Feel Good Friday - Game Rangers International

Today is World Ranger Day, a global tribute to the men and women who risk their lives every day protecting wildlife and wild places, which makes this the perfect moment to spotlight Game Rangers International.

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Lusaka, Zambia, the mission of Game Rangers International (GRI) is "empowering Rangers and local communities to conserve nature." What began as a small effort to support rangers in Kafue National Park has grown into a holistic conservation model spanning three landscapes across the country.

Zambia's wildlife faces relentless pressure from poaching and human-wildlife conflict, and rangers stand on the front line to protect it, despite being chronically underfunded and under-resourced. Rangers are often asked to work long, dangerous hours with limited pay, equipment, and support, which are exactly the conditions World Ranger Day was created to spotlight. GRI starts by providing rangers with welfare, training, and operational support so that they are empowered to safeguard our natural heritage.

GRI's Elephant Orphanage Project rescues calves orphaned by poaching and conflict, then guides them through a rehabilitation journey that can take more than a decade before they're ready to rejoin a wild herd. Other programs include the Zambia Primate Project, rescuing and releasing monkeys and baboons victimized by the illegal wildlife trade, a Resource Protection Programme that trains and equips anti-poaching rangers with rapid response capabilities, and a Community Outreach Programme that has engaged more than 25,000 children in conservation education.

Since they began, GRI has helped apprehend more than 1,850 poachers and traffickers, released 19 orphaned elephants back into the wild, and released over 800 rescued primates with an exceptional 85 to 100 percent survival rate! Their goal is to empower 500 Rangers by 2030 and safeguard 5 million hectares of wild space.

GRI is also taking part in this year's Wildlife Ranger Challenge, an annual event uniting ranger teams across Africa to raise funds and recognition for their work, with donations matched dollar for dollar.

If you’re inspired to support GRI, you have many options. Adopt an orphaned elephant or primate, volunteer with their conservation programs, shop for merch, make a donation, or amplify their message on social media. Follow GRI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube.

Happy World Ranger Day! 

Feel Good Friday - Latino Outdoors

June is National Great Outdoors Month, and there's no better time to celebrate Latino Outdoors, a Latine-led organization connecting comunidades to the beauty and healing of the natural world.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Oakland, California, the mission of Latino Outdoors is "inspiring and connecting comunidades to the outdoors, centering cultura, celebrating familia and heritage, and uplifting our history and leadership as part of the outdoor experience." The Latino community is one of the fastest-growing in the United States, yet remains underrepresented in conservation and outdoor spaces. Latino Outdoors works to change that, rooted in the belief that an ethic of conservation and a deep connection to the natural world have always been part of la cultura Latina.

LO's three programmatic pillars make that vision real. Vamos Outdoors is the heart of the organization, offering free hikes, picnics, bird walks, camping trips, and more through a national network of over 200 volunteer leaders. From first-timers to seasoned trail regulars, everyone is welcome. About 85% of outings include participants who attend together with family members, and nearly 80% include someone experiencing the activity for the first time. Yo Cuento Outdoors amplifies the voices and stories of community members, celebrating real lived experiences in nature through blog posts, films, and photography. And Crecemos Outdoors supports the next generation of outdoor leaders through training, mentorship, and access to a Jobs+ board  that has shared over 8,000 outdoor-related job, internship, fellowship, and scholarship opportunities since 2020.

The impact speaks for itself. Since launching outdoor programming in 2014, LO's volunteer network has delivered over 2,200 outings for more than 44,000 participants across more than 30 locations nationwide, with about half of that growth happening since 2024. One in four participants is a child or youth.

If you like what you learned, you can support Latino Outdoors in many ways. Join a free outing near you, make a donation, and amplify their message on social media. Follow Latino Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube and share their stories of community and connection with your network.

Happy Great Outdoors Month!

 

Feel Good Friday - Sharks4Kids

Today is Fintastic Friday, an annual observance on the second Friday in May dedicated to raising awareness and advocacy for sharks, skates, and rays. What a great day to spotlight Sharks4Kids.

