AHEAD Update – September 2004

Dear AHEAD colleagues:

Please note: this update includes information on two potential funding sources, both with October 31st deadlines.

* I should again note that if you wish to be removed from this e-mail list please just let me know. My hope is to keep parties interested in AHEAD up-to-date on developments post-Durban World Parks Congress over time, but I certainly understand if anyone wants to opt out of receiving such messages. Updates are also posted (and archived) on the AHEAD website at www.wcs-ahead.org,

*The minutes from the 4th meeting of the AHEAD Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (AHEAD GLTFCA) Working Group (June 7 & 8 Maputo, Mozambique) are now available as a downloadable pdf at http://www.wcs-ahead.org/workinggrps_limpopo.html. We are looking at the possibility of holding the next AHEAD GLTFCA Working Group meeting in October, and we will be in touch with those of you on the Great Limpopo email list shortly.

*The AHEAD Proceedings are still in the editorial phase, due to a career change suddenly undertaken by one managing editor and illness affecting her replacement. I am sure this is no reflection on the content! Thankfully, the second editor is recovering from her health problem, and progress on the Proceedings continues with an early 2005 publication date likely. I just didn't want you to think we'd forgotten about all of those papers!

Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka reports Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) is doing well. Her Royal Highness, Sylvia Nagginda (Queen of Buganda) has become a patron of the CTPH, which is quite an honor. CTPH has received funding from the Uganda Communications Commission to set up a computer training center in Bwindi which they are calling a Conservation ICT Kiosk. The Wildlife Conservation Society Field Veterinary Program has provided a grant to help train rangers and trackers to use hand held computers for mountain gorilla data collection. In addition, the US Fish and Wildlife Service Great Ape Conservation Fund has recently agreed to support a CTPH mountain gorilla health monitoring and community education campaign. Development Cooperation of Ireland has agreed to fund work to strengthen Community Based Direct Observation of TB treatments in local communities in and around Bwindi and Mgahinga (this program involves training community members to administer TB treatments to their sick neighbors, which seems to more reliably lead to completion of treatment regimens), a very important issue in the area.

If you have items for the next AHEAD Update, please just let me know – thanks.

Funding opportunities:

1. The Whitley Laing Foundation (WLF) offers a range of awards for nature conservation work. Projects must be pragmatic, sustainable, long lasting and emphasise the benefits of wildlife and habitat conservation to local communities. The WLF aims to provide support through the career path of a conservationist, starting with Rufford Small Grants of up to £5,000 and moving on to Whitley Awards and Continuation Awards of up to £30,000 each. Dale Lewis of Zambia, for example, won a 2003 Whitley Award for some of the work you heard about at the AHEAD Launch in Durban. The Whitley Awards are the highest profile of the WLF grant and award schemes, and are given at the end of April each year. The deadline for application forms and three references is 31st October. Please see http://www.whitleyaward.org, in particular the pages on 'How to Apply' and 'Frequently Asked Questions,' for the application criteria. If you would like further information on eligibility, potential applicants are welcome to call either the Foundation Manager, Georgina Ponder or Director, Louisa Mitchell, to discuss at (UK) +44 (0)207 602 3443.

2. The BP Conservation Programme (BPCP) runs an annual Conservation Awards competition that provides funding for conservation projects run by teams of young conservationists around the world. The overall aim of the Programme and the Awards is to engage young conservationists and develop their skills through field experience and training. WCS, FFI, BirdLife and CI, are conservation partners in the BPCP. All applications must be received by the 31st October 2004. There have been some changes to the guidelines and application form this year so, even if you are familiar with the process, you should visit the BPCP website for the latest information at http://conservation.bp.com/applications/default.asp

Please don't forget to check out the new AHEAD website at www.wcs-ahead.org. The site is yours to use. A number of Working Groups now have documents posted, and we encourage you to utilize the site if it helps you in terms of coordination and information-sharing. Comments on the site most welcome! Thank you.

All the best,

Steve O.