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Sep 2007
Some members of the Peruvian government tried to introduce a bill to congress to allow oil and gas exploration in the Bahuaja Sonene National Park (BSNP), described by the National Geographic Society as one of the world's seven "iconic natural sanctuaries", however a huge uproar amongst conservation groups, grassroots organisations, universities, the director of the Peruvian protected areas network, and even a congressman from the USA, with additional pressure in the form of national and international web-petitions, successfully resulted in the bill being hastily withdrawn. It is unlikely to show itself again, if ever.
Web-petition sites:
1. www.salvemoscandamo.com
2. www.thepetitionsite.com

150,000 square kms NE Brazil granted special protection

Feb 2007

An area the size of England has been placed under protection by the Brazilian government in a move which has been welcomed by many international conservation groups including Conservation International.

The overall 150,000 square km area is composed of seven sub-sectors all within the state of Pará in Northern Brazil. Designation has been made in three categories: state parks, strictly protected areas (SPAs) or environmental protection areas. SPAs will be closed to everyone except those conducting research. The remaining five areas will be open to tourists and local communities.

The designations were supported by a US $1million grant from Conservation International and described by José Maria Cardoso da Silva, the organisation’s vice president of science, as “one of the major conservation announcements of the last decades”.

The seven newly protected areas will link reserves in Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname and Guyana to form a substantial wildlife corridor which is believed to account for more than a quarter of the world’s remaining humid tropical forests.

The Intendancy for Protected Areas in Peru (IANP), a subdepartment within the Peruvian government's National Institute for Natural Resources (INRENA), has recently published a website for the Tambopata National Reserve (TNR). This site features general information on the flora and fauna of the reserve, local human populations, management and planning documents, recent research articles, updates on the Vilcabamba Amboro Conservation Corridor, newsletters, general links and photos.

www.inrena.gob.pe/ianp/web_tambopata/main.html

For fieldwork and teaching grants available from the Royal Geographical Society for between £350-£15,000 see: http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Fieldwork+and+Expeditions/Fieldwork++introduction.htm

The Society provides funding for geographical research, fieldwork and teaching. The grants are wide-ranging and offer support to desk and field-based researchers, research teams and school teachers. Grants are for work in both the UK and overseas and range in value from £350 to £15,000.

Expeditions & Fieldwork. Grants for undergraduate teams and other research expeditions
Journey of a Lifetime Award. An original journey to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4
Students. Funding for undergraduate, Masters and PhD student
Research. Grants for post-doctoral research and established scientists
Teaching: Grants for geography teachers and lecturers

Grants Officer:
T +44 (0)207 591 3073
F+44 (0)207 591 3001

National Geographic Offers Grants to Young Scientists, Explorers

WASHINGTON (Oct. 30, 2006)-Budding field researchers, explorers and conservationists now will be able to get an early start on their dreams.

A Young Explorers Grants Program, aimed at individuals ages 18 to 25, has been launched by the National Geographic Society, with support from

Lindblad Expeditions, the nation's pioneer in expedition travel to remote and locations.

Twenty-five to 50 grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 will be provided each year to a select number of young adults who apply.

Applications will be reviewed by a subcommittee of National Geographic's existing grant-making bodies - the Committee for Research and Exploration, the Expeditions Council and the Conservation Trust. Grants will be made in fields traditionally supported by National Geographic, such as archaeology, wildlife biology, conservation and adventure.

"Few resources are currently available for young people who are hungry to pursue field science and exploration, and these grants can mean the difference between getting to the field or not," said Rebecca Martin, director of National Geographic's Expeditions Council. "We're excited about offering first-time opportunities to individuals who may be the world's next generation of field researchers, explorers and conservationists."

Information on grant applications is available at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/yeg/ .