Wellington, FL –
On a February evening at Bellwyn Farm in Wellington, Florida, members of the equestrian community gathered to discuss wildlife conservation and species extinction. The event, titled Cocktails & Conversations, was hosted by Fauna & Flora International (FFI), the world’s oldest conservation organization, featuring Grand Prix riders Mclain Ward and Georgina Bloomberg as keynote speakers.
Fauna & Flora International is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of endangered species and their habitats. Attendees of the event were welcomed by professional equestrian Alexa Lowe, who also works as the Business Development Director for FFI USA. Supported by her colleagues, the FFI team presented some astonishing facts about global species diversity.
Alexa Lowe, Georgina Bloomberg, and Mclain Ward discuss global conservation efforts
Photo: Lois Spatz
This Loss of Nature Truly Matters.
It is biodiversity, or the variety of living organisms, that make our world habitable. Biodiversity describes the overall variety of living things in the ecosystem -- from microorganisms to plants to horses and their riders -- and is important because it provides vital resources such as food, water, shelter, medicine, and fuel. Our survival depends on the survival of nature.
The Next 25 Years Will Be Critical For Nature
Imagine a world without polar bears, sea turtles, or elephants. These are just a few of the hundreds of thousands of species at risk of extinction. Over the last 50 years, populations across a huge range of species have declined by nearly 70%, and they continue to do so at an alarming rate. Every year, we lose approximately 24 million acres of forests from deforestation, leading to habitat loss and exacerbating the effects of climate change. As part of their habitat, species have also evolved to live in an ideal temperature range. As temperatures change, so do the habitats that species rely on. With rising temperatures, species are moving north and higher elevations to adjust, eventually running out of habitat that meets all of their needs.
As relatively new parents, Mclain Ward and Georgina Bloomberg have a newfound sense of responsibility to our planet. They want to see a world where their children can appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature. Their message was clear, “Get out and educate” for the sake of our planet and the future of our children.
Fauna & Flora’s Goal
Fauna & Flora coordinates more than 130 projects across 40 countries, working with local conservation partners in each area to safeguard critical species. Along with investing in conservation, they also support the local communities that depend on these species. FFI takes it even further, bringing their knowledge of conservation into boardrooms and to policy-makers working to protect nature on all scales of government and business.
To learn more about Fauna & Flora, please visit their website.
Please Note: Green Is the New Blue is not an official partner of Fauna & Flora. The purpose of this article is to share sustainability related news within the equestrian community.