Defending What You Are Passionate About

Posted on January 21, 2012 by

I have been involved in conservation work in one form or another for the past ten years. I have to say that more than anything else the part that I dislike the most has always been having to raise money.

Conservation requires resources, primarily money which a lot of organizations simply do not have. I came across this paragraph today about fundraising and just had to share it. It expresses so succinctly what I wish I could say when I am working to acquire funding.

“You are incredibly good at making money. I’m incredibly good at making change. The change I want to make in the world, unfortunately, does not itself generate much money. But man oh man does it make change. It’s a hugely important change. And what I know about making this change is as good and as important as what you know about making money. So let’s divide and conquer – you keep on making money, I’ll keep on making change. And if you can lend some of your smarts to the change I’m trying to make, well that’s even better. But most of the time, we both keep on doing what we’re best at, and if we keep on working together the world will be a better place.”

From now on every time I start to feel a  little dejected about getting another “no” I am going to think about this statement and remember that I am good at making change. Really good at it and that all I need to do is to make sure that those with the resources also know it.

Tomorrow is another day.

(Quote: Sasha Dichter)

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The Colors of Fall

Posted on November 8, 2011 by

Fall has taken a firm foothold in the south and the evidence is beautiful. Rusty reds, vibrant oranges and sunny yellows paint every hillside with the bright canvas of autumn. Now is the time for lazy walks in the woods, picnic weekends and those last few camping trips before the cold really sets in. Here is a fun thing to do this fall that the whole family can enjoy. Best of all, it is either free or extremely inexpensive.

Leaf Walks

Grab a couple of cloth shopping bags and head out into the woods. Whether in your own backyard or the local park, it doesn’t matter. What you are looking for is variety. Different colors, shapes, textures; make a game of it to see who can find the most that are different. Safety note: Be careful when you dig your hands around in leaves on the ground. Leaf litter provides warmth and shelter to many insects and other critters (including snakes) in the cooler months. You may want to wear a pair of garden gloves or only take leaves from the top most layers. These tend to be the driest and prettiest anyway.

Stained-glass-leaf-pictures

Once home turn your leaves into art with only some crayons and wax paper. Ask an adult for help with an iron. Use a pencil sharpener to create shavings from your crayons. The more colors you use the more varied your stain glass will be. Lay out a square of wax paper and place a few of your prettiest leaves on it. Sprinkle your crayon shavings on the paper and lay a second square of wax paper on top. Using an iron on medium heat, (no steam) press the sheets together. The shavings will melt into brilliant colors around the leaves and the wax will stick. After the paper cools you can hang up your art in the windows. You now have stained-glass-leaf-art!

Do you have ideas for fall crafts? Send me pictures and I will post them on my blog!  

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Sharks, Snakes, Spiders….OH MY!

Posted on August 22, 2011 by

There are many creatures that over time have received a bad rap. They are feared, avoided and disposed of (often with extreme prejudice) when encountered. But where does the fear come from? I believe it is primarily from the lack of information. If only people knew the truth about many of these so-called monsters and pests, they may see things in a different light.

Sharks

Let’s take sharks for instance. There are more than 360 recognized species of sharks swimming around in the world’s oceans and they have been for hundreds of millions of years. That’s right; sharks are one of the most prehistoric creatures we still have on Earth today, right up there with crocodiles and sea turtles. And yet they are also one of the most feared, most misunderstood fish in the sea.

I myself cannot claim to be entirely immune to this. As a child I was mildly bumped by a shark off of Nags Head, NC and promptly decided that I would not be returning to the ocean (at least not over my knees) from then on out. As an adult, conservationist and ecologist I can see now my fear was directly related to what I knew, or rather what I thought I knew about sharks.  I mean really, even I had seen JAWS.

Returning to the water years later I again saw a shark but this time, rather than fear it, I simply regarded it with wonder. Sharks are incredible predators. They are absolutely perfect in their design as the top dog in the food chain. They are not man-eaters, or monsters. They are fish, big fish…with teeth (with a few exceptions.)  In much of the world you have a better chance of getting hit by lightning than getting attacked by a shark. And the few that do…it generally turns out to be a case of mistaken identity rather than the rogue Great White of myth. Think of yourself as a child in a pool or a lake, swimming to the bottom and then looking up towards the sun. My daughter’s chubby baby legs hanging off the inflatable inner-tube could easily be a tasty sea turtle to a hungry, if misguided shark.

