Kelsey Schroeder- Wind Cave Mug

Handmade ceramic mug featuring hand sculpted black footed ferret and landscape scene inspired by Wind Cave National Park. Approximately 16 oz

This collection was inspired by national parks in the US and endangered species that are protected by those parks.  The national parks provide crucial conservation efforts for numerous species of animals and plants through habitat protection, recovery and reintroduction programs, and scientific research for further protection efforts. Protecting the species within the parks not only preserves them for future generations, but also helps to maintain the overall health and long term resiliency of the parks' ecosystems.  

While you may not think of ferrets when you think of cave ecosystems the black footed ferret is a key species for many animals living in the prairie above Wind Cave in South Dakota (that's my home!).

The black footed ferret was declared extinct in 1980 after prairie dog populations were being exterminated by farmers and ranchers moving westward in the 1800's and 1900's.  These ferrets feed almost exclusively on prairie dogs, so when the prairie dogs disappear, so do the ferrets.  In 1980 the last captive ferret died and the species was declared extinct, that is until a ranch dog named Shep brought the body of a black footed ferret to his owner.  A relic population of 130 ferrets was then identified on the farm in Wyoming.  The population was being monitored closely by wildlife biologists, until disease struck and in 1987 the remaining 18 individuals were captured for conservation of the species.  Beginning in 1991 after successful captive breeding programs these ferrets have been reintroduced across 8 states, Canada, and Mexico.  They can now be found in South Dakota's Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks and as such are a species close to my heart. Each species is crucial to the balance of these most beautiful places and it is up to us to be sure they are protected. 

50% of the proceeds from this mug will be donated to the National Parks Foundation to help their conservation efforts and preservation of the sacred places that make up our national parks.  To learn more about their work please visit www.nationalparks.org

To see more of Kelsey's creations be sure to follow her on Instagram @kelseyceramics

All materials used are food safe, microwave safe, and dishwasher safe.  However, to best protect the fine details I recommend hand washing.