The World Land Trust eBulletin Issue 20, August 2004

In this issue:
Meet the World Land Trust at the British Birdwatching Fair
Belize update: Research Students Spot Jaguar
Save an Acre When You Buy a PC
WLT News in Brief
Get Involved with the World Land Trust: Volunteer Professional Indexer Wanted

Meet the World Land Trust at the British Birdwatching Fair

The WLT will attend the annual Bird Fair at Rutland Water - so come and meet us!

If you are into birds - or any wildlife for that matter - the British Birdwatching Fair is the place to be on the 20th-22nd of August. With stands for everything from camera optics to bird food, books and tourism, the Bird Fair looks set to be as successful as in previous years - this is the Fair's 16th year. Celebrities including Bill Oddie, Chris Packham and Nick Baker will be attending, and many charities and trusts will have stands at the fair.

The World Land Trust will be at Stands number 14 and 15 in Marquee 4, where WLT staff will take turns to man the stands. Come and learn more about the Trust's worldwide conservation projects and let us answer your questions. You will also have a chance to speak to representatives from our local partners in Belize (Programme for Belize) and Ecuador (Fundación Jocotoco) who are coming over to the UK to attend the Bird Fair.

The Bird Fair takes place at Rutland Water near Oakham. We look forward to seeing you there.

Read more on the British Birdwatching Fair's official website
http://www.birdfair.org.uk

Belize update: Research Students Spot Jaguar 

Jaguar basking in the sun.

July saw the return of a research duo from the University of East Anglia (UEA), Sarah & Cory Nash, who have been carrying out field work at the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area in Belize. Speaking to both researchers on their return, it was evident that the expedition had been very successful and enjoyable - so much so it was extended by a month. Aside from their scientific reports, which will be posted on the WLT website later this year, the pair returned with lots of stories about the people and wildlife they saw, including this Jaguar, which they chanced upon whilst collecting data in the field. Jaguars are extremely elusive and many researchers spend months studying their tracks and droppings without actually seeing the animal itself. At the WLT we are therefore very pleased for Sarah and Cory for their lucky sighting, and just a little bit envious...

Sarah & Cory's research expedition was part funded by Jaguar Cars, and supported by the World Land Trust and Programme for Belize.

Read more about WLT's project in Belize
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/projects/belize.htm

Save an Acre When You Buy a PC

ChoclatePC!, an Internet computer company, in conjunction with the WLT, is giving new customers the option of carbon balancing their purchase by saving an acre of rainforest. Director Chris Maule says:

"We're passionate about the environment and the issue of carbon balancing but we also understand the commercial reality of running a business. That's where our mixture of great PC prices and a simple carbon balancing system can combine to save business and home users time, money and the environment. "

Not all customers may wish to carbon balance their PC, but ChocolatePC! will still support the World Land Trust. For every 100 PCs they sell they will buy 6 acres of rainforest. In other words, each computer comes with around 15 free rainforest trees! The initial target is 1000 fully carbon balanced computers, and ChocolatePC! invites all WLT supporters to visit their website for more information.

Visit ChocolatePC!'s website and check their prices
http://www.chocolatepc.co.uk/Default.asp?Ref=WLTE

Learn more about WLT's Carbon Balanced concept
http://www.carbonbalanced.org

WLT News in Brief

Recent WLT Events

The Patagonia Coastal Steppe comes to East Suffolk
On Midsummer’s Eve author Elizabeth Jane Howard opened her wonderful garden in Bungay for WLT to hold a reception for supporters to hear more about life on the Ranch of Hopes Wildlife Refuge in Patagonia. Local supporters Bernard and Oonagh Segrave-Daly spoke about their recent visit to the Ranch, as did former WLT Intern Emma Page , who worked as a volunteer with WLT partner organisation Fundacion Patagonia Natural for a few weeks following her internship. By coincidence, Vivek Menon, Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trust of India, WLT’s partner organisation working on the Elephant Corridor project, was visiting the UK and was able to join us during the evening.

Green Ink Summer Party
This summer also saw a party for the supporters of Green Ink, taking place in London. A lively and talkative group of artists, agents and writers contributed to a successful event, which you can read all about on the WLT website:

Read more about the Green Ink Summer Party
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/sponsors/green_ink-partyMay04.htm

Staff Changes

Claire and Ben

New Staff and Intern at the WLT Office...
The WLT would like to welcome new intern Rachel Beesley, who will be our Project Development Assistant over the next six months. Welcome also to Carla Posen, our new Administration Assistant, who will be working with us until this autumn.

...and a New Addition to the WLT Team
Finally, an extra warm welcome to brand new WLT supporter Baby Ben, who was born 11th July. Ben's mum is Claire Millard, Communications Manager of the WLT.

Get Involved with the World Land Trust:

Volunteer Professional Indexer Wanted

Are you a professional indexer, with a concern for the world's wildlife? Even if you can't afford to donate money to the World Land Trust, you can still help. By donating some of your time. See the WLT website for more information:

Volunteer professional indexer - more information
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/temp/volunteer-indexer.htm