Farm to Forage: Volunteer Feeds Chimps and the Soul
Shannon Michael was chest-deep in an aquatic tank, staring face-to-face with a 6-foot-long pilot whale. This amazing animal encounter occurred at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida, where 22-year-old Shannon served as a volunteer.
Shannon was asked to observe the baby whale, which was part of a rehabilitation program that would eventually lead to its release back to the ocean. It was a thrilling and sobering experience and it would inform Shannon’s outlook later in life as a volunteer for Project Chimps.
“That experience inspired me,” said Shannon, adding, “It also taught me to respect wild animals and appreciate that we humans need to keep a safe and respectful distance from them.”
From Encounters with Whales to Chimpanzees
Decades later, Shannon would join the volunteer corps at Project Chimps to help care for chimpanzees now retired from medical research. As a volunteer, Shannon prepares meals and enrichment activities for the 59 chimpanzees now living in permanent sanctuary. Shannon also serves as a member of Project Chimps Volunteer Committee.
Shannon Michael prepares enriching snacks for the chimps in the Project Chimps kitchen made possible by Rachael Ray. On the menu: tennis balls stuffed with dried fruit and peanuts.
We have Shannon’s mother, Ruth, to thank for sending Shannon our way. Ruth is also passionate about animals and serves on the board of the local Humane Society’s Mountain Shelter in north Georgia. Shannon was living in Portland, Oregon, a few years back and was contemplating a move back to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go
Shannon had spent childhood summer vacations on the family’s forested property, which is located just a few miles from Project Chimps. Shannon was excited about the idea of working closely with chimpanzees and working with the land. Shannon was also ready to apply skills developed working as an organizer on the west coast.
After majoring in religion and social sciences at the New College of Florida, Shannon earned a master’s degree in social work from Portland State University. Shannon then served as a union organizer in Oregon. But after 13 years, the Blue Ridge Mountains called Shannon back.
“I felt drawn to come home and get closer to things that were more important, like getting my hands dirty and being with family,” said Shannon.
Shannon Pursues Sustainable Farming
Shannon joined his mother on the family’s 27-acre property in 2016. Together, they manage a “microfarm” they call Bruce Mountain Farm. They are cultivating a few acres of fruits and vegetables now for family and friends, with the goal of doubling their production in the future.
In 2018, Shannon graciously donated seedling plants for Project Harvest, Project Chimps’ effort to grow as much food and browse materials for the chimpanzees on sanctuary grounds as possible. Shannon also facilitated generous donations of fresh fruits and vegetables from Big Branch Valley Farm in nearby Union County, Georgia.
Building our Voluntourism Program
As a member of our Volunteer Committee, Shannon and is now working to spearhead our new “voluntourism” project. In this visiting volunteer program, supporters will be able to vacation on the Project Chimps property and volunteer in various roles at the sanctuary.
“It’ll be a great chance to share Project Chimps with more people, grow our volunteer base and expand our network,” said Shannon, adding, “We have a strong volunteer network in the local community but we’re doing national-level work. This program can increase support for the organization across the country and the globe.”
Shannon donated seedling tomato plants for our Project Harvest program to feed the chimps.
A Chance to See the Chimps up Close
This month, Shannon became one of Project Chimps’ newest “yellow shirt” volunteers. After 100 hours of volunteer service, Shannon graduated to Level 2, meaning the Morganton resident will now have the ability to work with Project Chimps’ chimpanzee caregivers inside the chimp villas.
Shannon is excited to learn about chimpanzee care and to understand the caregivers’ daily routines.
“I’m fascinated by the opportunity to observe the chimpanzees up close and better understand their behavior,” Shannon shared.
From that face-to-face encounter with a pilot whale to up-close encounters with chimpanzees, Shannon Michael is living an animal-lovers’ dream.
If you’d like to join Shannon and realize your dreams as a volunteer at Project Chimps, learn more and register today!