February 2010 Commentary: Groundhogs: Let’s cut back on square footage of our massive ecological footprints!

Not all groundhogs (Marmota monax) are cute furry little animals with renowned capabilities in weather prognostication. Some are two-legged groundhogs (Homo sapiens) with relentlessly sprawling appetites for real estate. Let’s give four-legged groundhogs, AKA “woodchucks” of the ground squirrel or marmot group, as well as other animal, plant, fungal, and microbial friends and neighbors some space. After all, the ecosystem services they provide for free to us allow humans to live on this shared planet.