If you saw any of the specials on sharks being run over the last few weeks then you know that as dangerous as people perceive sharks to be, the real danger is us, and what we are doing to the environment. Nearly all sharks are protected by law and some, such as the Hammerhead are experiencing record declines due to the inhumane practice of finning, which involves removing the dorsal fin and then throwing the shark back into the ocean to suffocate. Thankfully there have been crackdowns on this practice recently so maybe these awesome creatures will continue to thrive.

“Twenty species of sharks are listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). In a few years many species of shark could become extinct if action is not taken immediately. Populations of many shark species have fallen by over 90%. Since 1972 the number of blacktip sharks has fallen by 93%, tiger sharks by 97% and bull sharks, dusky sharks and smooth hammerheads by 99%.” – Stopsharkfinning.com

bonnetheaded shark

So if planning on a vacation where sharks may be present, take some precautions yes, but also do a little homework. You may find that sharks are some of the most fascinating creatures on Earth. Sharks have a lightweight cartilage skeleton, rather than bone which allows them to glide through the water and they come in all shapes and sizes. Little bonnet-head sharks (they look sort of like tiny hammerheads) are often found in shallow water swimming along in the surf looking for small fish and crabs. They are only a few feet long and absolutely harmless. The largest fish in the world is the whale shark. Stretching up to 40 feet in length (its mouth can be four feet across!) this gentle giant doesn’t even use it’s many rows of tiny teeth for feeding but rather filters plankton, small fish and squid through its gills.

Snakes

Snakes are another species that so many declare war on each year. And for what? Would you rather be overrun with vermin, perhaps the idea of another plague sounds exciting to you. Did you know that in Georgia it is actually illegal to harm or kill a non-venomous snake? You could actually go to jail or pay a $1000 fine. According to wildlife biologist, Thomas Floyd, there are 41 different species in Georgia and only six are venomous. Many snakes, such as the Indigo snake and the Northern Pine Snake (see picture) are also protected by state and federal laws as rare and endangered species so you may want to think twice before putting a shovel to the slithering visitor in your yard.

Fear of snakes is such an old story; it could and probably is by many to be considered biblical. After all, wasn’t it the serpent that tempted Eve? You’d think however that we’d made some progress over the last several thousand years or so (or more depending on where you stand religiously.) Snakes are cold-blooded and will often bask in the sun on warm afternoons. They will not chase you down if you see one on the side of the road or sidewalk. It is actually in their best interest to leave you alone, as you are not prey and would waste their precious energy that they need for actually pursuing food (as in the mice and insects that keep eating your vegetables.) Basically if you can tell the difference between a rattle and a regular tail, you will probably be alright.

Simply give snakes a wide berth and observe from a distance. They can be quite beautiful. The largest non-venomous snake in North America, the Indigo Snake (5-8ft) is actually dark purple and very non-aggressive while the simple green garter snake can be a brilliant shade of green. Colors are important as the venomous Coral snake is brightly colored (red, black and yellow) so always pay attention.

Non-venomous species have rounded eyes and a more rounded head although they may flatten it out when threatened (causing some confusion in identity as venomous snakes have triangular shaped heads and eyes like that of a cat.) They move in a really cool way (considering they have no appendages) by flexing and relaxing the muscles along the undersides of their body. Most can also unhinge their jaws in order to eat prey larger than themselves. Once fed, a snake can then go weeks or longer without eating again. Another perfect evolutionary design; don’t you wish humans could do that sometimes? I’d win on Survivor for sure! Anyhow, if you live in the southeast you don’t have to worry too much about getting bitten by a venomous snake, or any snake for that matter. Most will avoid you and if you do come across one, simply go around. If you plan to be in an area that is known for snakes check out this handy guide created by the University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Lab and the Nongame Conservation Section (GADNR) so you know what to look for. And next time you see one in your backyard, just stop and smile, and maybe give a little nod of appreciation for all it is doing to keep your backyard eco-system in check.

Spiders

Lastly we move on to spiders. I have in my life met more people that claim a fear of spiders, referred to as arachnophobia than any other fear.  As with sharks and snakes, the fear is an old one and created mainly from misinformation, as in “the only good spider is a dead spider” mentality. Spiders are an important part of any eco-system and can be found just about anywhere on Earth. Some jump, others dig little holes in the ground and use a “trap-door” to catch prey and still others create beautifully ornate web masterpieces that most of us simply brush out of the way in annoyance as we go about our busy lives.

