When Helping Hurts

It is not uncommon for outdoor enthusiasts to come across grounded and seemingly helpless baby birds this time of year. Unfortunately the best of intentions can often do more harm than good. The best advice for people who stumble upon baby birds is to simply leave them alone.

Humans who decide to care for a baby bird may not completely understand the amount of care required for the animal to live. Young birds need to be fed every 15-20 minutes from sunrise to sunset. They also require essential skills to survive in the wild. Learning to avoid predators and where to search for food are abilities only a bird’s parents can teach. Perhaps the most obvious con to raising a bird is the fact that the animal will form a close bond with humans instead of their own species. Such animals are no longer fearful of humans once released back into the wild.

If the amount of work and potential harm are not enough to deter humans from attempting to “help” baby birds found out of the nest, there are a few more facts to consider before allowing guilt to affect our actions. A bird’s nest is a dangerous place for the youngsters as it is practically an open buffet for any predator. Therefore, the baby birds will try to leave the nest as quickly as they can even if they are not quite ready. It is common for them to fall to the ground and spend several days there as they continue to grow and prepare to fly. If you spot one, keep in mind that the parents are most likely very nearby and simply waiting for you to leave. For further reading please visit:

http://spwrc.org/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=16

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/babycrow.htm

Tips to Combat Air Pollution

In an era of complete dependence on fossil fuels it comes as little surprise that one of the greatest environmental concerns facing society today is that of air pollution. While it may appear to be a concern only in major cities around the country, the problem also exists here at home. A study recently published on webmd.com listed Charlotte, NC as the tenth smoggiest city in the United States with residents citing asthma, headaches, and a host of other health related problems.
While the dangerous and potentially disastrous effects of global warming seem almost a cliché amongst environmental conversation, there are small steps families can take to reduce their environmental footprint. For example, doing errands in bulk will spare a busy family constant trips and costly gas. Accelerating gradually and using cruise control on the highway are helpful tactics to getting more mileage out of your gas. Properly inflated tires and clean air filters may also save an individual’s air quality and fuel costs.
Fortunately, it does appear that the world is waking up to the very real danger posed by the use of fossil fuels. Ongoing developments and continued research are at the forefront of strategic plans for automobile companies and political administrations alike. Small steps on an individual level, however, are also important. Such measures can save our lungs as well as our wallets.

Aquarium Displays Local Art

The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher is pleased to announce the latest showcase in the Spadefish Gallery. Andrea Dingeldein, an Aquarium employee, moved from the Piedmont of North Carolina to Wilmington six years ago to attend University of North Carolina Wilmington. While pursuing degrees in Marine Biology and Studio Art, she found a way to combine her passions by creating paintings inspired by marine organisms, artifacts, and coastal landscapes.

Andrea often paints landscapes on site, or “en plein air,” capturing the seasonal
changes of salt marshes and the flora and fauna inhabiting them. Though oil and acrylic paints are her mediums of choice, she is also interested in photography.

Surface and Subtidal is a collection of recent paintings inspired by
imagery characteristic of the coast, and includes several underwater
photographs from a recent trip to Bonaire. Each piece is a study of natural beauty, color, and structure, with subjects ranging from live oaks and tidal creeks to squid and horseshoe crabs.

Works are for sale and can be purchased by contacting the artist directly at polaroidsarefun@gmail.com.

The Spadefish Gallery at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher showcases local artists throughout the year. Artwork that coincides with the Aquarium’s mission of “Inspiring Appreciation and Conservation of North Carolina’s Aquatic Environment” is located on the second floor of the Marine building, near the auditorium.

Aquarium Hosts 5K Race

Aquarium Hosts Third Annual 5k Race

Kure Beach, NC – Environmentally conscious athletes came out in droves this weekend to support a local initiative. The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher is proud to announce the success of its annual 5k Race for the Planet on Sunday, April 17, 2011. WECT Meteorologist Colin Hackman served as the emcee for the event which took place at the Aquarium and featured over 300 participants.

Overall winner and Carolina Beach local Shawn McKee finished the race with a time of 17 minutes and 29 seconds. Erin Hogston completed the race as female overall winner with a time of 19 minutes and 35 seconds. Male masters winner Alex Bonnington finished with a time of 21 minutes and 34 seconds. Female masters winner Jacqueline Billings finished with a time of 26 minutes and 24 seconds. A complete list of race results can be found on the Wilmington Roadrunners website at: http://www.wilmingtonroadrunners.org/raceresults11.asp.

