Harmony.

I often struggle between choosing to savor what I love and saving it.

I'd love to live on an island, live off the island, spearfishing my dinner, grilling ocean-side like the girl in this video. That's right fellow Skyhawks, the immature high school Tara who yelled at Hinchey for killing helpless deer and then grabbed a burger before softball practice has grown. Now I recognize the beauty in interacting with nature as it intended - predator and prey, never taking too much (unlike where my burgers came from).

I don't like fishing. My sensitive, girly heart doesn't like seeing it struggle on a hook just to be tossed back in. Caught, put out of its misery, and honored with some lemon juice and soy sauce on a grill however, that I could do. I have an admiration for hunters now, the real ones, not the ones who are just looking for their next wall mount while hiding in a tree.

I often wonder, could I look this Great White in the eye with the same bravery trust as this hunter? I'd like to think so, but I guess I'll never really know until I'm the vulnerable one ;)

Fish and Wildlife Service: Just Politics as Usual.

My opinions on the efficiency and productiveness of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service keep flip-flopping. Don't get me wrong - I have no doubt that the regional biologists perform and report to the best of their abilities and to a large extent, the limitations in their research and authority is outside of their control (budget issues, blah blah blah...). But there's something seriously broken in the system when a species has been a candidate for protections under the Endangered Species Act for 30+ years and all it takes is a coal company to make a comment stating they are against the listing for the species to get cut.

Let me explain...

At the Center for Biological Diversity, our main purpose is to ensure that endangered species get the protections they legally deserve. One of the many, MANY ways of doing this includes keeping on the lookout for "comment periods" that the Service announces. For example, they proposed to list the fluted kidneyshell and slabside pearlymussel as endangered with critical habitat. My supervisor asked if I would write the comments in support of this listing proposal on behalf of the Center. Sounded exciting! Until I realized what that meant.

After she sent me "example comments" and told me where I could get the information I needed to write everything, I dug in, only to find out that the research I was doing to write these comments was... already done, nothing profound. I wasn't pulling together information from multiple sources and drawing a conclusion. I wasn't supporting my comments based on my own scientific knowledge, or even my opinion, really. I was literally rephrasing EVERYTHING that the Fish and Wildlife Service had already said about those two species. Their threats, their habitat and life history needs, everything had already been thoroughly examined and put together, hence, the proposal to list them as endangered.

OK... so... why do I have to do this? Because if I don't, some industry (coal or gas most likely) will comment against the listing to continue with business as usual, regulation free. And if they're the only ones who comment, the species will not get listed. So, here we are at the Center reminding the Fish and Wildlife Service that yes, according to your own research this species needs protection, and yes, we care enough to say we support the listing. 

Pretty sad, really. My supervisor informed me that it is not the biologists who make the decisions. They simply do the research and send their findings up the line to some bureaucrat who passes the final rule. 

Then she sent me this quote: 

"It has been the Service's experience, after dealing with hundreds of mining projects, that in nearly all cases where there is a conflict between endangered species and a mining project, the project is permitted with only minor modifications" (FWS 1997, p. 1651). 

It seems silly to me, that we created this governmental agency responsible for looking out for the well being of our flora and fauna, but it cannot (will not?) stand up against some of the very things that threaten our species. It's like when an insurance company denies a patient medicine that the doctor prescribed.

Nothing but politics as usual. How disappointing. 

Professionals in African Wildlife Conservation Reception - Lucky Me!

Last Thursday, the World Affairs Council of Oregon and Oregon Wild hosted 13 wildlife conservation professionals from 9 different countries in Africa who were touring America with the International Visitor Leadership Program. The purpose of their visit was to strengthen ties with organizations and supporters in America to unite against poaching and illegal wildlife trade. 

At first I looked around for Namibia's representative, knowing I would have plenty to discuss with him. Unfortunately, I discovered he was unable to attend this event. I wasn't sure where to begin, not having as much of a connection with the other countries' representatives. I decided to sit down and just observe for a bit, perhaps take notes on how to best introduce myself, when the woman next to me said hello.

We chatted for awhile about which organizations we were here with. She asked if I had volunteered with Oregon Wild, seeing my "Keep Oregon Wild" sticker in hand. I said no, but I'm a big supporter of their work. She replied that she was the Conservation Director's wife and asked if I would like to meet him. 

Perfect! A place to start (not to mention Oregon Wild just happened to open up a position that has my name all over it, fingers crossed). After talking with him about how he got involved with this event, what all Oregon Wild does, and how much respect he has for my boss at the Center for Biological Diversity (boosting my confidence in my upcoming application), it was time to get a bite to eat.

