CITIZEN SCIENCE
Citizen Science has the capacity to not only expand humankind's body of knowledge but to bring people together in a mutual learning adventure that forges bonds of understanding and expands the horizons of everyone involved. World famous astronomer and teacher, Carl Sagan, is credited with several quotes that frame the Friends of Dunrovin's embrace of Citizen Science:
" Our species needs and deserves citizenry with minds awake and a basic understanding of how the world works."
"Every questions is a cry to understand the world. There is no such thing as a dumb question."
"Science is more than a body of knowledge. It is a way of thinking, a way of skeptically interrogating the universe."
SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS
According to Forbes Magazine, loneliness and social isolation are not merely a source of sadness for many older adults. Studies have shown that isolation increases the risk of mental and physical illnesses. In fact, the health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Dunrovin's Virtual Village at DaysAtDunrovin.com has demonstrated the ability to the internet to address the loneliness epidemic that is now prevalent throughout modern society. The Friends of Dunrovin is intend on sharing the lessons learn by Dunrovin through the development and management of its Virtual Village.
SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Each of us faces life with our own set of strengths and weaknesses. For far too long society has divided differences in mental and physical abilities as either good or bad, normal or abnormal. This limited dichotomous perspective fails us all. It thwarts our ability to engage with one another on richer and deeper human levels, shortens our horizons, and stunts our ability to reach our full potential.
Through an partnership with Red Scarf Equestrian in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, Dunrovin is engaged now engaged with a young man, Jeffrey Beausoliel, who has shown so many what it means to transcend barriers and who has now opened up his life and story to the members of the DaysAtDunrovin Virtual Village. Jeffery is turning his attention to training to become a members of the Canadian Paralympic Dressage Equestrian team and Dunrovin is intent on providing his with a virtual village of support to help him achieve his goal. Read his story at Come Ride with Me.
HELP FOR HORSES DURING COVID-19
The Coronavirus Pandemic has devastated the world's economies. Many horse owners face financial hardships as a result. Horses can be very expensive to maintain and some horse owner may have to make difficult and emotionally wrenching decisions regarding their ability to sustain their beloved horses. The Friends of Dunrovin has joined forces with Red Scarf Equestrian in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, to mount an international campaign to raise funds to provide assistance to horse owners during these trouble times. Please visit Riding Together in Red Scarves.