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#DawnHelpsSaveWildlife Launches Wildlife Education Program and Contest for Chicago Schools

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#DawnHelpsSaveWildlife Launches Wildlife Education Program and Contest for Chicago SchoolsOne particular thing I’ll always root for is education.  I loved school growing up, I loved college and enjoyed earning my teaching credential to educate the next generation.  Although I only taught in the classroom for a short time, I have always supported my children’s education and helped teachers and worked in classrooms for the past two decades!  Living and going to school on the central coast of California has had it’s benefits for our kids (and the students in area schools) as they’ve have had many opportunities to learn about marine wildlife on field trips to the nearby Monterey Bay Aquarium.  We’ve been there a handful of times and we know the Aquarium’s positive relationship with schools is inspiring to many and has a great impact on their future careers.  Now as a blogger, I’m an Ambassador with Dawn Saves Wildlife and they are passionate about bringing education and wildlife together in the classroom and their recent partnership with Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is so exciting!

Earlier this month, Dawn and Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium launched a new national in-classroom and web accessible STEM curriculum called NextGen Animal Responders.  If you’re not familiar, STEM curriculum is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math and the NextGen Animal Responders will allow teachers to offer fifth through eighth grade student’s five Next Generation Science Standards lesson plans to increase students’ environmental and science literacy through Shedd animal rescue and rehabilitation stories and resources.  Unlike many of our local schools, being in an urban area, many of the kids in these grade levels may not get a hands on opportunity to experience nature and the environment in any other way.

Watch the video below to learn more:

“Shedd has been committed to working with response and rescue organizations globally for over 50 years and the urgency to protect animals and their environments is greater than ever,” said Bridget Coughlin, Shedd Aquarium president and CEO. “Dawn and Shedd both share a similar passion for wildlife conservation as well as a shared mission of educating and inspiring the world about the wellbeing of animals, habitat conservation, and the health of our oceans. This is the first time we are working together to build care and compassion for animals that will extract curiosity and interest, which we hope will ultimately lead to interest in a new career path for some of these students.”

Teachers everywhere can download the STEM curriculum and share it with their students.  The partnership between Dawn and Shedd aquarium will take a show on the road in Chicago to deliver hands-on science experiments focusing on rescue efforts and protecting the environment.  25 Chicago based schools have the chance to win an extraordinary prize by entering between now and April 7, 2017 at http://www.sheddaquarium.org/nextgen/.  The prize is a field trip of a lifetime:  a 1-day trip to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL for the winner and his/her winning class and 5 adult chaperones, also includes a behind the scenes tour of the Aquarium where the NextGen Animal Responders will see animal care and recovery in action!  I’ve done a few behind the scenes tours at Monterey’s aquarium and it’s such a fascinating learning experience and I know that the kids will really think about how they can make an impact in their future careers and interests!

Information provided by my partnership with the Dawn Wildlife Ambassadorship.  All opinions my own.

6 Simple Ways Families Can Support Animal Safety and Protection #DawnHelpsSaveWildlife

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Dawn Wildlife AmbassadorOctober is National Animal Safety and Protection Month and Jen is on a Journey is happy to partner with Dawn for a second time as an Ambassador to generate awareness and excitement for the Dawn Wildlife program for the next year!  Believe it or not, for over 30 years Dawn dish soap has been an important part of rescuing and releasing more than 75,000 wild animals affected by oil pollution because their formula is tough on grease and gentle to delicate skin and feathers!  Dawn donates thousands of bottles of dish soap to The Marine Mammal Center and International Bird Rescue to help save wildlife and it’s easy for you and your family to get involved as well, there are so many ways!

6 Simple Ways Families Can Support Animal Safety and Protection

Dawn Saves Wildlife1. Recycle and Repurpose

Sounds simple, sounds easy, it’s probably something you already do and have been doing for years.  My kids love to help bag up our plastic bottles, cans, and paper and take it to the recycling center.  $15-20 per month adds up when you’re looking to buy that pair of shoes or mountain bike.  Buying items in packaging already made from recycled plastics is a double bonus. For example, Dawn dish soap bottles are made with 25% post-consumer recycled material.

But, have you thought beyond recycling and want to repurpose some of those items.  Here are some ideas:

Plastics

I have athletic children who are aching or sore after sports and dance at least a few times a week! Reuse plastic bottles as ice packs. After use, wash the bottle out and fill it about halfway with water. Freeze it and keep on hand for soothing minor cuts and burns, or for keeping food cold in picnic baskets and packed lunches.