Choosing a random seat next to Mr. Ramalefo of Botswana, we discussed predator-livestock conflict over sweet potatoes and chicken. That's my kind of meal. Finally, it was time to formally introduce everyone and hear brief presentations.

Steve Pedery began with Oregon Wild, pointing out that the problems in conservation we face here are not too different than those in Africa. After bringing back wolves from the brink of extinction, we are still in a constant fight with ranchers and hunters to keep them protected.

Then came the first African speech by a national park official from Zimbabwe. He talked about their parks, their rhino, pangolin, and painted dog populations, and their partnerships between the private and public sectors. Then he mentioned their struggles.

People are looking after the rhino, and not after the people trying to protect them. These men are not military trained, but war-like combat is what they face. They have limited resources, little time with their families, and no incentive to keep at it. They need to feel like they've achieved something."

I, in a super selfish, privileged American kind of way, can relate to that feeling. I wanted to tell him about the Thin Green Line team. There are people who care, people who hear you.

Next up, Zambia. He echoed the plea for the rangers and took it a step further. What many people don't know about these armed poachers is who they are funded by, and who they are funding. Many times, these activities are feeding terrorist organizations. Why else would they risk their own lives for a rhino horn? And of course, there is always the issue of habitat degradation. As resources are used, human wildlife conflict grows.

The third speech was given by my dinner buddy, and while he seemed a little quiet person to person, he provided a powerful ending to the presentation.

"I am not here to tell you the sad story of Africa. I am here to tell you about the successes we've had, not only as Botswana, but as people."

Immediately, I'm on the edge of my seat. He spoke about legislation coming into agreement with science more often, and the Transfrontier Conservation Area which was agreed upon and is managed by five different countries. There are wildlife management courses in college, and an academy in Botswana for law enforcement where they discuss wildlife crime.

Though we have successes, there are still challenges."

We need to figure out a way to actually use the bit of training our wildlife rangers have received in the field.

We need to include our communities in our efforts to preserve wildlife so they are not enticed by money to support poaching.

We need to teach children about wildlife management, (at this point I wanted to stand up and cheer, but I sat there silently scribbling down every word, beaming about my involvement with KWCAO who is doing just that) and take them to our national parks, most of which they have never been to, even though they live so close.

We need to get media on our side and ask them to stop advertising poaching. By repeatedly saying over and over how much a horn is worth, and what poachers get from a single rhino, and how many elephants are killed a day, we do nothing but add fuel to the fire.

Law enforcement cannot do it all."

With a little bit of time left in the evening and my head bustling with questions, I spoke with as many of the men as I could. They were all so friendly, eager to make connections and hoping in general that the people they meet on this trip around America will be inspired to act. While all I can do for now is blog, I sincerely hope they achieved what they came here for: international cooperation to fight illegal wildlife trade.

They all asked when I was going to come visit them in Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana...

"Soon." I said. "Very soon."

Rest in Peace, Rhino Champion.

I am very lucky. With frequent reports of declining numbers of rhinos and elephants across Africa, falling as victims to poaching, I realize just how lucky I am. At Etosha National Park I got to see black and white rhinos and bull elephants and their calves interact together. 

Normally, I would never regard these magnificent giants as "cute", but there is nothing in this world more adorable than seeing an elephant calf playfully sneak up on a rhino calf at the waterhole, only to be spooked and flare his ears when the rhino turns around, and, to the elephants surprise, is not another elephant. 

Having experiences like these, I am all the more saddened to hear that Anna Merz, founder of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and champion of black rhino conservation, passed away at age 81 earlier this month. Stories like hers, ones where someone saw a problem and had the drive and courage to act on it,  ones where the more difficult path was chosen rather than the easy one, renew my ambitions when I'm feeling discouraged. 

I would write about how incredible this woman was, what she's done for rhinos, and how I look up to her, but I think this article in the NY Times covers it all. Check out her inspiring story here. 

Rest in peace Mrs. Merz. Thank you for everything you did for rhinos and for people like me, who will never forget the first time they saw one. 

To continue Anna's mission, you can help protect rhino's by donating to the Lewa Conservancy. 

As promised, some things I've learned.

At this point I've volunteered, networked, interned, and dipped my toes into policy, fundraising, organizing, and researching. While I have yet to choose which direction I want to go within conservation, I have learned a thing or two about the organizations. 

