Probably the most ambitious campus conservation effort is our “Annual Bowlathon for Great Apes.” This was begun in 2006 by orangutan caretaker Andy Antilla and research assistant Caisie Pitman. The idea is to sign up bowlers, who in turn enlist supporters. The supporters’ contributions, and proceeds from a silent auction and sales of Trust merchandise, amounted to $7,500 in 2006. The bowlers and supporters were given the opportunity to vote on which of three projects they wanted to support, and chose the Ketambe orangutan conservation and research project in Sumatra. And we had a great evening of bowling with colleagues and community friends.

Many more bowlers, sponsors and businesses participated in the 2007 event, which raised nearly $22,000 for ape conservation, demonstrating that Des Moines has a sense of global responsibility for our natural world.