Glass

After cleaning thoroughly, some glass bottles and jars can be repurposed as candle or tea-light holders.  My husband has an idea for a light fixture from our empty wine bottles, we’ll see if that comes to fruition.

Metal Cans

Instead of throwing out used metal cans, wash them out and turn them into flowerpots.  My 10 year old has done this with plastic bottles, soda or vegetable cans could be unique too for child’s backyard garden.

Paper

If you have a printer at home, consider printing on both sides of each sheet. You’ll save a lot of trees—and money.  My daughter always wants to print out things from the internet to color or decorate something with.  This is simple and easy and even the second side of binder or graph paper gives projects a unique look!

Cardboard

Cardboard can often be repurposed as storage units, and can also be very useful if you or someone you know is moving soon. Or, build a fort! I don’t know how many times in the past 18 years that our kids have enjoyed playing with the box (especially refrigerator style) their gifts came in rather than the gift!

2. Meatless Mondays

As we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas, we release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide acts like a heat trapping blanket warming the air, land and sea. As carbon dioxide is taken up into the ocean, it is also creating a more acidic environment for the ocean life. This warmer and more acidic ocean is making it harder for marine mammals to catch their food! To prevent the oceans from becoming too warm and acidic, we need to reduce our use of fossil fuels.  One way we can do this simply at home is Meatless Mondays!  The production of red meat and dairy are responsible for a large amount of carbon dioxide and methane emissions. Can you believe that switching to just one vegetarian meal a week is the same as driving over 1,100 miles less each year!

Sustainable Seafood3. Support Sustainable Seafood

Marine mammals and people both heavily rely on seafood. Unfortunately, over-fishing certain populations and harmful fishing methods have caused dramatic declines in many fish species and habitats. While there are many harmful methods, there are also fishing methods that allow us to catch only what we want and ensure plenty of fish in the sea and on our plates!

  • Use the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch guides or free app to identify what sustainable options are available.
  • Always ask where and how the fish was caught to learn more about if it is sustainable!
  • Support local businesses and restaurants that have committed to only serving sustainable seafood.
Dr. Greg Frankfurter, Koret Foundation Veterinary Intern, removes the entangled rubber band from H.C.'s neck. © Geno DeRango - The Marine Mammal Center
Dr. Greg Frankfurter, Koret Foundation Veterinary Intern, removes the entangled rubber band from H.C.’s neck.
© Geno DeRango – The Marine Mammal Center

4. Reduce Ocean Trash

Our oceans have accumulated a great deal of plastic and other trash, and it poses a major health risk for marine life. Marine mammals, and other marine life, can become entangled in trash or ingest trash by mistake. 80% of the trash in the ocean comes from land-based sources, so we can take action on land to help prevent trash from entering our waterways!

  • 90% of ocean trash is plastic, so every action we can take to reduce plastic makes a huge difference! Find alternatives like reusable water bottles and bags rather than plastic.
  • Avoid releasing balloons into the sky as they often end up in bodies of water and can trap animals and will break down into tiny bits of trash that can be consumed by fish.
  • Say no to plastic straws! Since plastic lasts forever, if you don’t need to use it, just say “no straw please”.
  • If purchasing beverages attached with “six pack” plastic rings, or boxes with large packing straps, cut the rings apart before throwing them away. Birds, fish and small land animals can get caught in the rings.

Adopt a Seal5. Adopt an Animal

Due to allergies and mainly our daily schedules, we’re unable to own a pet much to the kid’s chagrin.  We’ve discussed many times about animal adoption, or ‘symbolic’ adoption.  Whether it be a seal, sea lion, sea otter, or aquatic bird, symbolic adoptions are a meaningful way to honor loved ones on special occasions, help support an ailing animal, or just to show that you care. The International Bird Rescue (IBR) has bird adoptions of ducklings, pelicans, heron, loons, or murres that begin from $10. Your donation can help IBR’s work on behalf of aquatic birds worldwide.  The Marine Mammal Center’s Adopt-a-Seal® program (starting at $30) helps buy fish and medicine for current and future patients and donations fund research into marine mammal diseases as well as help educate the public about the importance of marine mammals and ocean health.

Dawn Saves Wildlife6. Volunteer

If you have the passion and the extra time, adults/students 18 and older can volunteer as well as apply for externships/interships for the IBR or Marine Mammal Center, there are many locations in California and Hawaii.  Kids under 18, school groups, Girl/Boy Scouts and other youth can create a fundraising page. Whether you want to celebrate your birthday, a holiday, your wedding, or get sponsorship for a challenge or start an awareness campaign, creating your own Marine Mammal Center fundraising page and sharing it with your friends and family is a fantastic way to help support our mission throughout the year.

