A New Year For Conservation

Like years past, 2011 has been full of both triumph and loss.  Precious habitat was saved.  Conservationists continued to educate and inspire others to help preserve our natural world.  In addition, new plant and animal species were discovered; however, a few were also considered to now be extinct.  With all of our great accomplishments over the last 365 days, I believe we can do better. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are all interconnected to each and every living thing on this planet.  All of our actions, good or bad, have an effect on others.  I meet …

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Answer the Call for Gorilla Conservation

  Columbite-tantalite, more commonly known as colton, is a valuable mineral that is used to manufacture capacitors found in electronic devices such as cell phones, video game systems, MP3 players, computers, and DVD player.  Colton is mined in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, China, Ethiopia, and Mozambique.  Unfortunately, most of the world’s coltan reserves are found in the same region as gorillas and the mining is destroying their last remaining habitat.  In addition, mining open access roads into gorilla habitat making it easier for poachers to find not only gorilla, but other endangered wildlife and resources.  By recycling …

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Student Creates Wildlife Conservation Project

For as long as Tina Dow can remember, she’s had a passion for wildlife. Dow, a West Virginia University student, is pursuing her passion through an organization she and her husband formed – Wildlife Research and Conservation. “I don’t ever remember a time not being interested in wildlife,” Dow said. “As a kid I always felt more at home outside with the creepy crawlies than I did inside.” During her doctoral studies at WVU, Dow’s focus has been on elephant captivation and the effects it has on the species’ fertility. Though Dow is unsure where she’ll end up after graduation, …

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Human-Wildlife Conflict

To most of us, looking out our window and seeing wildlife up close would be a dream come true.  However, to those people who actually share space with magnificent wild creatures on a daily basis the dream can quickly turn into a nightmare.  Human-wildlife conflicts are continuing to increase globally at an alarming rate.  Some argue that wildlife populations are growing, causing animals to crossover safe boarders of national parks and wildlife refuge areas into urban land inhabited by humans.  In contrast, human population growth is at an all time high; humans are encroaching into areas set aside as safe …

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