Huarango Nature’s Post

A well intended but inaccurate take on marine life in museums. I disagree strongly with the claims: 1. "By its simplest definition, to exploit something is to take advantage of it. In other words, removing living marine life from their natural marine habitat is an act of ocean exploitation. Not to mention that this act of removal has a significant negative environmental impact on marine biodiversity within marine ecosystems." The order of magnitude of "removal" is significant. There is a big difference between commercial harvesting, biodiversity research and individuals collecting. Something which the author of the blog ignores. It has to be acknowledged there are historic specimens in Natural History Collections that were collected without consideration impact on the marine environment. However in the present day, collection is usually carried out with an attempt to minimise the impact on the environment where the "removal" is occurring. For example, calculating the minimum sample size/ number of specimens to collect is a common undertaking in many surveys. In addition to this there are licenses that must be gained if collecting protected species or in protected areas. 2. "Museums need to acknowledge, and ideally cease, their active participation in order to fully be transparent and work towards their commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), one of which is SDG 14: Life Below Water." Displaying, collecting, preserving and studying marine life is not inconsistent with work towards the SDG 14. It is actually the process by which knowledge about biodiversity and sustainability is gained. It is not an activity museums should "ideally cease". It is an activity that museums have to ensure is carried out legally, ethically and with minimal impact on the marine environment. Without collected specimens how can identifications be confirmed, measurements taken or genetic studies be carried out?

Last week, international scientists and environmentalists gathered at the Vjosa Delta, Europe's last remaining wild river delta. The event, called Vjosa Delta Science Week 2024, provided an exceptional opportunity to explore and appreciate an ecosystem that remains free from industrial dams. Highlights from the Event: ➡ In-depth Research: Teams conducted extensive studies, capturing valuable data on the unique biodiversity and hydrological patterns. ➡ Collaborative Efforts: Experts from various disciplines shared insights, enhancing our understanding of natural river dynamics and their ecological significance. Why It Matters: The research conducted at Vjosa is crucial for global conservation strategies. It serves as a powerful example of the ecological richness and resilience of undisturbed river ecosystems, informing future environmental policies and practices. Looking Ahead: The findings from this week will be compiled into comprehensive reports aimed at advocating for the protection of similar natural habitats worldwide. This event has set the stage for ongoing collaboration in environmental science and conservation. 🔗 Missed the event but want to catch up on the discoveries and discussions? Check out the details here: https://lnkd.in/dz_JdBVx #VjosaDelta #Conservation #Sustainability #ScienceWeek

Today is the United Nations International Day for Biological Diversity! Back in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit, 150 governments signed The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), created to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable development. The Convention is a practical tool that connects plants and animals with human needs of food, medicine, clean air and water, shelter and a healthy environment, as well as recreational and cultural practices. Depending on your interests, the Convention holds calls to action and resources for various thematic programmes (e.g. mountain, forest or island biodiversity) and cross-cutting issues (e.g. capacity building, ecological restoration and sustainable wildlife management) that may apply to your projects or lands! This years theme is #PartOfThePlan. At KES we support and implement the Biodiversity Plan and its targets through our services. From protecting critters both big and small, invasive species management and building sustainable agriculture to establishing management plans and Biodiversity Policies. If you’re in the Vancouver area, check out the lineup of events all month to celebrate Biodiversity Days, hosted by UBC. Also coming up this fall is the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16), taking place in Colombia from 21 October to 1 November 2024. In the meantime, today and everyday, let’s all do our part to: 🌱protect and restore nature; 🌊prosper with nature; 🤝share benefits fairly; and 💰invest and collaborate - Isobel Phoebus

Exploring Possibilities of Rural Communities’ Participation in Digital Citizen Science to Map and Monitor Local Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services Xpeditions 2030 is a pioneering #personal_research_initiative and a #business_enterprise to establish pilot models of #digital_driven eco-villages with ecotourism complexes in rural Malawi by 2030 to support their research and development. The key proposed tool for transforming #rural villages into #sustainable #tech_havens is a “rural cyberspace and analytics” platform, the #COMPaSS. COMP@SS is an idea of a social-media-based platform with #data_sheets intended to help rural communities get aware and utilize the internet and simultaneously share local valuable data that can help development and business stakeholders design cost-effective scalable solutions. To help stakeholders easily design sustainable, self-sufficient rural communities and #profitable #ecotourism enterprises, COMP@SS is expected to help with the mapping and tracking of #biodiversity and #ecosystem services of local forests, wetlands, and farms. In this case, COMP@SS would help rural conservation volunteers know more about and #utilize #digital tools that aid conservation and tourism, and to collect and share data on local biodiversity and ecosystem services. To achieve this feat, several critical known and unknown #challenges have to be addressed. Globally, the scientific and development communities are increasingly utilizing digital #citizen_science to gather crucial data on biodiversity conservation. The widespread availability of smartphones, equipped with integrated technologies like geographic information systems, (#GIS), cameras, and social networking applications, has significantly simplified the process of mapping and monitoring species and ecosystems. Apps like iNaturalist and eBird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) have been instrumental in contributing a significant amount of species data to platforms like the GBIF: The Global Biodiversity Information Facility, a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders seeking insights into global biodiversity patterns. Therefore, one of the specific objectives of the Xpeditions 2030 is to explore the possibilities and prospects of engaging rural conservation volunteers to participate in citizen science initiatives to map and monitor local #forests and #wetlands biodiversity and ecosystem services using digital tools.

