Conservation Work of Tomeka Blue

CONSERVATION A FOCUS FOR WILDLIFE ORGANIZATIONS

[Profile of the work of Strong College student Tomeka Blue]

By Natalie Watson

The Carolinian, 26 February 1998

“People and wildlife share common ground.… Taking conservation actions on behalf of fish and wildlife will provide countless hours of enjoyment on our nation’s waterways and lands.”

These facts, presented by the Teaming With Wildlife Initiative, explain the benefits and advantages of conservation and Teaming With Wildlife.

UNCG junior Tomeka Blue has committed herself to the issue and hopes to influence other UNCG students to conserve, which ultimately will lead to a more productive life for all species.

Blue, a political science major, is an intern at the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, and is currently in the process of completing an independent study on the Teaming With Wildlife Initiative.

The Teaming With Wildlife Initiative creates an investment similar to the Wildlife Diversity Initiative.

The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies strongly favors adding a modest surcharge onto outdoor recreational equipment, with the expectation of raising at least $350 million a year, the amount needed to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct.

Teaming With Wildlife broadens existing user fees to include a wider array of outdoor recreation equipment, such as bicycles, hiking equipment, and camping equipment.

What do UNCG students think about Teaming With Wildlife? While many that were asked did not know a lot about the program, the general consensus is that although the user fee may seem extreme, in the end the program will benefit all who love the outdoors.

“This really sounds like an important issue. Wildlife in all its forms should be appreciated and conserved at all costs.”