Spiders are not insects. They are arachnids meaning they have eight legs. Most have compound eyes and many create some sort of web used in catching prey. Spiders will bite when threatened, but most bites are more of an annoyance than an emergency, much like an ant bite. The two to watch out for here in Georgia are Black Widows, identifiable by the red hourglass on their abdomen, and Brown Recluses. However, the chances of being bitten go down considerably if you simply wear gloves while gardening and or doing work around the perimeter of your home and by simply being observant.

If you ever get the chance to simply sit and observe a spider you may begin to appreciate the wonder that they represent. They are pretty incredible little dynamos of nature. Fuzzy wolf spiders look mean and tough but will likely scurry away if you approach. Beautiful banana spiders will protect your garden from pests. Their webs are easily identifiable by the zipper pattern (as if you couldn’t already ID the bright black and yellow 2-3 inch spider already.) One spider that I am particularly fond of is actually not native to the United States, but to Malaysia. The Red Crab spider lives among carnivorous pitcherplants in the rain forest, teetering along the brink of the pitcher and will actually use its web as a lifeline so to speak to dive into the plant’s digestive juices to nab a tasty bug morsel before hauling itself back to safety. How cool is that?

So hopefully we learned a little bit today about some really cool species that while seem scary at first, are actually both beneficial to the eco-system and just lots of fun to observe (from a safe distance.)

Are there other species that have a bad reputation, but which are actually really interesting? Send me your ideas; I’d love to read them.

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Ancient, Awesome Predators who’ve gotten a bad rap.

Posted on August 2, 2011 by
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ACI 2011 – Conservation in 3D

Posted on July 27, 2011 by

The 74th annual Association for Conservation Information (ACI) conference was held in Cincinnati, Ohio where guests from at least a dozen states gathered at the historic Cincinnati Netherlands’ Plaza Hilton established in 1931. One of the tallest buildings in the downtown area with 29 floors it is only overshadowed by both the Carew’s Tower and the Queen building with its tiara designed after Princess Diana.  My room was on the 27th floor which strangely enough had signs that warned people to be quiet for the guests that would be “sleeping through the day.” Strange.

We got into town on Sunday and weren’t here long before two of my old buddies from Arkansas, Jeff Williams and Randy Zellars who is also the new editor for the ACI publication, The Balance Wheel, showed up. After drinks in the hotel bar, we all got a bite to eat at O’Malley’s in the alley, a cozy hole in the wall with good punk music and yummy Panini’s.

Day 1

Monday was official day one of the conference. For those of us who had arrived early that meant a one-of-a-kind field trip on the vintage Duck boats, a great way to see the Queen city before splashing down in the amazingly shallow (only 28ft deep!) Ohio River. It is 900 miles long however! During the tour we saw awesome landmarks like the statue of Abe Lincoln, one of only a handful where he is depicted without his trademark stovepipe hat and beard, the Bengals Stadium which is actually built below the Ohio River level making it necessary for giant turbines to constantly pump out water, and of course the humming bridge which is the precursor to the Brooklyn bridge and the first of its kind. The driver, Captain Eddie was awesome, even allowing me to drive the boat although he quickly took over command again when we approached the bridge pylons….but hey those things are tough to steer!

After the tour we headed to the Ohio aquarium for a behind the scenes tour (beware the attack turtle!) followed by a front of the house tour. I pet a leopard shark!

After the day’s events we all raced back to the hotel to get cleaned up for the evening’s mixer held just across Fountain Square at a lovely little place called Via Vite where new and old friends alike caught up over yummy h’ors d’erves and cocktails sponsored by Southwick Associates. Afterwards we caught a screening of Green Fire the first full-length documentary on the life and work of Aldo Leopold before continuing on to the hospitality suite for some extended catching up with old friends from around the country.

Day 2

The first day of meetings should have begun with a lesson on how the tourism industry can teach state wildlife agencies courtesy of the Ohio State university Sea grant Extension but instead we were treated to an extra long session from the Snake Lady from Lake Erie who has dedicated her life to the conservation of the Lake Erie watersnake. Kristin Stanford works hard on building outreach programs to expose both young and old to what she calls glorifying the gross and convincing others that these slimy serpents deserve our help. She even had her 15 minutes of fame when Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame came out to film a segment on her. Cool.

