Category Archives: Nature

Animals, Elephants, Kindness, Nature

Elephants and A Very Special Day

Lomphat and Chanam and The Wildlife Alliance

Many of you know that I love elephants. I adore the way they swing their trunks and I am enamored by the fact that they do such a wonderful job of protecting their offspring. Did you know that when they walk from one place to another they put the more mature elephants in the front and back of the line and the youngsters in the middle? They do that to protect the young elephants. And, elephants have an amazing memory. They remember where to get water and their land routes, can recognize friends from years ago, and know every member of their heard. They even mourn their dead and can create melodies.

With all of that said, I would like to recognize The Wildlife Alliance in Cambodia ( https://www.wildlifealliance.org/from-rescue-to-recovery-baby-elephants-on-the-move/) for rescuing and caring for two young elephants in need of urgent care last year. The elephants, Lomphat and Chanam, are healing, doing well and have gained some weight.

I also wish to remind you of Endangered Species Day 2026 which takes place on May 15th. If you can, donate your time or money to an animal welfare organization.

Thank you again for being kind to animals. They need us more than ever!

Animals, Nature

Endangered Species Day: May 15, 2026

Endangered Species Coalition


Every year on the third Friday in May, people around the world come together to recognize Endangered Species Day — a time to celebrate, learn about, and take action to protect threatened and endangered species. The day was founded in 2006 by David Robinson and the Endangered Species Coalition, and it has continued to grow ever since.

On Endangered Species Day 2026, wildlife refuges, gardens, schools, libraries, museums, community groups, nonprofits, and individuals will host special programs and events. People around the world take part in these activities — and many others — to raise awareness and inspire action for species at risk.

Learn more about the Endangered Species Coalition here.

Animals, Life, Nature, Oceans, Sea Turtles

Holidays and Turtles

Last week I had the opportunity to see one of my favorite types of turtles, the loggerhead turtle. She (Pyari) was recuperating from a nasty run in with a shark who gobbled up part of her front fins. Luckily, the rescue center is taking good care of her and she is healing. Loggerhead turtles are quite amazing, they weigh anywhere from 155 – 412 pounds and are 2.4 to 3.5 feet long. They live mostly in tropical, warm waters and are found in places like Florida and Mexico.

I am always amazed by animals and their fortitude. They remind me to live each day well, to have courage, and to not give up. They also remind me to be a better human being. May you have a happy and healthy holiday season.

Animals, Children, Kindness, Leadership, Nature

Jane Goodall

A great human being, scientist, and conservationist; Jane Goodall, died yesterday. She was 91 years old. She inspired millions, including me, and I will miss her greatly. She gave us all hope and made a wonderful difference in this world. Jane reminded us to take action, big or small, because in doing so it would help us feel better. As she said, we can all save water, behave respectfully with others, treat animals with kindness, help in soup kitchens or animal shelters, etc. Each one of us has an impact on this precious planet. It is up to us to decide what kind of impact we will have.

Here is a short video about her.

https://youtu.be/HdYfhPPBt0E

Bees, Nature

How to Help Bumblebees

Matthias Zomer

The US Fish and Wildlife Service just finished reviewing petitions to add certain species to the endangered list, one of which includes the Southern Plains bumblebee. This large black-and-yellow bee is found in the mid-Atlantic states, the mid-west and the Plains states from Texas to North Dakota. It lives in open prairies, meadows and grasslands. It is also found in grasslands and savannahs of south-east states, including Florida. Habitat loss and degradation, plus pesticides have led to sharp population declines.

Some things that you can do to help bumblebees in your area include planting pollinator gardens, avoiding the use of pesticides, and making sure there is long grass and undisturbed leaf-litter (in early spring) so that bumblebee queens have adequate cover. Thank you for being kind to animals and bees.

Butterflies, Kindness, Life, Nature

Some Inspiration for 2024

Nicole Altneu

On this special day I take the opportunity to wish you many blessings, good health, and peace in the year.  I also shall share this poem by Emily Dickinson, one of my favorite poets.  It is part of the collection of 1,775 poems that were not published until after her death in 1186.

“If I can stop one heart from breaking

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.”

Animals, Nature

Inspiring

Image by Freepik.com

Many of you are aware, Climate Week took place in Manhattan, NY the week of September 17th. Many people, from all walks of life, got together to talk about climate change, nature, and reducing carbon footprints. There were speeches, marches, seminars, discussions and cultural performances. I was fortunate to attend some of the events and was really touched by an organization called Junglekeepers, http://www.junglekeepers.com, founded by Paul Rosolie. He and his team are protecting 30,000 acres in Peruvian Amazon, and doing work that truly inspires me. I saw a video he shared showing a beautiful puma and jaguar. I also had a chance to speak with him. May we all remember that the Amazon is home to millions of trees, numerous Indigenous communities, and uncountable numbers of animal heartbeats. Sadly, new roads, illegal logging, poaching, and mining have begun to seriously degrade the forest.

Fortunately, Junglekeepers is doing work that makes a positive difference. I invite you to support Paul’s team and other groups working to protect forests, and the precious animals in them.

Animals, Carbon Footprint Reduction, Leadership, Life, Nature

Canada’s Wildfires

I write this blog while scorching wildfires race through eastern and western Canada.  Honestly, my heart is quite heavy and I fear greatly for our precious, livable planet.  The fires are out of control and over 9.4 million acres have already burned.  The fires affect countless people, pets, and wild animals.  The smoke from the fires is so bad it has reached down to New York, NJ, and Washington DC.  Air quality levels have been frightening and New York City ranked among the worst cities in the world.  People have been told to stay at home and schools are conducting remote classes.  As I think about all of the animals inhaling smoke who can’t shut themselves in an enclosed space with air purifiers, I shudder.  I wonder about the animals in Canada literally fleeing the fires and dying.  I had to bury two dead birds that I found lying on my lawn.  When will we end this chaos?  When will we all wake up and drastically cut our carbon footprints and change our ways of life?  This matter is so urgent and time is of the essence.  Please, we must WAKE UP!!!  We must make different choices.  It is truly a matter of life and death.

@climatereality
@gretathunberg