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Florida, the mission of Sharks4Kids is "to inspire and empower the next generation of shark advocates through dynamic education, outreach, and hands-on experiences." Founder and President Jillian Morris, a marine biologist, created the organization after years of doing classroom visits for friends and realizing that if kids were armed with facts and enthusiasm, they could be one of the most powerful forces for shark conservation.

Here’s the thing: sharks have a serious image problem. Decades of sensational media coverage have convinced many people these animals are dangerous predators, when in reality they are essential to healthy ocean ecosystems and face massive threats from overfishing, finning, and habitat loss. Sharks4Kids flips the script, turning fear into fascination one classroom at a time.

Their free educational resources offer teachers a full curriculum, activities, coloring sheets, species posters, and crafts that can be woven directly into science programs at any level. Beyond materials, Sharks4Kids brings shark education to life through virtual and in-person school visits led by marine biologists, 360 VR Shark Dives that transport students underwater without leaving the classroom, and the Fin Files video series that spotlights individual species. Kids can also earn a Junior Shark Ambassador designation, empowering them to take their advocacy beyond the classroom.

On the research side, Project Lemon Aid is a hands-on initiative in Turks and Caicos where students join scientists in the field to study juvenile lemon sharks in their mangrove nurseries and learn firsthand what conservation science actually looks like.

Sharks4Kids has had a big impact since they began. By December 2025, they had reached 267,600 students through 1,878 virtual lessons, connecting with kids in 80 countries and all 50 US states, with in-person visits in 19 US states and 18 countries!

You can support Sharks4Kids by making a donation, volunteering with their education and outreach programs, shopping their online store, and amplifying their message on social media. Follow Sharks4Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Threads or YouTube, and help give sharks the voice they deserve.

Happy Fintastic Friday!

Feel Good Friday - International Elephant Foundation

Monday, August 12th is World Elephant Day which makes today a great day to learn about the International Elephant Foundation.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Azle, Texas, the mission of the International Elephant Foundation (IEF) is “to support and operate elephant conservation and education programs in managed facilities and in the wild, with an emphasis on management, protection and scientific research.” 

The African Forest, African Savannah and Asian elephant are all endangered species. Only 400,000 African elephants remain on the continent, and the estimated population of Asian elephants is 40,000 - 50,000, one third of which are living in human care. As the human population on both continents grows, people move into elephant habitat which results in both a loss of habitat for the elephants and more frequent human elephant conflict. This puts all involved at risk of injury and death.

In order to encourage the peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants, and to protect elephants and their habitats, IEF provides grants to institutions, organizations and individuals engaged in the field of elephant conservation, research, health, management, education and improvements in husbandry of elephants in human care. 

This 4-minute video discusses past IEF projects, while the following are examples of projects being done in 2024. The Big Tusker Project in Kenya provides aerial surveillance of elephants with tusks weighing over 100 pounds each. This helps with census and scientific research as well as anti-poaching operations. Guinea Forest Elephants is focused on education campaigns, prosecuting wildlife offenses and tracking elephants in the Ziama Biosphere Reserve. Conservation Response Units in Sumatra use “captive elephants, their mahouts, and forest rangers for direct field-based conservation interventions to support the conservation of wild elephants and their habitat.”

IEF also funds and produces publications for the improved management and welfare for elephants in human care, and holds symposia for conservationists and researchers to share conservation and research outcomes. In 2024, IEF awarded over $625,000 in funding to these projects, bringing their total contributions since they began to over $9 million. 

If you’d like to support the International Elephant Foundation and the organizations they work with, there are many ways to do so. Make an old school donation or sponsor an elephant. You can also amplify their work by following IEF on Facebook or Instagram and subscribing to their YouTube channel.

 

Feel Good Friday - Big Cat Rescue

Monday is International Tiger Day, an annual celebration to raise awareness for tiger conservation. What a great time to learn about Big Cat Rescue.

