14-year old Brian Bovyar of the Old Trail School in Akron, Ohio. (Click for photo gallery)

May, 2006: Brian Bovyar of Ohio, is one cool 14-year old. He contacted TSG out of the blue asking if we could share any printable materials because he was raising funds for tapir conservation! Here he explains his motivation and experience in creating tapir awareness.

"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed that it was critical for a person to have discovered something in life for which it was worth dying. If you could choose one political, environmental, spiritual, or social issue to fight for, what would it be and why?

I agree with Dr. King that everybody should find something worth dying for, and I have found that something. In a recent visit to Costa Rica with my family, I learned that the rainforest is disappearing at an alarming rate. This is one issue I feel is worth “dying for” because if we don’t save the rainforest, our chances for survival are slim. Resources the rainforest supplies include oxygen, medicines, and it also holds the most diverse wildlife in the world. I also feel that not enough people sense the imminence of this impending threat to our survival. What would it look like if there wasn’t anything where the Amazon is right now? It would be barren land, a wasteland. I hope that we can save what is left, and that we can save the rainforest not for us, but for everyone else.

Brian's display of tapir information and "save the tapir" bracelets for sale. (Click for photo gallery)

There are many endangered species in our world, and one of them is the Baird’s Tapir, which I encountered on my trip to Costa Rica. The Baird’s Tapir scatters seeds and eats the low-lying vegetation that covers up where young trees grow. The tapir is a very important part to the re-growth of the rainforest, and without it the rainforest there has a small chance of re-growth.

When we arrived back home, I thought for a while on what I could do to help. I learned that small steps make big statements, and so I organized a Save the Tapir drive. My mom and I researched the “LIVEstrong” type bracelets, and we also did a lot of research on the tapir. We worked long and hard and we are able to now start helping to Save the Tapir by selling these bracelets at school and public places. The proceeds will go to the Tapir Specialist Group which works to conserve tapirs and their rainforest habitats. I am excited knowing I can help save the tapir.

Based on knowledge, this is a situation where we need to take a stand. I was fortunate to go to Costa Rica, but if the rainforest disappears, people are not going to get the same chance. I believe rather than allowing the problem to take control of us, we must take control of the problem and make more people aware of it. In doing so we will help to preserve the rainforest for future generations and ensure that there will always be clean air to breathe. Like Dr. King I will fight for what is right by staying involved in conservation issues.

Brian's dad John presents Houston Zoo's & TSG's Jennifer McClain and Kelly Russo with the $450 check. (Click for photo gallery)

I am proud to know that the Tapir Drive was a great success, and that we made $450 for the Tapir Specialist Group. Without the help of my advisory at Old Trail School, this never would have been a success. Included in the project was Mr. Teunissen, Blake Gross, Alexandra Stec, Lauren Smith, Brittany Ramsey, Alex Royer, Nathan Napolitano, and Anita Salley. Hopefully the success of this project and others like it will bring a better future for the tapirs."

Thank you, Brian! We are so grateful to have tapir advocates like you!

Brian's full essay (Word)
"Saving the Tapir" powerpoint presentation (2Mb zip file) by Blake Gross

Photos by Vicki Henschen, and thank you to the Bovyar Family for all the information!