DIANA L. GUERRERO’S ARK ANIMAL TRACKS
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Volume 2, Number 9 August 26, 2004
Publisher: Guerrero Ink
E-mail: guerreroink@yahoo.com or website http://www.arkanimals.com
Copyright © 2004 Diana L. Guerrero. All rights reserved
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Welcome! September News & Tips
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Tales From The Trips
2. September Events!
3. Learning Light Seminar September 25th
4. Tips for September
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1. Tales From The Trips
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Fall hit about two weeks ago. It must be my fault because just as soon as I removed my feather comforter from my bed it got cold! Although I did not list a whole lot of events last month—I ended up doing more. Word has spread and I am getting asked to speak and provide programs to more stores and other venues. The West Hollywood Book Fair asked me to participate on a panel with some great people in October. Visit my schedule page for details or stay tuned for more news next month.

I’ve been sticking close to home after a trip down to San Diego to see my naturopath. At the moment I have completely changed my diet and am taking lots of supplements to get back on track. In the meantime, one of my local booksellers has taken advantage of my being close to home and my bibliophile nature. I’ve been assisting in the store and enjoying meeting book lovers from around the nation. I have to say that working in a bookstore does wonders for your knowledge of what is happening in the publishing world…plus I shamelessly sell many autographed editions of my book!

One of my newest pastimes involves participating in educational teleseminars. As many of you know, I will be introducing some of my own in 2005 and maybe sooner. Some of the topics I will cover are: animal careers, how to solve animal behavior problems, a monthly animal training session, writing topics, legal essentials for writers, tapping into the creative well, and more. If you are not yet subscribed to this newsletter--make sure you sign up so you don’t miss them.

My September special for new subscribers who are already authors and speakers—is the invitation to participate in a FREE teleseminar in the near future. Just email me with the subject line “subscriber interested in free teleseminar.” I will email you with the information and get you hooked up with some dynamic teachers and professionals. If you are not subscribed to my newsletter yet—what are you waiting for?

For those of you who are already subscribed, you can qualify to attend the teleseminar for FREE by obtaining a new subscriber to this newsletter. Just email me with their information and the subject line, “referral subscriber for free seminar.” Once their subscription is verified I will send you the invitation with the information!

Subscribers to this newsletter will also receive discounts on the fee based teleseminars—so stay tuned!
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2. September Events
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Last minute requests always surface despite my plans. So make sure you check my schedule for the latest updates. You can access the schedule from the main index page of www.arkanimals.com or www.allianceofwriters.com. If you are reading this at authorsden.com just visit me here by clicking to www.authorsden.com/dianalguerrero. So far in September you can find me:

September 4 & 5, 2004 (Saturday & Sunday, All Day) Edelweiss Books in Big Bear, California

September 16, 2004 (Sunday, TBA) Wildlife Art Show in Big Bear, California

September 23, 2004 (Thursday, Noon-2pm) Book Club in Big Bear, California

September 25, 2004 (Saturday, 1-3pm) Learning Light in Anaheim, California

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3. How Animals Teach & Heal Seminar: September 25th
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Wild about animals? Don't miss this innovative and controversial course delving into the animal world and lessons they teach!

In this interactive session, you will discover how to strengthen your bond with animals and how to create a better life for yourself through the spiritual lessons they share. Class participants may share a photo and story of an animal that has affected their life.

Explore lessons from creatures around the globe and learn:
• What animals have to share
• The significance of pet problems and illnesses
• What messages unusual species impart.

Delve deep into the animal world during this exciting new program. “How Animals Teach and Heal” will be held at The Learning Light located at 1212 E. Lincoln Avenue in Anaheim, California 92805.

Course fee is $30 advance registration and $35 same day registration. For further information or to enroll call The Learning Light at (714) 533-2311.

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4. September Tips:
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The questions I am getting are all animal related. So I thought I would spend some time this month discussing a timely wild animal topic.

The August 24, 2004 issue of Newsweek featured the plight of wild cats. Unfortunately they are not the only animals in jeopardy. Big predators are known in my profession as “flagship” species since they catalyze interest in conservation of the environment where that particular creature lives. A reptile or slug doesn’t catalyze the same interest but is conserved (along with the habitat) as a result of the interest in the high profile species.

There are lots of reasons why animals are endangered, but the biggest lead back to human destruction and ignorance. Encroachment into (and destruction of) the environment, a lack of understanding regarding the daily impact that each human contributes, and the failure to take actions that make a difference are just a few explanations.

