I am asking you to help me raise $2022 this year in support of WWF, to help protect tigers and other species from extinction.

4000. That's more than the current number of tigers estimated to be alive in the wild. 

9: that's the former number of subspecies of tigers. 6 is the number of subspecies left. 3. That's right... 3 subspecies are now EXTINCT! Bali, Javan, and Caspian tigers are gone, forever. 

"But Heather," you may be asking. "Isn't your fundraiser a Panda Paddle? What about pandas, aren't they endangered too?" I am so glad you asked. Because yes, it's even worse for pandas.

1800 pandas left in the wild. Which is probably why the panda is the symbol of WWF, for which the Panda Paddle is named. 

What's the Panda Paddle?: From August 12-21, I will join with nature lovers from all across the country as we paddle separately, but together, on our favorite bodies of water as part of World Wildlife Fund's Panda Paddle Virtual Event.

You may know I love doing physical fitness, including yoga and standup paddleboarding, and I love being out on the water and surrounded by nature. I will be doing lots of yoga on my standup paddleboard and posting pictures of me doing SUP, SUP yoga, and yoga generally on social media, in an effort to bring awareness to the Panda Paddle fundraiser. I don't want to list specific poses you can expect to see, so as not to jinx myself, but you can be sure I'll update you frequently on social media with yoga and paddleboard pics! And also (.. I'm taking a deep breath and hoping this isn't just a pipe dream!), I'm hoping to eventually become a certified SUP yoga instructor. (More details about that later... it's a whole process!)

If you're raising $2022, why does it say you're raising $1522? Good question! The good news is we already raised $500 for WWF via my Facebook birthday fundraiser. (Also thank you SO MUCH to everyone who donated! I will list your names here shortly so you can be recognized as part of this too.) I asked the awesome folks at WWF but unfortunately, they can't tie a fundraiser started on FB directly to the Panda Paddle because of FB's privacy policies. However, I can and will link this fundraiser to Facebook so you can donate through their platform -- which doesn't charge any fee for hosting a fundraiser (thanks Facebook!)

I'd like to leave you with a final number: ONE. One person can make a difference. That person is you. Please take that step now and donate to help protect species and as a show of support and friendship to me personally. 

Regardless of political affiliation, spiritual beliefs, or other topics that tend to divide us, I'm hoping we can unite and pool our efforts to give a big gift to WWF this year. 

Thank you for helping me protect the natural world and all it gives us! Until we meet again, fair winds, following seas... and namaste!