The coolest citizen science project ever.

The number of ways that citizens can contribute to real research is many and, because of budget cuts, growing.  I promise a post is coming soon covering the full plethora of ways you can volunteer.  In the meantime, this has to be the top of my list.

The Whale Song Project is asking the public to help marine researchers understand whale communication.  Volunteers listen to calls from killer whales and pilot whales, and then try to match the distincive sounds to other calls in the database. 

Green gifts for kids

Great ideas for gifts for kids that support wildlife and protect biodiversity, with bonus 'stuff' that kids love.  BTW - all of these are Four Star charities according to Charity Navigator:

Oceana:

 

World Wildlife Fund:

Snow Leopard Trust:

Sea Turtle Conservancy:

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International:

What is biodiversity?

Species of life on earth

When someone says ‘biodiversity’, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, about 1.75 million species of plants, animals, and microorganisms have been identified, and there may be as many as 13 million different species on earth.

From the tiny bacteria in the deep of the ocean to the algae that grow in the snow at the poles, all species are vitally important to the balance of the ecosystems in which they evolved.

One of my favorites. The indomitable Water Bear.

Can survive from -200 to 151°C and remain in a completely dry state for up to 100 years. Can survive boiling alcohol and the vacuum and radiation of space. Can find them in your backyard.

Inaugural post

The one process now going on that will take millions of years to correct is the loss of genetic and species diversity by the destruction of natural habitats. This is the folly our descendants are least likely to forgive us. -E.O. Wilson