Ecology
By: Ethan Carlson
Definition of Ecology
Ecology is the study of organisms and their relations with their surroundings and one another. Ecology tells us about how organisms act, react, and cooperate with each other in their environment. It observes population sizes, food supply, and behavior of animals.
Biographies:
Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson was born on May 27, 1907 in Springdale, Pennsylvania. Rachel graduated from Pennsylvania College for Women in 1929. She was first hired by the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries and wrote about the oceans. After fifteen years there, she was the Editor-in-Chief for all publications. When WWII came, she changed her focus to tell the world about the long-term effects of pesticides. She was attacked for her accusations but she held strong and changed the world. Rachel Carson died on April 14, 1964 in Silver Spring, Maryland from cancer. She kept her disease secret so the people attacking her couldn't discredit her accusations. Rachel's first achievement was when she was in grade school. She wrote a story and the newspaper bought the story for just over $3. Rachel Carson was a marine biologist and a nature writer who achieved much in her lifetime. She was awarded the ¨National Book Award¨ in 1952, ¨John Burroughs Medal¨ in 1952, and ¨American Association of University Women Achievement Awards¨. She wrote five books in her lifetime.
Alan Rabinowitz
Alan Rabinowitz was born on December 31, 1953. In grade school he was put into the special education department because of his stutter. While there, he found his interest in wildlife. Rabinowitz received his Bachelor's in biology and chemistry in 1978 from Western Maryland College. Later he received M.S. and Ph.D. in ecology. After college he worked as the Executive Director of the Science and Exploration Division for the Wildlife Conservation Society for 15 years. Some of Alan's greatest were that he discovered four new species of wildlife, established the first jaguar sanctuary, set of protected habitats for tigers, and co founded Panthera in 2006. Panthera's goal is to protect and preserve many of the cat species, including some that are in extreme danger of extinction. Panthera works around the clock trying to accomplish this goal all because Alan and his friend were strong lovers of cats. Alan has written six books and achieved many awards. Some of his awards include: the Flying Elephant Foundation Award, Kaplan Big Cat Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Cincinnati Zoo Wildlife Conservation Award. Alan Rabinowitz will always be remembered for all his work with the cat kingdom.
Dian Fossey
Dian Fossey was born on January 16, 1932 and grew up in San Francisco California. In her youth Dian was very interested in animals. After enrolling in pre-veterinarian at the University of California Davis, she transferred to San Jose State College and changed her major to occupational therapy. After finishing her degree she worked as a hospital intern, but then later moved to Louisville, Kentucky to work at a children's hospital. She lived on a farm caring for livestock as she worked in Louisville, still preserving her love for animals. After a couple years, Dian wished to see the world, so she went on a trip to Africa and fell in love with the gorillas. Once she returned Louis Leakey, a man she met on her trip to Africa, asked her if she would take a long-term study trip to study the gorillas. Dian, of course, said yes. Fossey established the Karisoke Research Foundation in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. Fossey fought for gorillas from zoo poachers, government officials wanting the land for farming, and game wardens. Fossey said that these creatures have their own personalities, highly social beings, and strong family relations. Fossy died protecting them. She was found slaughtered in her Rwandan forest camp. But Fossey's fight didn't go down with her. Today her goal is still being fought for by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Also her legacy can be remembered by her book, ¨Gorilla's in the Mist¨ and the movie that was made after it. Fossey may have been killed but the gorillas will continue to be fought for.
markwoodward.org
Cites:
Rachel Carson Biography: http://www.investigatingpower.org/journalist/rachel-carson/ http://www.rachelcarson.org/Biography.aspx#.VecjKigViko /
Alan Rabinowitz Biography: http://www.panthera.org/ http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0512/features/alan_rabinowitz.html
Dian Fossey BIography: http://www.biography.com/people/dian-fossey-9299545#death-and-legacy