1% Goes a Long Ways

When two successful businessmen met while mountain climbing in 2001, the brainstorming began and a plan to create a program that would encourage businesses to donate 1% of their sales to environmental groups was formed. Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia and Craig Mathews, the owner of Blue Ribbon Flies believed it was their responsibility to protect the natural resources that kept them in business. With this notion in mind, “1% For the Planet” was conceptualized and began its journey to create a healthy planet through business alliances.

1% strives to connect businesses, consumers, and nonprofits through philanthropy. The program shows businesses that industry and ecology are inherently related, and that the sustainability of one could not survive without the sustainability of the other. 1% For the Planet has successfully inspired hundreds of businesses to donate 1% of their sales to environmental groups around the world. Jack Johnson, a famous singer/songwriter, is one of 700 members of this rapidly growing effort. In 2007 the group estimated that more than one new member company joins the effort each day.

Donations have reached an astonishing $30 million dollars. Currently, over 1,500 nonprofits have been researched and approved to receive donations from member companies. Each group has been thoroughly checked to ensure that they are indeed environmental groups that have clear objectives and an awesome track record of effective environmental initiatives. The groups range from local, regional, national, and international levels. Groups include Surfrider organizations from around the world and World Land Trust.

This amazing effort continues to grow and gain support from businesses around the world. To learn more about 1% For The Planet visit http://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/.

A Day with Nature

For Take a Child Outside Week, the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher branched out to the community. Renee Weeks, special activities coordinator, participated in a day full of outdoor activities when she visited the Sampson County Cooperative Extension for the Home Runners 4-H Club. The group, which is recognized as the 4-H group of the year in Sampson County, had their day filled with interactive activities that focused on the environment.

One of the activities that the children completed was called “listen and feel”. The activity involved the children going outside and closing their eyes to listen to the sounds of nature. They also retrieved items from the environment to touch and feel the texture. The activity is used to help children become more in tune with nature.

Another activity the children completed was a bug juice demonstration. The children got to watch Renee create the bug juice, which was a mixture of molasses and bananas. Then each child dipped a paint brush into the creation and lathered a tree with the mixture. The children were extremely excited that they were feeding bugs in the environment.

After completing all the exciting activities the kids learned about pollution and why they should recycle. The outdoor fun day turned out to be great success!

NC Aquarium Offers Facebook Contest for Tickets

CONTEST TIME! To win two tickets to NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher's Trick or Treat Under the Sea event on October 28 or 29 from 5-8:30 pm, post your BEST and MOST CREATIVE Halloween costume (past or present) on the fan photos section of our Facebook page. Log into http://www.facebook.com/ and type in ‘NC Aquarium’. Or use this link: http://tinyurl.com/ncaff1986. Become and fan and post away! Rules: Costumes must be appropriate in nature. Inappropriate photos will be deleted and not considered. Contest closes Oct. 21. Tickets are for use at the Fort Fisher Aquarium only.

Trick or Treat Aquarium Style

Celebrate Halloween early with the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s Trick or Treat Under the Sea. The aquarium welcomes trick-or-treaters of all ages on two frightful nights this year: Wednesday, October 28 or Thursday, October 29 from 5:00 to 8:30 pm.

Dress up in costume (no masks for adults, please), rake in the candy and play games with prizes. Enjoy face painting, story-telling, and haunted gardens. Look for our spooky divers in the big tank! At 6:40 pm on both nights, a magic show entitled “Pirates Have Problems” by No Sleeves Magic Camp will be held in the Auditorium.

Admission is $6 per person. Children 2 and under are free. Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Only umbrella strollers will be allowed in the building for this event. Be green and bring your favorite trick or treat bag!

Pre-sale tickets are available now and are selling fast! Tickets will be sold on the day of the event from 5 to 8 p.m. Please call 910-458-8257 for tickets and more information.

Shark’s New Playground

Palau, a small Pacific republic, has created the world’s first “shark sanctuary”, which will ban all commercial shark fishing in its waters. President Johnson Toribiong announced his plans to create the shark sanctuary during the United Nations General Assembly in September 2009. The plan would protect nearly 230, 000 square miles of ocean, an area similar to the size of France. This amazing effort by Palau has received global support, and has been coined the “leader of the world in shark conservation.” Over 130 shark species swim the waters surrounding Palau, and will be positively affected by the new sanctuary.

President Toribiong also called for a global ban on shark-fining, the act of removing the fins of sharks in order to sell and trade them. Shark-fining has become one reason why humans are public enemy number one for sharks. Over 100 million sharks are killed each year around the world, due largely in part to the shark-fining industry. Over half of the world’s sharks are currently at risk of extinction, and if this industry continues the shark population will be negatively affected forever.

The heroic effort by President Toribiong and the Palau community deserves a gold star for leading the way in saving our finned friends of the world!

Take Tree Time during Take a Child Outside Week

The week of September 24-30 is Take a Child Outside Week, which is designed to break down barriers that are keeping children from discovering the environment. The week was created by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in an effort to get children outdoors. The museum created activities that are simple ways for parents, teachers, and other caregivers to go outside with a child.

According to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science, “The goal of the week is to help children across the country develop a better understanding and appreciation of the environment in which they live, and a burgeoning enthusiasm for its exploration”.

Going outside not only helps connect children with nature, it also helps them focus in school and lets some of that built up energy out. Here is one activity to get you started with your outdoor play date.

Let loose, and instead of singing “rain, rain, go away” indoors; go outside an embrace the watery fun!

Rainy Days

Best age range: all ages
Location: anywhere, but a natural area such as backyard or park is the best
Best time: anytime it is raining (but not during a thunderstorm and/or lightening)
Season: any
Special materials: raingear, if you want to stay dry
What to do: Dress to stay comfortable but keep your hands free— no umbrellas today! Peek into puddles; listen for bird and frog calls. Discover how many kinds of raindrops you can see. Find a plant with rain dripping from the tips of its leaves. Try to find out where animals go when it is raining.
*Activity provided by http://www.takeachildoutside.org/

Stay tuned for more interactive outdoor activities throughout the week!

Freaky Friends Outreach Program