During my stay at Disney, I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Dr. Jackie Ogden, the Vice President of Animal Programs and Environmental Initiatives for the Walt Disney World Resort. What that long title means is that Dr. Ogden is in charge of pretty much everything green that happens in and around Walt Disney World.

Dr. Ogden gave me a behind the scenes tour of the animal conservation programs and green initiatives that take place at Walt Disney World, and throughout the world. Here are just a few of her favorite programs:

Sea Turtles

In the United States, as much as 90% of sea turtle nesting occurs in Florida. Disney researchers help to protect and promote this sea turtle nesting through a number of programs. As part of the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Workshop hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 7 green sea turtles were recently released into the wild after a 2 month rehab visit to Disney World. The endangered sea turtles washed up on shore in December during a red tide event on Florida’s east coast. The turtles were cared for by Disney’s Animal Programs Veterinary Team. Since the release, the turtles have been tracked with external flipper tags and internal tags as well, allowing scientists to identify the turtles at a later date.

Cotton-Top Tamarin

The cotton-top tamarin is one of the most endangered primates in the world. The South American primate is threatened by both habitat destruction and capture for the pet trade. Working with the local community and conservation groups, Disney research scientists help to investigate economic alternatives that can support local communities and decrease their dependency on forest products…in other words, instead of just telling impoverished folks in the local communities that they shouldn’t cut down their trees or capture and sell wildlife, this program aims to develop viable alternatives for local community members to support their families.

One of the most profitable products to come out of this program is the eco-mochila tote bag that is woven from recycled plastic bags. Not only does this initiative help to reduce the amount of waste that litters the forests of Colombia, it also gives the local community members a viable commodity to sell and a reason to protect their surrounding environment. Since the eco-mochila program started 4 years ago, the number of cotton-top tamarins caught for the illegal pet trade and the illegal harvest of trees in the forest has decreased significantly.  Eco-mochila bags are available for sale in certain stores at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Elephants

Did you know that elephants were afraid of bees? I didn’t. But Disney’s animal scientists do, and they’re studying the interaction between elephants and bees to determine whether bees can be used as an effective elephant deterrent for crops and trees. Additional research conducted in Animal Kingdom uncovered two new vocalizations among elephants unlocking a whole new realm of elephant behavior and socialization. Disney is also home to a very successful elephant breeding program, with 4 successful live births to date.

Sea Turtle photo by mappamundi

Cotton-Top Tamarin Photo by Proyecto Titi

Elephant photo by bocavermelha-l.b.’ s

Similar Posts:

• Eco-Fun In Disney World
• Greening Disney
• It’s Good To Share
• Eating Green in Disney World
• Are You On for MLK Day?

Here are some of the top choices for eco-fun:

Kilimanjaro Safari: If you and your kids like to see animals, you will definitely want to check out this attraction.  You’ll see antelopes and zebras and everything in between.  The “ride” gets a little corny when the tour guide receives word that poachers have taken a baby elephant from its mother and your truck takes off on a chase to help save the infant animal from harm.  But overall, it is very cool and a great way to learn a bit about animals you may have never seen before.

Mahrajah Jungle Trek and Pangani Forest Exploration Trail: These are two self-guided nature trails that offer great views and information about all kinds of Asian and African animals…gorillas, meerkats, hippos, giant bats, tapirs, and even an okapi!

Discovery Clubs: Be on the lookout for these activity stations all throughout Animal Kingdom.  There are 6 of them located throughout the park and at each one kids can try hands-on activities such as constructing a dinosaur from a pile of bones, going on a scavenger hunt, becoming a wildlife detective, and viewing the world from a bug’s point of view.  After completing each activity, kids receive a stamp and if they do all 6 they can get a special bonus (my littlest one pooped out so we didn’t make it to all 6, but the girls loved the 3 that they tried.) To find the Discovery Clubs locations, look for the red squares with a “K” symbol in your park map.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch: This is a great spot for learning more about the conservation projects that Disney takes part in (in-depth info on that tomorrow.)  You can get an up-close look at the inner workings of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and learn even more about animal conservation and preservation.  Rafiki’s Planet Watch is also home to “Affection Station” a petting zoo where kids can brush, pet, and feed, goats, sheep, chickens, and llamas.

