Help the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly!

Help the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly. The Bay Checkerspot Butterfly has a glorious pattern on the back of the wings that resembles somewhat like a tiger’s face. They are pretty small, with a wingspan of two inches. The Bay Checkerspot Butterfly is found in the San Francisco Bay Area, and also Santa Clara County and San Mateo County. This butterfly species rests on a host plant, and always has to be a native plant species to the area. During springtime, the females lay eggs on the plant and after a week, they hatch to caterpillars. The caterpillars are black and orange, with a little bit of hair. They feast on dwarf plantain, and during the summer when the plants die, they enter a period of dormancy. They crawl under rocks to protect themselves from predators. They awaken the next spring and form into a chrysalis. A few weeks later, they become full-grown butterflies. The average lifespan is one year.

          The Bay Checkerspot Butterflies were once abundant in the area. However, during the late ‘90s and 2000’s, the population declined drastically. Scientists discovered later that the nitrogen gas from cars in the nearby highways was causing the change. The soil was abnormally enriched and invasive plants move into the field, overpopulating the native plant species that the butterfly needs to survive on. The status of the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly is unknown, but most likely in the endangered or vulnerable status. After attempts to repopulate the butterfly, finally in 2013, 699 of the butterflies were found.

          There are many ways to help this butterfly. You could:

1. Donate to organizations that help the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly. http://www.friendsofedgewood.org/donate
2. Spread the word.
3. Start a petition and get people to sign it.
4. Try to not use cars so much anymore.

Help the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Grey-Crowned Crane!

Help the Grey-Crowned Crane

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about the Grey-Crowned Crane. The Grey-Crowned is a bird found in the African countries of Kenya, Uganda, and Congo. They have long black legs and their body has gray, black, white, and a golden yellow. It leads to a slender neck with what looks like a red gobble. They have a white cheek and a sharp black beak. But their appearance is most notable with their “crown”. Like a plume on a helmet, it fancies a yellow glitter and a majestic crown-like top. The Grey-Crowned Crane enjoys eating seeds, the tips of grasses, groundnuts, soybeans, and other various types of plants. They also enjoy tiny vertebrates and bugs. They can be heard by their loud honking sounds they make.

          The Grey-Crowned Crane is currently endangered because of human development. They are sometimes captured and traded in illegal process and habitat loss contributes to their declining population. These cranes are also indirectly poisoned by chemicals. Also, the wetlands that these birds live on are lost because of overused pesticides, drainage, too much livestock, and power line collisions.

          There are many way to help these beautiful birds. You could:

1. Spread the word and tell people
2. Start a petition and get people to sign them.
3. Donate to the International Crane Foundation to help them.

Help the Grey-Crowned Crane!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Rhinos!

Help the Rhinos!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the rhinos. The rhinoceros is large animal with a horn on its head. It contains five subspecies: the Sumatra, white, Indian, Javan, and Black. The Javan, Sumatra, and black are critically endangered. The Indian is vulnerable and the white rhino is near threatened.

          The rhino is poached for their horn. Even though countries ban the hunting of rhinos, poachers still sell them in the black market. The horn is used to make daggers and medicine. The population of rhinos is decreasing every year. There are many ways to help the rhinos. You could:

1. Donate to foundations that help rhinos (ex: rhinos.org)
2. Spread the word
3. Start a petition
4. Avoid products made from rhinos

These ways could help the rhino live on this earth!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL