Bringing innovation to conservation
A few years back at the Florida Supercon, I made the acquaintance of a very interesting guy named Nathan Edmondson. You’ll be hearing more incredibly exciting stuff about him on FilmGrouch.com in the coming weeks.
Nathan is a comic book writer known for a variety of genres and has dabbled in acting on Rizzoli & Isles and other shows. He’s what I would consider a humble Hollywood insider. So, when he told me about a conservation project called EDGE: Ecological Defense Group, I was excited to explore more.
On the surface EDGE is dedicated to saving the endangered rhino. I have always been fascinated with rhinos, because they remind me of a triceratops. Granted, I wouldn’t want one as a pet or anything, but maybe to mount weapons on like a modern-day Gammarauder . . . well, that would be pretty fun! So, of course I wanted to get involved and help with this cause.
But if rhinos aren’t your thing, fret not. EDGE is involved in many aspects of ecological conservation. Take a look at their website for all the details.
They are a group of dedicated, ex-special forces troops that are using tried and tested methods to make poaching a less than attractive career goal in South Africa. By offering community development and research internships, they hope to curtail the socioeconomic factors that push people into poaching in the first place.
They have their own wildlife forensics laboratories, with Yale educated staff, on the ground in South Africa and Nambia.
But perhaps the most inspiring thing to me is that this cause focuses on providing water and power for communities near wildlife preserves, medical training and supply and special skills training to address the long-term solution to a complex ecological problem.
If you follow EDGE on Twitter, you will see many actors from Battlestar Galactica, Altered Carbon, Arrow and The Expanse, among other shows, are rallying together for this cause.
And you can add my name of “celebrities” to that list too. Because I would never ask you to donate to a cause I didn’t truly believe in. I may be a certified Right Wing Nut Job, but I am encouraged to see this cause bringing people together from all political arenas.
It has special forces operators and community building developmental projects with Yale scientists, and the group is dedicated to ridding the world of poachers. Honestly, it’s a truly remarkable endeavor that I am proud to be a tiny part of through GoFundMe.