Up next was a special segment all about the Ohio Young Birders Club which focused on generating interest among youth birders of color. It was a really great presentation, particularly for those of us from more urban states.

Lunch that day was again at Fountain Square where the hubby and I took in some yummy appetizers at the Rock Bottom Brewery. Then a little Cincinnati sightseeing.

That night was the rocking 1950′s auction which both the hubby and I had come well prepared for. We wore our matching black, white and red ensembles well and enjoyed a viewing of The Creature From The Black Lagoon. After a buffet dinner which included Cincinnati chili and Mets we also had our annual auction and raffle. I actually won this year!! (and talked Jeff into trading me a mushroom book to give to Race when I returned home) I do have to say were not the only ones decked out. Lindsey Deering and her team of Pink Ladies were quite a sight as well!

Everyone was pretty worn out after the auction and raffle although I heard a few partied it out through the night in the hospitality suite later that evening. I for one went to BED!

The next day was again full of great sessions on from the updates in the publishing world to the National Archery in the schools program. I particularly enjoyed PR 2.0 How Social Media Applications are Transforming Communications within Agencies, both Private and Public by Dr. Corey Cockerill from Wilmington College. It was like everything I had been preaching to my previous agency for years…but was now well it was like it seemed to be common sense. While I was thrilled that this knowledge was out there and is being used, and that even I can even use it now to help other agencies, at the same time I was a little sad that my agency walked away from it…from me.

Then when Pamela Gilchrist followed up the next day with Increasing Your Online ROI:Integrating Social networking and Add Value to your Website, I was in social media heaven. so many of the things I was already doing with my consulting but also so much more. I made sure to connect to her as people in our industry can never have enough contacts.

Moving on. The rest of the conference was awesome. The awards night was awesome. The Ohio Division of Wildlife did a phenomenal job of hosting and when they rolled out the red carpet, cheering us all as we walked in among the flashbulbs to enjoy an excellent dinner it was the perfect end to a perfect week. I really can’t wait until next year to see everyone again in West Virginia!

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A day of collecting, Pitcherplants Galore!

Posted on June 21, 2011 by

My grad school adventures continue as I conducted a full day of field work yesterday, my first since I was finally able to get the boot off my foot. I met up with Nongame Botanist Lisa Kruse and Suzi Mersman near Claxton, Georgia (the fruitcake capital of the world!) ready to get out to the bog and sample my plants.What’s funny was that she had said “hey why don’t we meet around 3pm or so, maybe avoid the heat of the day and nobody has to get up at the crack of dawn. (the site is almost four hours from my house.) Well as Suzi relayed to me, she happened to check the weather and it just so happened that the “heat of the day…103 degrees” would hit exactly at 3pm. Oh well. So we were hot, very very hot, but then again nobody ever said that field work was supposed to be comfortable. :)

There are several species of pitcher plants in south Georgia and the ones I happened to be looking for are some of the most beautiful. My research focuses on the obligate associates of several species of pitcher plants, which means the insects and arthropods that actually make their homes inside the plants rather than becoming dinner for their carnivorous hosts.

Not much is known about the relationships between the plants and the obligates other than the fact that the obligates are dependent on the survival of the plants, which are all protected in Georgia. It isn’t know

Sarracenia Flava

n however whether the plants need the obligates though and that is only one of the many questions I am hoping to answer during my research.

Of course in my excitement to actually get out and get some work done after being laid up for several months with a torn tendon I made the enormous mistake of wearing shorts so I ended up pretty scratched from briars but I was actually too excited about number of beautiful plants to notice.

I collected from sarracenia flava, a big beautiful yellow-green species as well as

Sarracenia Hybrid - Catesbei

the coastal plain variety of sarracenia purpurea(the mountain

Sarracenia Minor

variety is federally endangered) and a really cool hybrid consisting of a mixture of both S. flava and S. purpurea. I also took a few samples from S. minor, which looks a little different from the rest of what I am studying but interesting nonetheless.