Founded in 1992 by Carole Baskin, who you may remember from a certain tiger-related tv show, Big Cat Rescue is a non-profit educational sanctuary with the mission of “a world where big cats roam free”. They focus on providing a permanent home for exotic cats, ending mistreatment of big cats in captivity, and avoiding extinction of big cats in the wild. 

What started when Carole and her late husband outbid a taxidermist for a bobcat cub, has now become the world’s largest accredited sanctuary for big cats. Their approach has evolved over time as they have become more knowledgeable. You can watch this 5-minute video to get a quick history.

Most of the cats taken in by Big Cat Rescue have been either found, orphaned, or relinquished by owners who either could or would not continue to care for them. Some are retired from performing acts while others were saved from being slaughtered for fur coats. As of 2023 they have rescued more than 230 exotic cats, as wells as successfully rescued, rehabbed and released 55 native bobcats. Starting in 2024, the rescued cats live at the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. You can see photos of the residents and read their stories at this link.

In addition to the sanctuary, Big Cat Rescue encourages laws forbidding breeding and exotic pet ownership and funds conservation projects all around the world to support big cats in the wild. Since they started tracking their numbers in 2006, they have donated $989,000 to other organizations. You can visit an interactive map on this page and search for these organizations by location or cat species.

If you’d like to celebrate International Tiger Day by supporting a tiger or two, there are many ways to do so. Shop for Big Cat Rescue merch, make a donation, and amplify their work on social media. Follow Big Cat Rescue on Facebook or Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Feel Good Friday - San Bruno Mountain Watch

In this week’s Feel Good Friday I’m highlighting a local, well local to me, conservation organization, San Bruno Mountain Watch. 

Headquartered in Brisbane, California, what began in 1971 as the Committee to Save San Bruno Mountain is now San Bruno Mountain Watch. This nonprofit organization “helps the public explore San Bruno Mountain’s history and environment and works with local communities to restore the mountain’s native habitats, cultivate its flora at the Mission Blue Nursery, and protect its open space.”

If you live in the Bay Area, or have ever driven to San Francisco from SFO and seen “South San Francisco the Industrial City” painted on a hillside, you’ve seen San Bruno Mountain. What you may not know is that it's a 3,600-acre island of biodiversity. The mountain’s “colorful grasslands, thick woodland canyons, trickling creeks, and scrubby hills” are home to 13 rare and endangered plant species and multiple federally listed endangered butterflies.

San Bruno Mountain Watch provides educational resources to the public such as online archives that explore the mountain and its history, and field trips for students to learn about the mountain’s inhabitants like the endangered Mission Blue butterfly. In order to protect and conserve areas of natural and cultural significance for public open space purposes, the organization works with local landowners, donors, and government officials.

The Mission Blue Nursery grows native plants exclusively from seeds and cuttings collected by permit on San Bruno Mountain. Talk about local! These plants are used for ecological restoration projects on the mountain and landscaping projects in neighboring cities. They are also for sale to the public.

A final area of activity revolves around ecological restoration and depends on volunteers. From planting native grasses and wildflowers that support the butterflies, to installing dune plants and designing a botanical garden there are many ways you and your green thumb can get involved. Don’t have a green thumb? You can also help out washing pots and picking weeds. Check the upcoming events page for volunteer opportunities or the trail maps to plan your next hike.

Other ways you can support San Bruno Mountain Watch and protect the open space for you and others to enjoy is by making a donation and following them on on social media. San Bruno Mountain Watch: Facebook and Instagram. Mission Blue Nursery: Facebook and Instagram

Feel Good Friday - Global Penguin Society

Did you know that tomorrow is National Penguin Day? What a perfect time to learn all about the Global Penguin Society!

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Argentina, the Global Penguin Society (GPS) is “the first and only international organization dedicated exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 18 penguin species and their habitats.”

According to penguin biologists, ten of the planet's eighteen penguin species have experienced serious population declines and it’s predicted that “over 90% of emperor penguin colonies will be quasi-extinct by the end of the century.” That’s why GPS is “dedicated to the conservation of the world's penguin species, the coasts and the oceans they inhabit.” Their work focuses on three areas: science, education and management. 

