The New Year always reminds me of my first day of school in the elementary grades. Now I’ll eagerly admit that those years were some time ago so my memories might not ring true to most of you…but, some of you’ll know what I am talking about. It was all about new classrooms, new desks, new teacher, new classmates. Each desk had new books, newly sharpened pencils, and sparkling clean tablets (not a laptop to be found). Can any of you remember the smell of a brand new box of Crayolas? I looked forward to the experience of learning, playing, and exploring. I remember being so excited that I couldn’t sleep the night before. Every day was something new and exciting.
With this New Year there are many similarities to my old experience of opening day at school (except for the sleeping part). At Liberty Wildlife January 1st brings pristine forms to fill out accounting for the many activities that take place at the facility through the following twelve months. This year’s Intake log book starts with a blank page and the initial number, 11-0001, a verdin, then 11-0002, a woodpecker, 11-0003, a hummingbird, 11-0004, a Mexican jay. With 126 species and a total intake of around 3300 animals in 2010 we are well on our way to reaching the same diversity and number in 2011.
We know that there will be many new friends to welcome in terms of dedicated volunteers, supporters and learners. Our education calendar for last year (as yet not totally tallied) reflects between 370-420 educational programs for the public….schools, community events, scout troops, nursing and retirement homes, etc. That is quite an accomplishment for our education group and our cadre of educational ambassadors. Our calendar is already filling up for the spring semester, but not to fear, there is always room for more educational opportunities for eager learners.
As we embark into our 30th year of providing rehabilitation, education, research and conservation services and now our non-eagle feather distribution to Native Americans, we eagerly look forward to filling the books again with more animals cared for, more educational programs provided, assisting with more nest moves and conservation projects, and a helping more Native Americans to fully and legally practice their cultural and religious practices.
Here’s to the next 30 years! Just imagine what we can accomplish. Like every other new year, a clean slate backed by a lot of prior successes and accomplishments. Let’s come together and make it all happen again.
Happy New Year to all of the readers of Hoots, Howls, and Hollers, and This Week at Liberty.
1 comment:
I always love the feeling of a new year!
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