I have been volunteering for the past seven months for the Friends of the Columbia Gorge and The Nature Conservancy. Which one of those two have you heard of before? Mmhmm.

The Nature Conservancy is well known, has offices all around the country and world, and has thousands of volunteers (in Oregon alone). With all those do-gooders, truth be told they didn't have too much I could get involved in. It's understandable; management and training of volunteers takes time.

If you're volunteering to be a good citizen - wonderful! You should feel like you're truly doing something to make a difference. If you're volunteering to build your resume (which is sad, but a rant for another time), then you should feel like your time spent at the career-relevant organization is more than just a bullet point on a sheet of paper.

That being said, never underestimate the little guys. In the same amount of time at Friends of the Columbia Gorge, a small nonprofit dedicated to preserving the beautiful Columbia River Gorge and the National Scenic Act, I learned how to use Salesforce, became the go to volunteer for database management, and I helped run a campaign against coal exports. They also knew I had a science background and are trying to get me  involved with their Towns to Trails project so that I can gain experience with surveying wildlife in the recreation sector, hopefully to help me get a job in the future. 

Both of these organizations do great work, but a common misconception of up and comers is a need to go after the big dogs thinking they will be more beneficial to work with. Even though the larger groups may be more likely to have paid positions open up, this isn't necessarily the case. 

And I've seen it again on the internship level. Ever heard of the Red Sweater Project? Me neither, until I saw an ad on Idealist and applied to be their programs assistant intern. In exchange for lifting the load on the rest of the completely voluntary staff, I get to choose what areas I want to be most involved in. I was told what was needed and asked what I wanted to get out of it. After a couple training sessions they're trusting me with creating profiles on fundraising sites and eventually managing all social media needs. In today's tech savvy world, that's quite a responsibility.

There is incredible value in getting to know your small, local nonprofits. Give them a chance, hear their story, and act!

Recap!

Whoa! It's been three weeks since my last post. Three weeks since I started my internship. I may have put a bit too much on my plate since then.... 

Here's the low down:

Full time internship at Center for Biological Diversity?

- SCORE.

Give up my volunteer work with Friends of the Columbia Gorge in stopping coal exports? 

- Never!

Continue to plan for my Model United Nations Camp with the Saturday Academy? 

- Totally...

Take on a new role as Programs Assistant for the Red Sweater Project? 

- Africa? Yes. (Like them on Facebook!)

Maintain this blog and tell everyone about environmental issues, conservation stories and cool animals? 

- Alright, I've been slacking. 

Make new YouTube videos? 

- I may have gotten a bit intimidated by my first opposer...

Keep building relationships between Safari Professionals, potential travelers, and African nonprofits?

- More on that coming soon! ;)

Sleep? - YES, please. 

But this blog isn't about me. I dream big, and eventually all this hustle will put me on the right path, but what I want to do now is share with others what I'm starting to learn from all of these experiences. Unfortunately, it's getting close to my bed time.

Part two of this will come tomorrow, you know, after work, a training session on managing Salesforce, a coal export meeting, and dinner. 

I have FINALLY caught a break in the conservation non-profit world.

Hi there! Meet the new Conservation Biology Intern for the Center for Biological Diversity!

A few weeks ago I updated my LinkedIn account to include a "summary". I didn't really know what to say. I have many interests, many goals, but I think I've finally nailed down what my ideal job would look like in one sentence: 

"I hope to land a job where I can serve as a liaison between the scientific community and conservation advocates so together we can plan for successful outreach programs."

I love the science behind ecology, evolution and conservation biology (hence, my degree...), but I don't have the attention span to complete one research project at a time (with appropriate sample size and repetition and all). I love the communications and outreach involved in conservation, but that's not my expertise. And I've never been the type of person that wants to cross the thin lines that separate activism and obnoxious, so what careers are available to me? The answer: very few, which is honestly a problem in itself. There is a HUGE gap between academia and advocacy, and it doesn't make any sense. That is why I am so excited about this internship.

Here's the low down of the position:

Ever heard a businessman complain about the Endangered Species Act? Ever heard a conservative say that it prohibits development? That it doesn't do anything to help species anyway? Well, the Center for Biological Diversity begs to differ. This is the project I will be working on. Researching current science that talks about endangered species' recoveries. 

The translation: Politicians and government officials - please do not cut funding for ESA programs or ignore its provisions when considering development. It will be my job to help prove that the protections these species receive from being listed help their populations recover, which is important for the health of our ecosystems and ourselves. 

I start Monday. I am a working girl, who finally has an opportunity to get started.