I was also pretty impressed to learn that conservation is a general theme on many of the Disney World attractions.  For instance, their public relations rep explained to me that the basic theme behind “Expedition Everest” (Animal Kingdom’s giant, nail-biting, high-speed, darkness-plunging, thrill ride) is that we need to be respectful of the mountain…and taking shortcuts to the top might get you into trouble.  I asked my husband if he picked up on this when he came weak-kneed and white-knuckled through the ride’s exit gate.  “Hmm, I might have missed that.” was all that he would say.
Photo by shutterproof

It’s “Money-Saving May” at The Green Parent and all month long we’re looking for ways to save money by going green. Today we’re talking water…conserving it not only protects the planet, it can also save you a fortune each month on your water, energy, and sewage bills. Here’s how:

1. Skip The Drips: Dripping faucets and leaky pipes waste thousands of gallons of water each year…sending your hard earned money straight down the drain. Most leaks can be fixed quickly with inexpensive plumbing repair tape. Not sure if your toilet is leaking? Drop a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If the color seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak.
2. Give A Dam:

   You only need about 2 gallons of water to successfully flush your toilet, yet some toilets use as much as 10! Save hundreds of gallons of water each month by creating a “toilet dam.” Fill a plastic bottle with pebbles or water and place it in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used with each flush.

3. Water Sparingly: Save water outdoors by watering plants only as necessary. Use a rain gauge or monitor the soil around plants to check for moisture. When you do need it, water plants early in the morning as cooler temperatures reduce evaporation.

4. Go Low-Flow: Showers make up a big chunk (roughly 22 percent) of the average family’s water bill. And showers hit the pocketbook three times…you pay to buy the water, to heat it, and to carry it away. Low-flow shower heads can help to reduce water use by as much as 500 to 800 gallons of water per month. Check with your local water authority to see if they offer a discounts or coupons for water saving gadgets.
5. Keep Your Cool: Thirsty? Keep a bottle or pitcher of water in the refrigerator so that you and your kids won’t have to run the tap to get a cool drink.

High prices got you down? The politicians can talk all the want but the truth of the matter is that prices are rising faster than paychecks can keep up. The good news is that you can save tons of money each month on your energy bills, water bills, trash bills, and even your shopping bills, by making choices that protect the environment. Here are the top 10 ways to save money by going green:

1. Don’t Drive: If the environmental benefits of ditching your car don’t convince you, the financial perks surely will. With gas prices at an all time high, you’ll save a fortune by carpooling, walking, biking, or taking public transportation whenever possible.

2. Wait A Day: One of the very best things you can do for the environment is to buy less stuff. So use the 24-Hour rule the next time your at the store: if you see something you like, wait 24 hours before you buy it. Nine times out of ten, you will have forgotten all about it before you even get home!

3. DIY for a Green Clean: Steer clear of toxic cleaning agents that cost a bundle and are harmful for your family and the environment. Natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice will get your whole house sparkling and germ-free for pennies.

4. Be A Label Lover: Manufacturers are trying to cash in on the green movement by “greenwashing” their products to appear green. Don’t waste your money on this overpriced junk, but don’t give up on buying green either. Click here to learn which green labels to look for at the store.

5. Control Your Temp: Adjust your thermostat by a measly three degrees and open a window (or throw on a sweater in cold weather) instead to save a fortune on your annual energy bill.

6. See The Light: Lighting accounts for 20% of your home’s annual energy bill. Control these costs by installing energy-efficient bulbs and turning off the lights whenever you leave a room.

7. Block Leaks: Stop throwing money out the window by making sure that windows (and doors) are insulated and weather-proofed to further reduce the energy required to heat and cool your home.

