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!

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.

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.

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.