One of my hobbies.

Hello Readers,

Today I want to take a break from talking about conservation and share with you one of my hobbies. Although I am aspiring to become a Public Relations Specialist, one of my favorite things to do is photography. I love that with one press of a button, you can capture a moment in time. Time stands still in a way. Below are some of the pictures that I took during homecoming at my college. I work as a senior photographer for my universities yearbook, so for this assignment I was to capture the National Pan-Hellenic Council, also known as the NPHC, Greeks while they were tailgating. 

The bothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

Brother of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity In. Terry Ruggs strolling.

Brother of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Alphonzo Lewis Jr. stolling alongside Terry Ruggs. 

Brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Jerome Gerren .

The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. 

Sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. John Onedeko and Alphonso Lewis

Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. (Winners of the Step Show)

Brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. 

Sisters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. at the Step Show.

These pictures can give you a glimpse of what it is like to be around, or a part of, the NPHC Greeks. As a non-Greek, I still feel welcomed and accepted into the Greek world. Although I take pictures for several events on campus, the NPHC events are by far my favorite. Since my freshman year I have been following NPHC news, and have helped them become as known on campus as they are today. I am happy and honored to call most of the people you see in the pictures above my friends. And it is through photography that I have had the chance to meet these wonderful people. 

To kind of tie this back into the main topic of my blog, conservation, I not only use my photography skills to take pictures of my friends but to also capture nature and all of its inhabitants. I love taking a camera with me to go for a walk in the woods. You never know what kind of animal, or plant, that you will encounter. There is always a chance of being able to capture once in a lifetime pictures. My dream would to be able to travel the world and to show my journey through my photos. Just like the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words". 

Have an amazing day,

Sarah~Beth

Grey Wolf Conservation

Hello readers,

In my previous post I have talked about animal conservation in Africa and in India, but today and maybe for the next few weeks I would like to talk to you about animals that need our help that are in America. One of the animals that are in need of our help is the wolf. Many think that wolves are extinct in the wild, but thanks to some really smart conservationist, the numbers of wolves in the wild are increasing.

According to Wildlife Conservation Society, “There are about 5,000 gray wolves in the lower 48 states, including 1,600 in the Rocky Mountains. An estimated 7,000 live in Alaska and as many as 50,000 live in Canada.”

Just thinking about numbers you might think that they aren’t in danger of extinction, so why not focus on animals that are? Well it is maintaining these numbers to keep the species reaching such a low point.

Since the 1800’s westward expansion has been the primary threat to the wolves and many other large mammals. Due to the over hunting of the wolves prey, many wolves died from starvation. Wolves that survived on cattle and other domestic animals were hunted and killed by settlers. This nearly eliminated the species; by the time the grey wolf became protected in 1973, only a few hundred remained. All of which lived in Minnesota.

For more history about wolves check out the link HERE

Now, there are several national parks that have specific protection plans for the grey wolf. Nahanni National Park in Canada is a wildlife haven and has recently increased their territory to 12,000 square miles, six times their former size.

There are also rehabilitation centers across America to provide education on wolves and why they are important to the ecosystem.

Wolf Conservation Center in New York is just one of the many conservation centers. They taken in wolves that can not be reintroduced into the wild and use them to help inform the public about the wolves importance. They have three ambassador wolves, Atka, Alawa, and Zephyr. These three young wolves have become a part of 157 offsite education programs, National Geographic headquarters in Washington D.C. being one of them.

You can read more about WCC and their ambassadors HERE

At Yellowstone National Park there are about 400-450 wolves currently in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. These wolves are monitored throughout the year to keep track of breeding pairs, packs, and territory. Due to this rehabilitation of grey wolves, as well as other species in North America, wolves have been either put on a lower list for endangered animals, or completely taken off.

SEE THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST HERE

Hopefully one day we will not have an endangered species list. Hopefully one day, people every where will see the importance and beauty of every animal on this beautiful planet we call home. No matter how small, or how big, every animal plays a role in the ecosystem. 

Volunteering for Conservation

Hello readers,

First let me say that I am so happy to be getting so much positive feedback about my blog. I work really hard each week too not only complete my assignments, but to give my readers something interesting to read. 

I love getting emails from my readers with questions, and one question that I was asked a few weeks ago was about ways they can volunteer with different conservation organizations. Well, now I can finally answer your question.

There are several different organizations that you can volunteer with. You can volunteer at your local zoo like I did. (Who knows, you might get hired like I did too)

Volunteering at your local zoo is by far the easiest thing that you can do to help raise awareness for conservation. At The Birmingham Zoo, volunteers are needed to help support the Zookeepers inform the general public about all the different types of animals that live at the zoo.

 Being a volunteer you not only get to take a part in saving these animals, but you also get unique opportunities such as, getting one-on-one with the zookeepers who take care of your favorite animals, and a chance to work hands-on with some of the animals that live in the education department.

If you would like to know more about volunteering at The Birmingham Zoo you can go to their website HERE

If you are looking for more adventure then I have the perfect idea for you!

Goeco.org has several different volunteer options!

You can choose from volunteering with Kevin Richardson at his Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa, or Teaching and Social work in San Jose, Costa Rica. There are several choices for you to choose your next adventure from.

However, these amazing opportunities don’t come cheap!

With the Kevin Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary trip you volunteer from 1-4 weeks at a time. You would be staying in a volunteer house on the sanctuary, and be able to have an up-close experience with the animals at the sanctuary.

You can look at the full details of this trip HERE

If you would rather work with children then I suggest the Teaching and Social Work volunteer tip in San Jose, Costa Rica. You can volunteer for 2-12 weeks. You will be working with orphans, and disabled children. (Basic Spanish is required, but you can go through goeco.org to get help in learning the language.)

If you would like to know more about this trip click HERE

GoEco.org is only one of the several different conservation volunteer organizations. If you have the funds and the ability to take one of these trips I strongly encourage you to do so. BUT make sure you do your research in not only the company that you are volunteering with, but also the places you will be going. Knowledge is your best asset in cases like this.

If you would still like to volunteer, but cant afford traveling the world just yet, volunteering at a local zoo is an amazing thing to do. By volunteering at The Birmingham Zoo I got one of a kind experiences and my start in the conservation world.

If you have any questions or comments, leave them below or feel free to email me.

Peace & Love

Sarah~Beth