CONSERVATION IS UP TO YOU
As a child in the
1950's, I watched the black and white documentaries produced
by Osa and Martin Johnson. The African landscape was in
constant movement because of the huge herds of various animals
moving back and forth like waves of the sea. Today, the
landscape is far different and safaris are in "protected
game reserves" that struggle to protect the animals from
poachers. For a time zoos were denounced as being a
cruel way for an animal to live. But now, it appears
zoos may be the only manner that one may see the animals that
once ranged as far as one could see. Remnants of the
life that coexisted for thousands of years, life that
took only that which was necessary for survival.
My wish is to
further their protection by giving you education and the resource
information to do whatever you can do to save those that have
no one to advocate for their survival, which in turn is our
own survival.
You can help
wildlife by supporting organizations that make a significant
contributions to saving animals. There are many
organizations that work tirelessly to save animals and their
habitat. These larger organizations can lobby,
legislatively, to create laws that protect species and the
land; such as the original Endangered Species Act. You
can take action to protect your favorite species. The following
large organizations have a long successful history:
World Wildlife Fund;
Nature Conservancy;
Defenders of
Wildlife;
The
Audubon Society;
National Wildlife Federation;
Ocean Conservancy.
Recommended
Reading:
Going,
Going, Gone by Malcolm Tait. This book
lists over 100 organizations that are dedicated to saving
specific species.
Black Market: Inside the Endangered Species
Trade in Asia by Ben
Davies.
Learn about the out of control trade and
brutality of animals and what you can do.
Nature's Strongholds by Laura and William
Riley. This will tell you where to find the wildlife
reserves.
Support your local
zoological society educational programs and share what
you've learned with others. Encourage others to get
involved. Make a commitment to save a species or land;
donate or simply call your elected officials. Your
personal email, letter, or phone call is more effective that
you think to your elected official.
From the artist:
20% of ALL my sales will go to conservation efforts.
