Tax-Deductible Charitable Contributions for Wildlife

Snow Leopard / Credit WWF

46 days left in 2009 to select a worthwhile cause and make a difference for your favorite species (including humans)! Consider the difference it will make if every one of us contributes even 1 dollar to a struggling nonprofit organization. 

Keep in mind that charitable contributions are tax-deductible in the U.S., if you itemize deductions on Form 1040 (Schedule A).

If you like the idea, but you're not sure where to begin, check out the World Wildlife Fund website, where you can adopt a species, buy a gift adoption card or shop hand-crafted gifts that support sustainable livelihoods for indigenous peoples.

Keep in mind that charitable contributions must be made to qualified organizations in order to be deductible.

For more information on tax deductions and charitable contributions, visit IRS.gov.

Animal Rescue Organizations Battle Massive Algae Bloom

Birds awaiting transport
Credit IBRRC

Animal rescue organizations are rallying to save various marine species in the face of a catastrophic case of algal bloom along the West coast. Today, more than 300 migratory seabirds from the Oregon/Washington coast were airlifted by the US Coastguard and delivered into the helpful hands of volunteers from the International Bird Rescue Research Center. Unfortunately more than 1,000 birds have already died, as the slimy foam caused by the algae permeates their feathers, robbing them of their water resistance, causing hypothermia and eventually starvation. Scientists have referred to the algal bloom as “natural” but admit they aren’t sure whether it might be occurring also due to unnatural causes.

The plight of the birds is not the first we’ve heard about algae bloom on the west coast this year. Marine mammals, mostly sea lions, have been washing up along the California shore all summer long. I’ve witnessed it myself several times this summer, on walks near Half Moon Bay, where I’ve encountered as many as six dead yearling sea lion pups during one short walk. The Marine Mammal Center has treated an unprecedented number of sick and injured animals this year, roughly 1500, many of them suffering from domoic acid poisoning, a type of algal bloom that gets into the animals’ food chain and causes brain damage.

A red throated loon gets washed and  rinsed
Photo: Paul Kelway/IBRRC

If our first concern is to relieve and hopefully stop the horrific suffering of these birds and animals up and down the West coast, our second question has to be “what does this mean for us humans?” This year’s campaign over at the Marine Mammal Center is “Save Our Seals, Save Ourselves,” a message designed to remind the public of our direct connection to nature.

The International Bird Rescue Research Center and the Marine Mammal Center both need our help desperately to continue with their heroic operations. Hats off too, to the US Coast Guard and to the hundreds of volunteers who give their time and energy to these organizations.

For more information about how to help, please visit the Marine Mammal Center and the International Bird Rescue Research Center Web sites.

2009 is the Year of the Gorilla

In case you haven't heard already, 2009 is the Year of the Gorilla! There are roughly 700 mountain gorillas remaining on the planet and they need our help! Because Uganda is home to about half of the total population of mountain gorillas, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has launched a fundraising program  to increase global awareness about this highly endangered species.

Check out the photos and videos of these rare animals on friendagorilla.org and add a gorilla friend to your shopping cart for US$1.00. What an easy way to make a difference on the planet! Another fun feature of this Web site is that you can track the gorilla families in the forest through GPS coordinates provided by the actual trackers that visit them daily! How cool is that?

p.s. My new gorilla friend is Obia, a nine year-old blackback. I started with him because I loved his noble, peaceful face and because his profile said he is a very curious individual. I'm working on getting his photo posted next!

"Hope for Animals and Their World" Hits the Shelves

Dr. Jane Goodall, primatologist, internationally renowned conservationist, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, UN Messenger of Peace and all around hero, has published a new book based on a topic dear to my heart and this blog: "Hope for Animals and Their World, How Endangered Species Are Being Rescued from the Brink."

