Coming back to Nature: yes, but with respect!

There is more and more attention towards environmental protection and more and more people are rediscovering the beauty of rediscovering the Nature.
True, but if this trend makes me happy, both as an enthusiast and as a nature guide, I do not hide that it also worries me a lot.

Always going to Nature, both for passion and for work, I notice that there is still too much disrespect and still a lot of ignorance, unfortunately, on how one should behave in Nature.
In my guided visits to approach the grey seals, for example, I have seen many people coming into the reserve with the dog, even if prohibited, which then obviously gets to disturb and scare away the seals; I have seen people leave the trail of their waste and their garbage; I saw others running towards the seals, who were quiet and sly on the beach, only to get as close as possible trying to get the perfect selfie …

So, then, I have the impression that people go to Nature not for the pleasure of going there, I mean the real one, that is to regenerate and recharge, but only to be able to document everything, and no matter how, for then share everything on social media.

On the other hand: how many times have we read about animals that have been left to die precisely because people were more committed to taking selfies than saving the life of the animal itself? How many times have we seen videos of people chasing animals on the road with their cars, frightening them to death, while filming everything with their mobile phone?
Yesterday then, for example, I had a discussion with one who boasted of having made a pheasant frightened by his dog and who posted the picture, blurry and not good at all, waiting and hoping to receive some likes.
And when I pointed out that you shouldn’t scare animals away, he got even angry at me…

So, then, I have the impression that returning to Nature is reduced to this, a means of obtaining likes, just that.
So, then, I am afraid that Nature will become a fashion that, like all fashions, will be followed by people who have no interest or respect for Nature itself.
And so, then, I am afraid that influencers will come to Nature and they will do everything to get the perfect photo without worrying about the environment and animals.

As a nature guide I feel, now more than ever, the duty to try to protect and defend Mother Nature who must be loved and respected and not exploited and used for personal gains, whatever they are.

Because, if it’s just a trend, I hope it will pass quickly…