Coastal Plain Variety Sarracenia Purpurea

 

Just in case you have no idea what a pitcher plant is here are a few basic diagrams: Almost all species are the same as far as basic function. They lure their prey with a colorful leaf covering called an operculum and when the unfortunate insects investigate they slip and fall into the tube where they are slowly digested. The inner part of the tubes have a series of hairs followed by a section of slick-as-glass leaf and then more hairs going the opposite direction of the ones at the top. So if you’re a pitcherplant’s prey and you find yourself in the tube you are pretty much dinner. There is no way out. Pretty cool huh!

Before heading home I also had a real treat, getting to see Georgia Plume for

Georgia Plume with bee

the first time in the wild. And it was beautiful. It seemed to go on forever… so thanks Lisa a for sharing that with me. If you are interested in seeing more of my photos please visit my flickr site.

Until next time!

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Want to See Wildlife, Watch The Water

Posted on June 18, 2011 by

All water sources offer a ton of observation opportunities as well as a chance to get wet, and what kid doesn’t want to get wet with temperatures soaring into the 90′s these days?  So whether it’s a bird bath, a puddle, a pond, stream, ocean or a lake, pack a picnic lunch, the suntan lotion, bugspray and something comfy to sit on (’cause you know those little ones are going to want to curl up in the sun and take a nap sooner or later) and get ready for some watery fun.Adults may want to carry along a book too. Hey there’s no crime in getting in a little relaxation while the kids search!

Some additional items that may come in handy depending on your kids ages: a hand lens and binoculars to better observe the wildlife. Bandana or hat to keep the sweat out of your eyes as well as a good pair of sunglasses. A notebook, pencil or crayons to record your observations. Older kids may want to have a camera and a good field guide too. I reccommend Petersons field guides personally – they are some of the best and not too expensive, usually available from Amazon or your local bookstore. If it’s damselflies or dragonflies though there is no better guide however than Gif Beatons guide available on Amazon.com.

So back to the wildlife. You are apt to see a menagerie of creatures, big and small…to very very tiny. Birds will come to take a drink, as will some bees, and butterflies. If there are freshly washed cars nearby you can watch them too. Sometimes the reflection of the sun on the hoods will confuse insects, causing them to land there expecting a refreshing drink and instead getting a toasty burn on their tiny feet!

If you don’t see wildlife right away you can also go hunting for them. near a creek or river. Walk along the bank and look for footprints or evidence of beavers such as chewed up logs. Also listen. What do you hear? Frogs croaking or chirping, birds singing? You may even hear bugs as they buzz past your ear, checking you out as you check them out!

Look closer into small pools of water. Are they deep or only temporary from recent rains? Are there fish, frog eggs, tadpoles? Why might frogs lay eggs in a temporary pond? are there leaves hanging overhead? Might these add protection or shade? maybe there are no fish that would eat the eggs? All good questions that you can look up online or in your field guide.

Keep a count of the animals and insects you see during your day. Smaller kids can draw pictures of what they see and older kids can practice labeling them and maybe even writing out what family they belong too. All organisms belong to a family, as well as phylum – try to remember it this way Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species or King Phillip Came Over From Great Spain. Sounds silly but all organisms can be placed this way so it doesn’t hurt to come up with funny rhymes and won’t your friends be impressed!

So it is the end of the day and you have seen a lot of animals and even identified some of them. Here are a few questions to think about as you head back home.

1. What about animals that must survive a long time without water? What modifications do they make to survive?

2. What about marine mammals that live in water all the time even though they breathe air. Are they born knowing how to swim?

Water is an incredible resource and one we can’t make more of. In fact the same water that falls on us today is the very same water that fell on the heads of the dinosaurs millions of years ago.So be sure to conserve it. Turn it off while washing your face and hands or brushing your teeth. Respect watering bans and use rain barrels to capture rain water to water gardens or your lawn.

Until next time!

 

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The Moon is Bright, Take a Walk and Learn!

Posted on June 18, 2011 by

Although most kids are fast asleep (or at least well hidden under sheets with flashlights, books and/or handheld games) by the time the moon has risen to it’s rightful place in the night sky, with summer upon us it may be the time to keep them up after hours to take a walk in the moonlight and learn about what goes on in our nocturnal world.

Start by checking your local listings to see when the next full moon might occur. While there is usually only one per month, on the rare occasion there are two, a phenomena referred to as a Blue moon. You can check out the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) online and enter your ZIP code to get accurate readings.

Prepare for your late night out by having younger children take an extended nap during the day. The last thing you want are cranky children who show no interest because they can’t keep their eyes open. Also gather a few things together such as a sketchbook or notebook and a pen/pencil and crayons or colored pencils.

