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Author gives six tips for wildlife week and shares some online resources.
Go ahead and get wild this week--about animals. April 19th-25th has been designated as National Wildlife Week.
Since 1938 the National Wildlife Federation has encouraged people throughout the United States to experience and learn about the natural world in their local communities
through events and educational efforts.
The theme for the 2004 celebration focuses on exploring nature in your neighborhood. Students and families can participate through the Schoolyard Habitats Program®, the Backyard Habitat Wildlife Program™, or other activities.
“People need to get more involved in what I call ‘backyard conservation’ and this is a good week to get started.” Said author Diana L. Guerrero. “Our population has exploded and animals and their environments need everyone’s help. Efforts that start at home move into the local community and then into larger efforts.”
Guerrero has worked educating people about animals of all types. Her new book, “What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality: Inspiring Lessons of Wild and Tame Creatures” takes readers on an armchair safari into the animal world. In it she shares tidbits related to conservation, behavior, training, and more.
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books coincides with National Wildlife Week. Guerrero's book is going wild and she will be onsite for an appearance at the festival on April 24th and 25th. (Visit booth 917 at 10:30am to meet Guerrero in person, or drop by her publishers booth 629 at 1pm Sunday to get a copy of her book.)
“When people learn to connect with an animal, or how to relate to a strange critter an intimate level, that link motivates them to take steps to conserve or protect that animal, its relatives, and the environment. National Wildlife Week alerts people to the simple steps they can take to make a huge difference in the long run.” Guerrero said.
Guerrero says some simple steps include:
·Plant native (indigenous) plants in your garden.
·Use alternative pest control options around your home instead of using poisons like insecticides, weed killers, and rat poisons.
·Learn about the bugs, birds, and critters native to your area.
·Discover how the local plants and critters work together to create a unique niche and how to sustain that specialty environment for them with a Native Plant Society.
·Learn more by joining a local wildlife group such as Audubon, the American Cetacean Society, the Sierra Club, or any regional groups dedicated to wildlife.
·Educate yourself about wildlife habitat and conservation through reading and active participation as a volunteer.
Guerrero recommends the following websites for more information on how to create and conserve wildlife habitat:
National Wildlife Week: http://www.nationalwildlife.org/nationalwildlifeweek/resources.html
Ecological Footprint Quiz:
http://www.earthday.net
Sustainable Agriculture:
http://attra.ncat.org/
Alternative Pest Control:
http://www.commonsensecare.com/pestcontrol.html
Native Plant Societies (Regional Groups):
http://www.michbotclub.org/links/native_plant_society.htm
North American Native Plant Society:
http://www.nanps.org/index.shtml
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