Thank you for follow Rock Environmental, LLC's blog!
We have moved over to Wordpress. Stay posted on the latest from Rock! Here is our new blog --> rockenvironmental.wordpress.com
FOUNDATION & CONSERVATION CONSULTING
For FOUNDATIONS:
Nonprofit Relationship Building & Partnership, Fundraising, Conservation & Humanitarian Project Development
For CONSERVATION:
Sustainable Business Ventures (International), USGBC: LEED AP, Natural Sciences, Wildlife Management, Environmental Management System (EMS) Creation
Friday, June 3, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Rhino poacher shot dead
2011-02-07 14:26
Durban - A rhino poacher was shot dead in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal, Ezemvelo KZN said on Monday.
"Field rangers and members of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park anti-poaching unit shot dead a suspected poacher in an exchange of gunfire in the Makhamisa section of the park late on Saturday afternoon," said spokesperson Jeff Gaisford.
This, after Ezemvelo staff members received information that an attempt had been made to shoot a rhino in the park.
"Ezemvelo staff heard three shots fired fairly close to them. They moved in the direction of the shots and spotted two suspected poachers."
Gaisford said one of the men was armed with an R1 rifle and immediately began firing at the Ezemvelo staff, who returned fire.
"In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, the suspected poacher carrying the R1 rifle was shot dead and the other managed to escape, dropping a .303 rifle in the process." He said none of the Ezemvelo rangers were injured.
"The Ezemvelo group could not immediately locate a rhino carcass and the search was resumed by helicopter early on Sunday," said Gaisford.
"Staff are hoping that the suspected poachers may have missed the rhino altogether, but are continuing to monitor rhinos in the area in case an animal was wounded."
Gaisford said the carcasses of two dehorned black rhinos were found in Zibozini, in the Ophathe Game Reserve, on Friday
"It was estimated that the animals had been shot three days previously. Both horns were missing and it is unclear whether these were removed by scavengers or poachers," he said.
Ezemvelo staff were assisting police from the Richard's Bay organised crime unit in all the cases.
"Field rangers and members of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park anti-poaching unit shot dead a suspected poacher in an exchange of gunfire in the Makhamisa section of the park late on Saturday afternoon," said spokesperson Jeff Gaisford.
This, after Ezemvelo staff members received information that an attempt had been made to shoot a rhino in the park.
"Ezemvelo staff heard three shots fired fairly close to them. They moved in the direction of the shots and spotted two suspected poachers."
Gaisford said one of the men was armed with an R1 rifle and immediately began firing at the Ezemvelo staff, who returned fire.
"In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, the suspected poacher carrying the R1 rifle was shot dead and the other managed to escape, dropping a .303 rifle in the process." He said none of the Ezemvelo rangers were injured.
"The Ezemvelo group could not immediately locate a rhino carcass and the search was resumed by helicopter early on Sunday," said Gaisford.
"Staff are hoping that the suspected poachers may have missed the rhino altogether, but are continuing to monitor rhinos in the area in case an animal was wounded."
Gaisford said the carcasses of two dehorned black rhinos were found in Zibozini, in the Ophathe Game Reserve, on Friday
"It was estimated that the animals had been shot three days previously. Both horns were missing and it is unclear whether these were removed by scavengers or poachers," he said.
Ezemvelo staff were assisting police from the Richard's Bay organised crime unit in all the cases.
- SAPA
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Rhino-poacher-shot-dead-20110207
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Valentine's Day + Idaho conservation = Happy Honey!
Check this out…Horse back riding trip or a white water trip!
…AND help to support the Idaho Natural Resource Foundation!
3 day/2 night Wilderness Horse Packing Trip for Two in Idaho!
Estimated Value $1,350.00
Your guide and experienced mountain horse will transport you back in time to the wilds of the Sawtooth Wilderness where a comfortable camp, great food and western hospitality will compliment the breath taking beauty of high mountain lakes, green meadows and towering peaks.
These are fully furnished, customized horse pack trips. We will set your itinerary depending on your desired activities. Once you are at your lakeshore camp, you can fish, relax or explore the wilderness with day rides or day hikes. Leave your cares behind while our friendly and professional guides take care of all your needs. This is one of the best ways to experience a wilderness vacation.
5 Day/4 Night Wilderness Rafting Adventure for Two
Estimated Value $2,998.00
This 5 day/4 night wilderness rafting trip offers relaxation, adventure, and good times with great people. Join us for thrilling whitewater, amazing wildlife, spectacular scenery, and hearty meals around the campfire.
