Students help save Galapagos animals

Students at Waverly Park School in the Lynbrook School District have started doing more chores around their houses than usual. The reason? To help the animals of the Galapagos.

When third-grade teacher and conservationist Susan Lindner began teaching students about the ecology of the Galapagos Islands, she explained how the fates of the endemic creatures and the domestic animals of the islands are tied together. After conducting more research, she came up with the idea to make the Galapagos Amigo Fiel Animal Hospital the beneficiary of the school’s fundraising efforts for the year.

Children raised over $200 for the hospital, with Lindner, fellow teacher Jackie Miller, and principal Lucille McAssey donating matching funds. To thank them for their efforts, Amigo Fiel board members Andrea Gordon and Tod Emko gave a presentation to the students, showing them how the animals there were directly benefiting from their help. They explained how humans and their pets came to live on the islands, and how they are learning to cohabitate with the unique indigenous animal population.

Students plan to continue to raise more funds for Amigo Fiel by recycling plastic water bottles and donating the proceeds from the deposits. Through their efforts, they are helping to establish the Galapagos’s first no-kill shelter that will neuter stray animals and treat them for injuries and disease.

Anyone interested in donating to Amigo Fiel, or finding out more about the hospital’s work in Galapagos can e-mail Mrs. Lindner at slindner@lynbrook.k12.ny.us.