Proclamation Act to Celebrate World Wildlife Day
In San Antonio, Texas, United States
In San Antonio, Texas, United States, a Proclamation act was held to celebrate March 3rd as World Wildlife Day, according to the date established by the United Nations Organization, resolution 68/205, on December 20, 2013, with the objective of encouraging environmental, governmental and educational agencies and the general public to take part of this day to help create awareness on the importance of preserving the wildlife of Mother Earth.
Every undomesticated animal and vegetable species are part of wildlife, those that are born and are developed in natural spaces where there is no human intervention. Nonetheless, wildlife is currently being threatened by the changes produced in the ecosystems (caused by desertification, climate change), illegal trafficking of exotic species, contamination of water sources and land, among others.
The San Antonio Zoo in Texas, one of the recreational, education and protection santuarios of wildlife in the United States, held said event with the presence of the general community, governmental and judicial personalities and Activists for Peace.
Bexar District Commissioner, Tommy Calvert, spoke before reading the Proclamation, stressing that even though international efforts are being made to conserve wildlife species, climate change has caused havoc on flora and fauna habitats, and that support is needed from every sector, especially from the press, to help educate and create awareness on the need to protect wildlife:
“We are accelerating climate change in record numbers. But when I look for coverage from local press on how this affects endangered wild animals, they are hard to find. I call unto the press to dig deeper for theses news stories on wildlife and the environment, that all of us educate ourselves on the wild lion of Texas, bears, fish, insects and plants and their danger in Texas. According to the UN webpage, we, who are here today, are the only ones celebrating this day here in Texas. The call is for every environmental movement and organization, to use this day and sound the alarms for the animals, plants that cannot talk for themselves.”
Next, Commissioner Calvert invited Dr. William Soto Santiago to accompany him during the reading of the Proclamation of the Celebration of World Wildlife Day:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, The intrinsic value of wildlife and its various contributions, including its ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic contributions to sustainable development and the human well-being; and
WHEREAS, On 20 December 2013, the Sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly decided to proclaim 3 March as World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora; and
WHEREAS, The UN World Wildlife Day (WWD) is the global celebration of the many beautiful and varied forms of wild animals and plants on our planet as well as an occasion to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to both wildlife and people and the plight of many threatened or endangered species; and
WHEREAS, The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Listen to the Young Voices’, with a focus on connecting young people around the world to explore what wildlife conservation and protection mean to them and instill a responsibility in them to take action for the future of both wild animals and plants.
WHEREAS, The Global Embassy of Activist for Peace, through the International Program "Children of Mother Earth", is promoting the celebration of World Wildlife Day in more than 20 countries, and especially in the State of Texas, The United States of America, through different activities in the educational, community, citizen, legislative, judicial and political fields; and
WHEREAS, The Global Embassy of Activist for Peace Executive President Dr. William Soto Santiago is visiting the State of Texas to promote the voices of young people being heard to protect the wildlife of Mother Earth;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commissioners Court of the County of Bexar hereby recognizes and proclaims March 3, 2017 to be a day of observance for WORLD WILDLIFE DAY.
Next, Dr. William Soto Santiago thanked Commissioner Calvert for the realization of the Proclamation, which reinforces the global work in favor of conserving wildlife and stated that this year, the United Nations chose the theme “Listen to the Young Voices”, highlighting the importance of taking into consideration the voices of youths when making decisions on the preservation of wildlife. Also, he stressed on the wonderful work that is being done by Commissioner Tommy Calvert, as well as the work done by the San Antonio Zoo, for the education, recreation and preservation of animal and vegetable species.
"This day, established by the United Nations Organization, motivates us to learn more about our brothers, the living beings from the animal and vegetable species that inhabit Mother Earth with us, which form part of the perfect ecosystem that we enjoy, but because of many unscrupulous hands, they are being depleted, destroyed, because, by doing so, we are destroying ourselves.
This year, the central theme is “Listen to the young voices”. Youths have the civic duty to become involved in these subjects, since you are who will be making future decisions, and you can start helping with your ideas, opinions and actions in the global efforts that are being carried out for the conservation of wildlife species, at a national and international level."
Dr. Dante Fenolio, vice president of Investigation and Conservation of the San Antonio Zoo, participated in the event accompanied by employees from this educational and recreational center, who brought with them some wild animals. Dr. Fenolio is a distinguished zoologist and biologist, and referred to the work this institution is carrying out to protect wildlife, along with indigenous peoples, students, professors and investigators. Mrs. Margaret Day also participated, representative of the San Antonio Sierra Club, and environmental club with more than 100 years of work and representation in all of the United States.
This proclamation act of World Wildlife Day forms part of multiple simultaneous activities that he Global Embassy of Activists for Peace held in different countries in America and Europe with environmental marches and parades, celebrating this special day of Mother Earth.
