Sharks are friends not food!
Donation protected
Hello Everyone-- first things first, this site is telling me to tell you who I am. Apparently a picture of a breaching Great White Shark is not enough detail. My name is Valerie Luppino and I admit it... I have O.S.D., Obsessive Shark Disorder, it's a problem and I am aware of it, and currently seeking help.
This past week has been a whirlwind for me. I was
recently accepted into a shark research and ocean conservation internship program in Mossel Bay, South Africa! I need to raise $2,500 USD by 3/18/2016 and I hope that you can help make that happen. This money will be used toward my internship tuition.
As far back as I can remember I have been fascinated with the ocean. The ocean covers 71% of the Earth's surface and 95% is unexplored. That blows my mind. I love everything I learn about the ocean, and the more love I have the more I want to conserve its beauty.
Out of all of the inhabitants in the ocean one of my favorites is the shark. Did you know that there are over 500 shark species in the ocean? I read today on Shark Guardian that sharks predate almost everything that has a spine, including humans and dinosaurs. The most concerning fact to me is that humans are sharks biggest predator. We account for over 100 million shark deaths per year.
My mom tells a story to anyone who will listen about me as a child. I was five years old when I saw my first “Shark Week” episode (My mom’s version of these events may be different from actual history.) Before we could watch the episode airing on TV that night I screamed “Wait!” and ran upstairs. I came down a few minutes later with my full snorkel gear on including the flippers. Before settling in for what apparently changed my entire world, I turned off all the lights. My mom tells me that I “Shhhshed” both of my parents if they spoke at all during the program. Now I don’t recall this exactly the way my mom tells it, but I do remember developing such a passion for sharks and the ocean that I would recite any new information I learned to everyone I came across.
Since that pivotal day I have had one dream; to travel to South Africa and witness a Great White Shark breach. There is something so beautiful and wild watching one of the oldest animals on Earth launch itself out of the water at its prey. Not only am I going to get to fulfill my dream, but I get to have real hands on experience, and formalized education in shark research. I never thought this day would come.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and if you are able to donate anything know that I am very thankful that you are helping me reach for my dreams. For those who can’t give a smile and some positive vibes my way are so appreciated.
No matter what please remember we get this one Earth and we need to treat it with respect and nurture it as it has nurtured us. We have to give back and educate ourselves on how to be better to our planet.
A past roommate of mine recently posted a quote by Hubert Reeves: “Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible God and destroys a visible Nature. Unaware that the nature he is destroying is this God he is worshipping.”
Please feel free to share!
Valerie
This past week has been a whirlwind for me. I was
recently accepted into a shark research and ocean conservation internship program in Mossel Bay, South Africa! I need to raise $2,500 USD by 3/18/2016 and I hope that you can help make that happen. This money will be used toward my internship tuition.
As far back as I can remember I have been fascinated with the ocean. The ocean covers 71% of the Earth's surface and 95% is unexplored. That blows my mind. I love everything I learn about the ocean, and the more love I have the more I want to conserve its beauty.
Out of all of the inhabitants in the ocean one of my favorites is the shark. Did you know that there are over 500 shark species in the ocean? I read today on Shark Guardian that sharks predate almost everything that has a spine, including humans and dinosaurs. The most concerning fact to me is that humans are sharks biggest predator. We account for over 100 million shark deaths per year.
My mom tells a story to anyone who will listen about me as a child. I was five years old when I saw my first “Shark Week” episode (My mom’s version of these events may be different from actual history.) Before we could watch the episode airing on TV that night I screamed “Wait!” and ran upstairs. I came down a few minutes later with my full snorkel gear on including the flippers. Before settling in for what apparently changed my entire world, I turned off all the lights. My mom tells me that I “Shhhshed” both of my parents if they spoke at all during the program. Now I don’t recall this exactly the way my mom tells it, but I do remember developing such a passion for sharks and the ocean that I would recite any new information I learned to everyone I came across.
Since that pivotal day I have had one dream; to travel to South Africa and witness a Great White Shark breach. There is something so beautiful and wild watching one of the oldest animals on Earth launch itself out of the water at its prey. Not only am I going to get to fulfill my dream, but I get to have real hands on experience, and formalized education in shark research. I never thought this day would come.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and if you are able to donate anything know that I am very thankful that you are helping me reach for my dreams. For those who can’t give a smile and some positive vibes my way are so appreciated.
No matter what please remember we get this one Earth and we need to treat it with respect and nurture it as it has nurtured us. We have to give back and educate ourselves on how to be better to our planet.
A past roommate of mine recently posted a quote by Hubert Reeves: “Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible God and destroys a visible Nature. Unaware that the nature he is destroying is this God he is worshipping.”
Please feel free to share!
Valerie
Organizer
Valerie Brooke
Organizer
Buffalo, NY