Hi all, in 2017 I signed up with Patreon to find more justification for all the time I was spending doing outreach and science communication and also because I lacked job security and I was testing the waters to see what paths forward I could create. Once the donations starting rolling in I created a new non-profit charitable foundation, The Alongside Wildlife Foundation, to formalize this work and so that donations would be tax-deductible. In November I gave notice and quit my job at Auburn University. My plan was to develop the foundation (and donate plasma, rent out rooms, do freelance writing, etc) as the next stage of my life. But, shortly thereafter I was offered an exciting new position at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (I started in January).
Importantly, because I finally have job security and life stability I was able to make some big changes with the foundation funds I originally planned to keep for my salary. Since January, all donations have been used to grow The Alongside Wildlife Foundation and help other scientists and science communicators accomplish the mission we all share: science-based solutions for living alongside wildlife.
One of our major initiatives was a small grants program and thanks to our growing army of small donors we have already awarded about $4,000 this year to wildlife projects everywhere from Arkansas to Nigeria. I wanted to highlight the projects that have received funding so far here (and yes, perhaps entice you to become a recurring donor so we can start doing even more).



The storytelling project “Lost and Found” works to bring to life the inspirational stories of those species that were thought extinct for at least a human generation but where subsequently rediscovered. The goal of this project is to change the conversations around conservation, away from doom and gloom, and towards a more positive and balanced message about nature. The project will produce a total of 30 stories of serendipitous species rediscoveries across five continents and all animal and plant groups, both in narrative and comics format. This content is developed by professional science and creative writers and a comics artist and is freely available online.
Despite the extensive research on crayfish physiology and ecology, their natural behavior is extremely understudied. It is often assumed that the behavior and aggression of all crayfish species are identical. But, it is commonly found that the species that have most successfully invaded other populations are more aggressive than less successful invaders. The goal of this project is to conduct behavioral observations of the Ringed Crayfish (Orcconectes neglectus), which is native to Colorado, Arkansas, and Missouri but has been introduced to several locations throughout North America. Currently, the aggressive nature of these crayfish is unknown, and their agonistic behavior has yet to be characterized. These observations will ultimately be used to understand how and why some crayfish are more successful invaders than others. Further understanding of crayfish natural history and specifically aggressive behavior are key to make informed conservation efforts.

Seafood fraud often allows less-desired or illegally-caught species to be marketed as a species popular with consumers. Although there has been media coverage that seafood mislabeling exists, there are little to no resources to teach consumers how to avoid seafood fraud. The goal of this project is to create a website that contains information and tangible tools consumers can use to make smart, sustainable seafood choices that helps promote a culture that values accurate marketing of seafood. The website will include: 1) fact sheets derived from current mislabeling research, including which vendors types (like grocery stores, sushi restaurants, etc.) are most likely to mislabel, 2) web and PDF photo guides for how to identify common seafood replacements, and 3) blog posts and features of local fishermen and vendors trying to support honest, sustainable seafood.
Want to help us do even more to create and promote science-based solutions to living alongside wildlife in perpetuity? Please consider joining our growing network of recurring small donors here.
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