Bid price includes all meals, necessary equipment, guide services, and transportation beginning from our Salmon departure to our McCall arrival, sales tax, and a $20 per person Forest Service Recreation Charge. It does not include pre or post trip meals and lodging, specialty beverages (liquor), forest user fees (3%), or gratuities.
4 day/3 Night Lower Salmon Rafting Getaway
Estimated Value $2,400.00
The Lower Salmon trip begins 50 miles upstream from the mouth of the Salmon River, continues through the mouth of the Salmon River, and then downstream about 20 miles on the Snake River in the lower end of Hells Canyon on the Idaho/Oregon border to road’s end about 25 miles upstream from Lewiston, Idaho. Though not designated as wilderness, it is back country. There are only a few miles of primitive road along this 70-mile section of river. Terrain consists of rugged grassy slopes rising 3000 feet above the river with scattered strands of timber and basalt rimrock, alternating with miles-long granite canyons. It is low elevation as well as the lower end of the Salmon River; the trips starts at only little over a thousand feet.
Whitewater on the Lower Salmon is similar to the Main Salmon River, though rapids are less frequent. Water temperature is warmer for swimming, into the 70s by mid-summer, with beautiful sand beaches. Small mouth bass fishing is good in late summer and early fall. White water rafting in Idaho can begin early in the spring on this section of river because of the low elevation. During peak of high water in early June, and lasting for several weeks in average snow years, river level can be too high for safety. At that time, Slide Rapids is one of the most difficult sections of whitewater in Idaho.
Mid-summer can be very hot, so we do not schedule trips at that time. Late August and September, when white water rafting in Idaho is winding down in other parts of the state and mid-summer heat has moderated, is the best time to be on the Lower Salmon–one last time to wiggle your toes in summer-warm sand.
By Labor Day temperatures are pleasant, and few people are still on the rivers. September trips are Friday thru Monday, so a trip can be a long weekend rather than a major vacation. Because the trip is only four days and shuttle distance is less, the total cost of the trip is less. For people from the northwest whose travel time to the area is moderate, this is an excellent short trip, and a good introduction to Idaho white water rafting trips. It is one of the most under-rated and over-looked of Idaho white water rafting trips.
Our fall Chukar hunting/steelhead fishing trips are on the Lower Salmon River, where we find more birds than upstream river sections, warmer temperatures, fall colors, and intercept uprunning steelhead earlier.
BID HIGH AND OFTEN – SUPPORT IDAHO CONSERVATION! –> http://t.co/0bGxsoi
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Historic Elephant Announcement by Zambian Government
For Immediate Release January 31, 2011
Washington, DC – Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) is pleased to announce that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will allow the importation of 20 elephant hunting trophies annually from Zambia starting this 2011 hunting season. This historic announcement was made at the 2011 SCI Annual Hunters’ Convention in Reno, Nevada.
“After years of collaboration, the FWS has made the determination that sustainable hunting of elephants will contribute to the enhancement of the survival of elephants in Zambia,” said SCI Foundation President Joseph Hosmer. “As a form of sustainable-use, hunting is a key component of wildlife conservation and management worldwide. The SCI Foundation is very proud to be part of the announcement.”
A formal exchange between the FWS and the Zambian government was made on Thursday, Jan. 27 in conjunction with the SCI Foundation Department of Science-based Conservation and Research. The finding of enhancement by the FWS is a conclusion reached after many years of information sharing, including government to government meetings facilitated at the SCI Convention and the African Wildlife Consultative Forum (AWCF).
Underwritten by the SCI Foundation, the AWCF convenes African governments, world renowned wildlife biologists, professional hunter associations and leading conservation NGOs to share information and discuss current wildlife management issues.
Contact: Nelson Freeman; media@safariclub.org
- SCIF -
The SCI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that funds and manages worldwide programs dedicated to sustainable science-based wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian services, including such programs as Sportsmen Against Hunger, Sensory Safari, Safari Care, Disabled Hunter, the American Wilderness Leadership School, Becoming an Outdoors Woman & More and Youth Education Seminars (YES) Outdoors. Visit www.safariclubfoundation.org for more.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tanzania: Wildlife Management Areas
Wildlife Management Areas in Africa were created to serve a dual purpose. By granting local communities usage rights over wildlife in designated areas, African countries hoped both to allow communities to benefit from their wildlife while taking an active part in conservation. A new paper in published in the open access journal Tropical Conservation Science outlines the current problems facing WMAs, using Tanzania as an example, and recommends possible solutions.
To date there are 16 pilot WMAs in Tanzania, encompassing 135 villages. However, there are a number of challenges facing WMAs, including loss of wildlife habitat and overconsumption of resources.
