May 2021
Welcome to the Green Kids Club Newsletter where you can keep up with us each month, learn some new things, and challenge yourself as a true Green Kid ambassador for the planet. Here's what's new this month.
Meet our latest Environmental Hero, Dr. Johan Marais from Saving the Survivors (StS). StS was founded by Dr. Marais in 2012 to treat any endangered species that has fallen victim to traumatic incidents. Due to the escalation in poaching and snaring incidents, the number of victims is rapidly increasing. Fortunately many injured animals have been given a second chance after undergoing various interventions and surgical procedures performed by StS. Find out what it's like to perform life-saving surgeries on animals in the wild and what you can do to help!
It's time for our virtual fundraiser to benefit our friends at Elephants Without Borders (EWB). We have a beautiful tote bag featuring a photo of Molelo and his family plus the book, Molelo the Fire Elephant! All proceeds will go directly to the work that EWB is doing for elephant conservation in Botswana. Help them by ordering here.
We are excited about revisiting Grizzly 399 and her four new cubs in Grizzly 399's Hibernation Pandemonium. This fun story imagines what might happen in the bear family's first year, especially during hibernation. Order your copy today! Books are in just in time for Mother’s Day.
Kabelo, a Silly Little Rhino should be out by early June. We are highlighting Saving the Survivors and The Rhino Orphanage through this cute story of a little rhino looking for his father. Proceeds will benefit these organizations and the amazing work they do to make a difference saving rhinos.
Also, look out for an updated version of the Jade Elephant coming out soon. This book was originally one of our classics. We have modified the story to reflect that “no elephant should be ridden!” We also have a new illustrator Andreas Wessel-Therhorn, a former Disney Artist. Such beautiful work he is doing with us!
May Observances
May is Gardening for Wildlife Month, National Pet Month, National Bike Month and has these specific observations:
- May 1 - Save the Rhino Day
- May 2 - World Tuna Day
- May 2-8 - Be Kind to Animals Week
- May 3 - International Wild Koala Day
- May 3 - International Leopard Day
- May 5 - Giving Tuesday
- May 8 - World Donkey Day
- May 8 - World Migratory Bird Day
- May 13 - Frog Jumping Day
- May 16 - National Sea Monkey Day
- May 20 - World Bee Day
- May 21 - Endangered Species Day
- May 21 - Bike-to-Work Day
- May 22 - World Biodiversity Day
- May 23 - World Turtle Day
- May 26 - World Otter Day
- May 31 - World Parrot Day
Otter Facts
There are 13 species of otter around the world. Otters are the only amphibious members of the weasel family, and spend much of their life in and around water. River otters spend most of their time on land, but sea otters are considered a marine mammal and spend their days floating in the ocean. Sea otters have no blubber and can have up to 1 million hairs per square inch, the thickest fur of any mammal, which keeps them warm in the cold Pacific waters. It was this fur that caused sea otters to be hunted almost to extinction in the early 1900s, though they are now protected and rebounding. Otters are playful and intelligent. Sea otters use kelp as an anchor when resting and use rocks to help them open shellfish.
Monthly Challenge
Gardening for Wildlife and World Bee Day make May a prime time to think about planting a pollinator garden. Any size is helpful. Just focus on using nectar/pollen-producing, native plants, preferably with a water source and plenty of sun.
Partner Highlight
The Early Development of Global Education Charitable Foundation (The EDGE) is a humanitarian organization established in 2007 in Miami, Florida. The mission of The EDGE is to empower women and youth, while providing humanitarian services for victimized and disadvantaged children. Initially providing children with a science-based curriculum and environmental awareness, The EDGE shifted gears in 2013 when many of the children were in need of basic essentials.
Green Kids Club recently donated books to their classes and the Purple Room Project. Author Sylvia Medina also read The Belize Trash Monster to the kids for Earth Day.
New Fun Outdoor Activities for Kids to Do
Our partners at Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants are hosting their annual Global Biodiversity Festival this May and beginning May 1st, will be hosting their BackyardBio global campaign. Green Kids Club is proud to be a part of the BackyardBio global campaign! BackyardBio is all about encouraging the public to get out exploring the natural world near them, observing, photographing and sharing the wildlife they discover widely. Want to get involved? There are three ways to take part:
1) On social media, sharing images with #backyardbio on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
2) On the INaturalist or Seek platforms for nature - contribute and be part of a community of thousands of nature lovers worldwide at https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/backyardbio
3) Classroom teachers and eco clubs can register at https://www.backyardbio.net/ to connect with other classrooms and groups worldwide and share the observations you make!
Did you miss...?
Our enlightening Livestream with Ian Michler of Blood Lions
Author Sylvia Medina's radio interview about A Tail of Three Lions and Green Kids Club's mission
Our interview with the Environmental Heroes at Elephants Without Borders
About the author
Lorielle Peterson