Badongo arrives safely

Last week, following advice from the Gorilla European Endangered Species Programme, Durrell sadly said goodbye to Ya Kwanza, the magnificent silverback male gorilla who has been a popular resident at Durrell Wildlife Park since 1993. Ya Kwanza is settling really well into his temporary accommodation at La Vallee des Singes in France, where he has a huge outside enclosure to enjoy.

To read more see: http://www.durrell.org/Latest/News/Badongo-arrives-safely/

Image from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

UN decades on biodiversity and desertification launched in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa/Montreal, 27 July 2011 – The United Nations system joined together at the offices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa on 22 July 2011 for the regional launch for Africa of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (UNDB) and to mark the United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification (UNDDD), two initiatives that have taken on even greater significance in the light of the devastating drought and famine that have recently struck the Horn of Africa and which is affecting an estimated 13 million people.

Herpetology Workshop @ Rom Whitaker’s [12 to 15 Aug 2011] India

“How can I become a herpetologist?” is one of the most common questions floating around in the minds of enthusiasts, interested in reptiles and amphibians. India, with its herpeto-faunal diversity and abundance, provides great potential for individuals to follow this avenue. But, where does one start? A practical exposure to the field of herpetology is most essential, especially for folks who are looking at it as a possible career option.

The Gerry Martin Project (TGMP), with Romulus Whitaker, is providing an opportunity of a lifetime. TGMP believes in conservation through educating and inspiring people about the environment and wildlife. In collaboration with Rom, TGMP is conducting a herpetology workshop this August.

To register or to know more please get in touch with Soham on +91- 9972068900 /soham@gerrymartin.in

MY BEAUTFUL COAST - DAR ES SALAAM

Durrell Day 2011 celebrates 25 years of success in Madagascar

Preparations are now well underway for Durrell Day, one of the largest events on the Channel Islands summer calendar.  Originally a one day party, the popular event has been extended over the last two years and on the 30th and 31st July, the wildlife park will once again throw open its doors and welcome visitors at a reduced rate of just £5 for adults and under 16’s free of charge, thanks to continued support from NatWest.

Durrell Day is a huge thank you both to Jersey residents and visitors to the island, for the support it has received over the last fifty years, which has enabled the Trust to continue working towards its mission of saving species from extinction.  Read more on this here:

http://www.durrell.org/Latest/News/Durrell-Day-2011-celebrates-25-years-of-success-in-Madagascar/

Spain becomes 40th signatory of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing and the 25th signatory of the Nagoya - Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Montreal, 25 July 2011 –On 21 July 2011, Spain became the 40th Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity to sign the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the 25th Party to sign the Nagoya - Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said: ―Spain’s signature of the two treaties is yet another testament to the growing commitment and support for the global efforts to protect life on Earth and secure a sustainable future for our children. I call on all countries who have not yet signed the two protocols to do so.‖

NEPAL GHARIALS: 102 ANIMALS IN THE WILD AND 761 ANIMALS RELEASED SO FAR

The critically endangered gharial (Gavialis gangetics) has increased to 102 animals from 81 gharials in 2008. In contrast, a total of 761 captive-raised gharials since 1981, have been released into the wild in several large rivers. According to the report, survival rate of wild gharials is only 1% while it is from 25 - 30% in captivity.

Rhinos up in Jaldapara

The Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary, west Bengal has now 161 rhinos. Nine calves were born in 2009-10 and 6 calves this year which is the highest in the decade.

July 20

http://thehimalayanbeacon.com/magazine/2011/07/20/dooars-terai-rhino-count-increases-birth-rate-highest-in-a-decade/#more-76524

Training course on Biodiversity Conservation at the Wildlife Institute of India (5-9, September 2011)

The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun will be organizing a one week training programme targetting Scientists and Technologists working in Government Institutions and Universities on the theme "Biodiversity Conservation with focus on ecological monitoring" from 5-9 September 2011 at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. The course will attempt to (i) to make fully aware scientists on principles/approaches in Ecological Monitoring (ii) to make aware of good practices in Ecological Monitoring (iii) establish linkages and facilitate sharing of information among scientist. The course will also expose participants to new methods and tools in monitoring wildlife populations, communities, habitats and landscapes. This course is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.

