Animals

Wild Wonders of Europe

by Action Advisor on May 17, 2012

On 22 May 2012, The United Nations International Day for Biological Diversity, the next Wild Wonders of Europe outdoor exhibition will open in Berlin.

If your passion is photography or you simply delight in the visual beauty of nature – then you won’t want to miss this ‘free’ outdoor exhibition comprising of 100 spectacular and unforgettable European nature photographs.

The Wild Wonders of Europe team asked 69 of Europe’s best nature and animal photographers to travel the continent: 135 assignments in all 48 countries of Europe reflect the natural wonders of the continent.

The goal of the exhibition is to raise the visitors’ awareness of the value and the delicate balance of nature. Informative captions and topical documentation on biological diversity will complement the exhibition and Federal Environment Ministry staff will answer questions in an information pavilion.

Made possible by The Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit), the Wild Wonders of Europe exhibition will form the central part of the city’s official UN decade of Biodiversity celebrations.

This year’s crucially important UN theme is Marine Biodiversity. In line with that, the exhibition contains many fabulous marine images by some of Europe’s leading underwater photographers (a selection of these images to feature in the book ‘Wild Waters of Europe’ published later in the year).

A special selection of images from Berlin’s impressive urban biodiversity and of Germany’s UNESCO World Heritage Beech Forests will also be on display.

Along with a captivating image of wild boar in central Berlin (link: image 10) taken by photographer and Wild Wonders of Europe Director, Florian Möllers – who was recently awarded the position of Biodiversity Ambassador for the UN Decade of Biodiversity for Germany.

His own much acclaimed exhibition “Biopolis-Wild Berlin” will be on show at Berlin’s Natural History Museum (the Museum für Naturkunde ) 8 Nov 2011 – July 31st 2012.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by The German Minister for Environment, Norbert Röttgen, at Washingtonplatz, right in front of the Hauptbahnhof, Europe’s largest central station and close to the Reichstag and Kanzleramt.

It will remain on display until 27 July 2012.

The exhibition is open 24 hrs a day, with free admission to all!

The Wild Wonders of Europe Outdoor Exhibition will be on tour throughout Europe and beyond until 2013 – check the website for details.

Whilst the exhibit is great for locals or tourists visiting Berlin at this time of year – everyone can enjoy the diversity of nature with the free ‘Wild Friends’ App.

Designed for families, nature lovers, photographers or explorers, Wild Friends provides exciting content, updated daily, delivered as Visual Stories.

Whether you’re looking for adventurous up-close nature photography or just some relaxing wallpaper for your desktop or iOS device, Wild Friends delivers.

You can download the App here!

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Helping Hands

by Action Advisor on May 5, 2012


Judy and Sophie’s Story: Judy met George while on a sailing trip in the Caribbean. They fell in love, married, and began an active life in Vermont. From the moment Judy discovered she had progressive multiple sclerosis, life for the couple began to change in ways they could have never predicted. By the summer of 2011, Judy had long lost her ability to walk and most of the motion in her upper body and George had become a full time caregiver. This is the story of how Sophie, a capuchin monkey, came to change both of their lives.

Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled is a national nonprofit serving quadriplegic and other people with severe spinal cord injuries or mobility-impairments by providing highly trained monkeys to assist with daily activities. Through the generous support of donors and volunteers, their monkeys are placed at no cost with disabled people and their families.

For more information, please visit monkeyhelpers.org

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MM- IDLE WILD

by Action Advisor on May 2, 2012

In the months of winter earth’s mammals seek shelter from the cold – hibernating in their dens until the harsh conditions of the season pass.

Providing their bellies are full and havens secure, remaining idle over winter has restorative benefits beyond sheer survival.

Taking a lead from the idle wild, this month we provide winter resources for a restorative break in hibernation.

With the larder full and a cozy fire ablaze, settle down with a hot cocoa and begin a journey exploring nature on the net.

Today, expeditions of a virtual nature have evolved to offer a rich experience enhanced by visual technology. The perfect way to enjoy your winter hibernation – wandering without bounds to the farthest reaches of earth, absorbing insights to the mysteries of the wild.

Winter Resources for a Restorative Hibernation

PBS NATURE: Here you will find a library of wild documentaries including ‘Radioactive Wolves’ and ‘Bears of the Last Frontier’. Browse by topic, animal or season – with interactive extras and additional resources for educators.

Sound Science: This radio news and documentary project reports on energy, climate, ecology and more – offering audio with text transcript. ‘In His Home on the Ice’ audio episode of Sound Science explores the impacts of climate change on polar bears, using the story of a mother bear who swam for nine days in order to reach the sea ice where the animals live and feed as a case study.

National Geographic Everest 2012: Take on Everest with the expedition team from Nat Geo, following climbers Conrad Anker and Cory Richards in real time. Read field notes, view photos, and video that make you a part of the journey!

Animal Planet: Captivating footage with fun facts – this site entertains as it educates, with episodes from popular series featured on Animal Planet. Shows like, ‘Must Love Cats’ with John Fulton who travels to each corner of the United States in search of amazing cats. And, ‘Frozen Planet’ narrated by award-winning actor Alec Baldwin this series is the ultimate portrait of our earth’s polar regions, where the scale and beauty of the scenery and sheer power of the natural elements are unlike anywhere else on the planet.

These links will get you started, and hopefully inspire you to continue exploring wild resources on the web!

Seek Adventure, Save Wildlife.
Chief Editor ~ Inga Yandell

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Radioactive Wolves

by Action Advisor on April 29, 2012

What happens to nature after a nuclear accident? And how does wildlife deal with the world it inherits after human inhabitants have fled? In anticipation of the 25th anniversary of the historic nuclear accident at Chernobyl, filmmakers and scientists set out to document the lives and genetics of packs of wolves and other wildlife thriving in the “dead zone” which still surrounds the remains of the reactor.

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Bacteria and Biomimicry

by Action Advisor on April 25, 2012

How does nature repel bacteria? Biomimicry studies reveal the skin pattern of sharks in the Galapagos acts as a natural repellent to bacteria. Vital insights for reducing the use of antibiotics, harsh cleansers and fighting superbugs. Currently the world’s population of sharks is under threat – targeted for their fins which are used to make soup. This video highlights why studying the species instead, is of far greater value. “Sharks are much more valuable to us evolving a great idea than they are sitting in our soup” ~ Janine Benyus

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