GPS conducts scientific research on penguins in Patagonia, Argentina, Chile and south of New Zealand in order to guide conservation actions. This includes projects such as monitoring penguin populations, tracking them at sea and assessing threats like oil drilling, pollution and the illegal trade of penguins. 

In order to reach their educational goal of fostering a “conservation culture”, GPS has many ways they teach people about penguins and the importance of healthy oceans. They’ve published and distributed 10,000 free books across five Spanish speaking countries and they’ve organized field trips for 7,500 children who live near penguin colonies. 

Working with government, community officials and landowners around the world, GPS creates effective conservation policies that benefit both penguins and their local ecosystems and nearby communities. To date they’ve helped protect 32,000,000 acres of marine and coastal areas which has benefitted 2,400,000 penguins!

If you’re ready to get involved with the Global Penguin Society, you can start by increasing your knowledge. Whether you want to be able to distinguish between the King and Emperor penguins or find out the breeding biology of the Norther Rockhopper, this link is full of facts and photos. Level up by making a donation to GPS and amplifying their message on social media. Like the GPS Facebook page and follow them on Instagram @globalpenguinsociety. 

Feel Good Friday - National Forest Foundation

Tomorrow is Earth Day and if you haven’t yet decided how to celebrate the planet, check out the work being done by the National Forest Foundation. 

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Missoula, Montana, the National Forest Foundation (NFF) is a conservation organization that works with the U.S. Forest Service and thousands of Americans to “promote the health and enjoyment of our National Forest System”.

 

The National Forest System is comprised of 193 million acres of forests, grasslands, deserts, and mountains that range from Alaska to Puerto Rico. These outdoor spaces are visited by over 170 million people each year and offer unparalleled recreation opportunities such as hiking, fishing, and camping. They also support local economies, sustaining nearly 223,000 jobs in gateway communities, and provide critical natural resources, as well as clean our water and air, and host wildlife.

 

NFF works in six regions across the United States: Eastern, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Northern Rockies, Pacific Northwest and Alaska, and California. They empower communities to care for their National Forests by focusing on conservation initiatives, grant programs, and tree planting.

 

Current conservation initiatives include reopening recreation areas in Mt. Hood damaged by fire, investing in watersheds in Northern Arizona, and restoring Tahoe headwaters. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations dedicated to addressing natural resource issues in National Forests and Grasslands. Past recipients include the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, and the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund.

 

Tree planting is the third focus area of NFF and an easy way for you to get involved. Millions of acres of forests around the country have been devastated by wildfires, flooding, hurricanes and disease. In order to survive, they need to be reforested. NFF has a goal of planting 50 million trees in five years, and this is the last year of the initiative. For every dollar you donate, one tree will be planted! Learn more this video.

 

There are many other ways to support the National Forest Foundation, in addition to planting trees. Visit their website to find a forest and take a hike! Shop for merch, make a general donation, and let more people know about NFF by amplifying their message on social media. Follow the National Forest Foundation on Facebook, on Twitter @NationalForests and Instagram @nationalforests. #DownToEarth

Feel Good Friday - Panthera

Often these Feel Good Friday posts tie into the time of year or current events. Today, however, is a rather random post about wild cats highlighting the work of Panthera, not to be confused with the 80’s metal band Pantera. 

Founded in 2006, Panthera's mission is to "ensure a future for wild cats and the vast landscapes on which they depend.” Utilizing the expertise of the world’s premier cat biologists, Panthera develops and implements global strategies for the most imperiled cats. They focus on wild cats because their presence indicates healthy, intact ecosystems that support all life, including people.

Based in New York City, Panthera has partners in 34 countries and runs projects in over 300 sites around the world. It is the only organization dedicated solely to protecting our 40 species of wild cats. While much of the work they do is focused on the seven species of big cats: cheetahs, jaguars, leopards, lions, pumas, snow leopards and tigers, their team of scientists also implements conservation and research initiatives on many of the 33 smaller wild cat species around the globe. 

