The Wildlife Research Team Review

Pelican Harbor Seabird Station

www.pelicanharbor.org

And now, let’s begin our voyage of discovery with…

 

Mission: Pelican Harbor Seabird Station is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick, injured or orphaned brown pelicans, seabirds and other native wildlife; and the preservation and protection of these species through educational and scientific means.

We are kicking off the WRT Review with Pelican Harbor Seabird Station for several reasons:

• One, if we were actually in our canoes, we could take you there, because the physical location of this rehab center is in the middle of Biscayne Bay, on a causeway from Miami to Miami Beach. There’s a marina close by where WRT has launched many times, for tours and cleanups of the islands within the bay.
• Two, it’s a local success story.
• Three, what they do is absolutely critical to the health of wildlife in our beautiful south Florida.
• Four, its Executive Director since 2014 is one of our favorite people, the amazing Christopher Scott Boykin, who has been a true friend to WRT in tough times.
• Five, we believe more people need to know about this facility so that they can help to support its vital mission.
• Six, this writer has personally visited the Station!

 

Their user-friendly website has been designed to show you the work, their patients, the people. There’s plenty to look at, to read, to learn.

There’s a good balance of foundation material and new material; in other words, it’s kept alive and fresh.

Their history is concisely described, and it’s compelling.

At the same time, you get a good feeling about the present and the future.

And their future is bright! PHSS is in the process of building a much larger facility on the mainland, so check out their Capital Campaign to learn more!

Volunteer opportunities and internships are available and it’s obvious that they prize their people.

There is clear information about what to do if you have found an injured animal: how to evaluate it, capture it, contain it, how to prepare a box, how to transport it to the hospital, to be sure to keep the creature free of life-threatening stress, and so on.

They are happy to show off their facility to interested visitors; information about tours is easy to locate. They’ve added a self-guided audio tour and Zoom presentations.

There are various ways to support their work: donations, of course, which can easily be made through the website; their annual fundraiser “Pelican Party” which you can attend or sponsor at five different levels; sunset cruises to view bird colonies in the nearby islands; adopt one of their non-releasable birds for a year; naming them as the cause you support through iGive.

Their blog is regularly updated; each entry is fairly short, with numerous highly readable posts about wildlife that educate without being pedantic.

Students at all grade levels will find it useful and not too technical for research for homework, science fairs, merit badges and reports.

Pelican Harbor Seabird Station is worthy of all the support we can give it!

 

The Human Evolution Blog

Professor Nathan H. Lents and his students discuss human origins

thehumanevolutionblog.com

nathanlents.com

 

This resource is different from the others in this first group of sites reviewed, because Professor Nathan H. Lents is a single person, not an organization (although his students are given credit when due for their contributions). This scientist-author-teacher and his formidable body of work was discovered as a happy result of searching for “ethology.” From Wikipedia: “Lents has published research reports in the area of cell and cancer biology, genetics, forensic science, as well as the teaching and learning of science, particularly evolution. Lents has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and the US Department of Education.”

His website and blog are rich with information and worthy of many visits. His writing style is affable and accessible but draws upon solid, carefully documented scientific research studies.

His first book, Not So Different: Finding Human Nature in Animals, was published in 2016 and in May 2018, his second book, Human Errors: A Panorama of Our Glitches, from Pointless Bones to Broken Genes, will be published.

Lents recently ventured into podcasting with his “This World of Humans.”

There are several categories of blogs; at this time, there are 29 articles in the category of “Animal Behavior.” Here’s a list of a few that were especially interesting:

“Cats can find their own kittens by smell; they just don’t care,” published November 27, 2017;

“Dogs understand the concept of different perspectives,” published June 28, 2017;

“Borrowed signals; a discussion of the ‘guilty dog’ look;” published September 12, 2016;

“Why do we and other animals wince in pain?;” published August 8, 2016;

“Florida lizards show that evolutionary change can be rapid;” published October 27, 2014;

“Are humans predisposed to fear snakes?;” published October 8, 2014.

His blog and website are both valuable resources that are worth bookmarking and visiting frequently. And of course, be sure to “Like” his Facebook page, for more frequent news and updates.

