As mentioned in February, the National Wildlife Federation holds an annual photography contest, which includes categories for pros, amateurs, and children 13-17.
This year's contest just began accepting submissions. The deadline is July 14. Along with submitting, you can also vote for the People's Choice Award.
Check out the Web page here.
Children 12 and under can submit to the Ranger Rick photo contest, which has winners announced every four months with deadlines January 31, May 31, and September 30.
01 April 2011
24 March 2011
The Earth Hour is upon Us
Earth Hour began as an attempt to raise awareness about global warming. As it marks its fifth year of observation, it is expanding to an effort to do the things necessary to take on the problem.
"Beyond the Hour" is this year's theme. To go "beyond," individuals are encouraged to couple their light-free hour with a commitment to do something that helps the planet (for an idea, see my previous post).
For more about Earth Hour, click here.
23 March 2011
Energy Transfer
As you welcome spring, consider embracing this shift in energy by changing the type of energy your home uses. No, this doesn't require buying a windmill or putting solar panels on your roof. The great thing is you can use energy from wind, solar, and other alternative sources simply by signing up for green power with your local utility.
To find out if your provider offers such an option, visit the US Department of Energy's Green Power Network.
It does cost more to buy green power, but I propose taking this as an opportunity: See if you can break even by identifying ways of lowering your energy consumption (perhaps unplugging electronic devices you are not using). If you can do this, then you have switched over to cleaner sources of energy and reduced your need for it at the same time.
Buying green energy also shows support for alternative sources, and if enough people follow your example, then hopefully the price will even out with that of traditional sources. That's the power of building energy.
21 March 2011
Helping Wildlife
We're a day past the vernal equinox, and with spring, comes more wildlife encounters.
Often, it's best just to leave the animal alone. This is especially true of young animals because while they may appear abandoned, the mother is quite frequently close by.
However, if you happen to come across an animal that is in obvious distress (perhaps as the result of an injury), try to contact a local animal rescue group. One way to find out if such a group exists in your area is to use The Wildlife Rehabilitation Directory.
The directory asks for your zip code and provides you with a list of animal rescue organizations within a given distance.
Often, it's best just to leave the animal alone. This is especially true of young animals because while they may appear abandoned, the mother is quite frequently close by.
However, if you happen to come across an animal that is in obvious distress (perhaps as the result of an injury), try to contact a local animal rescue group. One way to find out if such a group exists in your area is to use The Wildlife Rehabilitation Directory.
The directory asks for your zip code and provides you with a list of animal rescue organizations within a given distance.
13 February 2011
Peeks at Beaks
If you're on your computer and looking for a quick way to connect with nature, try visiting a "nature cam" Web site.
Nature cams are situated to give you glimpses into the lives of animals. Many of these cameras look into bird nests and let you follow the progress of the avian families that inhabit them.
Two such nest cams are the Eagle Cam at the Norfolk Botanical Garden in Virginia and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Great Horned Owl Nestcam, which is located in Minnesota.
It's cool to check in with these birds on occasion, especially if you're needing to visit nature but can't get outside right away.
10 February 2011
Tips and Top Photos
Photography is a great way to connect with nature. It's like telling someone you'd like to get to know them. Then, after interacting with that person for a while, you realize you've got a great friend and some wonderful memories.
As it turns out, the National Wildlife Federation provides some tips for those hoping to capture their environment in photographs. Check out the tips here.
Also, each year, NWF holds a photo contest for professionals, amateurs, and children. The following video is a promotion for last year's contest, but it also contains some great tips. Plus, check out the bird in the YouTube still image. For those who don't recognize it, it's a cedar waxwing, which is one of my favorite birds. For me, the photo captures the character of these birds perfectly. (Waxwings always seem a little cavalier and irreverent--maybe it's the black masks.)
When the information for the 2011 NWF contest becomes available, I'll post it.
Now, get out there and shoot away.
As it turns out, the National Wildlife Federation provides some tips for those hoping to capture their environment in photographs. Check out the tips here.
Also, each year, NWF holds a photo contest for professionals, amateurs, and children. The following video is a promotion for last year's contest, but it also contains some great tips. Plus, check out the bird in the YouTube still image. For those who don't recognize it, it's a cedar waxwing, which is one of my favorite birds. For me, the photo captures the character of these birds perfectly. (Waxwings always seem a little cavalier and irreverent--maybe it's the black masks.)
When the information for the 2011 NWF contest becomes available, I'll post it.
