Her two-year success as spokesperson for Defenders of Wildlife has been so well received that Beard will be moving into other areas of wildlife and nature advocacy.

Now, before anyone thinks this is some blood-throwing, car-blocking path that Beard is headed down, think again.

�The whole idea is about educating younger kids who are ready to understand and respect the environment,� said Beard, who was tabbed to help with dolphin-related issues because of her swimming status. �I have always been involved with animals, my whole life. It�s been a great learning experience and helped educate me about things.�

Beard, who says she still eats meat and is for �responsible activity� in the environment, said the goal is to respect nature.

�We don�t need to drop oil solvent and those sorts of things and destroy natural habitats,� Beard said. �We just need to be more aware of what we do to the oceans, rain forests and other areas.�

So Beard is searching for an accord with groups � and citizens � who abuse animals or the environment.

�That�s exactly what Defenders of Wildlife like to do � find a compromise,� she said. �We want solutions that aren�t outrageous, but that actually work into everyone�s desires.�

Since her first campaign was so successful � getting dolphin safe labels on cans of tuna and thus making sure the cans contain only tuna � she will continue in the field. Still, having that success in protecting dolphins is something she feels good about.

�It said it was dolphin safe, but it wasn�t,� Beard said. �There�s no reason to be harming dolphins for tuna � it is an awful and cruel thing.�

The next animals up for Beard are probably manatees and grizzly bears.

�We�ll shoot some public service announcements for that,� she said. �It�s great for me, because I learn so much. And I�m able to hopefully educate others.�

She�s giving a voice to those who can�t voice their own opinions or defend themselves � animals.

�Since they can�t speak up for themselves, we as people have to look over the environment, both for the animals and for our own future,� Beard said. �It�s ridiculous that we have neglected this for so long, because it�s so easy to get involved with this kind of thing.�

Beard said the role is a logical career move for her, because she feels so passionately about the environment and animals.

�When you get older, you start reading more, watching the news and learning more about the world around you, so when you figure out that, �This isn�t right, it shouldn�t be happening,� you get involved and try and make the world a better place,� Beard said. �There are a lot of great organizations that I�d like to get involved with, but I don�t want to spread myself too thin. I just want to be involved in something that brings people together to work in a responsible way with other groups to have a good affect on these things that mean a lot to me.�

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