In this guest blog, the founder of ARK Conservation takes you on a journey to teach you her passions and how she was encouraged to begin the non-profit when she was only in 8th grade!
Hi, I’m Anslee Kennedy, founder of ARK Conservation. I’ve always had a passion for the protection and conservation of any and all marine life. For as long as I can remember I’ve always been trying to get a message out, whether it be not to litter, or just me sharing my passion. I used to make little “don’t litter” posters and hang them up on our fridge.
I’m a freshman in high school. I officially founded ARK Conservation when I was in 8th grade and needed service hours during the COVID-19 pandemic but I couldn’t find anything that struck my fancy. My parents, ARK Conservation’s president and treasurer, suggested I create my own non-profit. I took the time to understand the responsibilities that come with it and decided to do it. I thought about a problem I wanted solved and a general one came up, pollution and people not understanding how to treat marine animals.
I knew I had to find the root of the problem. I discovered it’s generally older people causing these things, so we need to teach them earlier. I had it! Our mission statement would be to “teach young children about the ocean so they grow to love and protect it.” ARK was a go. It took a while to get it off its feet because I dance 6 days a week, and obviously have school work as well.
It’s important for me to get this message out because I think it could really and truly change the world and make a huge impact. I think children should enjoy learning and learn for a cause. We try to make the learning part appealing by offering colouring books, a children's book, and in-person education. All of these projects will be released very soon as we just got off the ground.
In the future of ARK Conservation I’m hoping to release the book, start the in-person sessions, and one day open a rescue, rehab, and release facility of my own. The facility would care for animals while also being very educational. The colouring books will be distributed in the coming months. It is still being edited. When the in-person education starts I would love to start visiting schools or camps and talking to children about the importance of learning and caring for marine animals, through fun facts, interesting information, and fun pictures, I think it will be a success.
Because ARK Conservation is very young, we are always looking for donations! If you would one day like to see a children's book, or a new facility please consider making a donation, we can’t do it without you!
Cover photo and blog text belongs to Anslee Kennedy.
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