Exploring Possibilities of Rural Communities’ Participation in Digital Citizen Science to Map and Monitor Local Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services Xpeditions 2030 is a pioneering #personal_research_initiative and a #business_enterprise to establish pilot models of #digital_driven eco-villages with ecotourism complexes in rural Malawi by 2030 to support their research and development. The key proposed tool for transforming #rural villages into #sustainable #tech_havens is a “rural cyberspace and analytics” platform, the #COMPaSS. COMP@SS is an idea of a social-media-based platform with #data_sheets intended to help rural communities get aware and utilize the internet and simultaneously share local valuable data that can help development and business stakeholders design cost-effective scalable solutions. To help stakeholders easily design sustainable, self-sufficient rural communities and #profitable #ecotourism enterprises, COMP@SS is expected to help with the mapping and tracking of #biodiversity and #ecosystem services of local forests, wetlands, and farms. In this case, COMP@SS would help rural conservation volunteers know more about and #utilize #digital tools that aid conservation and tourism, and to collect and share data on local biodiversity and ecosystem services. To achieve this feat, several critical known and unknown #challenges have to be addressed. Globally, the scientific and development communities are increasingly utilizing digital #citizen_science to gather crucial data on biodiversity conservation. The widespread availability of smartphones, equipped with integrated technologies like geographic information systems, (#GIS), cameras, and social networking applications, has significantly simplified the process of mapping and monitoring species and ecosystems. Apps like iNaturalist and eBird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) have been instrumental in contributing a significant amount of species data to platforms like the GBIF: The Global Biodiversity Information Facility, a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders seeking insights into global biodiversity patterns. Therefore, one of the specific objectives of the Xpeditions 2030 is to explore the possibilities and prospects of engaging rural conservation volunteers to participate in citizen science initiatives to map and monitor local #forests and #wetlands biodiversity and ecosystem services using digital tools.

Celebrating World Biodiversity Day - Wednesday, 22 May, 2024 As we celebrate “World Biodiversity Day”, we want to take a moment to appreciate the incredible variety of life on our planet and the interconnectedness of all life. AILA recognises the critical role that landscapes and their biodiversity play in our lives. Biodiversity provides us with food, clean air, water, and contribute to our health and wellbeing. They are also crucial in combating climate change. Plants and all living organisms also have their own inherent dignity, irrespective of their value for humans, and we can and must support them through design and the conservation of landscapes and their ecosystems. On this special day, we encourage all members to reflect on the importance of biodiversity and consider how our work as landscape architects can contribute to its preservation, enhancement, and celebration. Whether it's through designing with native plants, creating habitats for local wildlife, or advocating for sustainable practices, our actions count. We are also excited to share an update on the progress of our “Biodiversity Positive Design Working Group”. The group has been working tirelessly to develop guidelines and best practices for incorporating biodiversity-positive design principles into our work. We are making great strides and look forward to sharing more details in the coming months. There are four components including a science and policy primer on biodiversity, a biodiversity positive design process and framework, recommended monitoring tools for landscape architects, along with working case studies of biodiverse projects that emphasise both successes and challenges. This year, the theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity is “Be part of the Plan” is particularly apt for landscape architects as visionaries and changemakers. This theme is a call to action for LAs and our collaborators to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also referred to as the Biodiversity Plan. The Biodiversity Plan offers opportunities for cooperation and partnerships among diverse actors and suggests ways we can collaborate to make change. We are all #PartofThePlan. Let's continue to use our skills and knowledge to create landscapes that delight and inspire to enhance our planet's biodiversity. Happy World Biodiversity Day! #WorldBiodiversityDay #AILA #biodiversity

Bonjour Toulouse, My story has a strong connection with #France, especially with the city of #Toulouse. In 2020, a few weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic erupted, I was in Toulouse to discuss one of the biggest projects of my life, #ForestFisher. Speaking intermediate French but with a lot of courage, I sought out researchers from the IRD, and there we began a journey that would involve #France, #Germany, #Portugal, #Brazil, the #UnitedStates, and #Bolivia. ForestFisher - "Priority areas for conservation and restoration of Amazonian forest-frugivorous fish interactions and associated fisheries". This #project not only has had, has, and will have a significant international impact but also changed the course of my life. I moved to Germany with my family and discovered and learned many things. This project brought me profound reflections on the impacts of #climatechange and how I could dedicate myself to #mitigating it through #carboncreditprojects. The project secured more than 1 million euros in grants, employed almost two dozen professionals, is impacting the lives of more than 5,000 riverside dwellers in the Amazon, mapped more than 120 species of frugivorous fish with economic and social interest, and will have more than 5,000 km^2 mapped for #conservation and #restoration. More than 10 high-impact international papers are expected, a nursery for tree species that are a food base for frugivorous fish was built in Rondônia, and much more. ForestFisher project has not only become a cornerstone in my career but also a beacon of hope for #environmental #conservation and #sustainabledevelopment. Its far-reaching impacts, from fostering #biodiversity to enhancing local communities' livelihoods, underline the power of international #collaboration and #innovative approaches to address global challenges. As I reflect on this journey, I am reminded of the importance of #perseverance, #crosscultural understanding, and the relentless pursuit of #solutions that benefit both #humanity and the #planet. This experience has reshaped my perspective, instilling a deeper commitment to environmental stewardship and a clear vision for future endeavors. The journey from Toulouse has been transformative, marking the beginning of a path filled with learning, growth, and the potential to effect meaningful change. #sustainable #sustainablebusiness #sustainabledevelopment #sustainablefinance #eco #sdgs2030 #sdg #innovation #technology #sustainability

