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.
We support the Black Bear Conservation
Coalition, for more information contact
http://www.bbcc.org
Gloria Chadwick Studio has partnered with Sky Hunters, a local
organization,
to
educate the public and artists about predators. While I
teach the art class using the live birds, the handler
provides the bird education to the audience and painters.
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.
