National Endangered Species Day

Today marks National Endangered Species Day. 

An endangered species is defined as “a species of organisms facing a very high risk of extinction.” The International Union for Conservation of Nature has published a list of plants and animals that fall under the category of ‘Endangered Species.’ The most recent list includes 3079 animal species and 2655 plants! Some of the more recognizable species deemed to be endangered are the giant panda, the green sea turtle, the common chimpanzee and the snow leopard, while the southern Bluefin tuna, the leatherback sea turtle, the brown spider monkey and the red wolf are all found on the ‘Critically Endangered Species’ list. For a full listing of the IUCN’s Endangered Species list, check out their website.

We’ve touched on topics of endangered or threatened species in previous blog posts, and it’s certainly not something we should be taking lightly, or is it? There are currently claims that we are amidst the largest extinction period in history. This statement usually generates action to protect the species on the path to extinction. However, it also usually only happens for those cute and cuddly imaged animals, and not so much for the ones we associate with being ugly or scary! So, should we only be protecting the species we find visually appealing, or all of them? Or, should we just leave them all be and let “nature take its course?” This is a question I certainly struggle with, because on the one hand, I don’t want to see anything suffer, yet, I’m not sure its up to us, as humans, to alter things more than we already have. Why should it be up to us to decide who survives and who doesn’t?!

Now folks keep in mind, that as a ‘Ginger’ I, too, am technically an endangered species! This is something I like to use to hold over those around me, and generally as a means to getting out of things I don’t want to do! It usually doesn’t work very well, but you can’t blame a girl for trying!

Have you had time to think about the question above? Why not head to the daily poll, and tell us where you stand on the “to save or not to save” debate! You can do so by clicking here.

National Be A Millionaire Day

Woooohhhooooo! The day everyone (except the rich) has been hoping for – it’s National Be A Millionaire Day! Unfortunately, this day does not mean that you will be given a million dollars. Its significance is more so geared to treating yourself as though you ARE a millionaire! So make sure at some point you take some time for you. Buy a specialty coffee or that new (used) outfit you’ve been eyeing! Why not make reservations at the fancy restaurant you’ve been dying to have a reason to check out? Well, probably because you’re not actually a millionaire! But, why not pretend just for today and go for it?! Of course, its kind of last minute to do so, which means you're probably going to have to give the Maître'd a significant chunk of money just to fit you in, but, ah, this day only comes once a year! It's like Christmas...kind of...

What will you treat yourself with today? Tell us by voting on today’s poll!

Now, if only I can figure out when National Be A Starving Student Day is…I’d win at that one, as I’ve been training for years! 

National Bike To Work Day

Happy National Bike To Work Day, folks! I’d like to say I did in fact bike to work today, but, I’m off today, and if I did bike to work, it would be pretty silly, considering it would take me less time to walk than to get on the bike itself!

Biking to work or school or anywhere really, is an excellent form of exercise, and has positive impacts on the environment. Imagine if everyone chose bikes instead of cars! Okay, so the production of the bikes themselves isn’t overly beneficial to the planet, but in terms of lifetime impacts, one could say that they are substantially better than using a vehicle! Plus, do you get exercise while driving your car? I don’t think so. I mean sure, those dance moves you attempt while listening to the latest Bieber tune when you think no one is looking can burn a calorie or two, but that in no way compares to what you’d burn if you parked it and biked to work! So do just that! Today I challenge you to park your car and bike to work, the grocery store or where ever you are heading today!

And, don’t forget to vote on todays poll! You can do so by clicking here! 

National Rooster Day

It’s National Rooster Day! 

Roosters are pretty much a male chicken. Some might say all or most males are chickens… (Don’t all laugh at once!) Refering to these chickens as “roosters” originated in the United States. Male chickens that have not yet reached this level of maturity (those under one year of age) are called “cockerels,” which is where the term “cock” comes from. …Never mind, Mom!

Fun Rooster Fact: Roosters have had and continue to have much cultural and religious significance. These cultural and religious beliefs surrounding roosters ranges from tribal regions to astrological to many of the modern and traditional religions such as, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Don’t forget to vote on today’s poll by clicking here!

National Pack Rat Day

Happy National Pack Rat Day! Well…maybe not ‘happy’ if you are a pack rat, or you live with one…!

A Pack Rat, or “compulsive hoarder,” is someone who displays “a pattern of behavior that is characterized by the excessive acquisition of and inability or unwillingness to discard large quantities of objects that cover the living areas of the home and cause significant distress or impairment.” According to Wikipedia, you may be a pack rat if:

1. You tend to hold onto a large number of items that most people would consider not useful or valuable.

2. Your home is so cluttered that many parts are inaccessible and can no longer be used for intended purpose.

3. The clutter and mess is so bad it causes illness, distress, and impairment.

A Pack Rat, otherwise known as a woodrat, is also “any of the species in the rodent genus Neotoma. Packrats have a rat-like appearance with long tails, large ears and large black eyes.” They are found mostly in the U.S. and Mexico, while some species have been found in parts of Canada. Most species live off of a green-vegetation diet, while some Mexican pack rats also nibble on “seeds, fruits, acorns, and cactus.”

So there you have it! Two different pack rats! Happy if you’re a rodent, not so happy if you’re a hoarder! While you’re reading, why not vote on today’s poll by clicking here! 

National Love A Tree Day

Happy National Love A Tree Day, everyone! Too bad this was not the other day, as a group of us spent the afternoon planting trees throughout campus (pictures found below)! Regardless, I think National Hug A Tree Dance is pretty awesome!

Trees give us a lot! They give us clean air, and oxygen! They provide us with the materials to build shelter. Their leaves provide an excellent escape from the sun, by creating a shady covering. And aside format he many other scientific-y benefits, they are also beautiful to look at. There are so many varieties of trees. Personally, I am most appreciative of trees during the fall, when their leaves turn these amazing shades of reds, yellows, and oranges! How about you? Click here to vote on today’s poll!