5.23.2013

Animal Lesson #7: Conservationist Jane Goodall and Chimpanzees


As a child, I read stories and watched movies about Jane Goodall and I admired her for her success in conservation efforts.  As an adult, you can inspire children to take action and help the environment. 

As an adult, I had the pleasure of becoming more connected to Jane Goodall.  I heard her speak at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Wow! What an inspiration to see her live. Jane presented slides from her chimpanzee research in Tanzania. To hear her tell the stories, to hear the passion in her voice about the next generation. She encouraged the audience to get involved in Roots & Shoots, a global youth organization that gets youth involved in service learning projects that promote care and concern for animals, the environment, and the human community.

After I saw Jane in person, I visited a museum with a special exhibit all about her life. Very nicely done, but nothing beats hearing stories live from a leader.

You can get your child involved in conservation through Jane's Roots & Shoots organization.  Search for an existing group or event or create a new one.  Example events include 1) "Anything with A Plug Recycling Event" Carmel, IN, collected 30 tons to recycle, 2) Run for Wild Bronz Zoo, NY, 3) Animal Shelter drives
http://rootsandshoots.org/

I realized I was also indirectly connected to Jane through working with my past company providing funds to the Angel Fund, a cheetah conservation effort with the help of dogs.  I had the chance to meet Thane Maynard (Cincinnati Zoo Director) who co-authored the book Hope for Animals and Their World with Jane.  After meeting Thane and the Angel Fund initiater Cathryn Hiker, I took my kids to witness the cheetah's run at the zoo.  When I took my kids to see Jack Hanna's live animal show, Jack mentioned his admiration for Jane.  We are all so connected and so are the plants and animals in our world.  How are you connected to conservation leaders and efforts?  How do you pass that passion down to your children?  Please share your ideas.

5.01.2013

Agriculture Lesson #2: 7 Blueberry Events

Blueberry pancakes, blueberry pie...mmm, kids love blueberries.  Kids are curious about fruit.  Do they grow on trees or bushes?  Help your kids learn about how blueberries are grown by taking them to a pick your own farm or a blueberry festival. 
Break out the US map.  The blueberry gets recognized as the official fruit of Maine.  Maine produces 25% of all lowbush blueberries and requires about 50,000 beehives for pollination.  Michigan leads in highbush berry production, accounting for 32% of the small berries.

For your best pick-your-own experience, begin early while energy is high and before the hot sun beats down.  Bring your sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottle, and coolers to bring home the treasured fresh berries.  We always pick extra.  My employees showed appreciation when I brought them berries to the office.

We've also celebrated the blueberry harvest at the Marshall Blueberry Festival.  It's been named a "Top 100 Event" in North America by the American Bus Association in 1997, 1999, and 2007.  Many of the blueberry festivals include kid pleasing foods like blueberry pancakes.  If you feel like burning the calories, many of these festivals also have a variety of sports events.  The Marshall Blueberry Festival includes a 5K run, arm wrestling, volleyball, and softball.

Here's 7 festivals in the United States:

1.  Marshall Blueberry Festival, Plymouth, IN, Aug. 30- Sept. 2 2013; 45+ year old festival with parade, auto show, music, and 300+ craft vendors  http://www.blueberryfestival.org/pg/history.html

2.  Paradise Annual Wild Blueberry Festival, Paradise, Michigan (MI), Aug. 16-18 2013, bring your blue clothes, a bucket, and enjoy http://www.paradisemichigan.org/bb/blueberryfest.html

3.  Machias Wild Blueberry Festival, Machias, Maine, 1.5 hours from Bar Harbor, 38th annual festival, Aug. 16-18 2013, a church project with music, parade, contest, free admission  http://www.machiasblueberry.com/

4.  Texas Blueberry Festival, Nacogdoches, Texas (TX), 23rd annual, June 8 2013, free admission, blueberry picking at Blueberry Place, motorcycle show, car show, competitions, 100+ vendors  http://www.texasblueberryfestival.com/

5.  Blueberry Jubilee, Poplarville, Mississippi (MS), cooking contest, pageant, auto show, dog show, 5K run...go to the site just to show your kids the animated berry (-:  http://blueberryjubilee.org/

4.  Reed Valley Orchard Blueberry Jubilee and Pancake Day, Paris, Kentucky (KY); Sat. June 29, 2013 horse drawn wagon, fruit pies, slushies  http://www.reedvalleyorchard.com/Jubilee.htm

5.  Wellborn Blueberry Festival, Wellborn, FL, June 7-8 2013, free admission, blueberry pancake breakfast $5, parade, talent contest, 5K run  http://www.wellborncommunityassociation.com/Pages/BlueberryFestival.aspx