Macoun Marsh Update- Ottawa, Canada

Lunch with Grade 6s

Our students were among the first to try out Environment Canada's Ottawa-Gatineau Biokit. This kit will be used for local schools.

One of the marsh's green frogs.

Two orphan baby raccoons were discovered near the marsh by Cemetery staff yesterday. The babies will be sent to an animal care center today. Our students got to observe them- teachers too!

A beautiful baby!

CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE HIMALAYAS- NEPAL

During the last 25 years, Himalayas have witnessed warming about three times faster than the global average temperature, including increase in average annual precipitation and annual mean temperature by 6.52 millimeter and 1.5 degree Celsius per year respectively. The study which covered around 90 percent of the total Nepal Himalayas was based on the satellite imagery from NASA. For the first time this study has documented climatic and phonological changes at the landscape level in the Himalayas.
18 May
The Kathmandu Post
India- Himalaya

HOME OF RARE BLACK TIGERS UNDER THREAT AS INDIAN MINISTER VISITS UK

LONDON: As Naveen Pattnaik, Chief Minister of the Indian State of Odisha, continues his nine-day visit to the UK, campaigners say urgent action is required to stop the destruction of his State’s precious environment and protect the rare tigers living in it.

Located in Eastern India, Odisha is home to Simlipal National Park, the only known habitat of the elusive melanistic, or black, tigers.

Mr Pattnaik is in Britain to promote his home state and to discuss development issues with the UK Government’s Department for International Development. The UK has long been a major donor to the region and since 1999 has invested£183m in projects in Odisha.

The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) believes the security and management of critical ecosystems such as Simlipal must be on the agenda during his visit.

EIA campaigners visited Simlipal earlier this month and were alarmed to witness the plight of security staff; unarmed and without proper equipment, training or support, they are still expected to protect the forest from poachers, illegal logging and encroachment.

Simlipal is one of India’s oldest tiger reserves. Declared in 1973 under Project Tiger, it contains 2,750 sq km of forest and is prime habitat for tigers, prey species and elephants.

But with frontline staff paid less than US$50 per month and lacking even basic necessities such as mosquito nets, anti-malarial medicines and food rations, protection of the reserve has suffered. In recent years, the park has seen numerous cases of wildlife poaching, elephant killings and incursions by Maoist insurgents. In February 2012, approximately 1,000 armed people entered the park to hunt wildlife, including species upon which tigers depend for food.

Two missions were dispatched by India’s National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to investigate the state of the park following raids by militants in 2009 and the high-profile killing of elephants in 2010. A number of recommendations were made seeking to “seriously shake up” the running of the reserve, but so far the Odisha state government appears unwilling to implement them.

“This is not a question of money,” said EIA Campaigner Alasdair Cameron.“The crisis at Simlipal is due to a failure of political will. There have been several studies highlighting the steps that need to be taken, but there has been very little action on the ground by the State.

“At the most basic level, how can a man with no jeep, no weapons, little training and no malaria nets be expected to look after some of the world’s most precious habitats?”

Among the NTCA’s calls are action to address the involvement of some forest officers in concealing incidents of elephant poaching, creation of an independent monitoring body and a wildlife crime intelligence-gathering system, special efforts to seize illegal firearms, and proper funding for enforcement.

“All the money Mr Pattnaik might need to do this is already to hand – all that’s lacking is his will and that of his administration to responsibly implement the NTCA’s recommendations,” added Cameron.

“The situation in Simlipal is a classic example of the problems facing the tiger. While national governments draft good strategies on protected areas and attend meetings of CITES or the Global Tiger Initiative, on the ground we find mismanagement, apathy and corruption are destroying habitats, endangering wildlife and harming livelihoods.”

MACOUN MARSH UPDATE- OTTAWA, ONTARIO

Today a group of Grade 7 students visited the Macoun Marsh.

We found a large blue-spotted salamander!

He is a big guy!

Red-wing male setting up his territory. 

