Life with Dylan

Category: San Diego Zoo Global

  • Think globally, but act locally.

    For the past two years Dylan and I have been involved in fundraising for one of our favorite non-profit organizations. So involved, that I can’t remember a time that we were not raising money for one thing or another. Cans for Critters, Reading for Wildlife, Tiger Trail, a new home for the Amur and Snow Leopards, and so on. With the support and generous donations from friends and family, we have been able to surpass all of these goals to help make a better life for our animal friends at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. However, with such big goals (over $3,000 raised) we have not been able to give as much as we would like in other areas like animal adoptions, wish list gifts, and our monthly wildlife hero contributions.

    Many of the exclusive events Dylan and I are invited to attend throughout the year are part of the Wildlife Conservancy’s monthly donor program. Meeting scientists and hearing lectures from those who have traveled to China’s panda sanctuaries, flown over the Arctic looking for polar bear dens, or studied the breeding habits of the cheetah are just a few of the experiences we have enjoyed. Knowing that we can help and make a difference globally is what made joining the Wildlife Conservancy such an easy decision for both of us.

    We became Wildlife Hero’s on Endangered Species Day in 2012 and have been helping to save animals all around the globe ever since. I support the Wildlife Conservancy because I know that their work is making a difference locally and globally. Whether I am giving my time or my money, I feel that I am part of a family working toward a common goal of saving the world’s endangered species. Preserving wildlife, banking DNA, preventing disease, conserving habitat, restoring nature, and inspiring change are just a few of the things that my monthly donations support.

    Creating awareness for endangered species and raising money for two new exhibits, which will have our names on plaques at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Tiger Trail) and San Diego Zoo (Amur and Snow Leopards) is something we are both proud and honored to be a part of. We considered starting another local fundraising venture, but instead decided to take a break and focus our efforts on the big picture.

    We are thinking globally and have decided to increase our monthly Wildlife Conservancy donation so that we can make a bigger impact in the field. Locally, we will continue to make purchases from the monthly wish list and symbolically adopt animals.

    One of the wonderful things about being a Wildlife Hero is that you can do it from anywhere in the world … which brings me to our challenge for you.

    For as little as $10 a month you can become a Wildlife Hero and start making a global impact too. Visit endextinction.org today to join the fight against species extinction.



    Will you be a hero for wildlife?

  • What happened to the Season of Giving?

    Over the past few days my email account has been taken over by companies begging me to buy Christmas gifts from them. Some I have ordered from once (two years ago) and others I didn’t even know I subscribed to their emails. The Black Friday emails started early last week and today the Cyber Monday emails are coming just as fast. As I sat with my laptop scrolling through the emails I began to get depressed. Feeling bad that I didn’t have the extra money to buy some of these wonderful things that were on sale – Feeling that I was missing out on part of the Christmas season.

    Then it hit me, why was I the one feeling bad? I don’t need any of these things that companies are trying to sell me. I began unsubscribing from emails and deleting all the junk that was filling up my email account. This is not what Christmas is about.

    Then a certain email caught my attention. The subject was Celebrate Gifts that Give Back and I was quickly reminded of a letter I received last week from my friend Marla at the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy. Giving Tuesday was just around the corner and this was something that I could get excited about. Giving is what Christmas is all about. Giving from the heart – Giving to something that you believe in.

    This Tuesday, December 3rd, marks the second year of Giving Tuesday. A day for giving to non-profit organizations. A day for giving of yourself to those that help so many others around the world.

    I am a Wildlife Conservancy Hero and give monthly to help bring endangered species back from the brink of extinction around the world. Giving Tuesday is the perfect day for you to start giving back by joining the Wildlife Conservancy.

    Whatever your passion is, whatever organization you believe in, give back to them on Giving Tuesday. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather give to a non-profit than spend money on things that will end up on the closet floor or worse yet, in a landfill.

    Let’s bring the Season of Giving back to Christmas.

  • Fingers crossed – My tiger picture might be Wildlife Photo of the Month

    Last month I captured some pretty great pictures of Connor at the San Diego Zoo and wrote a little post about tigers. (In case you missed it, you can click here and read it) Well, one picture got lots of views on Flickr … like over 12,000 views in a few days. I thought there must be something wrong with Flickr because my pictures, the good ones, generally get a few hundred views. 

