Back from the Brink of Extinction
How humans helped the Black Robin and establish new standards to restore the world’s most endangered birds
I’m really glad you’re here for uplifting real-life stories! If you need to escape crises, vices and devices, Wildlands is for YOU!
We are capable of regeneration. Inspiration is essential. Wildlands explores the brilliance of resilience. Transformation is miraculous! I know from experience— I have started over many times. Life gives us multiple chances to learn, unlearn, relearn and be of service. Trust. Let go. We are connected with Something Greater than Ourselves.
Nature is a healer and a teacher of chaos to creation. Do you have a transformation story in your community?
Have YOU been pushed to near extinction? What’s your comeback story? What or who helped restore YOU?
Let’s restor-e YOU!
What’s your story, morning glory?
In spite of the obstacles and traumas, we can restore our self with a little help from our friends. Self-care, please, breathe. Breathe again.
Imagine your family, community and self as peaceful and prosperous. Envision the world you want and write, paint, draw, dance, and/or sing it out into the Light!
Be Love in Action!
Plant a garden, help a small farm, farmers market and/ or co-op. Regenerative farming is amazing- be a part of restoring soils and souls!
The moral of the story: humans bring destruction and they bring restoration. Imagine a world where we use our talents to make the world a better place. And, we are valued for contributing to peace and prosperity. It’s possible! Shift paradigms: Let’s learn from the remarkable resilience of Black Robins. Let’s explore how humans helped the Black Robin and establish new standards to restore the world’s most endangered birds. With a little help from their friends, they came back from the brink of extinction. How can we restore self, loved ones, schools, businesses, politics, and Mother Earth?
The Indigenous and Ancient Greeks knew Anima Mundi.
Let’s Make Anima Mundi Great Again!
This story is a natural— Robin means “new beginnings” and “bright fame”.
Let’s discover and learn how to comeback! If you are “on the brink”, let’s bring YOU back! Let’s bring us all back— before it’s too late.
Petroica traversi Black Robin Petroicidae (Australasian robins)
Length: 15 cm, 5.9 inches
Weight: 22-25 g, 0.77 ounces
Audio of Black Robin, Petroica traversi
With one breeding pair left, five Black Robins existed in the entire world in 1980. Seven survivors were moved in 1976, to Mangere Island where 120,000 trees had been planted to provide better shelter. The species seemed doomed to extinction, until Dr. Don Merton, of the New Zealand Wildlife Service, and his team of Conservationists created an intensive management plan. There were many mis-steps and many disasters. In spite of it all, the comeback is an internationally known story!
Thanks to “Old Blue” (female) and “Old Yellow” (male) and a foster species, the Chatham Island Tomtit, ended up saving the Black Robin from extinction.
All of the Black Robins are descended from the last breeding female, “Old Blue”, who was one of the longest lived Robins- she was almost 14 years old, when most lived 4 years. Males live 4.2 years on average, females 3.7 years - a very small number of both sexes may reach ages up to 14 years. Both can breed successfully as yearlings and as elders (≤ 11 years).
Food, Habitat and Family
The Black Robin breeds, forages and socializes almost exclusively within forest interiors. They are wholly insectivorous. Prey includes many winged and wingless invertebrate taxa at all life-stages, including spiders, flies, wetas, worms, beetles, moths, cockroaches and caterpillars. Every spring and summer, woven cup-like nests, lined with moss and feathers, are built in tree cavities or dense vines, usually within 6.5 feet (2 meters) from the ground. Most clutches comprise two eggs (range 1-3). Both sexes are completely black at all ages, though juveniles have subtle pale streaking on the crown.
The species now lives on two islands, Mangere and Rangatira Islands, two small islands in the Chatham Island group. As of 2023, the Black Robin has an overall stable population of approximately 330 mature individuals. They “remain at risk from the accidental introduction of non-native predators that depleted its population initially, which could cause it to become Extinct or Critically Endangered in a short period of time”, and are currently assessed as Vulnerable.
The extraordinary survival story of the Black Robin is an internationally known conservation success story and helped to establish restoration standards for other species.
Want to learn more?
Birdlife, conservation and recovery of the Black Robin
Australian Geographic, survival story of the Black Robin
New Zealand native birds, Black Robin
Birdlife, Factsheet
This story shows how humans and nature united to restore soils and souls: 120,000 trees were planted and a bird species was brought back from the brink of extinction. They demonstrated collaborations for regeneration of nations.
We can regenerate nations, too!
Choose restoration, collaborate in your community to reduce harm and increase health and well-being.
Robin’s Roots and Restoration Renaissance: Regeneration Nation, restore soils and souls.
Help A Voice for Wildlife and the Environment
My great grandfather was a farmer and friends with President Truman. My great aunt babysat the President’s daughter. Another ancestor fought in the American Revolution and another pioneered. My partner, a Physicist who is a Citizen of the Cherokee Nation and I now own farmland- land that has been in his family since 1902. Food, farming and freedom are infused in my life and restoration-conservation are a part of my Soul.
Reciprocity is exchange- our way of compensating for all that flora and fauna give us. Giving back expands nature and more than humans gratitude for us. Generosity of our hearts, minds and hands (through actions, thoughts, words and deeds) give us compassionate, empathetic purpose. Restoring Soils and Souls is sustainable conservation. We are nature- we are all a part of the biota. What we do to one, we do to ourselves.
“A Poet with a Purpose”- A Wild and Free Nature Nomad— I am currently on the road. My work is growing organically- through art, poetry, essays and advocacy. Support Wildlands and Habitat Restoration projects.
Paid subscribers are helping others- a special blessing for your generosity to Jan C. and Karen G! I am also grateful to for the Black Robin story idea!
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Wildlands Regeneration Nation: the mission is to inspire health, well-being and restore soils and souls. Shift paradigms, increase and celebrate interconnections to reduce harm.
I offer health and well-being research and/ or experience-backed essays. Occasionally, simple, healthy plant-based recipes are shared. Advocacy for wildlife is a special focus…and there have been several success stories in reducing harm.
A Senator’s office called me the other day to thank me for helping them protect bears. They asked me what else can they help me with—I’m gathering my list- backed with research.
What would YOU like to be protected, conserved and restored, dear friends?
Let me know! Let’s Make Anima Mundi Great Again!
Introspection and Action Steps for YOU
What brought YOU back from the brink?
Vote for 2024 Bird of the Year: the Black Robin
Visualize humans at peace with nature, united with nature. Imagine regeneration of nations where species are restored and thriving.
Want an easy way to help birds? Leave the leaves! Insects inhabit leaves. It also is less work and reduces costs and waste from the use of plastic bags that clog landfills. Leaves help feed wildlife and the soil- that’s why they are called leaves, my friends!
Tomorrow is Halloween—and, the largest pumpkin weighed in at 2,201 pounds at Operation Pumpkin/ Pumpkin and Art Festival in SW Ohio! Happy Halloween!
I am so glad I found you— and, I’m glad that you found me, too!
Tell me: What would you like protected, conserved and restored? Support me in being a voice for nature and all species! Support my work with politicians to increase care of wildlife and the environment. I’m returning a call from a Senator.
What soils and souls do YOU want restored?
Healthy soils and souls create a world of well-being. Remember the remarkable resilience of the Black Robin! Have a great week and thank you! Be Blessed!
From a paid Subscriber,
"Your dedication and inspiration is influential! In the spirit of reform, thank you for your work! -CF"
Sharing support from @Amy Eisenberg, Ph.D.., "Wonderful story!"