The future of wildlife is in human hands, for better or worse. Education is one of the keys to raising children willing to work to protect wildlife. To that end the Wildlife Learning Center (WLC) is offering a learning camp during winter school break.
WLC is experienced at teaching children about wildlife as it has been doing so for many years.
As the website says:
“Wildlife Learning and Conservation Center is dedicated to providing sanctuary for non-releasable wildlife and promoting conservation and appreciation of wildlife by engaging the public in educational experiences.”
The WLC has been more active since the apparent easing of COVID-19 and is resuming its former activities.
On a personal note I first met co-founder David Riherd a number of years ago. He was kind enough to permit me to meet the late “Boomer” a Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) who weighed, if I recall correctly, about 60 pounds. Being head-butted (In a friendly way) by a cat that size is truly unforgettable. Somewhere I have some pictures. Later, we were fortunate enough to do a ride-along with the National Park Service (NPS).
I believe it was Seth Riley , one of the local scientists, who took us around the Santa Monica Mountains tracking the movements of a radio collared cougar. (It might have been the late P1). It is very true that you can be quite close to one and not see it. As you may know Santa Monica mountains cougars have been park of an ongoing study for just over 20 years and about 100 0f the animals have been closely studied.
The study helped lead to the ongoing efforts to protect the cats and the now under construction Liberty Canyon wildlife overcrossing. It is hoped that the crossing will help ease two of the biggest threats facing many forms of local wildlife. Traffic accidents take a huge toll and so does inbreeding.
On the subject of conservation, there are four types of lynx. Eurasian, Canadian, Iberian (Lynx pardinus) and the familiar American bobcat. Of the four, three are in fairly good shape but the Iberian was until recently on the verge of extinction. Dramatic efforts seem to be saving the cats.