MACOUN MARSH UPDATE- ONTARIO, CANADA

With the unusually warm weather, here is a look at the marsh today: 

Chipmunk emerging

Downy woodpecker

Cooper's Hawk

Mining bees on snowdrops

Blue-spotted salamander

Scarlot cup fungus



INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE ON THE ENVIRONMANT IN NAGANO

LET 4 DAYS STAY IN NAGANO, JAPAN INSPIRE YOU!
There will be a conference on June 14-17, 2012.  Please see this link: http://globe.nagano-ep.net/conference/en/index.html

Durrell celebrates 25 years conserving the ploughshare tortoise in Madagascar

As 2011 comes to a close Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is celebrating 25 successful years of saving species from extinction in Madagascar with the reintroduction into the wild of 20 captive-bred ploughshare tortoises, or angonoka, the world’s most threatened tortoise and the first species Durrell worked with in Madagascar.

Recently 20 tortoises were moved from the breeding centre at Ankarafantsika National Park to a secure site within their natural habitat in preparation for their release into the wild. The animals are marked and fitted with microchips and radio transmitters for close monitoring.

The tortoises’ arrival in their native land coincided with the annual Festival Angonoky on 24th and 25th November in Soalala, a two-day festival celebrating the communities’ commitment to conserving the ploughshare tortoise.

Image by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

CHECK THIS OUT!

Check this out- I really like it. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XQIxr4gRQM

Mike Leveille (Biodiversitymatters Director)

BIODIVERSITY YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM- OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA

Students from Notre Dame led the day's tour.  Since this past September, almost 6o youth from 14 schools have been involved. 

A winter look at our native butternut tree.

Bohemian and cedar waxwings were seen on winter berries. 

Feeding chickadees!

MACOUN MARSH OTTAWA, CANADA

Here are some images and video from Macoun Marsh.

The Grade 6 class of St-Laurent Academy

Feeding chickadees with sunflower seeds!

Chickadees are wonderful little birds common in our local forests. 

Gold standard in the UK’s leading sustainable tourism certification

Livingstone's fruit bat (Richard Wainwright)

Following a recent inspection and audit Durrell is delighted to have been recognized by the Green Tourism Business Scheme and awarded Gold accreditation.

The conservation charity, headquartered at the world renowned Trinity wildlife park, is one of only three organizations in Jersey to achieve the Gold standard in the UK’s leading sustainable tourism certification scheme.

Commenting on Durrell’s green initiatives and management policies, Jon Proctor of Green Tourism said “Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust operates an innovative wildlife park which cares for endangered species from the most threatened habitats in the world. It is an iconic attraction for Jersey and supports positive community activities from recycling to species conservation, including the red-billed chough and agile frog, both locally endangered”

Discussing some of the latest initiatives at the 32 acre site he continued; “New developments have embedded and pioneered sustainable best practice from an ‘earthship’ style bat tunnel, built with old tyres, glass and straw, to a new entrance, restaurant and shop with sun pipes, LED lights and recycled furniture. The Trust does a lot of international training and development and offsets all carbon through rainforest protection and tree planting in Brazil. They have made good progress since the last assessment and are worthy Gold award winner.”

Applicants to the Green Tourism Business Scheme must demonstrate a commitment to sustainable tourism and implement a range of procedures minimising damage to the environments in which they operate. Furthermore member organisations must meet minimum standards of good practice across a range of sustainable development indicators.

Durrell Site Environmental Coordinator Gordon Hunt said “We are delighted to have achieved the Gold Award from Green Tourism. Durrell are dedicated to promoting a sustainability ethos in everything we do and hope to continue to strive to communicate this to all our stakeholders”

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

BUILDING THE TREE OF LIFE- OTTAWA, CANADA

How fun it is to create a huge model of biodiversity with animal and plant toy replicas. (St-Laurent Academy Elementary and Junior High School)

OTTAWA BIODIVERSITY YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM- CANADA

Giving a tour to the Macoun Marsh with the Ottawa Paleontology Club

What a busy schedule we have for our biodiversity youth mentors. We continue to network with local schools, government, museums, and NGOs. Mr. L.

MARSH- BIODIVERSITY TOURS AND COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS (September- November)
September 17, 2011- Biodiversity Mentorship Program #1 at ASLA (10:00-Noon) 40 visitors with Notre Dame Catholic, St. Patrick High, Devonshire Public, and Henry Larson Public, among others.

September 21, 2011- National Tree Day (4pm with the Government of Canada at CMN)

September 28, 2011- St. Francis Xavier High School visit (10:00-Noon) (45 students)

September 29, 2011- Henry Larson Public School Grade 6 enriched students (10:45am- 1:00pm) 13 visitors

October 1, 2011- Paleontology Club Macoun Marsh Tour (10:00-11:00am) 8 visitors

October 2, 2011- St-Joseph Catholic Church gathering (12:30 to 2:00pm) 13 visitors

October 7, 2011- Launch of the Trans Canada Trail BioKit (1:00pm) with the Minister of Environment Canada in attendance/ Jacques Cartier Park/ 20 - 30 students from ASLA and Devonshire Public Schools invited.