For more information, visit Dawn Saves Wildlife and follow their Facebook and Twitter.

Information provided by my partnership with the Dawn Wildlife Ambassadorship.  All opinions my own.

When Birds Get Contaminated #InternationalBirdRescue #DawnDayintheWildlife

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Disclosure: Through Jen is on a Journey and Dawn Day in the Wildlife Blog Ambassador, I have been behind the scenes at both The Marine Mammal Center and the International Bird Rescue Center to see Dawn in action, and how these organizations make a difference. This is my experience.

When Birds Get Contaminated #InternationalBirdRescue #DawnDayintheWildlife

It was just a few weeks ago when various contaminated birds began washing ashore around the East Bay. Well over 500, to be exact. Of these 500, 323 were taken into the International Bird Rescue center in Fairfield, CA, where team members there began a thorough rehabilitation of the birds. Unfortunately for the others, the contamination took their lives. No more birds have been admitted to the center since January 22nd, and the International Bird Rescue has been assured that the East Bay shorelines has been cleaned up since then.

A “Mystery Goo” substance is what had contaminated the birds. A substance that is still unknown to the International Bird Rescue center, and has perplexed many. A substance that feels just like Rubber Cement, and very life threatening to the birds coming ashore. The substance gets into their feathers, in which, may cause hypothermia in the birds.

When Birds Get Contaminated #InternationalBirdRescue #DawnDayintheWildlife

Each bird, upon entrance to the center, would go through an Intake Evaluation, then be given a Dawn Bath. Because the Mystery Goo substance was so thick, just Dawn dish soap was not enough. A mixture of Vinegar and Baking Soda to help take off the rubbery substance in the feathers followed by a Dawn Bath would take place. In more cases, just one bath is needed, but some birds needed 2 baths during this process.

When Birds Get Contaminated #InternationalBirdRescue #DawnDayintheWildlife

Evaluations take place often at the International Bird Rescue center. From first intake when the birds first arrive on scene, to times throughout their stay, and one final evaluation before they are released back into the wild.

Evaluations help determine the birds Health, and to see how they’re doing in their recovery process. On the day we visited the center, we saw birds receive medicine, being weighed, and having their blood taken by the various volunteers at the center. Each bird being wrapped in a towel during an evaluation. Lots of laundry happens at the center!

When Birds Get Contaminated #InternationalBirdRescue #DawnDayintheWildlife

Volunteer at International Bird Rescue releasing a bird back into their Pool.

After an evaluation the birds are placed back into the pool area that they were assigned. Often times, upon placing them back into the pool, they test how they fly to see if they have any difficulties. All apart of the rehabilitation process.

When Birds Get Contaminated #InternationalBirdRescue #DawnDayintheWildlife

Male Surf-Scoters in Recovery

Volunteers have been working non-stop to help these birds recovered. On Wednesday, January 28, the first 24 birds from the Mystery Goo substance were released back into the Wild (we saw this amazing release in person!) followed by another release of 50 birds this past Saturday. This morning, another 81 birds were released back into the East Bay area.

When Birds Get Contaminated #InternationalBirdRescue #DawnDayintheWildlife

A Male Surf-Scoter being Released into the Wild Wednesday, January 28.

There are still 132 birds in recovery at International Bird Rescue’s San Francisco Bay center leaving them in emergency mode, caring for hundreds of seabirds covered in a mystery substance. To learn more and to find out how you can help the volunteers and the seabirds they are caring for, visit: http://bird-rescue.org/

JamieJamie is a contributor to Jen is on a Journey, born and raised a Minnesota Girl she has landed herself in California. She writes over at http://mngirlinla.com where she explores all things food, travel and wine.

Two Great Organizations; One Great Cause #DawnDayinTheWildlife

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Disclosure: This article is apart of a series on behalf of being a Dawn Loves Wildlife Blog Ambassador. All opinions, and stories belong to Jamie of MN Girl in the World on behalf of Jen is on a Journey.

Sea-LionPhoto Credit: Susan Goldman

To think, every year thousand of marine animals come ashore because they are injured, malnourished, or ailed with illness, and every year, the Marine Mammal Center comes through because of their dedication, hard work, and beliefs in saving the Wildlife. This year alone saving well over 900 marine animals.

The Marine Mammal Center has 4 core values:

*Rescue: our specially-trained crews are the only group authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service to rescue marine mammals along 600 miles of Central and Northern California coast.

*Rehabilitate & Release: we help give our patients a second chance at life, and once they’re healthy return them to the ocean as wild as when we rescued them.

