Blue jay photo by Carl R. Sams II

A new survey has me worried about the future of our environment. Ten times more children around the world rank watching television and playing video games as more important to them than saving the environment, according to the survey.

It’s now more important than ever that Carl and Jean continue to use their award-winning children’s books and movies to teach kids gentle lessons of nature.

Learn more about the survey.

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The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is now our nation’s largest. The zoo expanded to more than 2,000 acres with the acquisition of 322 acres of Randolph County forestland.

“The zoo is excited to protect this biologically significant land for educational and trail purposes and thanks the N.C. Natural Heritage Trust Fund, PLC and the Wards for their tireless efforts to make it happen,” said Mary Joan Pugh, the zoo’s chief of staff.

The North Carolina Zoo is one large zoo! I visited the 125 acre Detroit Zoo this past February and was very impressed. The rhinos were frisky, running and chasing each other, and tossing snow in the air with their horns. I had never seen rhinos so energetic!

I agree with the North Carolin Zoo’s conservation ethic posted on their website, as it follows our goals to teach children gentle lessons of nature: “From our very inception, conservation has been central to the mission of the North Carolina Zoo…Internationally, we work to protect animal habitats and help people understand the value of wild animals and wild places.”

Learn more about the North Carolina Zoo expansion.

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"The Riddle in a Bottle" DVD features loggerhead sea turtles

Federal wildlife agencies proposed Wednesday increased protections for loggerhead turtles along both U.S. coasts, according to the article “U.S. wildlife agencies seek protections for loggerhead turtles” in The Baltimore Sun.

Ever since viewing the first clips from our award winning movie, The Riddle in a Bottle, featuring baby loggerhead sea turtles drifting along the ocean currents under floating mats of algae, I’ve been intrigued by these graceful and calm creatures. A loggerhead sea turtle is also featured in our award winning children’s nature book, A Pirate’s Quest.

According to the article in The Baltimore Sun, it was discovered that the status of seven of nine population groups of the turtles around the world had worsened to the point that they should be considered endangered. Learn more.

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Laura Sams and Robert Sams, authors of our book A Pirate’s Quest, and directors of our DVD movie The Riddle in a Bottle, enjoy sharing their talents through author visits and live performances each year. You can watch their wonderful presentation in Dubai in the video above.

They have performed at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the Chicago Field Museum to hundreds of schools and libraries across the United States.

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A lion, tiger and bear recovered in a drug bust in 2001 have been living together ever since at the animal rescue center Noah’s Ark near Atlanta, Georgia. Leo, Shere Khan and Baloo are like brothers; caretakers say separating them would bring depression.

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A chickadee takes a break from searching for food on a frosty morning. From the book, "Stranger in the Woods", by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick.

Have you every wondered how animals survive winter?

According to the article “Animals have differing ways of surviving winter”,  in the Springfield News-Leader online at News-Leader.com, animals survive bitter cold days by storing up food, growing thick coats or simply sleeping through it.

To prepare for winter, animals store up energy reserves. In addition to a warm winter coat, many animals eat a lot during the summer and fall to pack on the body fat for energy reserves when food is hard to find.

View the article.

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Christmas tree photo courtesy National Christmas Tree Association.

What do you do with that Christmas tree after the holiday season is over?

Did you know that you can recycle your Christmas tree to help wildlife? Recycled Christmas trees provide cover from predators and protection from the elements.

View the article “Recycle your Christmas tree” from Green Daily, and the article with the same name, “Recycle your Christmas tree”, from hattiesburgamerican.com.

Recycle your Christmas tree this season to help wildlife and our environment.

Photo courtesy the National Christmas Tree Association

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Black bears like to climb trees for safety. Carl R. Sams II took this photo of a black bear cub in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

A black bear and cub came into the town of Bryson City, North Carolina last Sunday evening seeking food.

They ended up parked in a tree overhanging a river from Monday morning until about 1p.m. Tusday, according to the article “Bears in tree cause a buzz” in the Smokey Mountain Times.

“I’ve never seen so many people,” said retired Swain County Schools teacher Shirley Sutton, quoted in the article. Sutton called the police Monday morning after spotting the bears.

“They said just leave (them) alone, and they would come down,” Sutton said in the article. “But they haven’t come down.”

Learn more

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Our children’s movie, Lost in the Woods: The Movie, is the winner of the Panda award for the best wildlife film for children world-wide. Watch as live video is combined with photography from the award-winning children’s book, Lost in the Woods.

Children of all ages will enjoy this tale of trust, patience, and waiting for your time. Learn more

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Blanding's turtle. Photo courtesy Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge

Fifteen turtle hatchlings were released in August at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in a project to preserve the rare species, according to the article “Project aims to save rare turtle at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge” in The Bay City Times.

According to the article, the Blanding’s turtle is listed as a species of special concern by the state of Michigan. Their numbers have dwindled due to loss of habitat. Raccoons also contribute to the decline as they eat the eggs and baby turtles.

The Blanding’s turtle’s low reproductive rate, low rate of nesting success and high risk of being run over by automobiles while crossing roads has also contributed to their decline.  

Learn more

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