[April 20, 2018, Philadelphia, PA] – On Sunday, April 8, 2018, at the Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival, Penn Vet Dean Joan Hendricks moderated a Q&A session after a screening of Thriving with Their Feet, Valve Turners, and The Last Animals.
Dr. Hendricks provided resources for those interested in making a difference on the conservation issues raised in these three films. Here are some of the resources she shared:
Resources
The Pinelands Preservation Alliance
The Pinelands Preservation Alliance is working to protect one of the cleanest aquifers in America, a vast reserve of fresh water that underlies southern New Jersey. Yet this aquifer and the tiny colorful frogs that depend on it—the threatened Pine Barrens Tree Frog—are under severe environmental stress.
Stopping Off-Road Vehicle Destruction in the Pinelands
Illegal off-road vehicle use is destroying wetlands habitats throughout the Pinelands. These habitat are home to many rare species like the Pine Barrens Treefrog and unique insect-eating plants and rare orchids. The state Pinelands Commission has identified over 220 sites in Wharton State Forest that have been damaged by unlawful ORV activity. Report environmental crimes and destruction of public lands by illegal off-road vehicle use by calling 1-877-WARN-DEP.
Protecting Our Bays and Estuaries
- Reduce or Eliminate Fertilizer Use – Fertilizers used on lawns represent significant pollution sources for the aquifer and our bays. Change the way you landscape. Reduce your lawn size and use native plants instead. Learn how to have a lawn with little or no fertilizer. Learn more...
- Be Water Smart Inside – Water efficient appliances and low-flow toilets can dramatically reduce your home water use. Learn more...
- Conserve Water Outdoors – As much as 50% of water used outdoors for irrigation of lawns and gardens is wasted. Save money and reduce your outdoor water use. Learn more >
- Don’t Be a Trashy Boater – Enjoy the bay in your boat, but don’t trash it in the process. Know the locations of certified clean marinas and don’t let a single piece of trash leave your boat. Learn more...
The Last Animals
In an effort to stem ivory poaching and animal extinction as seen in 'The Last Animals', Representatives Madeleine Dean and Tarah Tohill have introduced bi-partisan legislation that will prohibit ivory and rhinoceros horn importation to Pennsylvania in addition to selling, purchasing bartering and possession with the intent to sale.
Please call, write, e-mail, or use social media to contact your State Representative to request their support of HB248: Your message can be short, stating simply “I am a constituent – please support Representative Dean’s legislation to end the ivory trade in PA!”
Why ban ivory sales? Get the key facts from Humane-pa.org.