All participants received an eco-friendly numbered bib embedded with wildflower seeds that can grow once the bib is planted. Winners received clay medals created with the help of Hiroshi Sueyoshi of the Cameron Art Museum as well as rain barrels, paintings, and gift cards.

The Aquarium at Fort Fisher would like to say a special thanks to all of our volunteers, participants and sponsors for their help in facilitating this event. Sponsors and donors included: Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Wellness Clinic, Cameron Art Museum, The Casserole, CVS, Chili’s, Chuck E. Cheese’s, Food Lion, Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Gold’s Gym Longleaf Mall, Got to Be NC, Harris Teeter, Lowe’s Foods, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Moe’s Southwest Grille, NC Aquarium Society, Omega Sports, Pepsi, Port City Java, Rain Water Solutions, RedFlagSurfStudio.com, Sam’s Club, Snapdragon, Screen Print, SandyBands, Sea Witch Cafe & Tiki Bar, Somatic, Target and the Wilmington Area Woodturners Association.

Megalodon at the Mall?

Visitors to the Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh have been pleasantly greeted by a six foot tall Megalodon shark jaw since September 2010. In a matter of weeks that jaw will be packed up and shipped south in preparation for the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s new exhibit Megaladon: Diving with North Carolina’s Ultimate Predator.

Similar to modern day sharks and rays, Megalodon was a cartilaginous fish. The only remaining scientific evidence from this extinct predator is teeth. Ranging in length from four to six inches, the teeth indicate that this animal was massive, approximately 50-60 feet.

The Aquarium’s replicated jaw has an interesting story. The original Megalodon teeth were found in Aurora, NC – a full set. Megalodons had four rows of teeth. Most Megalodon models use two or three teeth molds repeated on each row. This jaw is made from molds from the complete set: four rows of each individual tooth.

The jaw will soon be displayed in a new interactive exhibit scheduled to open at the Aquarium in mid-June. The various artifacts and fun features of the display will allow visitors an opportunity to test their shark smarts as they learn about the extinct predator of the deep. Aquarium visitors will also learn more about modern day sharks which face similar threats and how important these species are for healthy ocean ecosystems.

Megalodon ruled the sea from 20 million to about two million years ago. Climate change during this time may have caused their extinction by altering the migratory routes of whales, which was the food of choice for Megalodon.

Medicine Drop

In today’s culture, creating a healthy environment is a priority for many people. As a society we value recycling, carpooling, and turning off the lights when we leave a room. One critical step towards a cleaner environment is often overlooked.

In the past, most people flushed old medicines down the toilet. This was done to prevent accidental poisonings of children and animals who may find medicines in the trash. But today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) no longer recommends this. Improper disposal of medicines allows the chemicals to contaminate ground water as well as the public water system. Sewage treatment plants may not be able to clean all medicines out of the water. This may harm fish and wildlife.

If throwing medicines away is not the answer, and we cannot just leave them sitting around the house, then what should we do with them? Enter Safe Kids North Carolina. You can dispose of your unused and expired medications during the second annual Operation Medicine Drop. Bring your medications to Pender Adult Services on 901 S Walker Street in Burgaw or the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Medical Mall, 2243 S. 17th St., located beside the main hospital Saturday, March 26 between 9:00AM and 1:00PM.

Your medications will be safely disposed of, without any negative impacts on the environment. Law enforcement agencies as well as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will be present to handle controlled substances. Herbal medications and vitamins will also be accepted.

Trail of Spray

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s Spadefish Gallery newest showcase is an exhibit entitled “High Surf Advisory” featuring works created by world acclaimed artist, Gary Cleaveland with Red Flag Surf Studio. Cleaveland is a self taught artist who uses the rhythm of ocean tides as his muse to create sensational works of art.

Cleaveland catches the raw beauty of waves using an array of non-traditional mediums. He captures deep blues, vibrant turquoises and crisp whites by using cans of ordinary spray paint. This exhibit showcases a stunning collection of original, recently completed, large-scale, wave paintings. Works are for sale and can be purchased by contacting the artist directly at www.redflagsurfstudio.com. “High Surf Advisory” will be on exhibit March 1 - April 28, 2011.

The Spadefish Gallery at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher showcases local artists throughout the year. Artwork that coincides with the Aquarium’s mission of “Inspiring Appreciation and Conservation of North Carolina’s Aquatic Environment” is located on the second floor of the Marine building, near the auditorium.