Zoo Crew Teen Urges Support of Youth Accord on Biodiversity

Zoo Crew teen, Miranda Beran, attended the Second International Youth Symposium on Biodiversity held in Ottawa, Canada in July 2009. She joined forces with international representatives to draft the Youth Accord on Biodiversity to be presented at the Convention of the Parties meeting in Japan in 2010. This is Miranda's blog about their efforts and how you can help.

I was given the opportunity to represent Cleveland Metroparks Zoo at the Second International Youth Symposium on Biodiversity. The Symposium took place in Ottawa, Canada in July 2009. Upon arriving home I joined many international youth from the Symposium to create the Youth Accord on Biodiversity. I am now part of the Youth Accord's Steering committee and in charge of the publicity for the Accord. In October of 2010, the Accord will be presented at COP10 (Convention of the Parties) meeting in Japan.

I have created a group here at the Zoo for Zoo Crew volunteers to support the International work the accord is doing. We have created an educational video for a C-Span video contest for the chance to win a grant for the group to send members to the COP 10. We also are working on educational activities for Zoo Crew to present to Zoo guests during the summer of 2010.

After many months of hard work from International Youth from Canada, Indonesia, Mexico, India, the United States of America and many more, the final draft of the Youth Accord on Biodiversity has been published and is ready for signing. Please show your support for the change the International Youth want to see happen by visiting biodiversitymatters.org and signing the accord. Everyone is invited to sign the Accord!

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing's going to get better. It's not."
- The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss

- Miranda Beran, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Crew Teen Volunteer



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