Are you ready to make a difference with your camera? - 📷 JOIN OUR VIDEOGRAPHY COMPETITION "Wetlands & Biodiversity Watch: Capturing Beauty, Revealing Reality" organized by the Environment & Sustainability Committee (ESC) of IITM in association with NSS cell on the following two themes : 🔸 Wetlands wonder: Capturing Nature 🔸 Biodiversity Through the Lens 🌸Objectives🌸 🌟 To increase awareness about the importance of wetlands and biodiversity conservation. 🌟To showcase the natural beauty and biodiversity of wetlands through creative and compelling videos. 🌟To promote the conservation and sustainable management of wetlands. RULES 📖 ✅This is an individual event. ✅Each participant can choose any wetland site(s) or Biodiversity site to record, focusing on both its natural beauty and any pollution or degradation present. ✅Videos should be 2 to 5 minutes long. ✅Videos must be original and not include any copyrighted material. ✅Submissions should be made in MP4 format. Click to Register & Upload your video👇👇 https://lnkd.in/ds2HgmP9 🕒 Submission Deadline-March 22, 2024 🎖️Participation e-Certificates to All🎖️ Capture the beauty, reveal the truth, and inspire action. Let your lens be the voice for our wetlands and biodiversity !📸🌊 ☎️For any queries, contact: Manya: 96675 85671 Ritika: 93150 60902

Relieve the Moments (1) On Thursday, the much-awaited Bioverse NG Hybrid National Conference held, bringing together professionals from various walks of life to discuss observed biodiversity-related issues and propose solutions. It was an opportunity to learn from others, and I particularly enjoyed Ms. Fatimah Aliyu Magaji's session. I felt a connection as she mentioned key things that I took note of. One that stands out for me is the importance of conservation education materials in our indigenous languages. Given that most of our protected areas are within local communities, it’s wise to have materials or resources intended for sharing in their local dialect. This ensures they are only useful to those who truly need the information we are trying to convey. I believe this will support the conservation cause and extend the reach of citizen science beyond the learned. To illustrate this point, let’s consider the laughing dove as a bird species of conservation concern. It is easier for a Yoruba man to take note of the bird as " Eye Odere koko" than as a laughing dove. This implies that we need to start harnessing the potential of indigenous languages in teaching wildlife science. A wild dream for me would be to have a Bird Field Guide book for bird species in Nigeria, available in Nigeria's three main languages, and potentially extending this to cover other species. The theme for this year’s World Wildlife Day celebration is "CONNECTING PEOPLE AND PLANET: EXPLORING DIGITAL INNOVATION IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION." Such digital innovation could be as simple as having translated materials on an app, similar to our mobile bird field guides in English. Returning to the Bioverse Ng program, it also provided me with an opportunity to present a pressing issue faced in South West Nigeria – Habitat encroachment and destruction. This, of course, affects biodiversity, leading to increased zoonotic diseases, migration of native species, and food insecurity. Watch my response to the prompt below or, better still, watch the full clip via this link: https://lnkd.in/d2Sj2FHF

Thank you, Your Excellency Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi (Chairman of Sharjah Consultative Council) for always addressing issues of high priority that concern both local and global levels. Poor "Urban Planning" without thoroughly assessing land and biodiversity significantly contributes to the deterioration of biodiversity and ecosystem. The encroachment of residential areas towards industrial zones and emissions sources exacerbates this issue, exposing the public to harmful pollutants. Poor waste management, leading to groundwater contamination and emissions, along with inadequately treated sewage that may still carry bacteria, heavy metals, and other contaminants, further worsens the situation. These challenges pose serious health risks and harm our environment. Once we know the problem, we have solved half of the problem! #karkain #rashedkarkain #leadership #leader #sustainabledevelopmentleaders #sustainability #sustainabledevelopment #environment #sharjah #dubai #abudhabi #uae #climatechange #socialimpact #unsdg #unsdgs #biodiversity #ecosystem #urbanplanning ‎#كركين #راشد_كركين #القادة #قادة_التنمية_المستدامة #استشراف_المستقبل #الاستدامة #البيئة #الشارقة #دبي #أبوظبي #الامارات