poo with a purpose
Every December, teens who’ve participated in education programs at our Crow’s Nest Preserve donate their time as volunteer “scat makers,” crafting edible animal excrement that is sold as a fun fundraiser for our Crow’s Nest summer camps scholarship program.
And every year we sell out of scat samplers.
So we started thinking that perhaps poo is really popular, and why not try a different caca-based fundraiser?
We’re delighted to announce the launch of Picturesque Poo, a 12-month calendar featuring artistic photos of doggie doo from various Natural Lands preserves.
In addition to this calendar being a giggle-provoking gift, it serves to further highlight the message that—while we at Natural Lands adore dogs and welcome them to our preserves—all canine companions must be on leash at all times. In addition to frightening wildlife and other preserve visitors, off-leash dogs are far harder to monitor when it comes to their dookie deposits.
Said ChesLen Preserve Manager Sean Quinn, “If your dog is copping a squat in the middle of a meadow, you probably can’t see what he’s up to and aren’t likely to bushwhack in after him to bag his deposit.”
America’s 83 million pet dogs produce some 10.6 million tons of poop every year. And it’s more than just a mess on your shoes. Dogs can harbor lots of viruses, bacteria, and parasites—including harmful pathogens like e coli, giardia, and salmonella. (A single gram contains an estimated 23 million bacteria.) Studies have traced 20 to 30 percent of the bacteria in water samples from urban watersheds to dog waste. Just two to three days of waste from 100 dogs can contribute enough bacteria, nitrogen, and phosphorous to close 20 miles of a bay-watershed to swimming and shellfishing, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It also can get into the air we breathe: a study of air samples in Cleveland, Ohio, and Detroit, Mich., found that 10 to 50 percent of the bacteria came from dog poop.
February, as photographed at Bear Creek Preserve
April, featuring poo found at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary
June, at Hildacy Preserve
For those of you who dutifully (doodie-fully?) follow Natural Lands’ rules—keep dogs on leash at all times, and bag their poo and deposit it properly—we thank you!
We are taking advance orders now for the 2020 Picturesque Poo calendar. Click to reserve your copy, for just $19.95!
*Please note that today is April 1st. Please also note that humor is good for your health.
This is a joke; there are no calendars. However, the problem of off-leash dogs on our preserves is no laughing matter, so leash ’em up!