2nd Quarter 2009 Newsletter: June 2009
Anti-Poaching
Microlight Pilot Appointment
FCF’s microlight division recently hired a second pilot, Doug Braum. Doug brings years of bush experience to the organization and we look forward to working with him. He will compliment an already efficient component of our anti-poaching division and should further streamline our field operations. Happy flying Doug!
Msima Operation
As the bush continues to dry up following a late rainy season, the teams should continue to improve and make further inroads. The Maswa and Ugalla Game Reserves now have two full-time RAT teams patrolling and the presence of 2 microlights will also have a positive effect on operations. A special operation is being undertaken in the Msima area of the Ugalla Game Reserve: joint efforts between the Wildlife Division Game Wardens, members of the specialized Zonal Anti-poaching Unit and FCF rangers and pilots will focus on a notoriously dangerous area in an attempt to snuff out elephant and hippo poaching in the Reserve.
We are at the halfway point in 2009 and the following reflect our field personnel’s efforts so far this year:
853 poachers have been arrested
27 firearms, including 9 automatic weapons, have been confiscated
Community Development
Mzuri Wildlife Foundation Tree Project and Hobby Tree Project
Through the generous support of the Mzuri Wildlife Foundation, FCF is preparing to implement a $30,000 environmental education and reforestation program in 30 schools in three districts of western Tanzania near the Moyowosi Ecosystem. This program will focus on environmental education through workshops with student groups in each school together with establishment of indigenous tree nurseries which will be run by the student groups.
A similar project is already underway through the generous support of the Hobby family. Environmental workshops have been held and tree nurseries are being established in 12 secondary schools near the Ugalla, Maswa and Natron/Monduli wildlife areas.
In order to raise awareness on the FCF reforestation programs, Aurelia Mtui represented FCF as the guest of honor to open the National Malihai Club Conference on the 10th of June 2009, attended by student representatives from across the country. Malihai Clubs of Tanzania is the organization under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division that disseminates conservation education to Tanzanian youth in schools. There is a strong effort to expand the reach of the Malihai Clubs and through the tree nursery program FCF is working closely with these student Environmental Clubs to start up indigenous tree nurseries for planting at the schools and in the wider community.
Natron Villages
FCF has been facilitating the negotiations of an agreement between the Maasai villages of Natron Game Controlled Area and Wengert Windrose Safaris (WWS). This agreement reestablishes the partnership between the public and private stakeholders. FCF community development has played an important role in mediating and negotiating on behalf of WWS in the hope of reaching an agreement which provides tangible benefits to the community from hunting and photographic operations in the Natron Area while allowing the company to operate on community land. This agreement, which involves 16 villages in northern Maasailand is awaiting final confirmation and signing from all the villages. FCF is pleased to have played a role in reestablishing the mutually beneficial partnership. FCF recognizes the importance of engaging the community in development and wildlife conservation and we are pleased to have reached this stage in maintaining positive relationships with the communities.
Brittany Hosmer
FCF is pleased to welcome Brittany Hosmer to the FCF team. Brittany is the President of Rock Environmental LLC, which provides businesses with the solutions and strategies enabling them to become more profitable through efficient and creative environmentally sound practices. Brittany will be working with FCF in fundraising, donor relations and on-the-ground implementation of projects to expand our impact in community development.
Brittany grew up on the coast of Maine and started her work in southern Africa in 2000 for a small, family owned and operated safari company. Brittany's experiences in tourism led to further involvement in wildlife conservation and community development in Africa. She is actively involved with organizations like Safari Club International Foundation and Shikar Safari Club.
Brittany holds a Bachelor’s of Technology Degree (B.Tech, Hons.) in Ecotourism Management (Natural Sciences and Business Management) from Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, South Africa. She is also a LEED Accredited Professional.
Community Conservation Banks (COCOBAs)
FCF Community Development is focusing increasingly on programs which have a direct link to conservation and empower individuals in a community. This year, through the community development funds allocated from hunting revenue generated in 2008, FCF is planning to establish COCOBAs in several villages surrounding the reserves.
The concept of COCOBA savings and credit groups has developed out of the micro-finance movement and has proved to be a highly successful tool for empowerment and poverty alleviation as well as a forum for conservation through eco-friendly enterprise initiatives.
Research
Surveys: 2009
We have been planning our surveys for this year, which will take place over the upcoming months. In August we will begin with a lion survey in the Moyowosi Game Reserve, using calling stations to estimate numbers and population dynamics. This survey will be followed in mid-September by a total count of buffalo and elephant in Ugalla Game Reserve. The survey season for 2009 will end with an SRF in Muhesi-Kizigo. These surveys will be performed in close collaboration with TAWIRI. Petri Viljoen will be joining us for these surveys, providing us with his numerous years of experience as a consultant in Africa.
Mike Beckner has become the latest member of FCF to be certified as an official game counter, as he completed the TAWIRI-certified game counting course in June. We look forward to his assistance over the upcoming surveys.
Field Database
The field database is nearing completion, and we are now on the testing stage of the process. After successful testing of the database we will begin the time-consuming task of data entry. We would like to use local graduates as volunteers for this task, introducing them to the types of data that are important in managing a conservation fund.
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