Reptile Charmer

Welcome to The Green Globe newsletter. I've cooked up some delightful dishes for your mental consumption. My recipe for each issue will consist of:

• a dash of humor
• a pinch of personality
• a dusting of news, and
• copius quantities of enthusiasm!

I hope you will find this a tasty and satisfying exploration.

Reptile Charmer

My fascination with nature began when, at the age of five, I charmed a snake out of a hedge by pretending my hands were a flute. Later, I launched an eco-friendly, pest-control service by catching and releasing dozens of lizards in our house. (Not too surprisingly, my mom wasn't supportive of that endeavor.) At 15, I spent the summer backpacking and mountain climbing in the Grand Teton National Park with teachers from high school. These experiences and others led to a life of outdoor exploration. And, just like my high school teachers, I enjoy introducing people to the outdoors and encouraging them to push themselves beyond their preconceived limits. I relive my initial wonderment through their experiences.

(P.S. The alligator in the photo is not real.)

Ecotours for Late-Risers

I was very excited when I heard about the Green Guide Certification Program that was being offered for the first time through TCC's Ecotourism Institute. The Program combines classroom sessions and field trips. (This week features trips to Leon Sinks Geological Area and Wakulla Springs State Park.) Full tuition for the certification program is $500 - as a Master Wildlife Conservationist, I was able to CLEP 40 hours and save $250 - or, a $99 membership in the Institute entitles you to special events and any combination of 6 classes or field trips.

This week's class was Business Basics II and while we were discussing time management, it occurred to me that as a ecotourism guide I was going to be expected to get up very early in the morning and be cheerful and gregarious... problem. The hissing sound I heard was my deflating enthusiasm. "It will never work", I thought. "I'll be miserable." Not to mention everyone else. What could be worse than a grumpy tour guide? Then I realized that there must be others who are like me and wait until a few minutes before they have to leave for work before getting out of bed. That was it, I'd found my niche... I'd offer tours to late-risers like myself!

Early or late riser, if you're interested in ecotourism, I encourage you to contact Dr. Mary Wolfgang at The Wakulla Center at 850.922.0629.

"Find your truth, then speak only that truth.. And your own 'voice' will find its way into words and true expression." - Agnes de Veyra, Saying Something