Applicants should fill in the nomination form and the bio-data in the prescribed format. Applications submitted in any other formats will not be considered. The selection of participants will be made on first-come-first serve basis and the criteria laid out by the DST. A maximum of 25 participants will be selected for the training programme. The details of the course and forms that need to be filled are available in the link provided below. Online submission of completed applications in PDF format to the designated contact person is encouraged.

http://www.wii.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=502

INSECTS, INSECTS, GLORIOUS INSECTS! (MACOUN MARSH- CANADA)

Every shape, size, design, colour, and texture- the diversity of the insect body plan is a marvel of creation.  Here are just some of the insects seen today at the Macoun Marsh in Ottawa, Canada.

White-faced meadowhawks mating

European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula) being eaten by an ambush bug

Pearl Crescent Butterfly- female (Phyciodes tharos)

Twelve-spotted skimmer (Libellula pulchella)

Soldier beetle

Spreadwing species (Lestes)

Images by Mike Leveille 2011

Uruguay: 39th Signatory to the Nagoya Protocol

Montreal, 20 July 2011 –On 19 July 2011, Uruguay became the 39th Party to sign the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization. Thirty-eight countries and the European Union have now signed the new international treaty.

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), said: “It is fitting that shortly after participating in a regional meeting on the implementation of the Nagoya biodiversity compact that Uruguay has demonstrated its solidarity with the environment by becoming the 39th Party to sign the historic Nagoya Protocol on ABS.”

ARCTIC SEA ICE DECLINE

According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center arctic sea ice has declined at a rapid pace through the first half of July.  The rapid decline in the past few weeks is related to persistent above-average temperatures and an early start to melt.  Snow cover over Northern Eurasia was especially low in May and June, continuing the pattern seen in April.  Check out http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/

Botanists shred paperwork in taxonomy reforms

http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110720/full/news.2011.428.html
Descriptions of new plant species can now be published electronically.

Daniel Cressey

Botanists will soon be able to name new plant species without ever physically printing a paper, as the code governing botanical taxonomy undergoes a major shake-up.
At the ongoing International Botanical Congress (IBC) in Melbourne, Australia, researchers have agreed to drop the requirement for hard copies of papers describing new species. Also vanishing from the code is a requirement that species must come with a Latin description.
Although the amendments voted through today by the IBC's nomenclature section will have to be ratified by the full congress on 30 July, this is expected to be a formality. The changes are likely to come into effect from 1 January next year, when the new International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) is likely to come into force.

Empowering Youth on Biodiversity Issues (Ottawa, Ontario)

Biodiversity affects us all.  A global crisis is taking place now.  Scientists predict that we may lose half of all species on the planet by the end of this century.

In September 2011, teachers from St-Laurent Academy, Notre Dame Catholic School, and Devonshire Public School will partner together to develop a training program to accredit youth to become biodiversity leaders in their communities.  This will include conservation projects, outdoor classrooms, organic gardening, promoting locally sourced food, political action (letter writing campaigns, becoming politically literate with student votes) etc.

We will begin with an introduction to the diversity of life that can exist in an urban setting as seen through our community-based wetland restoration project led by St-Laurent Academy Elementary and Junior High students. Students have now identified over 1300 species here.  A parallel language arts program at Devonshire Public School uses a web of local connections to build a template for environmental stewardship based on partnerships between local farmers, grocery store managers, a local restaurant, politicians, and community associations. Youth participants will walk away with a blue print for building both community-focused science and issues-based literacy programs designed to engage them as true defenders of their biological heritage. A final piece will connect these local elements to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and its international mandate to highlight global environmental activism designed to change the way people think and act.

Understanding our place in the global community is key to this process. We have planned to attend two key events connected to student empowerment.

1. Green Schools National Conference in Denver, Colorado, USA- February 27-29, 2012.

2. Third International Youth Symposium on Biodiversity- Auriville, India (Late September, 2012) as a pre-event to the 11th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Hyderabad, India.

Macoun Marsh Urban Ecology- Ottawa, Canada

Here are some images from today. 

