Endangered Species Limited Edition Wishbone Bike
The Earth’s rich biodiversity is mind-boggling. There are millions of different species on our planet, but nearly half of all species are in danger of becoming extinct
Neal Whittington’s original design for Wishbone Bike is inspired by the gorgeous and endangered giant kauri snail of New Zealand, a living treasure. With this Limited Edition, Wishbone Design Studio speaks about the key role of biodiversity to our survival on Earth, and the difference each person can make through simple actions.
endangered species
Kauri snails are giants in the snail world. They grow as big as an adult’s fist – up to 75 millimetres or 3 inches across. They have existed for over 200 million years – since the dinosaurs roamed around.
Most snails are herbivores – they eat only plants. But the Kauri snail eats meat, like bugs and worms. That’s one reason why it grows so big. Kauri snails are cannibals too – they like eating other snails!
Although Kauri snails move slowly, they are very clever at catching their dinner. They sneak out at night and pounce on their prey, crushing and suffocating it and drawing it back inside their shell.
The shell of a Kauri snail has spiral patterns and beautiful, multicoloured stripes.
Kauri snails are now found only in a few small areas of northern New Zealand, although they used to be much more widespread. Noone knows exactly how many Kauri snails are left, though we think there are just a few hundred remaining.
biodiversity
There are millions of different species on our planet. The variety of different species and communities is “biodiversity”. With so many species on the planet, why does one snail really matter?
Every single species, no matter how small, makes a contribution to our ecosystem.
Each species depends on the other species to survive – this interdependency creates a balanced ecosystem. Healthy ecosystems are the key to survival and to productivity of our ecosystems and our planet.
what can kids do?
With nearly half of all the species on earth in danger of becoming extinct, its time for everyone to get involved.
There are lots of practical things you can do to protect biodiversity and the natural world around you. Check out these ideas:
http://www.kidsbegreen.org/
A very cool site with music and dancing rubbish bins, where kids can play games, learn how to make compost and how to feed worms.
http://whyfiles.org/202critter_cards/index.html
Here’s a set of 13 collectable cards each one with a beautiful photo of an endangered species and information about each species and how it is threatened
www.epa.gov/region5/publications/happy/happy.htm
you can colour to your heart’s content by downloading this superb little book of colouring-in pages each with a message for kids on how to help the environment.
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/downloads/printables/index.cfm
and while we’re on colouring-in– here’s the best-ever list of animal printable colouring-in pages we’ve ever seen.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/games/levelone/KC_Not_Same.html
Check out this brilliant spot-the-difference game from NASA, with its stylish music and astronaut themed pictures.
And finally, on the theme of valuing the contribution of the smallest of critters, play this vintage Sesame Street tune to your wee one while contemplating the vastness of our Universe.
what can adults do?
www.earthwatch.org
BECOME A CONSERVATION VOLUNTEER by participating in scientific field research aimed at conserving biodiversity. On an Earthwatch expedition, you can explore remote parts of the world and get your hands dirty in the name of making the world a better place. Or simply make a donation and watch your research project’s progress from home.
www.earthwitness.com
LEARN ABOUT SPECIES THAT HAVE BECOME EXTINCT and places that have disappeared, then share your knowledge with others. Sharing what you know about extinctions helps recruit more and more help to save the biodiversity that remains.
http://www.fishonline.org/advice/eat/
DOWNLOAD THE POCKET GOOD FISH GUIDE put together by the Marine Conservation Society. It’s very cool to be seen with and easy-to-use. This guide will help make sure you eat only seafood from a well-managed fisheries.
www.unep.org/wed/2008/english/Information_Material/factsheet.asp
GET THE SKINNY ON GOING LOW-CARBON – this link takes you to a great beginnner’s guide prepared by the UN Environment Programme. If you have no idea what people mean by getting “carbon-free”, or reducing their “carbon footprint”, this site is for you. Includes a list of practical suggestions for getting started like reducing travel, buying green paper, becoming energy efficient, and designing for sustainability.
www.carboncatalog.org
LEARN HOW TO OFFSET YOUR CARBON USEAGE, AND THEN TEACH OTHERS HOW TO DO IT. Here’s a simple and non-biased site offering a beginners’ guide to carbon offsetting, including how to calculate your carbon usage and how to buy carbon offsets in North America, Europe, Asia and Australasia.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/lastchancetosee/stephen_fry/
RELAX and watch online excerpts from the BBC’s fantastic series Last Chance to See, where Stephen Fry takes you to the most remote places on earth in search of animals on the edge of extinction.
