womens own - march update

In February Dawn Lawrence, who speaks on behalf of the Born Free Foundation, founded by actress, author & wildlife campaigner Virginia McKenna, came for a second visit. The title of her talk was, as her book, 2 Steps Behind! This comes from the notion that if the rate of environmental change continues, today’s creatures are only two steps behind the dinosaurs in extinction terms!

Also illustrated by her, her book is a series of 136 poems about the threat of extinction to endangered animals worldwide.

Although a serious subject, both talk and poems were informative and humorous. With the current acute awareness of the cause and effect of climate change on our planet and wildlife life, it was very pertinent.

The delightful poems have great appeal to children and adults alike. Poems are written as if by the animals. Not only do the big animals lament their depletion, but there are also pleas from the Blue Poison Dart Frog, the Pyrenean Desman, the Spotted Cuscus, who may disappear before many have even heard of them! Each of these creatures play a vital part in the natural chain of life and it is distressing to hear how much their numbers have diminished in our lifetimes. She has also written books for children. Money raised from her book sales goes to the Born Free Foundation. The talk was greatly enjoyed but left us lots of food for thought – how to do our bit, encouraging insects into the garden.

Photos of our Christmas crafts can be seen online in the forthcoming BNQ and fuller reports – please do look.

Little did we know February was to be our last meeting for a while!

The committee hopes that everyone keeps safe and well. We are thinking about all our members and will stay in touch until we can resume.

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