Examples of current projects include: Tigers Forever, connecting tiger conservation organizations across Asia to increase tiger numbers by at least 50% over a 10-year period; monitoring the status of the leopard in West and Central Africa to put an end to leopard poaching; and the Jaguar Parade NYC 2022, an open air art exhibit starting September 7th, in which 40 jaguar sculptures designed by global artists will be placed around New York City, then auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds going to support jaguars. You can see the full list of projects at this link. 

Panthera has made a big impact since their founding. Tiger populations have rebounded in India and Nepal, critical jaguar habitat across 18 countries has been protected, wildlife technology has caught poachers in real-time and an alliance between six indigenous tribes has been forged to help protect pumas and bobcats in Washington state. You can watch this short video to see more about what Panthera has accomplished: Panthera: 15 Years of Protecting Wild Cats.

If you want to support the work being done by Panthera there are many ways you can join the pride. Make a donation, shop for merch and share the love. Download the social media toolkit and start sharing information on Facebook at this link, on Twitter @PantheraCats and Instagram @pantheracats. #wildcats 

Feel Good Friday Flashback #3 - La Tortuga Feliz

Happy Feel Good Friday! I'm traveling for the next few weeks and will be tapping in to the FGF archives for stories. Join me as we look back at some favorites from the last 9 and a half years. 

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Friday, September 2, 2016

Today Feel Good Friday is going to Costa Rica for a little Sentries Bien Viernes!

La Tortuga Feliz (the happy turtle) is a volunteer-run organization in Costa Rica focused on turtle conservation. Poaching, fishing nets and pollution have taken their toll on the turtle population and La Tortuga Feliz (LTF) has been working to reverse that decline since 2006.

Volunteers work with people in the local community to patrol the beaches looking for eggs before the poachers find them. As explained in more detail on their website, "These local inhabitants guard/patrol the beach (Caribbean coast of Costa Rica) together with volunteers, collect the turtle eggs and bring these eggs to a hatchery which is manned by volunteers on a 24 hours basis. Volunteers also participate in the care for and study of recuperating adult turtles in the turtle reduce and rehabilitation centre."

This turtle conservation work provides income for the locals, which the people at LTF hope will take away the necessity for locals to poach the turtles and their eggs. Many of the people working for LTF are former poachers who are happy to earn money saving, rather than killing the turtles.

Volunteers pay $35/day for room and board, which seems like a pretty sweet deal. While you're spending time learning about, and saving turtles, you can also take Spanish lessons and bond with volunteers from around the world! Not convinced yet? Check out the videos on their home page and view their photo gallery, which both give you a great idea of the work being done.

If you can't book your plane tickets to Costa Rica just yet, you can follow the work of La Tortuga Feliz by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter @latortugafeliz1.

Feel Good Friday - San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Not only is April 8^th a Feel Good Friday, it’s also National Zoo Lovers Day! What a great time to profile the San Diego Zoo and Wildlife Alliance. 

Since 1916, the San Diego Zoo in California has been connecting people and animals. What you may not know is that, along with the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the zoo is part of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), “an international, nonprofit conservation organization committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives.”  Watch this short video or keep reading to learn more.

The sustainability of wildlife around the world is threatened by climate change, invasive species, habitat degradation, human-wildlife conflict, wildlife trafficking and emerging diseases. SDZWA addresses these challenges by implementing conservation strategies in partnership with hundreds of organizations around the world. 

They operate in eight strategic regions, known as conservation hubs, and focus on specific animals in each region – for example gorillas in the African forest, jaguars in Amazonia and elephants and rhinos in the savanna. Working with local partners they develop their conservations plans which have included trail cams and GPS collars for jaguars, providing water sources for kolas affected by wildfires, and reintroducing “more than 44 endangered species to native habitats”.

 

SDZWA brings stories of their work back to the zoo and safari park to give guests the opportunity to experience conservation in action. This work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via news media, social media, their websites, educational resources, and the San Diego Zoo Kids channel, which is in children’s hospitals in 13 countries. Their goal is to inspire visitors, both in person and virtually, to become Wildlife Allies and help safeguard wildlife around the world.

