The Fall 2014 edition of Gonzaga University Magazine features a write up of alumni who served in the Peace Corps, as well as a short review of Glimpses through the Forest!  I’m thrilled to be included in my alma mater’s outstanding magazine and to read about other GU alums’ Peace Corps experiences.

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences highlights the incredible toll the illegal ivory trade has had on Africa’s elephant populations.  This illegal trade, fueled primarily by demand for ivory in China and other countries, continues to threaten elephants throughout Africa.  The study notes that on-the-ground conservation efforts have helped stem poaching within the range of those efforts.  Working with local communities is critical to the success not only of anti-poaching work, but also larger-scale conservation and development goals.  Hopefully these studies, which reinforce actions taken by many governments (see my previous blog posts here and here), will help spur greater interest and action to help protect elephants and other threatened species!

Reposting for updated country views!

The internet community is amazing! Folks from all over the world have visited my site to read more about Glimpses through the Forest: Memories of Gabon. These visits to date are from: Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Korea, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, and the Virgin Islands.

Thanks everyone for your interest, and I’d love to hear from you about your thoughts on the book!

From July 1 to July 8, the Kindle version of Glimpses through the Forest: Memories of Gabon will be on sale for 80% off – get you copy for only $1.99!!

June 5 is World Environment Day, a day of local and global action to celebrate, conserve, and enjoy this wonderful place we call home.  In Gamba, Gabon, the local environmental education group Ibonga organizes activities to clean up the town, protect endangered species, and help residents and visitors alike learn about and conserve an incredible area of Central Africa.  Serving in the Peace Corps in Gamba, I learned from Ibonga how local fishermen manage their fisheries, how farmers plant manioc and plantains, and how wildlife acts as both a tourism draw and a challenge to plantations.  I thought I’d share a few pictures from past Journées Mondiale de l’Environnement.  My book, Glimpses through the Forest: Memories of Gabon, recounts more Ibonga and other Gabonese stories.

Pirogue race on the Ndougou Lagoon (photo by Davy Mbouity)

Beach Clean Up (photo by Davy Mbouity)

Volleyball match celebrating a cleaner beach (photo by Davy Mbouity) (I’m in the green shirt on the far side of the net)

Glimpses through the Forest: Memories of Gabon was published one year ago today – May 8!  What a year it’s been!  Thanks to everyone for all the support.  Hope you enjoyed my stories and would love to hear yours.

Fun seeing all the folks out celebrating Earth Day in Sacramento.  Learn more on how you can celebrate and conserve every day at http://www.earthday.org/.  In Gabon, many people celebrate World Environment Day (June 5) with just as much passion and excitement as those in the US do April 22.

Check out the advertisement for Glimpses through the Forest: Memories of Gabon at http://citybookreview.com!  

Happy World Wildlife Day!  Today marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and has been officially designated as World Wildlife Day by the United Nations General Assembly.  WWF announced successful conservation efforts in Nepal with a year of zero poaching!  I’d recommend checking out more information at http://wildlifeday.org.

March 1 is National Peace Corps Day.  Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/PeaceCorpsConnect