Nature – Page 4 – TINA CHIARELLI, PHD, FRGS

A New Year For Conservation

December 30th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

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 …

Peace and Place For All

December 23rd, 2011tinalc0 Comments

When I first began working in the field of wildlife conservation I was very naïve. It was so easy to come up with solutions to habitat loss and species survival when humans were not factored into the equation. It was so very simple to point an accusatory finger. Part of the learning curve in this line of work is to understand that for every person who carries out atrocities against wildlife and their habitat, there are at least five that want to save them. In addition, identifying the driving force behind such horrific events is just as much of the …

Thank You

November 23rd, 2011tinalc0 Comments

This week, in the United States, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. This holiday is a time for recognizing the things and special people we are thankful for. Aside from stuffing ourselves with roasted turkey, potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, the day is spent with friends and family. In addition, I thought it would be the most fitting time to give thanks to all those special people who have inspired me over the years and helped cultivate my passion for wildlife conservation and habitat preservation. If not for these wonderful people, I would not be who I am today. As a …

Crikey! It’s Steve Irwin Day!

November 10th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

This Tuesday, 15 November, is the annually celebration of the life of Steve Irwin. Like him or not, you cannot deny that this man brought the plight of wildlife conservation into more than 150 million living rooms around the world. Carrying on that tradition, the aptly named Steve Irwin Day continues Steve’s mission to fight for wildlife conservation and habitat preservation. In addition, the day reminds us that one person can make a huge difference. I remember the first time I saw Steve Irwin on television. Being raised on the stylings of Sir David Attenborough, Steve was unlike anything I …

7 Billion and Counting

November 5th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

Last month the world population reached 7 billion. In only 12 short years, since ~October 1999, the human population has increased by 1 billion. Let us take a few moments to think about the fact that we now share this planet with 6,999,999,999 other people… and counting. If our global growth rate continues, it is anticipated that by 2050, you could be one of 10 billion! So what exactly does this increase mean for the other species that share our space? Furthermore, what do 7 billion humans mean for the environment? Regardless, if we live in a developing or industrialized …

Snakes, Spiders, and Bats…Oh My!

October 23rd, 2011tinalc0 Comments

In preparation for my favorite holiday, I was recently perusing through the Halloween decorations at a local megastore. For me, Halloween standards are carved pumpkins, bed sheet ghosts, and candy; lots of candy. However, for others, the scariest of holidays is all about fear. Some of the most iconic Halloween characters that makes ones blood run cold and stand frozen in fear, i.e., bats, spiders, and snakes, are the same creatures I find most fascinating. Unfortunately, it is this very fear that has served as a death sentence for those same misunderstood species that actually do a great deal to …

Wild, Wonderful World of Fungus

September 26th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

It never ceases to amaze me just what one can find in the natural world when they look beyond what it is they intended to find; to widen the gaze and focus on a much bigger picture. A recent trip to locate Timber rattlesnakes for our population and reproductive assessment survey reminded me of that very thing. It was what I had no intention of finding that had left me awe inspired. Although no reptiles were found, I did get a greater appreciation for those things that we tend to dismiss as inanimate, but quite the contrary, are growing at …