    So I decided to submit the picture to San Diego Zoo Global for the Wildlife Photo of the Month contest. To be honest, with school ending and our road trip I had totally forgotten about submitting the picture of Connor.
    “No Floaties Needed”
    Then today I see on Facebook that my photograph is one of the choices for Wildlife Photo of the Month. What? My picture could possibly be featured on the San Diego Zoo Global website? Cool!
    You see, when you are a little fish in a big sea of really amazing photographers, like my friends who also love to photograph animals at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, then you will understand how something as little as being recognized for your work can be utterly amazing and inspiring. 
    The photograph with the most “likes” will be featured as Wildlife Photo of the Month, so if you haven’t voted yet … well, what are you waiting for? 
    Log on to Facebook and choose your favorite here.

  • Life is always filled with little surprises

    Imagine the surprise on our faces when we saw this last weekend at the San Diego Zoo Global booth. This made quite the conversation piece when people came by.

    Have you met Dylan? He raised $500 reading for wildlife.

    What will you do?

  • Reading for Wildlife update – An awesome journey

    It has been a little over a month since the last update, but if you have been following along on Facebook or Instagram then you know that on day 66 of the I READ for Wildlife challenge Dylan reached his goal of $500 in sponsors.

    This was a great day for Dylan because the hardest part was now done. He had reached his fundraising goal and from here on out all Dylan had to do was continue reading.

    Now on his third and final book – the end was in sight. The goal of reading 15 pages per day increased to 20 pages per day. The boy was on a mission and there was no slowing him down.

    Today is day 89 of the 100 day challenge and I am happy to report that Dylan has read all 1500 pages of fascinating animal facts.

    When I asked Dylan to describe this experience in one word he said … Awesome!

    Dylan was able to combine his love of reading with his love of animals and raise $500 for endangered wildlife across the globe.

    Dylan and I are so grateful that San Diego Zoo Global asked him to be part of this special team. Not only were we able to test and help improve a program that will launch to the public soon, but we made new friends and were able to share our journey with others. I truly believe that the new I _____ for Wildlife program will be a huge success.

    Doing something you love has got to be one of the most rewarding ways to raise awareness and in the end raise money for a wonderful cause. Be sure to check out the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy website and start your own journey … What will you do for wildlife?

    I would like to thank everyone who supported Dylan along the way. Whether you gave money and were a sponsor or were one of the many who commented/liked his videos and fascinating animal fact updates on Facebook … he couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you!

    Visit our YouTube channel to see more of Dylan’s video clips from his Reading for Wildlife journey.

  • Did you know 16,000 plants and animals are endangered?

    This number may shock you or seem too high, but it is accurate. We may read more about the bigger, more popular animals, like the rhinos and tigers and elephants, but these are just the tip of the iceberg. So may species are endangered and need our help. From the smallest butterflies who are dying from pesticides to the large polar bears whose home is melting away and everyone in between.


    According to San Diego Zoo Global,  to date, they have reintroduced 33 species back into the wild including: mountain yellow-legged frogs, 5 species of reptiles, 17 species of birds, and 10 species of mammals. In many cases, these efforts have meant the difference between extinction and survival. 
    This, my friends, is why we feel so strongly about supporting San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy.
    It’s not just about going to see the animals at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park – we go to witness first hand the breeding programs at work. 
    The San Diego Zoo is so much more than just a zoo – it is physical proof that together, we are making a difference.  
    Join me and thousands of others who are helping to bring species back from the brink of extinction by becoming a Wildlife Conservancy HERO. Together we can do more.   

  • How you can make a difference and have fun at the same time

    So often I hear people say that they don’t know how to help or they don’t have the time to do a big fundraiser.  They say the small amount they have to give wouldn’t make a difference, so why bother. Well, this is where I usually get on my soapbox and start talking about how one person can make a difference and that you don’t need to give thousands of dollars to help save endangered wildlife or the habitats they live in.

    My family is by no means wealthy. In fact, for many years we lived paycheck to paycheck – just barely getting by. However, I always managed to do something to make a difference, even if it was only recycling the cans and water bottles we used. It was better than them ending up in a landfill right? As I learned to stick to a budget, I was able to give more monetarily. Still not a lot, but something. It felt good to give and know that I was making a difference and helping to save an endangered animal. I taught these values to my son and as you may know, he has become quite the little philanthropist.

    Making a difference in the world can be fun too – Just get creative!

    Dylan currently has three different San Diego Zoo Global fundraisers going on and I was getting very confused with what money went where, so we grabbed some jars (re-purposed from our kitchen), some mailing labels and our Sharpie pens. Not only do the jars make it easier to keep the money separated, but they make us smile and look pretty darn cool on the counter!