Cedar waxwing

Eastern-tailed Blue

    Butter-and-eggs

Blue-spotted salamander emerging from the water onto the road

Banded Flower Longhorn on wild carrot

Eastern Cottontail Rabbit

Song Sparrow

Images by Michael Leveille

The Volvo Adventure in Göteberg, Sweden

The Volvo Adventure - in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme - is an educational programme that rewards environmental activities and the decision-makers of the future.  Young, environmentally-conscious schoolchildren from around the globe competed at the 10th annual event of its kind in Göteberg, Sweden, on the 8th of June 2011 to seek recognition and support for their life-changing ideas. The top three winners are:
1st prize- We DODGE (US $10,000)
The Chinese team an awareness campaiign to ifluence people to change their habits of using disposable chopsticks.

2nd prize- Think Globally, Eat Locally (US $6,000)
The UK team launched a campaign to educate children about the negative effects of importing out-of-season foods.

3rd prize- Every Step Counts! (US $4,000)
The Malaysian team conducted 10 elaborately planned activiteis that resulted in lowering CO2 emissions.

The Canadian Earth Summit Coalition

The Canadian Earth Summit Coalition is a self-organized, independent, and informal civil society network of non-governmental, non-profit academic and research organizations and ethical business networks.

The Coalition’s primary goal is to coordinate civil society movement in a push for Canadian leadership at the Earth Summit 2012. This will be achieved by a parallel policy consultation process with both coalition partners and the Canadian public, and communicated through widespread engagement and education campaigns. The ongoing results of policy recommendations and key thematic messaging will be disseminated through events, champion messages, and social and traditional media.

The We Canada initiative focuses on engaging Canadians in discussions on sustainable development and provides a forum for educating the public and developing policy recommendations. We work to amplify the sustainability  movement by building on the strong foundations already created by Canadian organizations such as yours, and by engaging voices of all Canadians – even those who are not traditionally included in these conversations.

Intergovernmental forum for biodiversity for food and agriculture and the Convention on Biological Diversity strengthen cooperation for achievement of biodiversity targets.

Montreal/Rome 18 July 2011. The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Convention on Biological Diversity will strengthen their collaboration for achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, through common actions that will preserve biodiversity for food and agriculture around the world.

In his statement, Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary to the Convention on Biological Diversity, said: “With biodiversity continuing to be lost at an unprecedented rate, strengthening collaboration is imperative between the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Commission to address complex issues. As you know, the UN General Assembly has declared 2011-2020 the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity to follow up on the success of the Nagoya Biodiversity Summit. Now is the time to capitalize on this momentum.”

What is new at the Macoun Marsh in Ottawa, Canada?

2 wasp stings- one on each hand!

For those who study biodiversity in Canada, July is certainly the most exciting time.  It is in midsummer that a menagerie of life is out and about.  Keep alert with all your senses as not all life forms are friendly.  Recently several people have received wasp stings at our Macoun Marsh, on the west side to be exact.  Obviously there is a wasp or bee nest in this area, so stay clear. We have also discovered two stinging nettle species at the marsh.  The slender form is not very dangerous, but watch out for the broad-leafed form with its little hairs filled with formic acid.

The redwings and grackles are still guarding their nests and chicks.  This will continue for another two weeks or so.  Amphibians are not calling as much now, but there are tree frog larvae and green frog tadpoles in the water.  Young toads have emerged from the water.  Rabbits, squirrels, and woodchucks are very common as many babies were born this year.  

Many plants are producing fruit such as the black raspberry, red raspberry, apple, dogwoods, and honeysuckle.  Raspberries are very good for eating.  Our endangered butternut tree is producing fruit.  Once these seeds ripen in late August we can begin to collect them for replanting. 

Mayflies, backswimmers, and water fleas are the most common aquatic arthropods right now.  If you are very observant you might see the stick-like water scorpion swimming at the surface of the water.

Come on out to our marsh and bring your curiosity- some bug repellent too- unless you are trying to attract bugs. 

Mike Leveille

ANIMAL ADOPTIONS AT THE DURRELL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is an international charity working globally towards their mission of saving species from the brink of extinction.  Headquartered in Jersey, Channel Islands in the UK, Durrell has developed a worldwide reputation for its pioneering conservation techniques. 

There are many animals that you can adopt at Durrell.  Click here to see some of the animals they work with.
http://www.durrell.org/How-to-help/Animal-adoption/

Image above of Jaya the orangutan from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Nepal and Bhutan for innovative community forest policies

Community forest policies in Nepal Bhutan, Gambia, Rwanda, Switzerland and the US were shortlisted from 20 forest policies from 16 countries this week for Future Policy Award 2011 that recognizes inspiring, innovative and influential policies worldwide. Also, several community forest users’ groups of three districts, Dolakha, Gorkha and Chitwan received US$ 95,000 for reducing emissions in the atmosphere causing climate change through enhancement of carbon stocks and sustainable management of forests.

