Carbon Free Girl - A Race Car Driver's Journey to Be Carbon Neutral

November 29, 2009

Since I consider myself part kiwi by marriage (I married a handsome kiwi bloke in March), I wanted to let you know that New Zealand's national icon, the kiwi bird, is in danger. If you have never heard of the kiwi bird, they are a very interesting bird. They are kind of an evolutionary mystery - a biological riddle. They barely have wings and cannot fly. They have no tails. They have extremely strong hind legs and will stomp the ground like a rabbit. Once bonded, a male and female kiwi bird live out their lives in monogamy. They are nearly blind, and only lay one egg each year. And despite all of this, they have survived for millions of years.

Since New Zealand, Aotearoa, or "The Land of the Long White Cloud" had kept the kiwi bird isolated from any possible predators, this unique little bird was able to flourish.

But when humans arrived, bringing with them not only cats and dogs but also cars, life for the little kiwi bird that had wandered unthreatened on these islands for so many years -- well, life was now quite a challenge. The kiwi bird is the national bird of New Zealand, an icon so adored by the people that countries around the world began to refer to the New Zealand people as "kiwis." It was for this reason that 5 years ago when I was introduced to my future husband for the first time, that he was introduced as simply "kiwi," a nickname that has stuck to this day.

For more information about this unique little bird and how you can help protect them, please visit SaveTheKiwi.org.nz. Also, be sure to read the wonderful Maori legend of How the Kiwi Lost His Wings.

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