Follow your dreams | Erik Callender | TEDxSBU

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. What do Anacondas, Alligators, and Madagascar have in common? Erik Callender! A man who's following his dreams and will encourage you to do the same.

Since finding his first toad at the age of nine Erik Callender has been sharing his love for nature with untethered passion. As a young man he spent countless hours in the field in search of creatures of all sorts including turtles snakes, lizards, frogs and bugs. After becoming a NYS licensed Veterinary technician Erik went to Stony brook university and majored in biology with a minor in Environmental studies. Shortly before graduating in 2006 Mr. Callender followed his dreams and started a company called Erik’s Reptile Edventures. Erik has successfully shared his reptiles and amphibian program with thousands of students, teachers, and families in the NY tristate area and around the world. His program has also been the subject of a PBS documentary called “Doing the Reptile Rumba.” Erik’s latest venture began in Madagascar in 2011 and includes the growth of a non-profit called Wildlife kids club international, whose mission is to change children’s lives with nature by providing life science education to children in impoverished villages worldwide.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)