The Havasi Wilderness Foundation (October 2020)

Issue Four- October 2020:

By Mercedes Barreto

(Photograph Courtesy of Alex Havasi.)

Marilyn Takahashi Fordney and Sandor ‘Alex’ Havasi love nature & the wilderness. Together, they created The Havasi Wilderness Foundation in 2009 to educate the public with respect to the importance of protecting and preserving nature and our ecosystems.

    What started this all?

“When the recession occurred in 2009, we saw more people in the wilderness. Some of these hikers threw items to the ground and behaved as ‘city people’. At that time, we felt it was very important to educate the public about the wilderness areas and to begin with young students in elementary schools.

When someone does not know anything about the chaparral, that person thinks that it is a dusty wild area.

But, if that same person knew about the colorful, abundant plants and wildlife, he or she would find beauty in it. When we visited schools, we discovered that many children had weak muscles and were overweight. Thus, we decided to emphasize the health benefits of going on field trips.

Because children also need to know about space and the ocean, we annually support the California Science Center Foundation. That facility has millions of visitors each year where students learn about our oceans, wildlife, and space.”

 What kinds of standards are there for a wilderness and wildlife conservation foundation?

“Our Havasi Wilderness Foundation’s purpose is protecting and preserving natural ecosystems through education and awareness. We try to reach young elementary school students by providing field trips to regional and state parks as well as virtual field trips. These activities educate our next generation to take care of Planet Earth. 

In addition, field trips promote good exercise and good eating habits that promote better health.

Currently, we reach 2,000 students each year who receive the benefits of going on field trips. We hope to build funds to reach another thousand more.

During those field trips, students also have access to microscopes and gather specimens to learn more about what they see and hear.

An assignment is given and when completed, each student receives a Scientific Study Participation Medal from the foundation.”

What organization assists in arranging the field trips for the Havasi Wilderness Foundation?

Answer:

The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM).

What are things that give your mission precedence over any other cause that can require dedication and time from a large group of people?

“Wildlife and wilderness conservation require that every person living on the Earth take part in this endeavor for it to be successful. 

We must learn to respect nature and think of preserving it for future generations. For example, if you put poison out to kill a rat and then a hawk comes by and eats the carcass, then you have already destroyed two animals.”