The Wonder of the World

22/04/2017

Happy Earth Day, everyone. Please watch this video to better understand our impact on the planet, and the progress we've made -- and please commit to protecting our wonderful world in the days and months and years to come.

The first Earth Day was in 1970. What’s changed since? Our population has doubled. We’re emitting 2.4 times more CO2. Sea levels have risen 4 inches. But the...

09/03/2017

The Wonder of the World supports One's campaign to empower girls around the world through education. Choose a number and add your voice!

We are ONE! A global movement campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030, so

17/02/2017

The Wonder of the World is partnering with becausewecarry.org for our Creativity in Bloom journey to Amsterdam this spring, and donating a portion of our proceeds to help with their vital work serving refugees on the island of Le**os. Please join me in supporting their cause by signing up for Creativity in Bloom, making a donation, or volunteering on Le**os!

08/11/2016

I voted today with my Mom in my home town of Laurel, MD. Time is short...get out and VOTE before polls close! This election, it's more important than ever!!

05/11/2016

Standing with the painting I am working to help restore -- with the help of Il Palmerino's Cultural Association, art restorer Rosella Lari, and all the participants in -- and contributors to -- The Wonder of the World journeys!

05/11/2016

The damage to this painting, and to so many others, was extensive. I actually gasped when it was unveiled. But with continued fundraising, dedication, new technologies, and the expertise of restorers like Lari, it can be brought back to life! The Wonder of the World's donation to begin the restoration is only the beginning. In collaboration with the Cultural Association of Il Palmerino, the work will continue beyond well beyond our initial journey, and beyond this anniversary.

05/11/2016

With legendary art restorer Rosella Lari, in her studio in Florence, Italy.

05/11/2016

Today is the 50th anniversary of the Florence flood of 1966. All year, The Wonder of the World has been committed to commemorating this event, and to contributing to ongoing efforts to save priceless Italian art. This summer, The Wonder of the World traveled to Florence, and our group began the restoration of a severely damaged painting from 1600. Each of us was given a hands-on opportunity to work with art restorer Rosella Lari, and to personally begin to remove the encrusted mud that has obscured the painter's work for decades. It was such a moving privilege for me that I could not stop shaking, as you will see in this video!

12/05/2016

And me in formal wear, off to an event at the Spanish Embassy in Washington, D.C. Next week I will be taking the Wonder of the World to the country of Spain -- stay tuned!

12/05/2016

It was a great pleasure giving a lecture on the Florence Flood and art restoration to the Antonio Gotto Sons of Italy Lodge last night! Thank you to all of you who donated to the preservation of Italian art -- grazie mille! Featured here with Dante DiCamillo and Rosanna Ottenstein.

08/05/2016

In honor of my wonderful mom!

04/05/2016

Hooray for my home state of Maryland for being the first state to ban consumer use of the pesticides that are killing our honeybees!! The law needs to go further (it won't go into effect until 2018 and farmers are exempt), but this is an important first step in protecting bees (and thereby protecting the food supply for all creatures, including us!)

While farmers will still be allowed to use neonicotinoids, the popular pesticide will be banned from consumers.

02/05/2016

Join the Planting Challenge to do your part for Monarch Butterflies, and tag five of your friends to do the same!

The Monarch Joint Venture is a partnership of federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academic programs that are working together to support and coordinate efforts to protect the monarch butterfly migration across the lower 48 United States.

02/05/2016

Save butterflies!! Commit to planting Milkweed in your yard, garden, or planters this spring! It's the only plant Monarchs can use to lay their eggs and that their caterpillars can eat, so growing more milkweed is a vital step in conserving one of the world's most wonderful butterflies!

Monarch butterflies are losing their homes right here in our own backyards. Will you take the pledge to help us save them?

29/04/2016

Here's the video of the very happy elephants, free for the first time!

This video is shows the reaction of the elephants when they are first unchained at the trekking camp and able to roam freely in the jungle. Let's see what el...

29/04/2016

Elephants frolicking as they experience their first taste of freedom in Thailand!

The Wonder of the World believes that wild animals belong in the wild. You can help by thinking carefully about your interactions with animals when you travel, and avoiding "animal tourism," such as riding elephants, or posing for photos with monkeys, tiger cubs, or other exotic animals. It's far more wonderful to experience these creatures living free from exploitation in their own natural habitats!

Witnessing an animal get their freedom is one of the most moving experiences ever – especially after they’ve spent their lives in captivity! In this video from Elephant Nature Park in Thailand, we see elephants being released from their chains for the first time in years. After being relegated to a…

27/04/2016

The eaglets that hatched at the National Arboretum in March (look how much they have grown!) have been given names: Freedom and Liberty. You can still watch them on the Eagle Cam, and continue to celebrate this conservation success story.

Two baby bald eagles get new names -- Freedom and Liberty -- at the National Arboretum in Northeast D.C.

27/04/2016

Inspired by the "Nature is Speaking" films (click on post below to see them) and want to contribute? All donations made to Conservation International by April 30 will be matched, so you will double your impact!

Double your impact! All donations made by April 30 will be matched, up to $25,000, by glassybaby, our generous match partner.

27/04/2016

These gorgeous short films entitled "Nature is Speaking" demonstrate the wonder and power -- and the fragility -- of our world. Julia Roberts (as Mother Nature), Harrison Ford (as the Ocean), Kevin Spacey (as the Rainforest), and many other A-list actors give their voices to speak for the planet. Please watch and share, and think about raising your voice, too.

People need nature — for climate. Conservation International's award-winning

24/04/2016

"The Wonder of Will" -- that is what The Folger Shakespeare Library has dubbed its celebration of the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. Share you story of what the Bard has meant to you, or watch featured videos submitted by others, and enjoy the wonder Shakespeare has inspired in so many people's lives.

In 2016, the Folger is celebrating 400 years of Shakespeare, and you can too! Share your Shakespeare story using .

22/04/2016

Happy Earth Day! The Wonder of the World's mission is to help people discover --and preserve -- the cultural and natural treasures of our planet earth. Earth Day reminds us of the beauty and fragility of our little blue world, and inspires us to do more to care for it and protect it. Please do something kind for the earth today, and each day, so that we all can continue to enjoy the wonder of the world.
http://www.earthday.org/

Earth Day is April 22, 2016. Earth Day and beyond, join a movement that continues to inspire, challenge ideas, ignite passion and motivate people to action.

22/04/2016

Today, over 170 nations signed The Paris Agreement at the UN, an important step in working to solve the climate change crisis. Please join The Wonder of the World and become a Citizen Signer of the agreement today! But don't stop there -- think about what you can do this Earth Day (and every day) to help to preserve and protect our wonderful world.

The Paris Agreement was reached thanks to people power, and more will be needed to cut carbon pollution and avert the worst consequences of the climate crisis. Scientists agree that climate change is a real and urgent threat. Parents, grandparents, health professionals, scientists, faith leaders, yo…

05/04/2016

Florence's Villa il Palmerino, former home of the writer Vernon Lee and frequented by such guests as Henry James, Edith Wharton, and John Singer Sargent, will be our home-base during our Florence journey!