Olivia and Woody at Union Bay Natural Area – photo by James Bouler
Olivia Bouler believes that one person can make a difference. She already has in a BIG way and she is only eleven years old. Olivia has parlayed her artistic talents and love for birds into raising $175,000 for Audubon’s Gulf restoration efforts. http://www.kenergize.com/2010/09/206-million-gallons-of-oil-spilled-into.html
I had the great pleasure of taking Olivia, her dad, James Bouler, and Kimberly Bowen, Seward Park Audubon Center staffer, birding. Not only are Olivia and James inspiring (he is a green architect), but they are both very perceptive. Few people I take birding notice the grass slightly moving where sparrows are hiding. Olivia does.
It’s easy to be cynical about the Gulf crisis and the environment in general. But after meeting this girl and her dad, I wonder why the rest of us aren’t doing more for conservation. Listen to her on this recent radio interview and you might feel the same way: http://www.bobrivers.com/#v11540c0i13139
You can support Olivia’s efforts by contributing to the Audubon drive referenced in the top link and/or by giving to a fine local environmental learning center that is training up future Olivias in south Seattle:
http://sewardpark.audubon.org/
