WILD

iLCP on the Chesapeake Bay

This week, iLCP photographers take to the Bay (the Chesapeake Bay that is) to highlight the importance of the Bay and the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed.   Seven iLCP photographers and two guest photographers, many of whom have a special relationship with or live in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, are gathering video footage, photographs and compelling stories.  In partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, these photographers and iLCP staff will produce an action exhibit of thirty photographs to premiere in September 2010 on Capitol Hill and provide the compelling visual media necessary to facilitate news coverage of the urgency of the Chesapeake Clean Water and Ecosystem Act to speed the restoration of the Bay’s health and protect it over the long term.

What does TV teach us about wildlife?

An interesting article in the Huffington Post yesterday brought up an interesting conversation – one which I have personally contemplated for a while.  Many times, TV shows, documentaries or movies about nature provide an educational experience for viewers.  Take for example the awesome Planet Earth series, one of my favorites.  But, sometimes media outlets can go to drastic extremes to entice viewers or create drama.  Sensationalized violence (or should I say, natural selection) can mislead viewers and does very little to promote the conservation of wild animals and wild places.

World Ranger Day

On July 31st of each year, World Ranger Day honors and celebrates the hard-working, dedicated Rangers world-wide who look after our planet’s protected areas and the wildlife and wild-species that live within these areas.  The first World Ranger Day fell on the 15th anniversary of the founding of International Ranger Federation on July 31, 1992. The first World Ranger Day involved dozens of events around the globe, many showing a premiere of the ranger-produced film “The Thin Green Line.”

What exactly ARE the benefits of soy wax? Many!

In my constant efforts to stay up-to-date on the most eco-friendly personal- and home-care practices, I’ve done a bit of research on soy wax and soy candles.  Truth-be-told, this bit of research was also spurred by a friend’s budding company (Bougie Candles) which specializes in vegan, non-GMO, pesticide and herbicide free soy-wax candles.

So, one thing I found out is that most candles are made of paraffin, which is basically refined and processed crude oil.  The pretty smelling candle on my desk just got less pretty when I put in perspective of oil rigs, refineries and the devastated ecosystems along the gulf coast.  The alternatives to paraffin are basically beeswax and soy wax.  Beeswax is a by-product of honey collection – and there is therefore collected in relatively small quantities.  Beeswax candles can be pretty expensive.

Action & Awareness for Oil Spill and Marine Wilderness

The unimaginable Gulf Oil Spill has left us all with an intense combination of emotions, from sadness to anger to helplessness. How could this happen? And now that the leak has been stopped, what can we do as individuals to help fix this horrific environmental disaster?

The WILD Foundation is excited to be a partner, along with The Gulf Restoration Network and EarthShare, in the latest release by musical duo Wilderland called “Fragile Day.”   100% of all of the proceeds from the release will benefit the habitat affected by the oil spill.  WILD’s approach is intentionally long-term, working on defining wilderness and wilderness management objectives in marine environments. 

Marine Protection and Traditional Knowledge

On many of the Pacific Islands, traditional knowledge of managing marine resources is passed down from generation to generation.  This knowledge is critical to the future health of these marine ecosystems, but with new environmental challenges and threats there is an ever increasing need for strategic planning, knowledge sharing and integration of traditional and place-based knowledge with new scientific findings and technological advances.  The 2010 International Pacific Marine Educators Conference, held from 6-9 July on the Fiji Islands addressed this need.

Celebrate Biodiversity!

This week, the Convention on Biological Diversity issued a press release highlighting some of the global celebrations of the International Year of Biodiversity 2010.  WILD is proud to be an IYB partner and recognizes the importance of biodiversity.  Here are a few examples of IYB celebrations:

Want to see Europe’s Wilderness?

Our partners at PAN Parks have just launched a new campaign to raise awareness and appreciation for Europe’s wild-places.  Each week for 11 weeks, PAN Parks will give away prizes leading up to the grand prize of a one week holiday in Majella National Park, Italy.

PAN Parks is a European-wide organization that works to protect wilderness and encourage sustainable tourism and enjoyment of wild-places.  PAN Parks works with parks and local business to ensure best-practices and upholds high-standards for managing for wilderness values.  You can explore the 11 certified PAN parks online, through an interactive map. 

Philanthropiece – Piecing together a better world

Last week I had the great honor of hosting Katie Doyle Myers (Director of Programs) and two very bright interns from Philanthropiece for lunch at WILD.  (I shouldn’t actually say “hosting,” because they brought lunch – sushi, yum!)  It was a great opportunity to learn more about the important projects and programs this Boulder-based operating foundation and get to know two emerging leaders. 

The Healing Power of Nature

The WILD Foundation and our sister organizations in The Wilderness Network were founded on the core belief that wilderness is an essential part of a healthy and sane society.  Dr. Ian Player, founder of the organizations within the network, pioneered interracial wilderness experiences in South Africa  — and our organizations remain committed and rooted in the belief that nature is a powerful healer. Time away from the digital demands of our lives provides the space for personal exploration and connection to nature.

Umzi Wethu, our AIDS orphans program in South Africa, integrates wilderness experiences into its award winning model.  The Umzi program increases the employability potential of resilient, motivated youth displaced by HIV/AIDS and poverty by using the power of the wilderness, promoting personal wellness in a nurturing home context, providing credible training, and securing sustainable job placements in hospitality and eco-tourism establishments – while extending the program’s social outreach to others. …