Kids are involved in conservation too—here's an example of children, thousands of miles apart, working to save wildlife. Inspired by a Philadelphia Zoo distance learning program, elementary students from the Gateway School in New York have been working for over two years to save the South American giant otter, an endangered species suffering from habitat loss. During this time, the Gateway kids have achieved remarkable success. From connecting with kids in Guyana, home of the giant otter, to creating their own award-winning website and generating over $2,800 in support of giant otter conservation, these Manhattan-based children are playing a significant role in protecting the future of this remarkable animal.

The Gateway School provides an environment where children between the ages of six and twelve who have learning difficulties can develop coping skills, gain confidence in their strengths and practice self-help. William Reed, alumnus and project coordinator for the Gateway Conservation Initiative, speaks highly of the kids' accomplishments and their work to save the giant otter, "All of the students who have participated in this project have been changed. They are making decisions that have real consequences."

Among other things, those "consequences" include taking first place at New York City's 2004 ThinkQuest internet challenge awards and developing a "Saving the Giant Otter" slide show for presentation at several New York City schools. But the connections the Gateway kids make with the children living in Guyana are perhaps the best hope for the future of the giant otter. Forging relationships by mail, these kids are truly inspirational in their genuine interest in and acceptance of one another—two key ingredients to successful community-based conservation.
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