First Decent Snowfall of the Year

This is a photograph - taken January 1, 2004 - of the cabin where I lived in Wild Basin.

Melody is standing in the snow in front of the cabin.

I have since moved to another location two miles away.

We finally received, what I consider, our first really decent snowfall this winter.  Although, I have yet to venture outside, it's up to Diana's stomach when she went out a little before 5 a.m. this morning.

I love quotes and one-liners; and since Thoreau's writings have had a major influence on my life-style, I would like to share the following verse by him . . .

I frequently tramped eight or ten miles

    through the deepest snow to keep an appointment

        with a beech-tree, or a yellow birch,

            or an old acquaintance among the pines.

                                        - Henry David Thoreau

Today is The Day!

Is There Only One?

On January 2, I voiced my concerns for the well-being of our wild brothers and sisters and put out an invitation for others to join me in the formation of an organization for their protection. The next day, I followed up with a few ideas regarding focus, organization, etc., etc.

So far, only ONE person has responded. Are there no more? Once again, I put out an invitation; NO, this time it's a plea. Please, our wild brothers and sisters need our help. Contact me:

Weldon Lee

P.O. Box 487

Allenspark, CO  80510

303.747.2074

weldon@weldonlee.com

Change.gov

President-elect Barack Obama has a website, where you can ask questions regarding issues that concern you; and, vote for or against issues raised by others.

Please go to this site and cast your vote regarding the need to protect our wild brothers and sisters.

1.  Sign in at http://change.gov/openforquestions   You will have to set up a log-in for yourself at that site to vote

2.  In the "Search questions" box, type the word WILDLIFE

3.  Every post containing the word wildlife will appear. Scroll through the list and cast your vote for those questions that address concern for protecting wildlife.

Please cast your vote as soon as possible, as the voting may close at any time.

Your vote will let the Obama Administration know that you, along will millions of other Americans, are concerned about the fate of our wild brothers and sisters.

Don't forget to post a question. Although not a question, this is what I posted (before eliminating a number of characters in order to fit the available space) . . .

There are so many issues facing our wild brothers and sisters - the stripping of legal protection for some and the failure to protect others. The problems are not limited to the U.S. They are global. Henry David Thoreau wrote, "In wildness is the preservation of the world." Let us cherish and protect those wild places and the creatures that inhabit them.

A Few Ideas of My Own

Tabatha Osborne, a good friend and fellow photographer who posted a comment on the blog just below this one, asked for me send her an email containing a few of my ideas concerning an organization for the protection of wildlife around the world. However, I believe it is important that I also share my thoughts with others, especially since my vision regarding the proposed, new organization is all about YOU and our wild brothers and sisters.

First, I want to make it clear that the organization being formed will not belong to me or any other individual. My vision is that it will be a non-profit entity, administered by a group of individuals that share my love and passion for our wild brothers and sisters, along with an army of volunteers who share that same compassion. TOGETHER, WE CAN SAVE OUR WILD BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

Here are the steps . . .

Prioritize the issues and determine which one/ones to tackle first

• Global climate change
• Zero population growth
• Save the Polar Bear
• Wildlife corridors

Frame the issue creatively and buy the web domain

• SavingWildlife.org
• WildlifeInPeril.org
• ZeroHour.org

Build a website

• Domain registrars (GoDaddy.com)

Give people an action to take

• Write their Representative (USAlone.com)
• Petition (PetitionOnline.com)

Blog

• News
• Organizing

Enlist complementary partners

• Staff
• Expertise
• Connections
• Money

Put together a business plan

Incorporate

• non-profit

Form a broad coalition

• Reciprocal links
• Email blast
• Press conference

Enlist a dedicated politician

Get publicity

• talk shows
• columnists
• street actions
• press conference

Ask for money

• Paypal

Ideas for consideration:

   I.  Issues (locally and worldwide) that need to be addressed

       A.  Global warming and climate change

       B.  Habitat destruction

       C.  Apathy

       D. Stripping legal protection

       E.  Expose lies perpetrated by corporations and governments

       F.  Poaching

       G.  More greenbelts in metropolitan areas

       H.  Corridors between greenbelts, parks, and wilderness areas

     for the maintenance of healthy gene pools

      among animal populations

        I.  Zero population growth

        J.  Etc., etc., etc.

 II.  Focus on items that fall through the "cracks"

       of other environmental organizations

III.  Involve school children around the world

       A.  Develop syllabus

       B.  Make the syllabus to teachers at no cost to them

IV.  Utilize utube

       A.  Apply the Obama Campaign's method

     of using utube for success to our campaigns

       B.  Contact public frequently via email

     regarding issues and successes

       C.  Ask for small donations

 V.  Work together with other organizations

       on specific campaigns

I welcome any and all thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. Together, we can make a difference.

It's Time That We Do Something

My major focus during 2009, will be activities, projects, and the formation of an organization for the protection of our wild brothers and sisters around the world. Time is running out for many species. The time for action is now.

I am looking for individuals who share my concerns and want to get involved. I know it sounds ambitious, but something must be done. I can not do it alone. I need your help. Together, we CAN win!

If you would like to become involved, please contact me either by email, phone, posting your contact info on this blog, or by "snail" mail.

I can be reached at:

Weldon Lee

P.O. Box 487

Allenspark, CO  80510

303.747.2074

weldon@weldonlee.com

P.S.  If you have any suggestions for a name for the organization, or any thing else for that matter, I welcome all comments.

Poll: What's Your Favorite Image

I am taking a poll to find out your favorite image (and why) that I posted in 2008. Simply click on "Comments" below and let me know what you think.

Thank you very much,

Weldon