Now, get out there and shoot away.
09 February 2011
Wild Landmark
This month, the National Wildlife Federation is celebrating its 75th anniversary. February 3 marked the official day, and I wanted to acknowledge the milestone and NWF's impact on me.
I grew up reading the organization's kids' magazines (first Your Big Backyard and then Ranger Rick). With nature all around me and a love of animals already in place, the magazines seemed a natural fit. I still remember learning how to make art out of cones and leaves.
For a long time, I didn't know NWF published the magazines. Then, as an adult, I started looking for environmental organizations to support and selected NWF as one of them. When I discovered that the organization was responsible for two of the publications that shaped my youth, I figured I had made a fitting choice.
Anyway, Happy Birthday, NWF. Thanks for helping articulate my relationship with the environment and for helping others explore their connections to it.
I grew up reading the organization's kids' magazines (first Your Big Backyard and then Ranger Rick). With nature all around me and a love of animals already in place, the magazines seemed a natural fit. I still remember learning how to make art out of cones and leaves.For a long time, I didn't know NWF published the magazines. Then, as an adult, I started looking for environmental organizations to support and selected NWF as one of them. When I discovered that the organization was responsible for two of the publications that shaped my youth, I figured I had made a fitting choice.
Anyway, Happy Birthday, NWF. Thanks for helping articulate my relationship with the environment and for helping others explore their connections to it.
08 February 2011
Whales ♥ NY
And the feeling is mutual.
Today's story provides some good news about improving conditions along the East Coast and the opportunities for people to benefit from a connection with the environment.
The story, which comes from the New York Daily News, reports on the growing number of whales returning to the waters off New York. As the story notes, it looks like this return coincides with improving water conditions offshore. Watch the video below.
I found a lot of things to like about this story. First, although the video doesn't list the different species of whales that are visiting the Big Apple, the species include blue and fin whales. These are two of my favorite animals, and the blue is the largest living animal while the fin is the second largest.
Above all, the story spotlights the importance of people's relationship with the environment. Human actions led to the drop in water quality in the first place, and changes in behavior helped improve it. However, I am most struck by Tom Paladino's reaction to the whales' return. Clearly, he is excited to be so close to the animals, and this offers a glimpse into the positive impact a firmly established connection with the environment can have. In addition, the fact that he has been able to operate a whale-watching business indicates that a lot of people in New York share his feelings and the need to connect more with nature.
If this is happening in our largest city, perhaps we can all find ways of improving and strengthening our relationship with the environment. In return, the environment might help us rediscover a lot of things we've forgotten to miss.
Today's story provides some good news about improving conditions along the East Coast and the opportunities for people to benefit from a connection with the environment.
The story, which comes from the New York Daily News, reports on the growing number of whales returning to the waters off New York. As the story notes, it looks like this return coincides with improving water conditions offshore. Watch the video below.
I found a lot of things to like about this story. First, although the video doesn't list the different species of whales that are visiting the Big Apple, the species include blue and fin whales. These are two of my favorite animals, and the blue is the largest living animal while the fin is the second largest.
Above all, the story spotlights the importance of people's relationship with the environment. Human actions led to the drop in water quality in the first place, and changes in behavior helped improve it. However, I am most struck by Tom Paladino's reaction to the whales' return. Clearly, he is excited to be so close to the animals, and this offers a glimpse into the positive impact a firmly established connection with the environment can have. In addition, the fact that he has been able to operate a whale-watching business indicates that a lot of people in New York share his feelings and the need to connect more with nature.
If this is happening in our largest city, perhaps we can all find ways of improving and strengthening our relationship with the environment. In return, the environment might help us rediscover a lot of things we've forgotten to miss.
07 February 2011
What's Green and Read All Over?
Well, I'm not actually sure about how much it's been read, but Cartriona MacGregor's Partnering with Nature: The Wild Path to Reconnecting with the Earth is certainly getting recognized for its greenness.The book recently won the Social Change category at the Best Books 2010 Awards.
I have not yet read it, but the news article about the book's award caught my attention because it says Partnering with Nature explores the reasons, including health benefits, people should strengthen their relationship with the environment. The article also says the book provides a look at the ways people can achieve such a reconnection, including the development of an "eco-consciousness" and the use of new technologies.
Given that this blog has dedicated much time to similar ideas, I thought it might be a good idea to spotlight MacGregor's book. Check it out if you are looking for some reading.
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