SPECIES IN FOCUS- GRAY TREEFROG (Hyla versicolor) CANADA

         

This arboreal frog is native to southeastern Canada and the eastern United States.  Gray treefrogs are rarely seen because of their amazing colour patterns that keep them camouflaged on bark.  They can actually change their colour from gray to brown to green and back again.  The best time to see the adults is in the evening in June when the males sing (This gives away their location).  Surprisingly these animals are not always in trees, sometimes they can be found on the ground along marshy shores.  The tadpoles have a distictly reddish colouring on the fin (Image below).  The juveniles are bright green.

Green frog tadpole

Juveniles

COSEWIC: Not at risk.

Images taken by Michael Leveille at Macoun Marsh, Ottawa, CANADA



Gerald Durrell- Conservation hero

 

Who was Gerald Durrell?  Gerald Durrell OBE was a naturalist, zookeeper, conservationist, author, and television presenter. The founder of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust he was passionate about creating a reserve in which animals in need of protection could be kept and bred.  Gerald married Lee McGeorge in 1979 and following his death in 1995 Lee was made Honory Director of the Trust. She continues to drive the pioneering conservation work of the organisation forward.

Images and text elements from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (With permission)

Dr. David Suzuki- An Earth Hero

David Suzuki is a famous Canadian environmental activist, television personality, scientist, and author.  He is also the Co-Founder of the David Suzuki Foundation (http://www.davidsuzuki.org/).  His professional accomplishments and awards are truly impressive.    Despite all that he has done to educate people on environmental issues, the media continue to criticize him for his opinions on climate change and global warming.  They say he is not a climate scientist but a geneticist.  They say he is not qualified to have a climate opinion and that humans are not connected to climate change. 

The truth is that there is something very wrong with our relationship to nature. Anyone can see that!  Scientists with many different backgrounds support Suzuki with his strong and powerful message.  Non-scientists too can see something is wrong with our planet’s recent weather patterns.  We need to bring back some balance to this planet before we destroy the basic ecologies that allow us to survive.  Suzuki writes in his many books on how the sacred balance is broken.  Air, water, and soil are core to our survival as a species.  It is a known fact that the living biosphere is directly connected to our climate.  Humans do have a role in recent climate changes. 

On top of being a geneticist, he has received 24 honorary degrees and has been recognized by the UN for his leadership.  We need more leaders like David Suzuki!  We all need to speak out for the things we believe are important.  Maybe then the media will show some respect. Just maybe...   

Mike Leveille

Director of Biodiversitymatters

Image above by Mike Leveille

CHIMP CHATTER with The Jane Goodall Institute

Jane Lawton, Executive Director of JGI Canada, has just arrived in the Republic of Congo alongside the author of The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary, Andrew Westoll, as well as two of our valued supporters, George Youssef and Susan Warren.  Jane will also be visiting program sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  Check out Jane's blog here for daily hits of life at Tchimpounga and more...

Rio+20 Consultations: Seeking 11 More Young Reporters

In collaboration with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO's Youth Advisory Group and the Sierra Youth Coalition, the RCEN is looking for 11 young people between the ages of 15 and 30 to act as reporters for a series of national Rio+20 Civil Society Consultations. Reporters will interview consultation participants and document the events on video.

http://rcen.ca/public-participation/rio20-consultations-seeking-11-more-young-reporters?utm_source=RCEN+E-Bulletin&utm_campaign=b6b652239a-e_Bulletin_julu_13_2011&utm_medium=email

Application deadline: Friday, July 15

The Friends of the Convention on Biological Diversity

2011- 2020 is the International Decade of BioDiversity. Aligned with the Decade is the 10 Year Plan of Work for the Convention on Biological Diversity. Within both the Decade and the 10 Year Plan, a key outcome is to mainstream BioDiversity across all sectors of society. Working on mainstreaming BioDiversity means engaging all stakeholders and finding the sector enablers, networkers and champions. As a multi stakeholder process, the Friends is interested in engaging as many sectors as possible.