8. B.Y.O.B: Disposable water bottles are planet-trashing, money wasting junk. Why spend your hard earned dollars on water when you can fill up a reusable bottle of filtered tap water for free?

9. Buy in Bulk: Save money at the store by purchasing items in the largest size possible. Go in with friends and co-workers to defray the costs even further.

10. Take A Shorter Shower: You pay for the water in your shower three times…to buy it, to heat it, and to take it away. Shave a few minutes off your shower each day and do your thinking, singing, or dreaming elsewhere. You’ll help conserve water while keeping your money from going down the drain.

May is “Money-Saving Month” on The Green Parent! Check back every day for some steals and deals that will help you save money by going green.

1. Park It: Make every effort to walk, bike, or take public transit instead of driving you car. For inspiration, check out Alan Durning’s Year of Living Car-Lessly to read about his family of five’s car-free adventures.

1. Eat Local Foods: According to a recent report by the Natural Resource Defense Council, the average American meal contains ingredients from at least five countries outside the U.S. These ingredients are shipped by boat, train, and plane to our dinner plates, leaving a path of pollution and resource depletion in their wake. Make an effort this year to eat foods that are grown closer to home. Check out Sustainable Table for a state-by-state list of the seasonal foods that are found near you.

1. Trim Your Trash: Why put yourself on a diet when you can make a resolution to put your trash on one instead? The average American produces roughly 4.5 pounds of trash each day (that’s 17 pounds of trash thrown away each day for a family of four!) Trim that waste-line by practicing the three R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Check out these posts for great ways to reduce waste:

1. Turn Off A Light: There’s nothing worse than heading out the door with your arms full of kids, diaper bags, sippy cups, and snacks, only to realize that every light in the house is still burning. Make it your New Year’s resolution to turn off lights as you leave a room…better yet, put your kids in charge of “light patrol.” You’ll save a bundle in energy bills and light bulbs!

1. Vote Green: 2008 promises to be a big year at the ballot box, both at the national and local level.

   So before you cast your vote, check out the League of Conservation Voters to see where you favorite (and not so favorite) candidates stand on the environment.

]]> http://www.thegreenparent.com/2007/12/28/top-5-green-parent-new-year%e2%80%99s-resolutions/feed/ 10 http://www.thegreenparent.com/2007/11/06/election-dayget-out-and-vote-green/ http://www.thegreenparent.com/2007/11/06/election-dayget-out-and-vote-green/#comments Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:40:00 +0000 Jenn Savedge http://www.thegreenparent.com/?p=68
O.K. Green Parents…It’s election day, and although it’s not the BIG one, it’s still a good time to stretch out your green finger and put your ballot where your mouth is. The choice you make in today’s local and state elections could bring improvements in your town’s recycling initiatives, support for the environment at your local schools, access to green parenting resources, and more support for environmental agendas that hit Washington D.C. So grab your kids and go make a difference by voting green at the polls today!

• For more information about casting an eco-savvy vote, surf over to The League of Conservation Voters.

• Click here if you need any info about contacting your elected officials, registering to vote, voting rights, or how to volunteer at the polls.

• Want to teach your kids more about the voting process? Check out Kids Voting USA, for voting info, sample ballots, and classroom voting activities.

Water coolers use 4 billion kilowatts of energy each year, producing annual pollution roughly equivalent to the emissions of over 700,000 cars.

In addition, the agency estimates that Americans spend $300 million each year on utility bills to operate water coolers.

You can eliminate the waste consumption and resource depletion of traditional water coolers, bottles, and fountains by installing an inexpensive water filter on the office kitchen tap. Keep a stash of water pitchers and cool reusable cups and mugs nearby so that employees always have access to cold, fresh, clean water. Make the kitchen area a fun spot for employees to gather (and gossip) and they’ll never miss that wasteful old cooler!

Image courtesy of Lotus Head http://www.pixelpusher.co.za