The Nature Conservancy – Addressing the Gulf of Mexico’s Dead Zone

Nature Conservancy
Image: nature.org

Since 1995, Thomas (Tom) Avellino of New Jersey has served as an investor, limited partner, and managing general partner with several private investment partnerships. Also active in charitable giving, Thomas Avellino supports several nonprofit organizations, such as the Nature Conservancy, through his family foundation.

The Nature Conservancy is working to address the Gulf of Mexico’s “dead zone,” an area of oxygen-depleted water that makes it difficult for marine life to thrive. The result of nutrient runoff, the dead zone extends from the coast of Texas to the Mississippi River Delta in Louisiana.

Normally, the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico covers an average of 5,309 square miles, but it has expanded to cover 8,776 square miles, or approximately the size of New Jersey. The cause of this expansion is likely the heavy spring rains, which pushed an excessive amount of nitrates from cities, farms, and other sources into the Mississippi River Basin’s waterways, which empty into the Gulf. As the dead zone destroys marine life, the economic consequences are far-reaching, especially for fishermen and others working in the seafood industry.

To address this issue, the Nature Conservancy is working with government bodies and farmers to find ways to prevent nutrients from leaving farmland. The organization seeks to curb runoff through better farming practices such as reduced tillage, crop rotation, use of cover crops, and nutrient management.

One specific area where the Nature Conservancy is working is in the Wabash River of Indiana and Illinois. The tributary is responsible for a particularly high discharge of nitrogen into the Gulf. Working with the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Nature Conservancy has helped restore or protect 44,000 acres of floodplain habitat near the Wabash River, with the ultimate goal of restoring or protecting 10,000 more acres by 2022.

Improving Your Vocal Range

Vocal Range
Image: singfinest.com

A managing general partner at three financial firms, Thomas “Tom” Avellino handles all activities needed to ensure orderly and compliant operations. When he’s not busy managing his many private investment partnerships or sharing his expertise with others, Thomas Avellino of New Jersey writes and sings songs; he has released one CD.

Improving vocal range often begins with finding out what your current range is. To do this, start at middle C. From this point, sing each semitone down until your are no longer capable of clearly and comfortably hitting the notes. This determines the lowest note of your current vocal range. For the uppermost note, follow this same procedure, but sing each semitone up from a middle C.

Once you know your vocal range, you can begin expanding your range. This can be done through various exercises that work your chest voice, or “talking” voice, and head voice, the voice produced by shortening the vocal chords. Head voice octaves are a great exercise for improving your awareness of different registers, while octave arpeggio scales increase your vocal power. Compressed grunts also benefit vocal range by promoting higher and stronger tones.

Throughout this process, you must make sure you maintain the proper singing technique. When using the right technique, your larynx is low, your jaw is relaxed, and your tongue rests at the top of your bottom teeth. Doing this ensures you maintain proper airflow while singing various notes and it prevents your throat from becoming damaged. Further, you must work on improving your vocal range gradually and be cautious about pushing your voice to new levels too quickly.

The Bronx Zoo After Dark Program for Adults

Bronx Zoo
Image: bronxzoo.com

Thomas Avellino, a private investment partnership manager, prepares quarterly statements, disseminates information, and serves as a point of contact for partner contributions at various entities in New Jersey and Florida. Dedicated to supporting his community, Thomas Avellino has donated to numerous organizations and entities over the years, including the Bronx Zoo.

Home to a wide range of animals – including lions, baboons, giraffes, and gorillas – the Bronx Zoo maintains several programs designed to provide guests with educational and unique animal experiences. One such program is the adult-only overnight stay, Bronx Zoo After Dark.

Bronx Zoo After Dark serves as the perfect opportunity for individuals to enjoy adult-approved fun while seeing the zoo’s many animals without the crowds. The program is only available to individuals who are over the age of 20 and it costs $315 for members and $350 for non-members. This fee grants attendees with admission to the zoo and a set-up tent. Sleeping bags can be rented for an extra fee, however, adults are encouraged to bring their own sleeping bag, along with necessary camping gear, a change of clothing, and basic toiletries.

In addition to providing accommodations, the Bronx Zoo After Dark program offers up-close animal encounters and special access to certain exhibits within the zoo. A guest speaker also presents during the event to educate attendees about the zoo’s many animals.

Over the course of the event, guests can enjoy various themed party areas, such as a tropical party at the flamingo exhibit, and take part in a paint party and Instagram scavenger hunt. Further, the Bronx Zoo provides its after-hours guests with late-night snacks, adult beverages, a hot breakfast, and themed hors d’oeuvre stations.

How to Become a Member of the Wildlife Conservation Society

Wildlife Conservation Society
Image: wcs.org

A graduate of the University of Miami, where he studied finance, Thomas Avellino has served New Jersey-based MJ Partners Group since 2004. Further to his work, Thomas Avellino contributes to the Bronx Zoo, which the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) oversees.

WCS membership offers free entry into each of the zoos it operates, including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium, for one year. Prospective members have three options available to them when joining:

1. On-site: Prospective members may visit the admissions booth at a WCS zoo to obtain membership using credit cards or cash. However, the zoo will not refund the parking charge incurred on the day the membership begins.

2. Phone: Calling (718) 220-5112 between 9 am and 5 pm on Monday through Saturday puts the caller through to the WCS membership office, where they may apply for membership over the phone. Those using this method receive confirmation emails within 24 hours of the call.

3. Online: By visiting www.wcs.org, an individual can register as a WCS member and receive a printable temporary membership card for use as he or she waits for the permanent card.