    Cans for Critters is a recycling fundraiser that will help Dylan meet his conservation requirement for Cub Scouts. All the money he gets from recycling gets put in this jar for the critters.

    Animal Care Wish List is a monthly list of wishes from the keepers at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park for the animals. Sometimes it’s feeding the animals, buying special toys for animal enrichment, or helping the conservation projects around the world. This jar collects all of our spare change and pays for monthly items on the wish list.

    I Read for Wildlife is the latest and greatest fundraiser where Dylan has promised to read 1500 pages of fascinating animal facts in 100 days. Money from his sponsors or that he has raised gets put in this jar.

    Now that you see how easy (and fun) it can be to help endangered species, what will you do to make a difference? Will you start a fundraising jar?

    Remember, there is no time limit and no rule that says you need to raise thousands of dollars. Find something that you are passionate about and start saving your spare change. Coins add up quickly and many items on the Animal Care Wish List cost less than $10.

    EVERYONE can make a difference – YOU just need to pick a day to start – Why not TODAY?

  • Endangered Species Monday – Cans for Critters

    One of the great things about helping save endangered species is that everyone can do something – even children. In fact, I believe children can and will create more awareness about the problems facing endangered species than most adults will. When I offered to be in charge of the conservation service project for my son’s Cub Scout den, I was thrilled to suggest we take part in San Diego Zoo Global’s Cans for Critters.



    Cans for Critters is one of the many programs available for the general public to do their part and help protect wildlife all over the world. By recycling cans and bottles, and then donating the money, both individuals and groups can help save endangered species.




    There are three levels for individuals (starting at $20) and three levels for groups (starting at $100). We chose the group level of Cheetah, which has a goal of raising $200 for wildlife. Each boy collects cans and bottles and I take them to the recycling center each month. All the money we get goes into a jar so the boys can see how much money they have raised. Even though we started a month late, I am confident that boys will reach their goal by the end of the recycling drive. Cans for Critters officially began on Septemeber 12, 2012 and will end on May 17, 2013 – the day before Endangered Species Awareness Day.




    Everyone who registers for Cans for Critters and meets their goal will have an opportunity to receive a special certificate, animal photo, conservation patch, and choice of zoo tickets or eco gifts. There will also be an official Cans for Critters Appreciation Day on June 1, 2013.



    The boys are so excited to be part of this conservation project and I am honored to have the opportunity to teach them more about how they can help save endangered species. 


    So what do you think? Would you like to help save endangered species by registering for Cans for Critters? It’s quite simple and a wonderful way for people of all ages to help protect wildlife while keeping the planet clean. 

    Reduce – Reuse – Recycle



  • The conservation efforts of non-profit organizations depend on our help

    The cornerstones of conservation efforts are the numerous non-profit organizations that depend on our donations to survive. We all get the mailings, the emails, see the shares on Facebook, and the tweets on twitter. Save the planet, save the oceans, save the rain forests, save the animals.
    They are all doing good and it can be hard to choose just one. $25 here $10 there … does it really do anything?

    Some may argue and say yes, that $10 does help an organization. However, after many years of spreading my money to a variety of non-profit organizations I decided to make all of my contributions to just one this year. To help conservation efforts on a local level, where I can see what my money is doing, and also on a global level where I can help make a difference for animals across the globe was my goal. There are so many great non-profits and I want my money going to an organization that I can personally relate to.

    Ultimately, my decision was based on the local level. When I saw first hand what my money was doing, there was no doubt in my mind. My monthly contributions would go to San Diego Zoo Global.

    This amazing video shows all that San Diego Zoo Global does for the animals, planet, and the people who come to visit the parks.

    Each month I give a specified amount to San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy as a Wildlife Conservancy Hero.  When extra funds are available, rather than give $10 to another organization, I help out by buying something on the monthly wish list. This is a wonderful way to make $5 – $10 go a long way because the wish list will tell you exactly what the money will buy. Items tend to go quickly, so I always check within the first few days of the month for the best selection – toward the end of the month the items left on the list are a little higher priced than I can afford.

    I have fed a condor for a week, fed a Manchurian brown bear for 3 days, and supplied various enrichment toys for animals. My donations have helped in conservation efforts across the globe. So sure, that $10 does make a difference – but think of the difference hundreds of dollars can make for San Diego Zoo Global.

    Do you make donations to non-profit organizations?  If so, what organization do you support?