It is in this spirit, you are invited to attend the Friends of the Convention on Biological Diversity Development and Planning Conference to chart the course for the Friends. The day will be facilitated and recorded and will include Welcome and Introductions, Overview of The Convention on Biological Diversity, Evolution of the Friends, Stakeholder Group dialogue and Themes Tables (Your chance to discuss what is important to you), and Next Steps

 

In thinking through how to group people in their different roles, Friends has been using the United Nations Major Group/ CBD Major Group approach and adapting it to the Canadian context to include the following stakeholder affiliations below. If you have any suggestions for other important stakeholder affiliations, please let us know.

If you are interested in attending the meeting on August 5, please reply to friendsofthecbd@mainstreambiodiversity.ca there is a role for all everyone!

If you would like to participate, please also identify the sector(s) you best represent. If you would like to be involved in the Friends but cannot attend the August 5 meeting, please let us know.

The Friends of the Convention on Biological Diversity is envisioned as central element to support the Convention on Biological Diversity in Canada.

Climate change to push over 10 percent of the world's species to extinction by 2100

A new study in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Science has found that by the time today's infants are 90 years old (i.e. the year 2100) climate change could have pushed over 11 percent of the world's species to extinction.  See Jeremy Hance's article at http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0711-hance_climate_extinction.html

Image taken by Michael Leveille at the Canadian Museum of Nature- Ottawa

Costa Rica becomes the 38th Signatory of the Nagoya Protocol

Montreal, 11 July 2011

– On 6 July 2011, Costa Rica became the 38th Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity to sign the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization. Thirty-seven Governments and the European Union have now signed the new international treaty.

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), said: “It is fitting that while the Central American countries are actively engaged in preparing a regional meeting on the implementation of the Nagoya biodiversity compact that Costa Rica, as the host, demonstrates its leadership by becoming the 38th Party to sign the historic Nagoya Protocol.”

The list of signatories to the Protocol is available on the Convention on Biological Diversity website at: www.cbd.int/abs/nagoya-protocol/signatories/.

Durrell News- Silverback Gorilla turns cameraman!

This week one of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust’s most photographed primates turned the tables and became cameraman for the day.

Ya Kwanza the conservation Trusts 27 year old silverback gorilla became adept at snapping close ups of himself with a high definition camera which was encased in an indestructible box and covered with tasty honey and oats.  http://www.durrell.org/gorilla/

Image by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Young Heroes in Kenya

In the past 20 years, Africa has lost half of its wildlife. One of the major threats comes from snares placed to capture wildlife for the bush meat trade. Youth for Conservation (YfC) is a grassroots charitable organization of College graduates who have committed themselves to the protection of Kenya's threatened wildlife.

http://www.youthforconservation.org/

Regional workshop for East Africa on updating national biodiversity strategies and action plans held in Kigali

Montreal, 7 July 2011

– Over four days, biodiversity experts and officials from the East Africa region worked towards implementing the Nagoya biodiversity compact. The Regional Workshop for Eastern Africa on Updating National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), co-organized and co-hosted by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Rwanda Environment Management Authority and the Secretariat of the East African Community, with the financial support of the Government of Japan, was held in Kigali from 27 to 30 June 2011.

Following workshops held for Southern Africa (Botswana), Europe (Germany), and North Africa and the Middle East (Lebanon), West Africa (Senegal), and Central Africa (Republic of Congo), the East Africa workshop is the latest in a series of regional and subregional capacity-building workshops to strengthen national capacities for the development, implementation, reviewing, updating, and communication of national biodiversity strategies and action plans. The next workshop will be held in Quito, Ecuador, from 13 to 15 July 2011).

For additional information, please see: www.cbd.int/nbsap/workshops2.shtml.

WE CAN celebrate sustainability

Here are more images from the July 1st We Canada event at the University of Ottawa.

See http://blog.earthsummit.ca/2011/07/06/oui-canada-en-fete-a-ottawa-we-canada-celebrates-in-ottawa/#more-235

Learning Lessons from Prehistory

Old dusty museums!  We love to see giant skeletons of long lost creatures.  What do you see when you look at a dinosaur or a mammoth?  Extinction came to them because it is a natural process, right?  All species must die sometime.  Our Earth is always changing- the continents are moving, volcanoes are erupting, climate sometimes gets colder, then warmer, and on it goes.

