The World Land Trust eBulletin issue 12 - November 2003

New Species of Treefrog discovered in Ecuador 

Hyla tapichalaca, the frog species just discovered in Ecuador.

More details about this exciting discovery will soon be available on WLT's website.

Jaguar numbers in Belize increasing

Jaguar numbers are on the up in the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, Belize

Talking to a small group of long-term supporters of PfB, Edilberto produced facts and figures demonstrating that Jaguar numbers really are on the up in the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area (RBCMA). This 260,000-acre reserve in Northern Belize is home to a wide array of wildlife, including 392 species of birds and 200 species of trees, as well as 12 endangered animal species.

The World Land Trust (WLT), which hosted Edilberto's visit, has helped purchase and protect over quarter-of-a-million acres of tropical forest in the RBCMA. In fact, the reason WLT was initially set up in 1989, was to raise funds for PfB.

The World Land Trust still needs your help to support conservation work in Belize, and to ensure the ongoing survival of the Jaguar, as well as the hundreds of other species that depend on the tropical forests for their survival. £25 pays for the protection and management of One Acre of vital tropical forest habitat. Please make a donation now! Secure online donations can be made on http://www.worldlandtrust.org/supporting/donation.htm. Alternatively, you can donate over the phone or by post, using our contact details below.

Elizabeth Jane Howard hosts Belizean reception in Suffolk Edilberto (center) with PFB supporters, in Elizabeth Jane Howard’s conservatory. On 5 November author Elizabeth Jane Howard kindly opened her house in Suffolk to World Land Trust for a reception on the last night of Edilberto Romero’s trip to the UK. Fifty supporters, mainly from East Anglia, came along and heard an update on Programme for Belize from Edilberto and enjoyed a special Belizean Rum Punch made with Parrot Rum which he brought over from Belize.

Bulgarian National Trust study tour resounding success

Representatives from the National Trust EcoFund of Bulgaria, with John Burton and Molly St George from the WLT and Iain Orr, facilitator of the study tour.

The delegation visited Minsmere RSPB, Dunwich Heath National Trust Reserve and Redgrave Fen Suffolk Wildlife Trust Reserve to witness first hand how UK conservation organisations manage and fund their protected areas.They also met with key players from the RSPB, National Trust and the European Bank for Development and Reconstruction to further discuss funding sources and how they could be managed effectively.

The study tour was a resounding success and achieved its target of providing the NTEF with information and contacts to assist them in furthering the development of environmental work in Bulgaria. Because of its international links and networks, the WLT has been able to assist many individuals with study tours and intends to develope more group tours in the future.

Art exhibition raises money for World Land Trust

WLT intern Emma Page, with some of the wildlife paintings on display at the recent exhibition.

As part of the Halesworth Arts Festival earlier this month, the World Land Trust held a Wildlife Art Exhibition at its Bridge Street offices. The exhibition was a great success, raising over £400 for conservation. Original works by well known wildlife artists including Bruce Pearson, Andrew Haslen, Robert Gillmor, Greg Poole, Sir Peter Scott and John Gould were exhibited, and many were for sale. Visitors to the exhibition also had the opportunity to take part in a competition where the first prize, a signed Bruce Pearson print, went to Mrs G. Last from Halesworth. The funds raised will be used for WLT's current projects which are helping protect threatened habitats and their wildlife. The World Land Trust would like to thank all those who helped support us by visiting the exhibition. A special thank you also to Emma Page who organised the event. Because of the positive response we received, we plan to hold a similar event again next year.

Christmas card reminder...

... and WLT's electronic TreeCards