Share & Voice: National Geographic

For this Share and Voice I chose to post about National Geographic.
Many of us are familiar with the name, either because of TV shows, the magazine or the photography.

I used to say I was going to be a National Geographic photographer when I grew up - travel the world, cover thrilling stories, and take spectacular photos.

National Geographic is an amazing source for current information on a wide range of topics - all related to nature, people, animals, the earth, our world.. the environment!

Since the photography is what really catches my attention, I'm going to share some National Geographic photos - famous and my favorites. (All found here)

"A lioness lets out a mighty yawn to shake away the sleep and be ready for the wildebeests which were headed in the direction of the pride. Soon after she walked away in the familiar swagger of a confident hunter and took up position under the bushes."

Lions are my favorite animal, and I loved this shot.

"The Cascade Room, some 80 feet (24 meters) beneath the surface, leads divers deeper into Dan's Cave on Abaco Island. Nearly seven miles (11 kilometers) of the cave have been explored since the mid-1990s."


It's amazing that places like this exist! Although I don't think I'd be brave enough to dive down there - good thing I chose a different career path!

King Tutankhamen’s Funerary Mask: "Icon of ancient Egypt, the teenage pharaoh's funerary mask immortalizes his features in gold, glass, and semiprecious stones. This and other treasures from his tomb, now in Cairo's Egyptian Museum, attract a constant swirl of visitors."


A piece of history. It is so interesting to read about discoveries like this one - and ones from around the world.

"Colorful shawls and flowered dresses accentuate these Bruneian girls as they practice for a traditional Malay family gathering. Their hands, folded together, symbolize humility and peace."


I love learning what other cultures do and value - using your hands and body to symbolize different things, and wearing garments that have been passed through generations. Sometimes I wish American's held things like this in higher regard.

"At an electric plant in southern Spain, mirrors as big as houses catch some of the 120 quadrillion watts of sunlight that constantly fall on Earth. Government subsidies for this pricey yet promising power source have made Europe the world's solar capital."


I wish the US would invest in more solar/renewable/clean energy. It might be expensive now, but it will pay off in the long run.

"I love all the empty space around the swimming platform. It shows how the lake is both huge and peaceful. The figures of the people become very small, and what makes the shot is the person jumping from the platform and appearing especially tiny surrounded by all that water."


Even our very own Lake Superior made the cut! Has anyone jumped of the ice house down by Canal Park?







If you are interested in learning more from National Geographic, you can visit their website here, which is also where you can sign up for a magazine subscription. I have one, and think it is definitely worth the monthly fee.
You can also follow them on Facebook! They often post current events, interesting facts, and of course beautiful photos!
And, if you use Netflix, they have a ton of documentaries and videos on instant-watch. I'm currently in the middle of The Photographers (of course), which uses a famous and stunning photo for it's cover.

Enjoy!

Advocacy Project: Fact Sheet

Is Lead Contaminating 
Our Children's Drinking Water?

What is lead?

The National Institutes of Health describes lead as "...a highly toxic metal found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. Because of its abundance, low cost, and physical properties, lead and lead compounds have been used in a wide variety of products... Since 1980, federal and state regulatory standards have helped to minimize or eliminate the amount of lead in consumer products and occupational settings. Today, the most common sources of lead exposure in the United States are lead-based paint in older homes, contaminated soil, household dust, drinking water..."

What effects does lead have on the health of children?
There are many effects and symptoms from lead poisoning, and can range from acute to chronic. Children and more at risk because of their developing bodies and organs. Some complications and symptoms include:

• Anemia (low levels of red blood cells)
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Kidney failure
• Learning disabilities
• Loss of short-term memory and ability to concentrate

How does lead get into water, and how do I know if it's there?
Lead does not naturally occur in water. It can leach into drinking water from pipes used to deliver the water to the home or building.
The only way to know whether your tap water contains lead is to have it tested. You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water.

Has my child's school been tested?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Unless a school is regulated as a public water system, testing for lead and copper within the school is not specifically required. Therefore, many schools served by water systems owned by cities, towns, or other entities may have never been tested for lead under the LCR. Therefore, EPA strongly recommends that schools test drinking water in their facilities for lead.

Where can I get more information?
The Duluth office of the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources:
Phone: (218)-723-4752
Address: 394 South Lake Av. Room 403

Duluth Public Schools
Contact your child's school and ask for information on their water testing history.

Visit the EPA's website for both general and local information.

Brought to you by Sierra Wilson-Beckman