most of the world's cities. Nowadays about a third of the city is green space.

In July 2019 London announced its willingness to become the world's first National Park City. Now the city is moving toward the goal of achieving 50% green space by the year 2050 by connecting and increasing public parks, greening unused parking lots and the private yards of existing and new houses, and fixing some green roofs an existing building.

“Encouraged by the aims and values of our rural national parks, the London National. Park City is basically about making life better in the capital through both small everyday things and long-term thinking,” Daniel Raven-Ellison, who began the movement to make London at National Park City six years ago, said. “We've been doing that in London for centuries, which is why London is so green.” It's about going further to make the city greener, healthier and. wilder; making the city richer in wildlife.

London will have a much easier job achieving this type of green transformation than more. densely-urbanized cities like Paris and New York, which have. 10% and 27% green space. respectively. But that doesn't mean it's not possible — the National Park City Foundation hopes to include 25 more cities in addition to London. by the year 2025. Glasgow, Scotland and Newcastle upon Tyne in northeast England are both considering becoming National Park Cities.

9 . Inspired by the movement to protect the Carmanah Valley and Clayoquot Sound, I decided to devote myself to producing images for conservation full-time in 1992. Since that time my work has taken me all over the world and my photos have appeared in many major magazines. However, many of my most rewarding moments have come from working on projects in British Columbia, Canada, and sharing those images in slide show tours I have given throughout Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

The more I travel and photograph in other parts of the world, the more I have come to realize the wilderness we have in Canada is truly special and rare.

I have always felt that as a photographer my goal is to approach the natural environment with the sense of wonder and curiosity that comes so naturally to children. This, I believe, is one of the basic keys not just to producing meaningful images, but more importantly, to gaining a full appreciation and enjoyment of the natural world.

I find that not only my best images, but also my most enjoyable experiences in nature, occur when I have an open mind and follow my intuition (直觉). When I feel drawn to a certain scene, I try to make the scene simple and not include anything that is not relevant. I also try all ways to look for beautiful light. Early morning and the end of the day almost always produce light that results in more pleasing images than those taken under the strong light in the middle of a sunny day. Soft cloudy skies are wonderful for photographing all day, especially in our beautiful forests or for small subjects like wildflowers. Rain, storms, and snow also provide wonderful opportunities for new and different kinds of images.

A Beautiful Place in China