Gone Shopping
Posted at 9:58 am August 30, 2006 by Yvonne Miles
South Africa! Mozambique! Open air markets full of color, excitement, and beautiful pieces of art I just had to buy! This is a most pleasant side to being the director of merchandising for the Zoological Society of San Diego (ZSSD): bringing the unique and often one-of-a-kind World Market goods to our stores at the San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, and online at Shopzoo.com.
My trip last spring was quite special, for I was collaborating with another non-profit organization intent on improving the lives of the poor. Their mission: to provide assistance to the artisans of a community in need to produce goods that are marketable elsewhere in the world, then connect them with buyers such as the ZSSD to purchase and reinforce our conservation message.
My quest brought me to many villages and I was introduced to individuals who were excited about selling to a zoo. But one moment stands out brightly in my memory: when I was asked why I would not buy the black wooden boxes and vases. I explained that ebony wood is classified as an endangered wood. It takes years to grow and is not sustainable; in a matter of years, at the rate these trees are being cut down, they could be gone forever. I suggested they find alternate woods like the jacaranda or the balsa, specifically lighter woods were best. They said they understood, and the buyer who had accompanied me mentioned that perhaps it would be best if he no longer bought ebony. At that moment I realized that I just made a difference!
Something so simple and direct makes a difference…
The first shipment of goods has arrived and will be showcased at the Zoo and Wild Animal Park retail shops in September. Happy shopping!
Yvonne Miles is the director of merchandising for the Zoological Society of San Diego.
View some of Yvonne’s purchases at ShopZoo.com.
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August 30th, 2006 at 1:04 pm
Thanks for this exciting news, and for taking the opportunity to make a significant difference for the artisans and the elements they use in their crafts. Through first-hand education and explanation we can accomplish much change in a rapidly disappearing world.