Friday, April 30, 2010

Life Net ------another fine organization working toward re-wilding the Americas

Life Net is an organization founded by Dr. Tony Povilitis(Arizona Jaguar recovery) and Dr. Dusti Becker(Maui Forest bird recovery) that is lazor focused on achieving nature protection at every social level. From Andean deer recovery in Chile to Grizzly Bear restoration in Colorado to bird conservation in Ecuador………………Life Net concentrates on educational outreach, wildlife population research and conservation policy change. Their goal and objective is to reduce the loss of wild nature on our Planet Earth and to drive the Public and Government to the need for optimizing biological diversity across every habitat across the Americas. As you know, Tony has been working tirelessly on critical habitat designation for the Jaguar in the USA which fits square on with Life Net’s efforts and endeavors……….reach out to

Tony and Dusti at:  www.lifenetnature.org




Lifenature.org Projects

Hawaiian Endangered Species
Life Net is bringing scientific and advocacy expertise to bear on key issues affecting Hawaii's imperiled wildlife. With your support, we look ahead to broadening our efforts in 2009!Hawaii has the tragic distinction of being the "endangered species capitol" of the United States, home to about 30% of the nation's imperiled species. Hawaiian honeycreeper birds, sea turtles, monk seal, and a great number of endemic plants, insects, and other invertebrates are among the many species at risk of extinction. Conservation of much of what remains of Hawaii's unique native fauna and flora depends on protecting its coral reefs and on restoring its native forests. Life Net's work in Hawaii began with a sense of urgency in mid-2008, given growing threats to Maui Island's beleaguered coral reefs. Today we are working on a proposal to Maui County authorities for a "Maui Coral Reef Task Force" that will address the plight of the Island's reefs and lay out a scientifically based course of action to save them. We are also active with Maui's DIRE Coalition of private organizations that is urging the Environmental Protection Agnecy and local government to end coastal pollution from wastewater injection wells that damage coral reefs. Check out our testimony to county, state, and federal officials aimed at expanding the scope of protection for these incredible ecosystems:


Jaguar Habitat Campaign

Precious few jaguars remain in the American Southwest. Our great cat can only make a comeback if people protect the core habitats and travel corridors it needs. Life Net's Dr. Tony Povilitis was instrumental in having the jaguar placed on the U.S. endangered species list over a decade ago, thus resulting in immediate federal protection from hunting. Since that time, protecting the jaguar's habitat has become a tremendous challenge given the rapid pace of land development in the region, and the reluctance of government wildlife agencies to address habitat loss. We address threats to jaguar habitat and opportunities to protect and restore it. We advocate and help others advocate for jaguar conservation with county officials, border authorities, land managers and agencies, local communities, elected officials, the media, and others. Protecting habitat for the wide-ranging jaguar is a sure investment for protecting nature overall!

Expeditions

Although Ecuador represents only 1.6 percent of the landmass of South America, it harbors more than half the continent's bird species in some of the world's most threatened ecosystems. While studying remnant patches of rare cloud forest habitat in Ecuador's coastal Colonche Hills, Dr. Dusti Becker discovered a host of rare bird species, including 20 hummingbird species and 12 species of conservation concern. Becker helped establish the Loma Alta Ecological Reserve in support of the local indigenous community, and hopes to help the community launch an ecotourism enterprise to make up for the lost farmland. Becker continues this important work leading volunteers here and in the equally rich Tangara Reserve in the Andes.

Our research contributes directly to the preservation of biodiversity, particularly endemic and declining birds in the Mindo region of Ecuador. Volunteers join a meaningful scientific expedition and are in for a cultural and biological adventure. Bird enthusiasts can look forward to seeing as many as 250 species, including 25 species of hummingbirds. This is also a great opportunity to learn or practice Spanish, and a great chance to learn more about the tropical world, make new friends, and learn more about conservation biology.

Huemul Conservation

Throughout the 1990s, Life Net carried out field research and conservation work in Chile on behalf of the huemul (Andean deer), that nation’s endangered national symbol. Today, we continue to help Chilean conservationists, most recently with a letter by Dr. Tony Povilitis,* a well-known huemul biologist, to environmental authorities advising against a harmful hydroelectric development in prime huemul habitat. You can read follow up story in Chile’s newspaper La Discusion.*

How can you support our work?

1. Make a tax-deductible donation to our organization.
You can specify projects or support the whole organization:
o Southwest Carnivore Conservation: Jaguar and Mexican Wolf Recovery
o Cochise Conservation Center
o Cloud Forest Preservation in Ecuador
2. Volunteer on a conservation research project.
o Cock of the Rock Behavior at Las Tangaras
o Hummingbird Ecology and Avian Habitat Use at Las Tangaras
o Christmas Count Loma Alta
o Annual Bird Surveys at Loma Alta
3. Be an eco-visitor at Las Tangaras or at Loma Alta.
o Las Tangaras: (June - December)
 Cabin rental
 Las Tangaras & Mindo Area Birding Package
o Loma Alta: (September - February) (May)
 Visit Loma Alta
 Cloud Forest Mule Trek at Loma Alta
 Birding Trek - Tumbesian and Choco Endemics and Specialties
 Spanish language home stays (year-round)
4. Do your own research at Loma Alta or Las Tangaras

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