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VOLUME II, Issue 24
http://www.GreenForNewEngland.org

December 19, 2001
    1 – Harry Who?
    2 – Adopt An Owl
    3 – Sand Castles
    4 – Happy Lobsters
    5 – History Lesson
    6 – 'Tis The Season To Be Green

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1 - Harry Who?
The New England Aquarium recently celebrated the opening of its new Simons IMAX 3D Theater, an integral part of the Aquarium's educational programs. The theater brings science and conservation topics to life, and allows visitors to get to know animals and habitats that are too large, too small, or too endangered to exhibit in an Aquarium setting. The giant screen – 65' high by 85' wide – is taller than a six-story building and has a state-of-the-art digital surround-sound system. If the lines are too long for Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, be sure to check out Lost Worlds: Life in the Balance, narrated by Harrison Ford. The show explores the incredible diversity of life on Earth and stresses the importance of educating people, especially those who live in urban centers, about their ties to the natural world. The Aquarium also has a teacher's guide for educators that wish to bring a class or school group to the show. For information on this and other Aquarium offerings, visit www.neaq.org or call 617-973-5200.

2 - Adopt An Owl
The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) recently introduced its Adopt-a-Raptor program for kids. Beginning this holiday season, children up to age 16 can adopt a bird of prey at the VINS Raptor Center, including the majestic Snowy Owl (just like Harry Potter’s Hedwig!) or the pint-sized Saw-whet Owl. In addition to adopting a bird of prey, the child automatically becomes a member of VINS, which includes free admission to the Vermont Raptor Center and discounts on VINS nature programs, summer camps, and field trips. Those adopting a Snowy Owl also receive a personalized certificate and a 3 1/2"x 5" photograph of his or her adopted bird with a description of the species. To learn more about the Adopt-A-Raptor program for kids or to sign up a child, call VINS at 802-457-2779, ext 109.

3 - Sand Castles
The Massachusetts chapter of The Nature Conservancy now owns an 18-acre property on the Sandy Neck peninsula in Sandwich, MA. A barrier beach of sand dunes and salt marshes, Sandy Neck is a nesting and feeding ground for Piping Plovers and Northern Diamondback terrapin turtles, as well as a popular stop for migrating shorebirds. Despite its small size, the new parcel is an important link to other nearby conservation sites, which together will protect a significant, unfragmented portion of Cape Cod. The announcement coincided with the Conservancy's birthday, marking five decades of land preservation accounting for more than 12 million acres in this country alone. For more information on this and other conservation news, visit www.nature.org or call 617-227-7017.

4 - Happy Lobsters
The thought of Maine lobsters may invoke happy memories of the recently passed summer months, but did you know that pollution, overfishing, and destroyed habitat plague the Gulf of Maine? Conservation Law Foundation's (CLF) is attempting to address these issues with their Maine Coastal Defense Project. While it comprises only 12% of the state’s land area, the coast is home to nearly half of the state's growing population and an attraction for over 8 million visitors every year. The intensity of these activities has a huge impact on the health of this coastal ecosystem. CLF's project, based on their report, The Wild Sea: Saving Our Marine Heritage, seeks to protect sensitive coastal areas from human activity. Currently, CLF is working to enforce existing laws, as well as developing new measures, to stop harmful development along Maine’s coast and promote effective alternatives. For more information on this project or others throughout New England, visit www.clf.org.

5 - History Lesson
As part of their centennial celebration, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF) has released a new book entitled, People and Place: The First 100 Years. The book recounts a century of conservation including the protection of more than one million acres of land and collaboration with many non-profit groups, government agencies, and communities. The book details how SPNHF nonetheless remained true to its roots as a forestry association, promoting sustainable forest management techniques through demonstration, education, and public policy. People and Place features articles and essays by some of New Hampshire's top writers and also includes a comprehensive timeline and a list of lands protected by SPNHF, highlighted with historical photographs. To obtain a copy of the book, visit www.spnhf.org or call 603-224-9945.

6 - 'Tis the Season to be Green
There is a rumor that not only was the Grinch unhappy about Christmas, he also had little concern for the environment. INFORM, an organization that identifies environmentally sustainable business practices and ways of living, is doing its part to keep you from being a Grinch this holiday. Their Tips on a Greener, Cleaner Holiday is just the tonic you need to be green this holiday season. For those of you still shopping for that hard-to-please person, you will find plenty of gift ideas, from rechargeable batteries to biodegradable soaps and shampoos to a membership in an environmental organization. Plus, there are other helpful hints such as using your tree after the holiday for protection on your plant beds during the winter months or turning it into mulch for the upcoming spring. These and many other common and not-so-common ideas can be found at INFORM's website, www.informinc.com.

Season's Greetings
Begin the new year on a green, charitable, and tax-deductible note. Please consider a gift to Earth Share of New England at year's end. We appreciate your support this year in particular. Click here to donate today.

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