ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION BY MONKS- CHINA

Monks of Tibet Autonomous Region, southwestern China have started to teach about plateaus ecology to the young children of the area. This trend had started with the Children of Flower program launched in 2011 considering the fact that rapid tourism development and climate change had been degrading the environmental condition. Also very few children were able to identify the plants and animals of their own locality due to the lack of educational resources.

December 6

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2014-12/06/content_19035237.htm

2nd All Africa Youth Conference On Environment and Climate Change: “Climate change will hit Africa”

YOUTH ENVIRONMENT CARE VOLUNTARY

2nd All Africa Youth Conference On Environment and Climate Change:
“Climate change will hit Africa”
20-21 MARCH 2015, African Union Headquarters, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
Empowering youth to explore their potential in accelerating education on Climate Change

SEARCH FOR THE PINK GRASSHOPPERS

 Red-legged Grasshopper - Melanoplus femurrubrum (Pink Morph)  

Grade 5-6 students at St-Laurent Academy are studying grasshopper populations at Macoun Marsh.  Since last year, pink varieties of the Melanoplus grasshopper have been found.  We are trying to find out how common they are within their population.   

Of 31 specimens caught on Friday, only 2 exhibited the pink colours.  We cooled down their body temperature so we could observe them, then we released the insects.

HAPPY EARTH DAY FROM THE MACOUN MARSH STUDENTS- CANADA!

The rarely seen Ruby-crowned kinglet male

They flare their crown when they are upset!

Spring at Macoun Marsh in Ottawa, Canada

Here are some pictures from today!

A SPLASH of colour- a Female Eastern Comma

Male Goldfinch showing off his colour!

Red-tailed Bumble Bee on a Periwinkle flower

Red-necked False Blister Beetle on Dogtooth Violet

Green frog with frog-specific mosquitoes

Gerald Durrell- Conservation Hero- UK

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 from the Durrell Wildlfe Conservation Trust

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. 

The World Bird Sanctuary (USA)

Over the past few weeks, I have been fortunate enough to volunteer at the World Bird Sanctuary. This is a truly unique experience and gives me a greater appreciation for those who work with animals every day. As a junior volunteer, my duties involve mostly cleaning and food preparation, as well as interacting with the public. I have learned a great deal about the birds and other animals that call the sanctuary home. I can't wait to go back again. If you live near St. Louis, Missouri I strongly encourage you to give the Sanctuary a visit. By educating the public about birds and other animals and facilitating a breeding program, the World Bird Sanctuary does a world of good for biodiversity.

LEADING GIRL BUILDING COMMUNITIES AWARD- ONTARIO, CANADA

The Leading Girls Building Community Award was presented to Jessica Walsh Moreau by Ottawa Centre Member of the Provincial Parliament Yasir Naqvi.  She has been involved in the Macoun Marsh Biodiversity Project since its beginning.  Jessica was also a leader in the 2009 International Youth Symposium for Biodiversity and the formation of the International Youth Accord for Biodiversity that she co-presented in Nagoya, Japan for COP10.     

TORONTO'S GREEN BELT (CANADA)

The Toronto Greenbelt is a broad band of permanently protected land which:

• Protects against the loss and fragmentation of the agricultural land base and supports agriculture as the predominant land use;
• Gives permanent protection to the natural heritage and water resource systems that sustain ecological and human health and that form the environmental framework around which major urbanization in south-central Ontario will be organized; and
• Provides for a diverse range of economic and social activities associated with rural communities, agriculture, tourism, recreation and resource uses.

This is one of the largest green belts of its kind.  

TRAINING PROGRAMS AT THE DURRELL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST- UK

The International Training Centre is situated at Durrell wildlife park (formerly known as Jersey Zoo) in Jersey, headquarters to Durrell Wildlife Conservation. Durrell wildlife park is a world renowned conservation park containing over 130 species including some of the most threatened birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles in the world.

Les Noyers was purchased in 1979 with the express intention of developing a residential programme of endangered species recovery training. Since that time we have trained more than 2800 conservationists from 128 countries in how to save species from extinction.

Participants on our courses spend time in the conservation park learning first hand from Durrell staff about the husbandry techniques, veterinary care and welfare of our exotic collection. Most importantly you will learn how ex-situ management of endangered species can support their recovery in the wild.

 We run 45 projects in 14 countries worldwide. Many of the staff involved in our overseas conservation projects are based at the our wildlife park. Consequently participants on ITC courses will be exposed to the realities of endangered species and habitat recovery projects through lectures, seminars, problem solving activities and skills training direct from our field staff.