Next choose a place where you will have an optimum view. This can be your own backyard, but know if you have bright streetlights or a large number of trees, your view will be obscured. It may be better to go to a local park, just make sure you have permission first from the local police department. Some towns may require you to have a permit. Take a blanket to sit on and a few snacks for younger children. This will be just like a picnic, just at night. A flashlight is always a good idea too as well as a cell phone for emergencies. Always be sure to let someone know where you are going.

Allow your child to sit and have their eyes adjust to the dark. When they feel comfortable enough, have them seek out objects such as a fire hydrant, houses, trees or cars. Make a list of everything you see. Talk about how things look different at night. Are they scary looking? Now is a good time to explain that these are ordinary objects, nothing to be frightened of. If clouds are present in the sky talk about how the moon lights up around them. Does this mean the moon is further away than the clouds? Look for shapes in the clounds, draw pictures and make up stories.

A fun thing to do is to sit and listen to night noises. Many animals are nocturnal (meaning they are active at night). Explain what this means and then try to identify the sounds you hear. At this point it is not important to be perfectly accurate, just to get used to hearing the noises and recognizing that they are representaive of nature…at night.

Imagine you are a nocturnal animal. Take turns telling stories about what you would do, hunt, dig, explore? Draw a picture of the nocturnal animals you imagine to be out there. You can verify these by later visiting the library or checking online.

For more fun, try this game. Stand facing each other in plain view. How many steps can you take backward before you can no longer see each other clearly. Can you toss a ball in the moonlight? Look at shadows, yours, the objects around you. How are they different? You can play a sort of BINGO with the different types of shadows, shapes and sizes.

For older kids consider these questions:

1. What makes the moon glow so brightly at times, less so at other times?

2. What are the names of the phases of the moon? Can you draw them?

3. The moon and it’s phases are know by many names, given to it throughout history either by folk stories, native tribes, etc. How many can you name?

Once your lids have become heavy, carefully return home knowing that you have enjoyed a fun family activity unlike those you can do during the day. Hopefully, you will all be able to sleep in for a while!

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Got an Idea? Get it ON your Chest!

Posted on February 21, 2011 by

This week’s adventure is actually a profile of one my favorite conservationists, someone who is out there making change on a day-to-day basis. This  installment is from T-shirt creator and conservationist, Duncan Carson Founder of Ban T-Shirts which are quickly becoming the thing to have for activists of all ages. I asked Duncan a few questions about how he got started and what he thought his ultimate goal was. Enjoy!

1. Explain a little about what you do and why. Give me a little background.

I have always loved T-shirts with cool and funny comments or designs on them. I used to blog about T-shirts that I liked but after I got laid off from my job I thought maybe I could start to create some of my own designs and make a business out of it. Politics is something that has interested me for a long time – well, maybe not so much the politics, per se, but the issues that affect all of us whether we recognise it or not – the state of the planet, pollution, extinction, conflict, human rights, and so on. To me those issues are what politics are about, and the politiciansm themselves are the ones that make people think that politics is all about in-fighting and party allegiances, the politicians themselves are often the ones that put people off getting involved. But I think they probably like it that way. They say they want democracy.. but not TOO MUCH democracy. Anyway, I decided to start making shirts that actually said something interesting and of worth rather than just being funny for the sake of being funny.

2.  How did you get into the T-shirt business? And why the subject matter? Is there a personal story behind it?

I think I’ve kind of half answered this in question 1 (I started rambling!). As far as the subject matter is concerned I just do T-shirts on things that matter to me. They are sometimes about things that annoy me, such as Glen Beck, Fox News, the literal interpretation of the Bible and the lack of corporate accountability, and they are sometimes about things I just care about, such as our Mother Earth.

3.   How has social media helped you become successful? For those entrepreneurs out there, what advice would you give them?

Social media has been a big help, especially Twitter. I think Twitter is a godsend for the little guy. With a little hard work you can start to get your business name and brand out there. I’m lucky in that I actually enjoy spending time on Twitter interacting with people and sharing ideas. If I had more time I would spend more time on it, but the other aspects of running a business (like creating new designs for shirts!) stop me from doing so.