What can we do about today's extinction crisis?  It is the first time in the history of life that a species on Earth can actually prevent the extinction of other species!  We humans are animals too.  We can save what has taken some 5 billion years to create.  Every species is a masterpiece- a Rembrandt or a DaVinci. It is not an asteroid or a comet colliding here, or massive lava flows.  We are the cause this time and we need to bring back the balance in nature.  If we don't we will be the species that is extinct and we will take down many species along with us.  We lost the dodo, the great auk, and the quagga, now it is time to turn this around.  When I see a dinosaur skeleton, I see an amazing opportunity!   

Top image above: Daspletosaurus skull at the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa

Second image above- Hawaii volcano from the US Geological Survey

Bottom dodo image created by Mike Leveille

Look up, look way up!

If you walk around Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Ottawa, Canada on a warm summer evening you might catch a glimpse of a rare bird.  If you hear high-pitched musical chip notes strung together into a rapid twitter, then look up.  Look way up and you may see what some people call a flying cigar- a dark cylindrical body with a short tail and long narrow crescent-shaped wings.

The Canadian Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) population has declined by almost 30% over the last three generations (13.5 years), and there has been a simultaneous and comparable decrease in area of occupancy over the same period of time. This dramatic population decline has led to the recent listing of Chimney Swifts by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as a federally threatened species. Many groups have already recognised the need to monitor Chimney Swift populations.

Macoun Marsh is directly behind this Roman Catholic Church.  Over the past few years the students and science teacher of St. Laurent Academy have monitored this population.  They are successfully breeding and are now flying over the marsh looking for insects.  This evening five individuals were overhead and yesterday seven were seen.  We will continue to monitor this population of swifts.

Image by Mike Leveille

United Nations Decade on Biodiversity launched in Havana for the countries of the Caribbean

Montreal/Havana, 6 July 2011
On the occasion of the 8th International Convention on Environment and Development, being held in Havana from 4 to 8 July, Cuba launched the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020 in Caribbean countries. The event, which took place on 4 July 2011 with the participation of 950 delegates representing 35 countries, was attended by the Vice-President of Cuba, together with the Cuban Ministers of Environment and Education. The ceremony was also attended by the ministers of environment from Angola, Dominican Republic and Sri Lanka as well as Luc Gnacadja, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The launch of the celebration in Havana also coincided with the celebration of the United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification in the region.

Ya Kwanza's departure means a change of Leadership for Durrell's Gorillas

This month Durrell will sadly say goodbye to Ya Kwanza, the magnificent silverback male gorilla who has been a popular resident at the conservation charities wildlife park in Trinity since 1993.  There are several reasons for this change.  To read more on this see:
http://www.durrell.org/Latest/News/Ya-Kwanzas-departure-means-a-change-of-Leadership-for-Durrells-Gorillas/

Above image from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

The 11th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Hyderabad to Host UN Convention on Biodiversity
The 11th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will be held from October 1-19 next year in Hyderabad. Environment Ministers and Forests Ministers of about 194 countries will be attending the Conference, International organisations like World Bank and ADB will also be participating. Nearly 8,000 to 10,000 delegates will discuss issues relating to bio-diversity and bio safety.

IMAGES FROM MACOUN MARSH, OTTAWA, CANADA

Here are some images from this past weekend.

     Image above: Red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus)

Image above: Question mark

Image above: Strawberry fruit

Image above: Twelve-spotted skimmer female

 (Libellula pulchella)

Image above: Cottontail

Image above: Silver-spotted skipper, (Epargyreus clarus)

Images by Mike Leveille (2011)

In My Panamanian Backyard: Birds

Great Kiskadee baby

Red-Legged Honeycreeper 

Lineated Woodpecker



Striped Owl

Mr. Panamá



We Canada- July 1, 2011, University of Ottawa

We Canada is a nation-wide initiative by the Canadian Earth Summit Coalition. We are working for Canadian leadership at the Earth Summit 2012 and in global sustainable development. Our goal is to bring one million Canadian voices to the Summit and to the attention of our government to become the voice of change at the Summit.
 The We Canada Initiative and the Office of Sustainable Development from uOttawa ran their event today.  Hand-made We-Canada t-shirts, bake sale, and presentations were available for all. 
 

Please join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=230794336945976

Follow us on Twitter @OT_WECAN #wecanday