What's a Cerulean Warbler?

That was my question when I first saw this cute Animal Tails organic cotton t-shirt. If I would just stop to think: cerulean is a shade of blue, warbler is a songbird. Simple; a blue songbird.

Because of its declining population, this beautiful little bird is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

This charming girl's top is Rubi J's current Special of the Day at http://www.rubij.com/. Here's what the hang tag says:

"I live in North America in old deciduous forests, and migrate to the Andes in South America for my summer holidays. I am a real dare devil, I bungee jump out of my nest, and only open my wings when right underneath. I'm into recycling - if I need to remake my nest, I always take the bits of spider web I used to make the first nest.

Male cerulean warblers love to spend the day singing in the tree tops. They help find nesting space by following the females singing softly in a whisper. The male also guards the nest when the female goes off hunting.

My population plummeted in the 1990s, and continues to fall due to felling of forests for coffee plantations. I need the forest to live and feed off all the insects - it would be okay if I liked coffee..... but bugs are my thing!"

The Audubon Society reports a quarter of U.S. birds are in decline. Now for the good news. We can all help. Birds rebound nicely when their environment improves. We can all start our own backyard conservation. Research on the web which birds are common to your area (easy with Google). Then, plant a tree, bush or flowers that attract them. Simple, yet effective. A great project this summer of the kids.

Here's my BBF, Julieanna, at the zoo with her Animal Tails t-shirt and broken arm. She was jumping on the bed and missed. The cast didn't slow her down. She's my little songbird.

Seamese Crocodile and more.

Our "Special of the Day" .  The boys' favorite. 30% off at http://www.rubij.com/.

"There I was peacefully lumbering across my local river bank in Thailand, when I bump into a bunch of crazed scientists with a camera, behaving like I was some Hollywod star at the Oscars. Turns out it was the Wildlife Conservation Society looking for tigers, when I stepped into the frame.
Apparently they thought I was completely extinct in Thailand. I have a few relatives that live in the wild in Cambodia but apart from that we are farmed to make hand bags. Imagine living your life in captivity and finishing up as a hand bag.
I might look fierge on this this shirt but in fact I'm a big softy and only eat fish, and will only attack you if you attack me."

That's the hang tag on the Seamese Crocodile Organic T-Shirt. In 1992 this fresh water crocodile was thought to be extinct in the wild. Now, through conservation groups, they have a new beginning.

Although, not the cutest, cuddling creature; they are important to the region ecosystem; they have a chance. There are good, good people working to save them. 

When I was researching the Seamese Crocodile, I made a remarkable discovery. A discovery that may have changed my life.

I discovered the Fauna and Flora International organization. I can't believe I have never heard of them before now.  Wow!!! Let me inform you.

Fauna & Flora International is the oldest international conservation organization in the world. Founded in 1903 (that's right, 1903), it has one of most remarkable contributions to saving the natural world I have ever researched.  They don't just throw dollars at the situations, they solve. 

They work with underdeveloped countries to partner communities in showing ways of making conservation economically viable.  They demostrate how to become part of the solution and strive.

It has reinforced my belief that there are much more good  people on this earth than bad or misinformed. 

Do yourself a favor and go to http://www.fauna-flora.org/.

Making sense of going "green"

All of us want a better life for our children and grandkids (like my adorable ones in the picture). Where we used to think in terms of better job, bigger house, more money; our aspirations now include a healthier and cleaner environment. “Conservation” is a common word these days. “Social awareness” is making its way up our vocabulary. We all know what “eco-friendly” means. Or do we?

We are bombarded by so many new slogans and catch phrases, we not sure what is “green” and what is just a marketing tool.

I found some of the following phrases and their meanings on http://www.sustainabilitydictionary.com/.

SUSTAINABILTY: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Very powerful word.
CONFLICT-FREE: A product that can certify it wasn’t obtained through the use of violence. Think “Blood Diamonds”.
CARBON-NEUTRAL: Giving back to the earth what you take. Many manufacturers are now adopting this policy. For example, planting trees to counter act the greenhouse gases created in their production process. Individuals can also strive to become carbon-neutral.
UPCYCLED: Taking disposable items and transforming them into something of greater use and value. Glass is a great example of this.
POST-CONSUMER PRODUCT: Used by one consumer, recycled and remade into another product. Paper products are the first thing that comes to mind. It wasn’t that many years ago where we never saw that little “made from recycle paper” logo. Now it’s everywhere.

I hope I brought you a little knowledge today. Remember, "Knowledge is Power".