Sustainability & Conservation in AU

Darby Richard is organizing this fundraiser.

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I am EXTREMELY excited to announce that I have been selected to take part in the SUST 495 course through Penn State – partnered with AUIP, and the James Cook University of Australia. THAT MEANS that this summer, (June 24th - July 9th) I will FINALLY achieve a life-long dream of mine and visit Australia, the land down under! During my stay in Townsville, the Daintree Rainforest (wet tropics), and The Magnetic Island National Park, I will partake in some seriously awesome educational opportunities that will benefit me on my journey to make a difference in the world of wildlife conservation.

I’m ecstatic to partake in Platypus spotting, a Koala population survey project, Turtle lab work alongside JCU students, guided hikes through the rainforest, campfires just outside the Outback, the Mungalla Aboriginal Tours cultural experience (ON MY 22nd BIRTHDAY!), a hands-on Wildlife Presentation, the service-learning with Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), making new friends, and much more!

Unfortunately, studying abroad is not cheap – which is why I have come to you, my close friends and family, as well as the rest of Facebook. Here, I am posting a fundraiser to help support the financial demand of this life-changing trip! If you would like to donate, I would be greatly appreciative – and to show that, I’ve decided to gift a pair of sloth claw clipping earrings with surgical steel posts that are hand-made by myself to a randomly selected winner, prior to my trip to Oceania.

I have attached a photo of a pair of (cruelty-free) sloth claw-trimming earrings that I have made for my mother previously. The clippings come from a two-toed tree sloth, named Chewy – every now and then, his claws get too long and make it a tad difficult for him to climb around, so they are occasionally trimmed by the animal caretakers at the park. Although these ear rings will not be the exact pair mailed to the drawn name, they will be very similar.

(Chewy and myself during a reptile and exotics show)

For every 5 dollars that one donates, I will throw a raffle ticket into a drawing and select a winner (or winners) on a Facebook live video. After that, (July - date to be announced ) I will contact whoevers name is drawn to discuss shipping options – if they are indeed interested in the ear-rings. If by chance, I can figure out something else of interest to throw into this as a gift of appreciation, the name first drawn will of course have first dibs, the second name next, and so on.

If you would like to help support me during my very first leave of the United States (either through donated funds, assorted raffle items, or the sharing of this fundraiser), I will have you to thank for allowing me to gain such experiences that will enable me to make a difference in the future of conservation and sustainability.

Thank you and have a beautiful day!