Although I cannot always comment on the latest breaking news—I try. If I can use my influence to interest the media and the public with tie-in topics and tips for action, then the resulting articles and actions can help…a little.

Unfortunately the dwindling habitat and plummeting populations of species makes viable recovery a distant glimmer. Elephant populations grow but cannot be sustained by the paltry reserves. Estimates on population numbers for many species have been found to be too high. In the Newsweek article, the estimated population for one of the African lion groups was found to be 23, 000 less than a quarter of what was estimated (100,000). The pessimistic predictions talk about the great apes, pachyderms, and big cats disappearing within the next fifty to one hundred years.

Traditional strategies for conservation no longer work--or have not worked all along and have just recently been discovered to be inadequate. When I was working with endangered species overseas, I found that in most cases you must brave the political and economic challenges found in the countries of origin AND find ways to work within it.

Zoos, most of which started as private animal collections, do the best that they can but often fall short of the mark for reintroduction or successful breeding programs. Habituated animals do not make good candidates for release and maintaining genetic viability and diversity of a species is difficult. When species survival programs have to ignore some of the subspecies of an animal in favor of ones who might be saved--primarily due to space and resources--it drives home the point. Space is a premium both in and out of captivity.

I tend to be an optimist and believe that with concentrated effort and understanding that we can work toward better strategies for survival of our fellow creatures. Wildlife corridors (also mentioned in the article) are something that many field conservationists and urban biologists are using. If we can more into better understanding of our wild kindred and consciously making good choices in our day-to-day activities then all of us can work together to change our world. It all starts at home.

For instance, you can take just a few steps to help wildlife every day:
oRecycle, reuse and repair:
-Push for recycling projects in your area. Sort your trash into different container so plastic, paper, metal, and cardboard become other products instead of ending up in the landfill. This reduces the pull from the environment.
-Reuse your bags (both paper and plastic) and other containers. Instead of buying the “throw-away” plastics reuse everything. Take a minute to clean them and use again. Take your bags back to the market or use a cloth bag for groceries and other shopping. If you visit the coffee house daily, get a reusable cup instead of new one every day.
-Repair items instead of throwing them away. We have become a society that replaces rather than repairs. Push companies into becoming more conservation oriented with your consumer power.

o Make conscious choices:
-Support sustainable agricultural. Your purchasing power can support those efforts that are better for our earth. Organic and small farms supply better products for our planet than some of the bigger operations, imported products, and genetically engineered foods.
-Ask your local grocer to carry humanely farmed meats. Meat eaters can create pressure for change in the dairy and meat industry. Although vegetarians and vegans contribute through their choices, consumer-buying power has a bigger influence and hits the pocket book and ears of decision makers. Money and the demand for products talks the talk that bends ears.
-Pick places to eat that are not abusive to the environment. Did you know that many fast food products have been obtained from farming on cleared habitat of endangered species in other countries, or are obtained from other cultures with substandard work conditions?

o Home is where it all starts:
-Remember that what goes down your drain or in your trash will end up in somewhere in the environment. Use care in selecting natural products or some of the more traditional old-fashioned household cleaners.
-Create and indigenous garden and grow native plants. The perk is that you will also attract native species of critters!
-Use natural pest control and composting strategies.
-Keep your pets monitored so they don’t impact wildlife by hunting or by spreading disease through their elimination.
-Teach your children to care and involve them in daily activities and efforts.

Visit my website (www.arkanimals.com) for hints and tips for backyard conservation. There are articles on related topics, such as the damage hybrid animals (crosses between domestic and wild animals) cause to conservation. As more information comes in, readers can learn about grassroots programs that make a difference instead of steering monies into administrative and promotional funds of some of the larger organizations.

In the meantime get more information from:

The Humane Farming Association: http://www.hfa.org/

Sustainable Agriculture: http://www.sare.org/

Earth Day Every Day: http://www.arkanimals.com/dlg/presskit03.htm

Wolf Dog Hybrids: http://arkanimals.com/ark/ws_1_wolf_dog_hybrids.html
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Good luck and stay tuned for the next newsletter!
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Please feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who is on the lookout for new books, speakers, and courses related to animals or writing.

Don’t forget to tell your friends about this newsletter and recommend that they sign up. To subscribe to this newsletter enroll at www.arkanimals.com or www.allianceofwriters.com.

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Thanks for joining me. If you have a topic you would like to see covered in this newsletter, please email your suggestion to: guerreroink@yahoo.com. If you would like to advertise or sponsor an event, contact me below.
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ARK ANIMAL TRACKS
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Copyright © 2004 by Diana L. Guerrero
PO Box 1989-215
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