Dogs on Vashon must feel like they’re living in paradise. Miles of beaches, meadows, woodland trails, and the scents of wild animals must be tantalizing.

Vashonites love both our canine family members and the extraordinary part of the natural world that we call home. One would have to search long and hard to find such a variety of habitats and plant and animal life concentrated in such a small area.

Vashon Audubon’s bird checklist tallies over 200 species of birds, for example. And the island’s salmon streams, such as Judd Creek, provide food for orcas, so in a very real sense, we live in whale habitat! How cool is that?

Along with the joy of this place comes responsibility. This is where conflict sometimes arises between our two great loves. Many of us can’t imagine spending time in nature that we love without the dogs we love. But if we don’t do this responsibly the latter can do considerable damage to the former.

Some places on the island — Fisher Pond, Christensen Pond, Fern Cove, and Kneeshaw Pond — are particularly valuable and fragile during waterfowl nesting season. And during the fall migration, dogs that chase birds can exhaust them just as they’re preparing for a long flight. That’s why stewards of this land have determined that it’s best to keep dogs away from these areas entirely.

But there are many other trails and parks where canines and their humans are all welcome. Again, this needs to be done responsibly. In most areas where dogs are allowed — but not all — they must be leashed.

There are good reasons for this. Dogs that wander off-trail damage plants and cause erosion by scratching and digging. Dog paws and fur can act like Velcro, spreading the seeds of invasive plants from one area to another.

Unleashed dogs are more apt to poop where it won’t be bagged and removed—especially worrisome for our salmon-bearing streams. Even healthy dogs can carry viruses, bacteria, and parasites in their excrement and pass them on to wildlife.

Loose dogs can disturb ground-nesting birds like Savannah Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos, causing them to abandon their nests. Dogs are the single biggest factor in driving wild animals away from the trails.

Another reason to keep dogs leashed in shared spaces is that some people, especially young children, are afraid of dogs. A loose dog can be a frightening experience. Young hikers, elderly hikers, and differently-abled people are particularly prone to injury from unleashed, exuberant dogs.

Unrestrained dogs are more apt to fight with other dogs on the trail. Equestrians use some trails, and horses and unleashed dogs don’t mix well.

But sometimes a dog should be allowed to just be a dog. Fortunately, there are places on Vashon where dogs can roam free — including Vashon Park District properties Lisabuela Park, Wingehaven Park, Agren Park trails (not field); Point Robinson (north and south fields at the upper parking lot and beach area except near waterfront rentals) and Burton Acres, across from Jensen Beach.

A recently formed group of islanders is working with King County and the Vashon Community Council to create a fenced dog park. Its name has an appropriate acronym —FIDO, Friends into Dogs Organization. Support this effort if you are so inclined.

Since dogs can’t read, their people must be aware of the signs that identify where dogs aren’t allowed, are allowed on leashes only, or are allowed to run free. And please, while you’re enjoying our shared natural areas, bag and remove your dog’s waste. Your dog can’t do it!

Our passion for dogs and our passion for nature can coexist if we do it right.

Steve Hunter has been on the island since 2005 and is currently the Vice President of Vashon Audubon. His commentary here was co-written with Sue Trevathan, a long-time Islander and a past president of Vashon Audubon. For more information, visit vashonaudubon.org.