Youth Environmental Alliance

www.yeafrog.org

Mission: Youth Environmental Alliance is committed to providing opportunities for youth and their families to reconnect to Florida’s outdoor activities while fostering a lifelong respect for our planet’s future.

YEA is another South Florida entity that is particularly dear to us, because it’s largely sponsored by Allstate Resource Management and its president, Steve Weinsier, who has been such a good friend to WRT over the past decade. But aside from that obvious favoritism, since Youth Environmental Alliance was founded in 2005, they’ve worked very hard and have achieved some impressive accomplishments.

According to their website:

• 44,446 diversity plants (with a strong focus on sea oats to stabilize sand dunes) planted
• 599 upland trees planted in 10 locations in South Florida
• 155 pollinator gardens installed at over 102 locations around Florida
• 30,126 students taught about environmental and biological science both in and out of the classroom

YEA is always on the lookout for dedicated volunteers who love the outdoors. They need both short-term and long-term volunteers, and it’s easy to sign up on the website. Volunteers will undergo a training session. Habitat restoration is a major, ongoing project which involves removal of exotic vegetation and installation of important natives such as sea oats.

They offer sound ideas on their “Take Action” page, such as how to become a Certified Florida Master Naturalist; volunteer for YEA (of course!); and ideas as to how to fight climate change: create a butterfly garden or restore native habitat in your yard; ideas for avoiding plastics and Styrofoam, with links to further information; and how to share your yard with native wildlife.

There’s a varied menu of Programs to peruse:

Their “Sailing for Success program opens up the world of sailing to those individuals that may otherwise never experience it. Our sailboats are specially designed to be fully accessible and safe and can be modified to accommodate virtually any form of physical challenge.” With the support of Allstate Resource Management and a partnership with Broward College, 100 people with disabilities learn how to sail these special boats each year.

“Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs is a fishing skills program for young people that focuses on preventing drug use through sport fishing and aquatic resource education. This award-winning program has spread nationwide since 1986.” It’s a hands-on twelve-week program for grades fifth through seventh.

Fishing for Success programs “are one-day events that allow both the children and their families the opportunities to fish at local waterways” as they “learn about fisheries, aquatic environments, and vocational/educational opportunities associated with fishing.”

There are nineteen School Programs which engage students at varying grade levels in hands-on science projects that all sound like great fun! Everything from “Cellular Celebrations,” to “Marvelous Mangroves,” to “Zooarcheology.”

Community Restorations are now available for corporate team-building, “a valuable tool for fostering leadership, fellowship, stewardship, and ethics among your workforce.”

Their programs can also be adapted for Scout merit badges.

Of course, YEA is active on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Donations may be made on the website, and they are registered with iGive and Amazon Smile so that when you shop, you can help their organization.

South Florida is a far better place because of Youth Environmental Alliance!

Children & Nature Network

www.childrenandnature.org

In 2005, a landmark book was published. Its author, Richard Louv, wrote Last Child in the Woods to alert us, especially parents, to the breaking of the bond between our children and nature. His well-researched book linked modern-day trends in our children such as depression, attention deficit disorder, over-medication and obesity, to this lack of contact with the natural world. In 2006, with others, Louv founded the Children & Nature Network: an “international children and nature movement focused on education, urban design, architecture, conservation, public health and many other disciplines.”

You need to learn about “Nature Deficit Disorder,” a term coined by Louv and now the driving force behind the programs of C&NN. Wouldn’t be surprised if YOU and your kids are dealing with it, as most of us are in this rapidly-urbanizing and high-tech society. The organization’s purpose is to connect us with those who are aware of the problem and are reversing its effects.

At this time, it’s a virtual organization without a central office. But, as training people is essential to their mission, C&NN offers “training camps in key regions across the US, custom seminars for community groups or regional organizations, as well as online education sessions, peer-to-peer connections and documentation that can be accessed on-demand.”

Here’s their Strategic Agenda, which can be downloaded from their website in greater detail:

1. Launch the Research Center
2. Improve community health through increased time in nature
3. Create nature-rich cities across the U.S.
4. Inspire nature-smart leaders by training and empowering millennial youth
5. Engage families in outdoor time in nature through large-scale partnerships
6. Convene change-makers from across the world

It’s encouraging to read about the people behind C&NN. Listed are three separate groups who bring their considerable skills and accomplishments across a wide variety of fields to C&NN: the staff and consultants; the board of directors; and board of advisors.

