On Becoming a Wildlife Activist
An Interview with April Christofferson – Author, Speaker & Activist
Jun 26, 2009
April Christofferson is an author, speaker and advocate for wildlife, wilderness and social justice. She has published 7 books, her most recent book, Alpha Female, will be released on June 30, 2009 and was recently reviewed by Suite101 in Book Review: Alpha Female - A Story about the Threat of Poaching and Drilling in National Parks. Her mission in life is to encourage a greater appreciation for this country’s national parks, wild places and its inhabitants. Christofferson’s passion and reverence for wildlife is undeniable and contagious.
Can anyone vecome an activist?
Yes! My 87 year old mother has become an activist and she lives in a little retirement community. She has been an animal rights activist for years now. She writes letters and makes calls.
We all have the means to become activists on issues we care deeply about. Whether it’s by going to work for an existing non profit, starting your own non-profit, networking with a group of like minded, passionate people, or writing letters and emails and making calls from home, there is a form of activism for everyone. And the benefits are not just the satisfaction of speaking your mind, you become part of a community, and just once in a while, you actually know that you’ve made a difference.
Christofferson on Overcoming Activism Fatigue
Still, it’s not easy and it can be frustrating. Unfortunately, I do believe there is a certain fatigue when it comes to activism as people don’t think they can truly make a difference. Every day there are new issues that come up and it can be depressing and overwhelming. Yet It feels good to express yourself and speak out. Don’t expect miracles over night but together we can make a difference. Just the act of doing something helps put good energy in motion
It’s also important to reach out to children. A lot of the local non profits here in Montana design programs for children to educate them on wildlife conservation. It’s essential to creating our new generation of stewards of the land.
Do you think the general public is fully aware of the challenges related to conservatism and wildlife protection in national parks?
I know for a fact that people are not aware which is why I wrote Buffolo Medicine. When my son became a park ranger seven years ago I learned about bison being slaughtered. I’d been going to the park all my life but I was clueless about the slaughter.
I don’t think people are aware of the poaching and hunting and drilling issues either. I spend a lot of time in Yellowstone, observing visitors’ reaction to the bison, or with their binoculars and spotting scopes, trying to catch a glimpse of a wolf. Visitors are oblivious to the fact that the winter before last over 1400 bison were slaughtered, for no good reason—for a political myth—the fear that bison will transmit brucellosis to cattle.
When people hear about the slaughter of bison it takes them by surprise. They will ask why and become outraged. This is what motivates me: making sure that the people who love Yellowstone know what’s going on, and are given the opportunity to speak out.
What are things people can start doing today, that will help protect wildlife in national parks?
There is a lot individuals can do. You can write letters to officials, or letter to the editor in your local paper and make yourself heard. On my website I plan to give people options and ideas regarding what they can do to help. I am convinced that if enough people speak out and do it often we will get to a point where we truly make a difference
Protecting Wolves in National Parks
Take Governer Sarah Palin for example. She is the worst offender when it comes to wolves. She is such a high profile voice on this issue and she supports the killing of wolves in the most inhumane ways. She is the wolves’ worst enemy. We need to speak out to counteract people like Palin.
Defenders of Wildlife is doing an excellent job in discrediting Palin; but individual voices can have a strong impact and enough of them can be even more powerful than the voices of the big conservation groups. I really believe we can make a difference. You have to believe that it will change policy at some point. For example, one day, hopefully soon, enough people will have spoken out about the bison slaughter to stop it altogether.
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