As far as advice goes I would say take a little time to get to know your social media apps and take it slowly at first. Most of all you have to enjoy it, because if you don’t enjoy it, it’s going to show and it will be a waste of time. If you don’t like using Twitter, then try something else, maybe posterous or Facebook. Whatever floats your boat! I’ve actually found that posterous is pretty good. Posts seem to get a lot of views. Also, if you are going to spend time on Twitter (or any other social network) remember that it is a SOCIAL network. Look at it like you are in a room with a bunch of people – you wouldn’t just walk up to someone and say, “Hey, buy one of my shirts!”, it would be kind of rude! So just hang out with people, and let them find out what you do, and share stuff with them if they are interested. But don’t do a hard sell, it’s very off-putting!

4. Have you had other businesses either online or off before this one? Were they similar in nature?

No, this is the only one.

5.  You are pretty outspoken politically. Do you find that it helps or hurts your business in any way?

I think it probably hurts it and helps it. It hurts in the sense that some people may like some things about the website or shirts (eg, they may like the look of the designs, or the fact that most are organic), but they might not be into the messages, they may want something a little more laid back or of a different political persuasion. But I think it helps in the sense that it’s fairly obvious that I’m only doing shirts about things that I believe in and care about, so there is a sense of authenticity there, that you don’t get with most businesses and products. Integrity is important to me and I wouldn’t be happy doing right-wing shirts, the whole exercise would lose value and validity.

6.What message do you think/hope it sends to young people who might buy and wear the shirts?

I want to bring messages and “issues” out of the ether, out of the TV, radio and internet, and bring them into the real world that you and I live in. These things are not just happening somewhere else, they are things that affect us day-to-day. You wear a Ban T-shirts tee and you’re showing other people that you’re not just passively accepting what is being beamed out to us from corporations and the government, you’re thinking about this stuff, you’re participating and you have your own angle on what’s going on.

7.   Lastly, what is your ultimate goal in doing what you are doing? What do you hope to accomplish?

I just want to keep on making shirts that lambast those that need to be lambasted and support those causes that need to be supported. I’m not going to change the world – but then again, who is? I just do what I like and do my best to do it with integrity. I am a great believer in living according to your beliefs. It’s not always easy in this society, but I think we should try our best. I hope people feel inspired to get more active and demand more from the rich old men that are in power.

Thanks Duncan! Don’t forget you can find his shirts as well other neat items at his website. You can also follow him in Twitter and become a fan on Facebook!

My Favorite BAN Tee

http://www.BanT-shirts.com 

 

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Beginning Anew

Posted on January 3, 2011 by

When I lost my job a few weeks back, I was convinced for a time that I had lost my identity. Not because of the type of job I did per Se and not because of how I lost it, but because of what I did meant to me, what my job stood for, or rather what I thought I stood for by doing it.  Herein lies the danger when you mix an incredible amount of passion with your J-O-B.

This is not to say that you shouldn’t be passionate about what you do. In fact they say if you love what you do then you will never work a day in your life. However, there should always be an italicized cautionary fine print at the end of that statement. Because there will always be those at the end of the day who are jealous of what you feel in your heart that they can never understand.

So back to the job, the day-to-day inner workings of my place of employment were not what mattered so much, it was the bigger picture, what I was working towards, that I felt in some way defined who I was, made me useful. I poured three years of my life into it, giving everything I had to it. I was making a difference.

In the end, it was those silly day-to-day bureaucratic things however, that became the wedge, a tool for those petty enough to use it.

Since that fateful day; What I have discovered though, through many days and longer nights of reflection is that my passion for conservation of wildlife, and on a grander scale, of conserving this planet for those that will come after me has not been dampened. My job, as spectacular as it was, did not define who I was. I brought everything I had to it and made it better, not the other way around. I briefly shared my gifts with some incredible like-minded individuals and at the same time learned much to add to my arsenal for the future.

I will continue my work in one way or another simply because I have too much left to do to just quit as I feel that some wish that I would. I am not going to go quietly into the night, not when there is so much work to be done yet.

I do know that I will never again be defined by a career or a job. I am defined by my passion for creating a better world, for helping others be they man or beast and by my love of this beautiful planet that we have been assigned as caretakers for, for  as long as that may last.

Wherever that takes me, so be it. Yes, bad things happen to good people. But as long as you know in your heart who you are then you can never be defeated.

Thank you to those who listened and helped me see the light. You know who you are.

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