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Endangered Species and Stewardship

Journal Entry: Endangered Species and Stewardship​

Summary​

A personal reflection on endangered and threatened species native to Harris County, Texas — the Houston toad, tricolored bat, and alligator snapping turtle — and what it means to be a responsible steward of the earth from a gospel perspective while living in a rapidly developing area like Cypress, Texas.

Notes​

Living in Cypress, Texas has made me think more about how fast things are changing around me. Everywhere you look, there's new construction, new neighborhoods, new roads, new businesses. On one hand, it's progress. But on the other hand, it makes me wonder what used to be there before all of it. Not just land, but animals and ecosystems that don't really get a say in any of this.

As I worked on this assignment, I learned about some of the endangered and threatened species in my area, like the Houston toad, the tricolored bat, and the alligator snapping turtle. Before this, I honestly hadn't thought much about them. The Houston toad especially stood out to me. It's this small, pretty unassuming animal, but it depends on very specific conditions to survive. When those conditions go away, even a little, it struggles. That hit me, because it shows how fragile some parts of nature really are.

The tricolored bat was another one that surprised me. I didn't realize how important bats are. They're not just "those things flying around at night," they actually help control insect populations in a huge way. Losing them doesn't just affect the bats, it affects everything else connected to them. Same thing with the alligator snapping turtle. It's kind of wild-looking, honestly, but it plays a role in keeping aquatic ecosystems balanced. These aren't just random animals, they're part of a bigger system that we depend on whether we notice it or not.

Looking at what Harris County is doing, I think it's good that there are protections in place. They're working with agencies and reviewing projects to try to avoid harming these species. But if I'm being real, it also feels like a lot of it is reactive instead of proactive. Like, "let's make sure we don't break too much," instead of "let's actively protect what we still have." I think there could be more education and awareness, because most people probably don't even know these species are here, let alone that they're at risk.

This whole topic made me think a lot about stewardship, especially from a gospel perspective. In Genesis 2:15, it talks about being placed on the earth to "dress it and to keep it." That's not just about using resources, it's about taking care of them. And in Doctrine and Covenants 59:18–20, it teaches that the earth is given to us, but not to be used carelessly or excessively. That part really stuck with me. It's easy to justify development and progress, but at some point, you have to ask if we're being responsible with what we've been given.

Honestly, I don't think this is just about animals. It's about how we see our role in the world. Are we just here to use everything up and move on, or are we actually trying to take care of it? Because once a species is gone, that's it. There's no undo button. That makes this feel a lot more serious than I think most people realize.

At the end of the day, this assignment made me slow down and think differently about where I live. Cypress isn't just growing, it's changing, and those changes come with consequences. I think being aware of that is the first step. If we really believe we're stewards of the earth, then that has to show up in how we treat it, including the animals that share it with us.

Insights​

  • The Houston toad's dependence on highly specific environmental conditions is a sharp illustration of how fragile ecosystem balance really is.
  • Bats and aquatic species like the alligator snapping turtle are keystone contributors — their loss cascades through the entire system.
  • Harris County's approach to species protection appears largely reactive; proactive education and awareness remain a significant gap.
  • Genesis 2:15 and D&C 59:18–20 frame stewardship not as optional conservation but as an active covenant responsibility.
  • Development and progress are not inherently wrong, but they require honest accountability for what is displaced or destroyed in the process.