It's All About the Animals

Tomorrow evening is Jewels in Flight, the largest fundraiser of the year for the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley.

I've volunteered at a variety of events before, but this is the first time I've been part of the planning committee. It's been a lot of work, but I'm really pleased with the results. I'll write more about what all I did for it in a later post, when (hopefully) my brain will be working again! :)

I'm not going to be working at the event itself. I'm actually going as a “real person.” :) I'm really looking forward to it. Wish us luck!

Blog Shout Out of the Day

Last year, I posted an entry about books I'd read that had inspired me. A few days later, I posted a follow-up from a reader—Peter Schriemer—who had commented on the original entry.

Peter is the creator and host of “Critter Quest!”, a show that teaches kids about local wildlife. Last month, I received an update from Peter about what's been going on his life and I thought they'd be of interest to Embrace Adventure readers. So today I'm replacing my Blog of the Day with a Shout Out of the Day.

Peter's update is below. I'll just add that you should really check out the video he mentions that has a segment with his 13-year-old sister, Emily. She's a natural on-camera—looks like someone will be following in her big brother's footsteps!

*****

Hi Friends,

As a 26-year-old who was raised in Ann Arbor, went to the University of Michigan, and has stayed to work in Michigan, I am a Michigan man. My passion for wildlife and conservation has led me to do live nature presentations and TV/video productions over the years. My most recent project was creating, writing, and hosting a hands-on nature show for children and families for the Smithsonian Channel HD. My new show “Critter Quest!” is a high-energy, fast paced, activity-based children's nature show that goes in search of amazing critters in different habitats across America. Earlier this year, Preston Swigart (my cameraman for the first episode) asked if he could nominate me for one the “20 in their 20s” for Crain’s Detroit Business. I gave him permission and, from around 350 applicants, I was chosen as one of the 20! I was very honored by this recognition of my work, and I would like to share the article with you. You can read it, and see a picture of me with a baby Ball Python here:

> Meet the 2008 Class of 20 in their 20s.

Also, I was recently hired to produce and shoot a segment for an Animal Planet special hosted by Jeff Corwin called “Nim's Island—Our World: A Reel Thinking Event.” The National Wildlife Federation is the educational partner for Walden Media and so NWF promotes conservation through the Walden films that showcase wildlife. With this spring’s film “Nim’s Island,” NWF hired me to produce a segment for a special broadcast on Animal Planet. Because NWF wanted to show a child who was really doing things to help animals and the environment, they chose my sister Emily, who hosts her own segment on my show. Emily’s segment focuses on her love of wildlife, and what you can do to help the environment. It aired on April 2, and it was shown in classrooms across the country. You can watch it here at my YouTube Channel:

> http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=PeterSchriemer

I hope you all enjoy the video, and please share it with young people as it is intended to inspire children to do their part as good stewards of this world. Thank you.

– Peter Schriemer

*****

Thank YOU, Peter, for sharing this video with us and congratulations on both your wonderful achievements! I fully expect to see you on the “30 in their 30s” list when that time comes!

P.S. Earlier this month, I wrote a post about dream jobs. Peter has mine... :)