If you want to be a Wildlife Ally, there are many ways to get involved. You can join campaigns to slow climate change, protect natural habitat for monarch butterflies, or help stop wildlife trafficking. You can also purchase a membership to SDZWA and visit in person, make a donation or join conservation experts for some adventure travel! As always, help spread the love on social media. Like the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Facebook page and follow them on Twitter @sandiegozoo and Instagram @sandiegozoo. 

Feel Good Friday - Save Our Water

I’ve been enjoying the recent rain in the Bay Area, but we’re still expecting drier than normal conditions in California this winter, which is why today’s Feel Good Friday is focusing on Save our Water.

Created in 2009 by the Association of California Water Agencies and the California Department of Water Resources, Save Our Water is “a statewide program aimed at helping Californians to reduce everyday water use through conservation ideas, inspiration and tips.”

 

According to this article, “the California Department of Water Resources estimates we need 140 percent of average precipitation to get our reservoir storage back to where it needs to be.” That’s why taking steps to conserve water is so important. Luckily, the Save Our Water website is full of resources.

 

Tips are divided into three categories: around the house, around the yard and save our trees. You won’t be surprised to read that fixing leaks, installing high-efficiency toilets, and taking shorter showers can save water, but did you know turning off the water when you’re brushing your teeth can save 10 gallons per person per day??

For those of you with yards, planting water-wise, California-native plants and drought resistant trees can help. Using a broom instead of a hose to clean outdoor areas can save 8-18 gallons of water every minute! And if your yard has trees, keep watering them. “It will take more water, time, and money to replace a mature tree lost to drought than to keep it alive.”

 

In addition to the tips you can find at the above links, there is also a resource page with more links to useful water-related resources, partnering agencies, and supporting organizations. If you’re feeling especially inspired, you can visit the toolkit and download social media posts, logos and videos to share.

 

The best way for you to support Save Our Water is to help spread the word about the site and their resources so more people can learn how to up their water conservation game. Like the Save Our Water Facebook pageand follow them on Twitter and Instagram @saveourwater.

 

 

 

Feel Good Friday - Bat Conservation International

October is Bat Appreciation Month so we’re celebrating with Bat Conservation International.

Founded in Texas in 1982, the mission of Bat Conservation International (aka Bat Con) is “conserving the world's bats and their ecosystems to ensure a healthy planet.”

Why bats? As the team at Bat Con explains, “with more than 1,400 species located all around the globe, bats play a substantial ecological role that is vital to the health of our natural ecosystem and human economies.” That includes pollinating valuable cash crops, dispersing seeds that are critical to restoring cleared or damaged rainforests and providing natural fertilizer courtesy of bat poop. “Loss of even one bat species affects ecosystems, communities, and economies.”

You can see why the team of scientists and conservationists at Bat Con is focused on ending bat extinctions worldwide. To accomplish this, they divide their work into four missions:

1.   Implement endangered species interventions – examples include creating a bat sanctuary for endangered Fijian Free-tailed Bats, protecting the critically endangered Hill’s Horseshoe Bat in Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park, and saving the rarest bat in the United States — the federally endangered Florida Bonneted Bat.

2.   Protect and restore landscapes – this is done by assessing and documenting bat roosting sites and seeing that those sites are preserved to sustain healthy bat populations. 

3.   Conduct high-priority research and develop scalable solutions – including collecting information through the North American Bat Monitoring Program, applying science to address bat loss, sharing their research, and developing a global capacity to save bats worldwide. 

4.   Inspire through experience – welcoming visitors to Bracken Cave Preserve near San Antonio to witness bats in flight and educating them about the importance of bats and bat conservation. Bat Con also trains volunteer ambassadors, organizes Bat Walks, and runs an annual week of bat-promoting events because experiencing the wonder of bats fosters stewardship. 

If you’re near San Antonio in 2022, you visit Bracken Cave Preserve and see the bats for yourself! No matter where you are, you can support Bat Con with a donation and by amplifying their work on social media. Like their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter @BatConIntl and Instagram @batconservationinternational.