I almost prefer their mobile (well, iPad, version) over the desktop site. They get you right into the action!

It’s a site worthy of many visits, especially if you decide to become a Member of their Community. There’s a section devoted to this, where Members post videos, tell stories, announce events, and interact. Membership starts at $60/yr. which breaks down to a modest $5/month.

There’s also a great tool, their Movement Directory, “creating a shared vision for action through grassroots coalitions worldwide.” It’s comprised of:

• Nature Clubs for Families;
• Local Leadership;
• Organizations;
• Natural Leaders (millennials trained in their Legacy Camps who have returned to their communities to lead others).
• Clicking on these takes you to their Movement Map, where you can then click on an icon and be taken to the actual group or person.
• Numbers given: 110 Grassroots Campaigns; 223 Nature Clubs for Families; 150 Natural Leaders; 3,850,000 Youth & Children.

Their Personal Action page shows you real-life examples, because people need to know they can make a difference, but it’s not always easy to get started on your own.

Their carefully curated Research Library leads you to numerous scientific papers on the fascinating subject of nature connection, gathered since 2000, and readily searchable.

Their Tools & Resources page offers many free downloadable guides, reports, toolkits, and infographics.

Much is happening on their Initiatives page! The three primary activities are:

1. Library youth and family activities;
2. Urban greening project;
3. Youth leadership development.

“We envision libraries as nature-rich community hubs providing indoor and outdoor areas and programs to foster environmental literacy, and appreciation for nature through reading and urban land restoration efforts.”

Have you heard of Vitamin N? It’s not found in a bottle. N is for Nature and a search on the site yields 215 articles published throughout the world about its importance to our physical, mental, and emotional health. Vitamin N is also the title of Richard Louv’s 2016 book; its subtitle is The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life: 500 Ways to Enrich Your Family’s Health & Happiness.

This site is a treasure trove, and it serves their purpose of connecting people with each other and with Nature very well! Connect with C&NN on Facebook, too.

NOAA’s Marine Debris Program

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov

“The NOAA Marine Debris Program is authorized by Congress to work on marine debris through the Marine Debris Act, signed into law in 2006 and amended in 2012. The Act requires the program to ‘identify, determine sources of, assess, prevent, reduce, and remove marine debris and address the adverse impacts of marine debris on the economy of the United States, marine environment, and navigation safety.’”

Here’s what they do: “Since 2006, the NOAA Marine Debris Program has led national and international efforts to research, prevent, and reduce the impacts of marine debris. Its staff, which is positioned across the country, supports marine debris projects in partnership with state and local agencies, tribes, non-governmental organizations, academia, and industry. The program also spearheads national research efforts and works to change behavior in the public through outreach and education initiatives.”

Even if you live in the heartland of America, the ocean’s health is important to you. For one thing, the phytoplankton within it supply oxygen to the entire world; although it’s hard to measure precisely, scientists agree it’s more than half, possibly up to 85%. In recent decades, this function has been compromised by the ever-growing amount of marine debris accumulating, breaking down and smothering these phytoplankton, in oceans everywhere. Even far from land, where deep currents rotate in gyres and cause “garbage patches” that you might be hearing about over the past few years.

Love to eat seafood? You might be ingesting “microplastics” that are now frequently discovered within the stomach, and the flesh, fish. Even more disturbing, those minute pieces of plastic are very likely contaminated with PCBs.

Simply put, life on earth depends upon a healthy ocean.

This website is rich with information about the ever-growing problem of marine debris.

Start with “Discover the Issue,” to learn about “Types and Sources,” “Movement,” “Impact,” and “Solutions.”

Their award-winning video, Trash Talk, serves as a great introduction for children and adults. Families could watch it together, discuss it, and explore solutions for their home, and seek out volunteer opportunities to make an even greater difference.

Under “Current Efforts,” you will learn about “Prevention,” “Removal,” “Research,” “Emergency Response,” and “Outreach.”