Agriculture, grazing and settlements have all contributed to habitat loss and fragmentation; as well there is a direct connection between the human density and the decline of wildlife. The study found that in WMAs where the human density was increasing rapidly conservation challenges proved more significant, including the bushmeat trade and unsustainable natural resource exploitation.
Game hunting by tourists and subsistence hunting of some species are allowed in the WMAs, yet, especially in dense areas these allowances need better monitoring to ensure sustainability. In addition, governments must ensure that tourist hunting provides direct revenue for the local communities and isn't just funneled back to the government.
According to the paper, WMAs can be successful in their dual role if they implement frequent monitoring of wildlife, conservation promotion and outreach programs within the communities, and low capacity building to ensure the sustainable-use of natural resources. As an example, the paper points to successful beekeeping in the WMAs of Uyumbu and Ipole, a program which provides additional income without hurting the environment.
Finally, the study recommends that the formation process for WMAs is simplified. As it is, the complexity of establishing a WMA makes the process slow and cumbersome: some communities have had to wait up to 10 years for WMA status.
Wilfred, P. 2010. Towards sustainable Wildlife Management Areas in Tanzania. Tropical Conservation Science Vol. 3 (1):103-116.
To date there are 16 pilot WMAs in Tanzania, encompassing 135 villages. However, there are a number of challenges facing WMAs, including loss of wildlife habitat and overconsumption of resources.
 Elephants in Tanzania. Photo by: Rhett A. Butler. |
Game hunting by tourists and subsistence hunting of some species are allowed in the WMAs, yet, especially in dense areas these allowances need better monitoring to ensure sustainability. In addition, governments must ensure that tourist hunting provides direct revenue for the local communities and isn't just funneled back to the government.
According to the paper, WMAs can be successful in their dual role if they implement frequent monitoring of wildlife, conservation promotion and outreach programs within the communities, and low capacity building to ensure the sustainable-use of natural resources. As an example, the paper points to successful beekeeping in the WMAs of Uyumbu and Ipole, a program which provides additional income without hurting the environment.
Finally, the study recommends that the formation process for WMAs is simplified. As it is, the complexity of establishing a WMA makes the process slow and cumbersome: some communities have had to wait up to 10 years for WMA status.
Wilfred, P. 2010. Towards sustainable Wildlife Management Areas in Tanzania. Tropical Conservation Science Vol. 3 (1):103-116.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Letters of Support - Fundraising for Idaho!
The Idaho Natural Resource Foundation (Idaho NRF) was met with positive support after the presentation on December 15, 2010. Britt Hosmer Peterson, Idaho NRF Consultant, asked attendees to commit to sending out letters requesting support of the foundation. The letters will be sent to outfitter and guide's clients throughout the year, preferably immediately following the client's trip in Idaho. By the end of the presentation, attendees had collectively promised to send out over 500 letters!
If you did not attend the presentation and would like to receive the postage-paid, pre-stuffed letters from the Idaho NRF office - simply call Janey now at 208.342.1438!
We've designed these letters so simply that all you have to do it write your client's name and address on the envelope and pop it in the mail! How easy is that?! By you committing to send out a handful of letters you are supporting conservation work in Idaho. In advance, we'd like to thank you for your time and help!
All funds raised will be going into the Idaho NRF general endowment fund. This is the lifeblood of any organization. This is the money that keeps the foundation going, it enables us to create, organize, and manage projects throughout the state. It helps you with your outdoor business, supporting the natural resources you make a living from.
Idaho NRF was designed to help fund IOGA projects, through raising money outside of our small community of outfitters and guides. Please do your part in raising money for our 2011 general fund!
Call Janey now and commit to sending out at least one letter. Do not wait: 208.342.1438.
You can also e-mail Britt to find out other ways you can personally contribute. She'd love to hear any new fundraising ideas you may have!
Some homework...
Please visit our website
Follow us on Twitter: @IdahoNRF
Like us on Facebook: Idaho Natural Resource Foundation
Thank you everyone!
Friday, January 7, 2011
In the Tracks Of Giants, Ian McCallum
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
In the Tracks Of Giants, Ian McCallum
Check out the "In the Tracks of Giants" facebook page to keep up to date on the expedition through southern Africa!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-the-Tracks-of-Giants/174196872602757
...also check out Ian McCallum's speech at the World Wilderness Congress 9...
http://www.wild.org/video/wild9-ian-mccallum-english-2/
Check out the "In the Tracks of Giants" facebook page to keep up to date on the expedition through southern Africa!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-the-Tracks-of-Giants/174196872602757
...also check out Ian McCallum's speech at the World Wilderness Congress 9...
http://www.wild.org/video/wild9-ian-mccallum-english-2/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)