The World Land Trust eBulletin Issue 14 January 2004

In this issue:
Patagonia update: Southern Sea Lion colony at all time high
5 star rating awarded to educational forest conservation website “Focus on Forests”
Ecuador update: Christopher Parsons Rainforest to be expanded
New intern at the World Land Trust
Donate a recipe and win a signed Bruce Pearson print
Looking for a unique Valentine's Gift?

Patagonia update: Southern Sea Lion colony at all time high!

Less than three years ago, the Sea Lion colony at the WLT reserve in Patagonia looked like this. Today, the colony numbers over a hundred individuals.

The Southern Sea Lion was a victim of the fur trade in the past, which caused a significant decline in numbers and in their range. Today, although it is illegal to kill Sea Lions in Argentina, numbers are still declining due to commercial fishing and other factors.

In light of this, the recent colony expansion at Estancia la Esperanza is incredibly important, and shows that under adequate protection Sea Lion populations can flourish. The Estancia La Esperanza reserve, located in the buffer zone of the Valdes Peninsular in Patagonia, was set up for the purpose of conserving wildlife.

If you would like to contribute to the future of the La Esperanza reserve and ensure that wildlife such as the Southern Sea Lion continue to flourish, please make a donation to the World Land Trust. It really is that simple. Urgent funds are needed to develop the existing farm buildings to provide accommodation for researchers and visitors. This will allow the reserve to eventually become self-funding, ensuring the continue protection of this precious resource. Further information can be found on our donation and project web pages or by calling the WLT office on +44 (0) 1986 874 422. Thank you for making a positive contribution to Patagonia’s wildlife.

Read the Sea Lion article in full
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/sea-lion.htm

Read more about the project in Patagonia
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/projects/patagonia.htm

Make a donation to the Patagonia project
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/supporting/donation.htm

5 star rating awarded to educational forest conservation website “Focus on Forests”

Visit the Focus on Forests website
http://www.focusonforests.org

Ecuador update: Christopher Parsons Rainforest to be expanded  Quebrada (River) Christopher Parsons, January 2004, showing Lelis Navarette and Emilio Chalan. The photo was taken by WLT trustee Nigel Simpson, who is one of the major funders of the Ecuador project. John and Vivien Burton of the WLT recently visited the Trust's project in Ecuador to see the Christopher Parsons Rainforest, which was bought last year with money raised in memory of the late Christopher Parsons. WLT's local partner, Fundación Jocotoco, is buying the tract next to the Christopher Parsons Rainforest to expand the current reserve. The Trust is funding this purchase with help and donations from the Rainforest Cafe in London. The WLT would like to organise a group visit, so that some of our supporters can go and see the reserve they helped save first hand. If you would be interested in finding out more about the trip to Ecuador, contact the WLT and we will keep you updated. "The access to Christopher Parsons Rainforest was not easy – a four hour ride on mule, up a very rugged trail. When we finally arrived, it was a fantastic sight – standing on the bank of the Quebrada (River) Christopher Parsons, and looking at over two square miles of forest that Christopher Parsons' colleagues and supporters helped save." John Burton CEO World Land Trust Read more about the Christopher Parsons Rainforest http://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/cparsonsrainforest.htm Read more about the project in Ecuador http://www.worldlandtrust.org/projects/ecuador.htm Make a donation to the Ecuador project http://www.worldlandtrust.org/supporting/donation.htm New intern at the World Land Trust Continuing the World Land Trust’s ongoing Internship Programme, Emma Flaxman joined the WLT team in December 2003 for a six-month placement. Emma graduated last year from the University of East Anglia with a degree in Ecology, where her interest in nature conservation was heightened by a summer spent in Brazil carrying out research. It was there that she formed a greater appreciation for the importance of protecting the world’s endangered habitats. Over the following months, Emma hopes to gain the experience that will stand her in good stead for a future in conservation. STOP PRESS: There are currently three internship vacancies on offer. More information on the Internship Programme including the latest vacancies http://www.worldlandtrust.org/supporting/internships.htm Donate a recipe and win a signed Bruce Pearson print As part of her internship, Emma will be organising a ‘Food for Conservation’ week to increase local public awareness of WLT's projects as well as to raise funds in Halesworth. The event, which will take place in April, will allow the public to try cuisine from the various WLT project countries including Argentina, Ecuador, Belize, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Bulgaria, Brazil, Uganda and India. So look forward to a varied menu! Emma is asking for inspiration from WLT supporters: If you have a recipe from any of the countries listed above that you would like to share with us, we would be very grateful if you could email it to . For a chance to win a signed print by Wildlife Artist Bruce Pearson, please send your recipe before 29th February 2004, and include your contact details, and you will be entered into the prize draw. Full terms and conditions of the wildlife print competition http://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/donate-recipe.htm Looking for a unique Valentine's Gift? With Valentine's Day coming up, why not give a 'green' gift that will last forever? Instead of a buying roses that will soon die, you could save a whole acre of rainforest with all its rare orchids for that special person in your life. If you donate £25 or more and choose 'Valentine' from the list of options, we will send you a Valentine's card and a personalised certificate to give to your loved one. Read more and make a Valentine donation here http://www.worldlandtrust.org/supporting/valentine.htm