*Research: each animal in rehabilitation offers our researchers a unique window into marine mammal and ocean health – a connection we all share.

*Teach: education programs promote an understanding of the interdependence of the marine environment and the survival of all life.

And to think, all of this is done with just 145 Staff Members and 1100 Volunteers! Amazing work is happening every day at the Marine Mammal Center, and our Wildlife is extremely thankful.

Two Great Organizations; One Great Cause #DawnDayinTheWildlife

If you happen to spot a Marine Mammal that has Stranded and may appear injured or sick be sure to call

(415) 289-7325 or SEAL!

The Marine Mammal Center’s Rescue Range covers well over 600 miles of California Coastline with field offices in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Mendocino Counties.

Many other organizations have responsibilities for other stranded marine mammals north or south of their range so even if you may be out of this ranged area, there is an organization nearby that can still help.

And one other GREAT organization that is doing great work in helping Save the Wildlife is The International Bird Rescue.

A few days before the World Animal Day (October 2nd) Celebration, The International Bird Rescue invited celebrities Adrian Grenier and Keegan Allen to International Bird Rescue facility in San Pedro, CA to go behind the scenes as a volunteer for the day. The World Animal Day Celebration was attended by animal advocates, and included the release of 9 rehabilitated birds back into the wild.

Bird-ReleaseActors Adrian Grenier, left, and Keegan Allen release a California Brown Pelican back into the wild as part of Dawn’s celebration of World Animal Day with International Bird Rescue, in San Pedro, Calif.,Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014. Photo/Dawn, Susan Goldma

The International Bird Rescue has been working well over 43 years in helping with Bird Rescues. International Bird Rescue was founded to provide the expertise and capacity needed to save oiled aquatic birds in emergency situations. Our highly trained staff and dedicated volunteers ensure that each bird receives expert and compassionate care.

They are dedicated to saving birds around the world by:

  • Responding to wildlife impacted by oil spills and providing expertise in planning and training to government agencies, oil industry personnel, wildlife groups and volunteers
  • Taking action during wildlife disasters, such as red tides and algal blooms, when no other resources are available
  • Caring for oiled, injured and orphaned aquatic birds year-round at our two rescue centers in California
  • Conducting ongoing research into the most effective strategies for saving wildlife
  • Training organizations and individuals around the world who are committed to rescuing seabirds
  • Inspiring the next generation by educating them about our life-saving work and the plight of avian species

Dawn Dish Soap has been a true advocate to both of these organizations over the years, and has donated well over 50K bottles to help rehabilitate well over 75,000 Wildlife Animals.

If you want more of a taste of what it takes to be a Volunteer at either the Marine Mammal Center or the International Bird Rescue you are invited to become a Virtual Volunteer where many videos are available to view.

Thank YOU to our Volunteers #WorldAnimalDay #DawnDayintheWildlife

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Disclosure: I am a Dawn Ambassador. This is a 4 part series that unveils the use of Dawn Dish Soap out in the Wildlife. All stories and experiences are honest and real, All opinions belong to Jamie of MN Girl in the World on behalf of Jen is on a Journey. 

Hooray! It is World Animal Day (October 4th) and with that being said I keep thinking back to my experience at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA.

That experience truly opened my eyes to all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to rehabilitate animals back to health so they go on to continue a happy and healthy life. But, with that being said, NONE of it could happen without the amazing volunteers that spend hours upon hours of hard work, dedication at The Marine Mammal Center and also at the International Bird Rescue.

Dawn has been supporting these two organizations for a long time and has donated well over 55,000 Bottles of Dawn to help rehabilitate 75,000 animals back into the Wildlife. WOW, right?

So, without further ado, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU for all the volunteers that have given their time, dedication, support and so much more to make these animals healthy again.

Now, during my time at The Marine Mammal Center, I got to shadow an amazing volunteer by the name of Valerie Porter, as she showed me her day to day work at the center. I watched as she cleaned out a pen, and how they handled the animals at The Marine Mammal Center.

I also got to ask her a few questions, so be sure to take 2 minutes of your time to watch this FANTASTIC video:

Valerie has just been a volunteer at the center for a 1 and a half, but she is so dedicated and passionate to helping the animals. She talked animatedly about the processes utilized at the center along with some of her favorite memories. Right now she is going to school for Engineering, in hopes to become a Bio-Medical Engineer. That is one of the reasons she continues to volunteer at the center. The other? The animals, of course!

Wishing all of a Happy World Animal Day. May we all go out there to help saves those animals.

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