In a world increasingly aware of environmental hazards and the resultant growing list of endangered species, we can celebrate some good news shared by Dr. Goodall and her co-author, Cincinnati Zoo Director, Thane Maynard. "Hope for Animals" recounts several animal conservation success stories about species that were once on the brink of extinction and are now making a comeback. Some of the species covered in the book include the California Condor, the American Crocodile and the Black-Footed Ferret.

The book also celebrates the heroic role that humans have played in these species reclamation success stories, a theme that is directly aligned with the purpose of this blog. Let's applaud the heroic measures taken by environmentalists to preserve the natural habitats for these species, as this is the level of commitment it will take to reverse the path to extinction for many other species in the future.

Thanks for joining me in my quest to identify and celebrate the ways humans and animals are working together to create a better planet. Sometimes the humans are rescuing the animals. Sometimes the animals are rescuing the humans. Sometimes it's not clear who is rescuing whom. I like to point out how we cohabitate and cooperate with many other species. Chalk one up for the humans this time!

Miranda Kerr Poses Nude for Koalas

Credit Carlotta Moye/Rolling Stone

Australian model Miranda Kerr took it all off for Rolling Stone's inaugural "green issue" (Australian edition, July 2009). Chained to a tree in the nude, Kerr incarnates her country's rising commitment to positive environmental change. Australian musicians John Butler and Xavier Rudd as well as TV personality Ruby Rose also speak out on environmental issues in the July issue.

Kerr, who grew up in Gunnedah NSW, the koala capital of the world, works closely with the Australian Koala Foundation as the spokeswoman for its 'No Tree, No Me' campaign. The foundation cites loss of koala habitat and food trees (eucalyptus forests) as the leading threat, although bushfires, road accidents and even dog attacks also factor into the equation that totals up to less than 100,000 koalas remaining in the wild. In summary, habitat destruction is the leading cause for the declining population of this precious marsupial.

That Rolling Stone, the number one pop culture reference point for young adults, has focused on wildlife preservation for its inaugural Green issue is very encouraging. It demonstrates to the world the groundswell of Aussie interest in ecological conservation and provides inspiration to its more than 27,000 youthful subscribers.

Not in Australia? You can still help save koalas! Plant a tree online or foster an adorable koala now.

Honoring International Surfing Day

Surfers have a unique role on the planet, in my estimation. Apart from the deep reverance they share for their sport, most surfers also speak of a spiritual connection they achieve only when they are in the water. I think it's like going to church, for them, and I feel the same way when I'm in nature and particularly near the ocean. In any case, I like the way they draw the world's attention to Mother Nature and in some cases to endangered species and/or compromised ecosystems.

Having lived in Redondo Beach, California for seven years of my life, I've been around surfing a lot, but ironically it wasn't until I returned to the San Francisco Bay area that I found myself riveted to the waves. I seek them out like an addiction and must be near them almost daily. Luckily, Half Moon Bay is a gorgeous 20-minute drive out my back door and produces some of the most impressive waves on the planet, at least during the winter months.

Mavericks, near Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay, has gained international attention as one of the premier big wave surfing spots on the globe and recent promotional messaging from Mavericks Surf Ventures describes their territory as "hallowed ground," which resonates perfectly with my humble impression of the spot. Mavericks is famous for extraordinarily dangerous surfing conditions including icy waters, massive waves, unforgiving turbulence and deadly rocks. I think I forgot to mention the great white sharks. These surfers regularly ride the edge between life and death, so they need to be at peace within and I would equate surfing at Mavericks to climbing Everest or a meeting with God.

Meanwhile, the local chapter of Surfrider Foundation interprets this sacred spot in a different light, and has sought to protect the adjacent waters within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary from the use of jet-skis and other motorized personal watercraft (MPWC) used for tow-in surfing. Ironically, Surfrider Foundation itself was founded by a handful of Southern California surfers who came together to protest threats to their local surf break at Malibu Point.