The “In Your Region” drop-down menu will guide you to ten different regions and what’s happening there.

Under “Resources” are free, downloadable fact sheets, posters, brochures, technical memos, scientific reports, action plans, and other educational materials designed to help raise awareness of the issue. Their Marine Debris Calendar, featuring children’s art, is also free to download.

The “Activities” tab will provide, also as free downloads, coloring books, games, and crafts for children.

Their library of scientific reports provides an extensive examination of the various aspects of marine debris. Students at any grade level will have an easier time with their own assignments, thanks to the material supplied on this website.

The Marine Debris Tracker is an app which helps anyone to become a citizen scientist, no matter where they are in the United States. When you encounter marine debris anywhere, the mobile application allows you to check it in, adding to the knowledge base. This raw data will be used by NOAA’s Marine Debris Program and the Southeast Atlantic Marine Debris Initiative, managed by the University of Georgia College of Engineering, to study and fight the problem.

Did you know that derelict fishing nets and gear are also considered marine debris? The term “ghost fishing” means that the abandoned nets will continue to trap, and probably kill, fish, mammals and crustaceans as they drift through the ocean. They are also a hazard to navigation, befouling the propellers of ships even far out to sea. You will learn about this, and also how programs have been successfully buying back this material from fishing companies to turn into energy.

All humans need to learn about marine debris, how we generate it, how it harms our only home, Planet Earth, and how we can find solutions…before it’s too late. NOAA’s Marine Debris Program was established just for that purpose. Visit often.

The Jane Goodall Institute

www.janegoodall.org

“We are a global community conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall. By protecting chimpanzees and inspiring people to conserve the natural world we all share, we improve the lives of people, animals and the environment. Everything is connected—everyone can make a difference.”

Dr. Jane Goodall may be the most well-known ethologist in the world, thanks to numerous television documentaries and books about her field studies of chimpanzees and other animals, to include the wild dogs of Africa, since the 1960s. Now in her 80s, she’s on the road 300 days a year, speaking to groups about how they can help save the earth. Wherever she speaks, she creates a positive outcome known as “The Jane Effect,” inspiring those who hear her impassioned presentations. The website is built around the numerous accomplishments made by her Jane Goodall Institute as it conveys her personal message of hope and the belief that all individuals are connected and each one of us can find a way to do something useful. Although chimpanzees were her first love, and remain a vital part of the JGI’s work, we discover much more going on.

It’s a website that goes deep, and one you should bookmark for frequent visits. There are no ads of any kind, which is a huge relief in our clickbait era of ever-increasing ways to ensnare our eyeballs, if even for a few seconds. You can focus just on the information, which is plentiful.

Reading statistics of the Institute’s projects and programs, you sense the impressive amount of work that has gone before:

• 3.4 million acres of habitat covered under Conservation Action Plans
• 482 scientific papers and graduate theses published through research at Gombe Stream Research Center
• 290 chimpanzees and gorillas receiving care in a sanctuary managed or supported by the Jane Goodall Institute
• 130 engaged communities involved in programs led by the Jane Goodall Institute
• 600 girls have returned to school after receiving mentorship from a peer educator
• 309 scholarships provided to young women to support their education
• 179 people trained in the use of forest monitoring technology
• 5,800+ projects reported by Roots & Shoots members around the globe

Each accomplishment listed is a link to more information, and it’s encouraging to learn about the large and small positive actions taken by so many people. For example, girls have had to drop out of school due to their menstrual cycles and lack of sanitary supplies; by donating these items, JGI has helped them to continue their education.

A free, online professional development course, “Growing Compassionate Leaders,” is part of their Roots & Shoots program; since its inception in 2014, 6,000 educators have signed up. Course credit is through the University of Colorado-Boulder; Dr. Jane Goodall is a guest instructor.

One charming feature is “Where in the world is Jane?” which helps track this spirited and beloved octogenarian on her global mission of hope and encouragement.

From their shop, you can purchase some of Dr. Goodall’s books as well as a few other items, to include toys.

Their financial information is readily available for examination.

Donations are simple to make.

Look for her, and the Institute, on Facebook.

To sum up, when you need an injection of The Jane Effect, this website will supply it. Bookmark it and visit often.