Mary Rose rows and rows and now she will be rowing across the Pacific Ocean, taking part in the 2014 Great Pacific Race, all to benefit charity. She is the founder of Chirping Central Conservation Fund, a non-profit foundation dedicated to avian conservation, awareness and education. Chirping Central’s mission is not only to raise funds for avian-related projects worldwide, but to also emphasize that Extinction is Optional™. Contributions to its efforts, whether monetary, volunteering at events, or simply by spreading the word about conservation, make a difference in ensuring that birds which are crucial to our ecosystem will be enjoyed for future generations.

Chirping Central came to life in 2010, but the passion upon which it was founded began over 25 years ago when Mary purchased her first bird companion, a charming and animated Eclectus parrot. Her devotion to helping save wild birds led her to research more about each species, the threats to their survival, and the conservation projects and related organizations throughout the world. In her discoveries, she learned that many non-profit groups already exist to fund large-scale projects, but more focus and fundraising needed to be directed towards smaller conservation efforts. With that focus in mind, Chirping Central was formed and has been growing continually each year. Once she had formed Chirping Central, she left her full time job as a CPA to concentrate on several fundraising projects supporting bird conservation efforts.

In 2012, Mary attended a presentation featuring a speaker who had rowed the Atlantic Ocean for charitable benefit. Even though she had never rowed a boat and had no athletic background, Mary decided that the best way she could give back to the avian community would be to take on an ocean rowing race herself. Many ocean rowers have decades of rowing experience before taking on a challenge of this caliber, but Mary dove right in and began a rigorous physical and mental training regimen, while studying nautical charting, celestial navigation and oceanic weather patterns.

Currently, Mary spends over 30 hours a week training for the race, in addition to fundraising and volunteering time for avian projects, and providing CPA services for local clients. She has begun filming a documentary that will feature her volunteer efforts, race training and the race itself. She plans to continue rowing after her initial maiden voyage, setting her sights on a dual row across the Pacific before 2016.