The delicate battle has been going on for nearly a decade and one recent outcome is that effective March 9, 2009, the NOAA has created new federal regulations and a new zone for seasonal conditional MPWC use at Mavericks and throughout the sanctuary, which supports one of the world's most diverse marine ecosystems.

The restricted use of jet-skis is probably not great news to local surfers, but they and all surfers typically share a profound level of respect for the ocean and its inhabitants, and continue to play an important role in raising public awareness about the health of our marine ecosystem and its wildlife.

Save the Waves Coalition, also founded by surfers, is making global strides toward protecting coastal environment, with an emphasis on the surf zones naturally! If you are concerned about coastal development or pollution affecting a surfing spot in your area, you can report a wave to the coalition.

I'm so thankful to the surfer population for its unique role in nature and on our planet!

Earthwatch Institute is an international non-profit organization that engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.

In its admirable efforts to change the world, Earthwatch engages the public, recruiting approximately 4,000 volunteers annually. Volunteers of all ages from all over the world are matched with an appropriate research project in the areas of wildlife conservation, rainforest ecology, marine science and more!

You may be able to work with your local zoo, bird club or other organization to send a group on an expedition, which is a great way for teens (ages 16-17) to get their heads out of the textbook and into field, where they can obtain hands-on experience assisting with the protection of habitats and endangered species.

For more info, check out the Earthwatch blog.

Honoring Alexis Ells and her Equine Sanctuary

I've never met Alexis Ells but she's my hero. Here is a case of humans rescuing animals rescuing humans. That's right. Here's how it works:

Ells founded the Ojai, California-based nonprofit The Equine Sanctuary in 2001 where she rescues and rehabilitates injured race horses or "performance horses" that can no longer compete. She and her team have rehabilitated thousands of horses that would otherwise have been euthanized. Most of these horses get placed with new owners who give them a good home (or pasture) to live out their lives.

Many of the horses at The Equine Sanctuary have been retrained and are now working with physically disabled children via the sanctuary's therapeutic riding program.

Who is saving whom?

UK Artists Embrace Wildlife Conservation

Artists in the UK honor wildlife every year via the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art held in the north of England. All submissions are judged by an independent panel of artists and wildlife experts. The 2009 exhibition will take place Friday 17 July to Sunday 2 August in
Gordale, Chester High Road (A540), Burton, Wirral CH64 8TF.

Interested artists should visit the NEWA Web site to apply: http://www.newa-uk.com/index.php but take note, applications must be submitted before Wednesday 10th June 2009.

Check out the pencil drawings by fulltime wildlife artist, Laura Berkeley via her online gallery:
http://www.lauraberkeley.co.uk/gallery.html

Cheers UK NAWA Artists!

Father's Day and Grad Gifts for Mother Nature!

Instead of giving Dads and grads the usual, support wildlife conservation and Mother Nature in their honor! Let's get into some monkey business:

Stop by the Jane Goodall Institute Gift Store http://commerce.janegoodall.org/store/customer/home.php?cat=2 OR sign someone up to become a chimp guardian: http://www.janegoodall.com/chimp_guardian/default.asp

Check out the species adoptions available on the World Wildlife Fund site
http://www.worldwildlife.org/ogc/index.cfm?sc=AWY0911WC121&enews=090529t&toplnk

National Geographic has some gorgeous animal DVD sets, binoculars and other interesting gifts for Dad and Grad: http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/gateway/113/104.html and you can feel good about giving when a portion of your proceeds go toward supporting National Geographic's mission of research, education, conservation and exploration!

Let's Hear it for Wildlife Conservation

I'm finally going to give my passion for wildlife conservation a voice and a venue by pulling together all the resources that inspire me so I can share them with like-minded humans. I hope to proliferate knowledge about the plight of various species that need our help, but also to examine how ordinary animals and ordinary humans are increasingly working together in extraordinary ways every day.

Join me as I scour the planet and shine light on every organization that is making a difference for wildlife conservation and/or facilitating the great work that humans and animals create together to improve life on earth.