Patricia Newman wins 2015 Green Earth Book Award!

Today is Earth Day 2015! Today my mother, Patricia Newman, and photographer Annie Crawley won the Green Earth Book Award in the children's nonfiction category. This is a NATIONAL award that honors the books that "best inspire young readers to appreciate and care for the environment." To learn more about Patricia Newman and to order her award-winning book, visit her blog or her feature on this blog. To learn more about Annie Crawley, visit her website.

In addition to receiving this award, Plastic, Ahoy! is taught in schools across the world. Fifth-grade students in San Diego now refuse to use single-use plastic. Plastic, Ahoy! has become a call to action for sixth-graders focusing on sustainability. Plastic, Ahoy! is even used to model environmental problem-solving for students in Saudi Arabia.

Congratulations Patricia Newman and Annie Crawley! We are so proud of your accomplishments and all you are doing to save the world!!!

Help Elephants! Donate to ELP

Elephants have been an important part of my life for many years. I have always loved animals, but I first fell in love with elephants when I was studying abroad in Kenya and Tanzania in 2010. After returning to the United States, I worked for the Elephant Listening Project. At ELP, I cataloged the infrasonic sounds of African forest elephants and founded an on-campus club at Cornell University to garner funds and support for ELP. ELP is an incredible group of people that monitors infrasonic elephant communication in Central Africa to better understand elephant social structures. ELP researchers also teach local people about elephant monitoring to get them invested in the plight of African forest elephants and deter poaching. By donating to ELP, you are sending researchers to Africa, paying for new audio equipment, and paying the salaries of students who analyze the infrasonic calls. As a former zookeeper, current Safari Park tour guide, and life-long elephant lover, this cause is incredibly important to me. Please help!

Help African forest elephants by donating to the Elephant Listening Project via GiveGab: https://www.givegab.com/p2p/finding-forest-elephants/elise-newman

Photos courtesy of the Elephant Listening Project.
Cornell University.