October 11, 2011- Scouts Canada- Macoun Marsh tour (6-7 pm) 50 visitors

October 15, 2011- Biodiversity Mentorship Program #2 at ASLA (10:00-Noon)

November 5, 2011- EcoMentors Conference at St. Paul’s University, Ottawa

November 12, 2011- Biodiversity Mentorship Program #3 at ASLA (10:00-Noon)

November 26 and 27, 2011- “Community Experts” at the Canadian Museum of Nature highlighting conservation efforts and initiatives that play an important role in promoting natural history education. We are looking for 15 youth for this 2 day event between our partners.

“Artist in Residence” Gina the orangutan (UK)

For the month of October Durrell Wildlife Park will host an exhibition of photographs and artwork by volunteers, staff and even a few drawings from Durrell’s very own “Artist in Residence” Gina the orangutan.

At 7pm on Monday 3rd, the event will kick off with a talk by Gordon Hunt, senior orangutan keeper, on his recent trip to Sumatra tracking wild orangutans. The talk and exhibition will be held in Durrell’s Princess Royal Pavilion.  To read more see http://www.durrell.org/Latest/News/Gina-the-orangutan-picks-up-pencil-to-help-ape-conservation/

Images by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

MACOUN MARSH UPDATE- OTTAWA, CANADA

Yesterday we discovered a group of green frogs sitting under a goldenrod plant looking upwards.  We soon discovered that they were carefully watching pollinating insects and would jump up to catch their prey! Awesome to watch!  Mike Leveille

Bird flu in Assam- INDIA

In Assam, culling of wild and domestic birds to stop the spread of avian flu, has started in Dhubri district. More than 4,000 birds at Bhamundanga have been culled, which is regarded as the epicenter of avian flu in Dhubri district. About 24,000 birds will be culled in the affected zone.

September 15

Times of India

Calgary Zoo black-tailed prairie dog research in Grasslands National Park- Canada

The Calgary Zoo’s Centre for Conservation Research, in collaboration with Parks Canada, is leading multi-year research on Canada’s only black-tailed prairie dog population, located in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan. The research on this keystone species aims to determine what influences prairie dog distribution and population dynamics within the grassland ecosystem.

Black-tailed prairie dogs play a pivotal role in the short and mixed grass prairie. Known as ‘ecosystem engineers,’ they dig extensive burrow systems, which provide refuge for other grassland species. They are also a significant prey source for animals such as the recently reintroduced black-footed ferret. As specialist predators of prairie dogs, ferret recovery in Canada hinges on the health and persistence of prairie dog colonies.

Over the last century widespread pest control campaigns, habitat loss and disease caused the extirpation of prairie dogs from over 98 percent of their original North American distribution. Although Canada’s prairie dogs reside in a national park and are protected from anthropogenic threats, their small population size, isolation from other colonies and location on the northern edge of their range, may make them more vulnerable to extirpation. In order to evaluate their persistence or implement effective conservation strategies, a thorough understanding of the factors driving their distribution and abundance is needed.

Biologists from the Husky Energy Endangered Species Program at the Centre for Conservation Research use techniques such as live trapping, vegetation sampling, visual surveys and motion sensor cameras to assess size, density and overall health of the prairie dog colonies. The knowledge gained will be used to determine locations for the proposed black-footed ferret release this fall; to understand how climatic factors, resource availability and disease influence the restoration and persistence of the ferret-prairie dog system; and to inform current and future recovery strategies to ensure both ferrets and prairie dogs remain a part of this highly endangered ecosystem.

ONE TIGER SKIN, ONE TIGER KILL

Police arrested one person with tiger skin and 10 kg tiger bone in Krishnapur of Kanchanpur district, farwest Nepal. The poacher with an accomplice on a motorcycle, was caught during a regular night check. However, his accomplice managed to flee.  In another report, a tiger from Chitwan National Park killed a 45 year old man. The victim was one of 11 people who were going to the Narayani River for fishing.

August 24, 29

Kathmandu Post, Himalayan Times

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.

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