Images from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Last week Durrell’s Honorary Director Dr Lee Durrell received her MBE at Buckingham Palace.

After many years of pioneering work for Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Lee collected her well-deserved award from no less than the Prince of Wales. After she was honoured on Thursday in the investiture ceremony, she thanked all the conservationists, members and volunteers for their dedication.

Of her award Lee said: ‘I am very honoured, but I feel it is more for my colleagues and friends at Durrell, past and present, who work tirelessly on our mission of saving species from extinction.’

Lee has been recognized for her major role in protecting endangered species and in particular her outstanding work as co-ordinator in many Madagascar projects. Not to mention her work as a celebrated author, television presenter and pilot.

Image from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust 
 

IMAGES FROM THE NATIONAL GREEN SCHOOLS CONFERENCE IN DENVER, COLORADO

The National Green Schools Conference in Denver just concluded yesterday.

We attended a fresh and dynamic presentation by Alec Loorz, founder of Kids vs Global Warming. Alec was the youngest youth trained under Vice President Al Gore. 

We had a movie screening entitled Carbon Nation

 

Carbon Nation is a film about sustainable solutions to our global problems. An optimistic view showcasing the amazing work of people from all walks of life. The element that connects them all is a passion for protecting our world for future generations. We met Peter Byck, Director and Producer of the film.

Another event we participated in was a solutions summit about effective recycling programs for schools. We explored models of excellence for schools to follow. 

 

We had a zoo visit in Denver

While not all the events were youth-oriented, our youth mentors were privileged to discover that there are amazing solutions to solving many of our environmental challenges. The last event we took part in was a media relations presentation by Sylvia Ewing, an Illinois reporter. This will be a trip that we will remember for a long time.   Mike Leveille

NATIONAL GREEN SCHOOLS CONFERENCE- DENVER, CO.

Here we are at the Green Schools Conference in Colorado

We were able to visit the Denver Zoo before the conference.

The official Conference starts this evening.

Posted by the Grade 6, 7, 8 students of St-Laurent Academy- Ottawa, Canada

  

Macoun Marsh in Ottawa, Canada- Species seen this morning!

Chickadee friend

Goldfinches were common this morning.

About 20 juncos visited our feeders.

 Two male downy woodpeckers fought over a female.  This one is a male.

A robin stayed all winter with us!

BIODIVERSITY MENTORSHIP PROGRAM #3- OTTAWA, CANADA

THEME: POLITICS AND BIODIVERSITY

1. Pauline Thereot (Imagineaction, Canadian Teachers Federation)

2. Brigitte Champaigne-Klassen (Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots)

3. Fred Sherman (2011 PC Candidate for Ottawa, Vanier)

4.Katherine Hobbs (City Councillor - Kitchissippi Ward of Ottawa)

5. Elizabeth Kilvert (Environment Canada)

6. Guiliano Reis (Professor of Education, University of Ottawa)

We welcomed youth to discuss biodiversity issues with the participating community leaders.  To date, about 60 youth from 14 schools have been involved in this community program. 

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!

NEWS FROM THE DURRELL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is delighted that seven of its Bali Starlings, which were bred at the park in Jersey, have now returned to their native island of Bali.

The seven former Durrell residents will be joining 13 other birds bred in captivity in Europe to become part of a Bali breeding programme led by the Begawan Foundation. The returned birds will help increase the genetic diversity in the foundation’s breeding stock, and will settle at their breeding centre in Sibang following an initial quarantine period at Bali Bird Park.

 

Read more at: 

http://www.durrell.org/Latest/News/Durrell-starlings-spread-their-wings-to-take-part-in-breeding-programme-in-their-native-island-of-Bali/

"Wetland Biomonitoring" with the Indian Institute of Science

A training workshop on "Wetland Biomonitoring" is organized on 10 & 11
November 2011 at Centre for Ecological Science, Indian Institute of
Science.
This course is focused on training PhD students who work on the following
research areas (1)Wetlands biodiversity, (2)Wetlands water quality
monitoring,(3)Phytoplankton studies and (4)Wetlands Ecosystem services.

Interested participants are required to fill the application online

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F927G76

The last date for online submission is October 20, 2011.
Photo by Michael Leveille

New map reveals the most biodiverse place on Earth, but already threatened by oil

A new map highlights the importance of conserving Yasuni National Park as the most biodiverse ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere, and maybe even on Earth. Scientists released the map to coincide with the United National General Assembly in support of a first-of-its-kind initiative to save the park from oil exploration through international donations to offset revenue loss.

http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0922-hance_yasuni_map.html