First RAVE Gets Results!

The International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) and Patricio Robles Gil, WILD Trustee and founding member of the ILCP, recently envisioned, developed and implemented the first RAVE (Rapid Assessment Visual Expedition). This innovative communication tool is the first of its kind and experienced a very successful launch in April, 2007! RAVE aims to achieve a full visual and media assessment of an endangered, threatened or previously undocumented ecosystem in a short period of time. Each RAVE team includes several specialized photographers, writers and videographers.

In April 2007 Robles Gil lead the first RAVE team into the El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in the Southern Sierra Madre of Chiapas, Mexico. El Triunfo is one of the biggest and most well preserved cloud forests in Mesoamerica and home to the Resplendent Quetzal, widely considered the most beautiful bird of the Americas. The results of the expedition include roughly 30,000 photographs and 30 hours of video footage, already in use to develop a strategic international awareness campaign.
[Photo by Florian Shulz]

For more information on RAVE visit >>>

Proposed Port in Orissa, India
Threatens Endangered Sea Turtle

Each year nearly 500,000 sea turtles quietly come ashore on the beach of Orissa on the eastern coast of India, in search of a safe spot to nest (each laying up to 120 eggs) – what a sight! This beach in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is one of the only remaining places in the world where this miraculous event consistently occurs.

During the 6th World Wilderness Congress (Bangalore, India) a resolution was passed addressing the mounting concern for the fate of these unique and endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles. The concern continues as new industrial threats escalate. Tata Steel, with Dhamra Port Company Limited, has proposed a deep water port, one of the largest in South Asia, within proximity to the Marine Sanctuary. The port and the subsequent industrial and residential development sure to follow, pose a dire threat to the Olive Ridley population. Global Response, with The WILD Foundation, has initiated an international letter writing campaign to save the turtles - to read more and take action visit >>>

Wildlands Conservation Painting Expedition

Beatriz Padilla, the Mexican environmentalist painter, has embarked on an innovative personal initiative for international wildlands conservation. Padilla’s project, the Wildlands Conservation Painting Expedition, aims to create a potent statement for wildlands conservation through the medium of fine art paintings. Padilla’s paintings use bold colors and unique vantage points to portray endangered and protected wildlands and wildlife. Her driving force is the conservation of wildlands in Mexico, particularly the forests above Cuernavaca, her hometown.

WILD supports Beatriz in her journey, which combines art and conservation in an innovative way. To read more about The Wildlands Conservation Painting Expedition and view a selection of Padilla’s paintings, visit >>>

IJW Online
	Subscribe to the International Journal of Wilderness Read selected articles from past issues of the IJW >>»

Mali Update:
Africa Geographic Feature

WILD’s Mali Desert Elephant project was recently featured in Africa Geographic (July, 2007). The article tells the tale of these desert creatures and their migratory patterns, research gathered as a part of Phase I of WILD’s Mali Elephant Project. WILD now launches Phase II of the project, which will build upon these findings.

Phase II will continue research of the elephants’ patterns, raise public awareness about the herd, provide decision-making tools to institutions involved in land use planning of the area to ensure that the elephants are considered and manage human-elephant conflict. To read more about the Mali Elephant Project visit >>>

AIDs Orphan Training Academy Welcomes Pinky Kondlo

The Umzi Wethu Training Academy warmly welcomes Pinky Kondlo as the new project manager. We also extend a sincere thank you and warm wishes to Debbie Gothan who held this position since Umzi’s inception in 2005.

Pinky comes to Umzi with great experience and enthusiasm. She is currently working towards a master’s degree in counseling psychology and has worked extensively in the field of HIV care and support. Welcome Pinky!

Read more about the Umzi Wethu AIDS orphans project >>>

Jump for Joy - WILD.ORG has a New Look!

We are officially launching our new website www.wild.org - same web address – new look! The new site features fresh photographs and stories from around the world, a blog feature with WILD project updates and other wilderness news, and many new features within each section of the site. The site will be continually updated with information about WILD projects, publications and partners – it is a definite “favorite” for your toolbar!
[Photo by Kevin Shafer]

GO WILD! Travel to Africa…

Are you day-dreaming of an off-the-beaten-path vacation, perhaps in the wild African bush? Or, are you searching for the perfect, exotic and luxurious travel experience? In the Spring of 2008, WILD will offer two one-of-a-kind travel experiences. The Adventure Trip highlights a wilderness trail in the Shamwari Game Reserve, a 61,000 acre game reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa where rhinos, elephants and cheetahs prevail. Travelers will experience the heartbeat of the African wilderness during this unique and adventuresome journey. Luxury travelers will experience the lavish Cape Grace Hotel, located on the waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. With astounding views of Table Mountain and the V&A harbour, world class amenities and fine dining opportunities, travelers are sure to feel relaxed and rejuvenated! This trip also includes a tour of the bountiful South African wine country and a visit to the Shamwari Game Reserve. [Photo by Patricio Robles Gil]

Mark your calendars – the Adventure Trip is scheduled for 2-11 May, 2008 and the Luxury Trip is scheduled for 19-30 May, 2008. Keep an eye on WILD’s website for updates >>>

Announcing The WILD Foundation 2008 Wall Calendars!

The WILD Foundation and the International League of Conservation Photographers are thrilled to present the 2008 wall calendar with a stunning array of photographs from around the world: Yellowstone National Park to the El Triunfo cloud forest; Papua New Guinea to the Arctic. The calendar also features brief conservation messages describing the location, ecosystem or cultural value expressed in each photograph. The photographers for 2008 represent some of the finest in the field of conservation photography – Boulder’s James Balog image graces the cover and others such as Art Wolfe, Patricio Robles Gil, Cristina Mittermeier, Thomas Mangelsen and Robert Glenn Ketchum contributed vibrant images. The calendars make excellent gifts for friends, family and special clients – emphasizing the importance of conservation as we move forward into a new year. Starting mid-November, Calendars will be sold for $10 each on WILD’s website >>>

Bioneers, October 19-21 in Boulder	Turn Over a New Leaf – Search the Internet and Raise $ for WILD!	In the next E-Leaf:
For the second year in a row, WILD will participate as a partner at the Colorado Bioneers, October 19-21 in Boulder CO. WILD will host a table at the event, organized by the CU-Boulder Environmental Center, and share information about WILD’s projects and encourage discussion and action among the local Boulder community. Boulder is one of 21 communities in North America with a Bioneers satellite forum. Bioneers brings together leading scientific innovators and environmental visionaries from around the globe each year to share progressive ideas, offer practical solutions and connect the dots between environment, health, social justice and spirit. WILD looks forward to being a part of this inspiring event! If you are in the Boulder area - stop by, check out Bioneers and be sure to stop by the WILD table!	What if The WILD Foundation earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Well, now we can! GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half of its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results. All you need to do is go to goodsearch.com and be sure to enter The WILD Foundation as the charity you want to support, and start searching. Be sure to spread the word! Visit Goodearch.com >>>	WILD 9 – The Next World Wilderness Congress is Coming! The wild heart of Europe – The Carpathian wilderness Uganda’s Serinya Primary School Zimbabwe – the time to act is NOW

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