A few cool ways to spend your money

I've been feeling philanthropic lately.  I'm not sure why since it seems that Sarah and I have already been making regular contributions to several individuals' vet school loans.  Regardless, I thought I'd "share the wealth".

A friend and mentor of mine is involved in the Youth Farm Project here in Ithaca.  Dan is one of the best educators I've had the privilege to know.   Every year he helps kids realize the benefits of labour and hard work and helps them to reap both philosophical and physical rewards.  The students sell their produce at farmers markets, donate to local food pantries and soup kitchens, and supply the cafeteria at Lehman Alternative Community School.  They have gotten to the point where they need a tractor and some other forms of equipment!  It's pretty exciting and also daunting.  Farm equipment is very expensive, so what they are asking for is a little bit of money from a lot of people.  I know the teacher and several of the students personally and vouch for the program fully.  If you can contribute, that would be awesome.  I have set up an account here: http://keith.peaksmaker.com/  If you pass the link along, that would be great!  Click on the image for more information and to contribute.


Cornell's Lab of Ornithology released a birding app called Merlin.  It is free.  It has no ads.  It is awesome.  Every time you identify a bird, it uses that information to improve the search results for the entire community.  If you're not the altruistic sort, remember that that community includes you.  If you are the altruistic sort, I'd encourage you to make a donation.  You can donate any amount, but if you select the "renew" option and donate $44, they will subscribe you to a really great magazine produced by the lab.

The American Prairie Reserve has a goal of creating an American Serengeti of 3 MILLION acres.  Click on the image to view their website.  You can donate there, or for more fun, you can support them by drinking some really great whiskey.  If you're still not convinced, check out the video below.  George Monbiot makes an incredible case for rewilding.  It's easy to imagine the impact of the loss of prey animals, but his argument for top tier predators is compelling.  His full ted talk is here.

 

I'll just give you one more for now.  The Arbor Day Foundation produces one of the best tree identification guides around.  Trust me, I've tried a lot of them.  While you're there, drop just $15 on a membership and they'll send you 10 trees and a one year subscription to their publication, which is, oddly, printed on paper.

Remember, philanthropy is largely up to those of us in the middle.  Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth is, largely, a fraud.   I always did hate Monopoly.