Regional Programs Monthly Report

August 2006

ANDES CBC

Progress towards outcomes

Programmatic

· Vilcabamba-Amboró (VACC): The Municipality of Apolo approved the Municipal Plan of Territorial Ordering promoted by CI-Bolivia and developed with participation of local actors. This development plan, oriented towards biodiversity conservation, will be a key instrument to consolidate NP Madidi.

· Chocó-Manabí (CMCC): CI-Colombia participated with CI-Japan and Sustainable Landscapes of CI-Washington in the Annual Conference on Specialty Coffees of Japan (SCAJ) that took place in Tokyo. The institutional concept of Conservation Coffee was presented as a regional conservation strategy in the Andes to many organizations, certifying entities and roasters. We hope that this will result in the medium and long term in the development of strategic alliances with potential donors and business partners who will purchase conservation coffee at premium prices, providing quantifiable benefits for the producers and for conservation.

· Cóndor-Kutukú (CKCC): On June 26, 2006, the Ministry of Environment of Ecuador established the Wildlife Refuge EL Zarza in Cordillera del Cóndor. This new area of the National PA system has an extension of 3,643 hectares , and forms part of the PA network of CKCC. This result was possible through a joint effort among Fundación Natura and the Ministry of Environment (with financial support from ITTO) and CI within the framework of the bi-national project “Paz y Conservación en la Cordillera del Cóndor”, co-implemented by F. Natura (Ecuador) and CI-Perú.

· North Andean (NACC): Based on the agreement with the Empresa de Acueducto y Alcantarillado de Bogotá (Aqueduct and Sewage Company of Bogotá) the creation of a model database for the wetlands of Bogotá was completed. The development of environmental management plans for the Juan Amarillo and Capellanía wetlands (part of Bogotá’s wetland systems) was finished and the activities for hydro-geomorphologic restoration of two sectors of the Conejera wetland were carried out (Phase 1). Within the framework of the Project for Zoning and Environmental Planning in the Serranía del Perijá for identification and declaration of protected areas within the SP, we began development of agreements with public and private organizations which support said actions through a management strategy known as “Perijá Initiative.” The first of these is the “Agreement of the Jagua de Ibirico” for zoning and the establishment of conservation areas in four municipalities in the department of Cesar (Codazzi, Becerril, La Jagua de Ibirico and Chiriguana).

· Species Conservation Unit: Two new endemic species of a highly threatened region of Central Colombia Dendrobates dorisswansoni and Dendrobates daleswansoni were described in the name of two philanthropists of CI. The five partners of the Threatened Species initiative (IEA), the Arca de Noé series and Field Notebook series, received recognition for its work from CAN in Lima. The preparation of the field manual about poisonous Dendrobates of the Andean tropical region is advanced in 50%.

· Colombia: The Project GEF-WB Block- B Grant Agreement for the Preparation of Integrated National Adaptation Pilot: High Mountain Ecosystems, Colombia’s Caribbean Insular Areas and Human Health Project, which donated US$270,000 to the Republic of Colombia, with CI-Colombia as the implementing agency, was successfully closed. Currently we are executing the Full Size grant whose conditions for effectiveness have been met and approved by the Acquisitions Plan.

· Conservation Strategies Unit (CSU): As part of CI’s Corridor Learning Initiative, the CBC-Andes has begun implementing its first ever effort to systematize lessons learned on corridor design, planning and implementation in the VACC, CKCC, CMCC and NACC corridors. In this context, workshops were successfully held in La Paz, Bogota, Lima and Quito with all country technical personnel. In addition, the Bogota workshop included participation of Jim Barborak and Carlos Rodriguez from the Mesoamerica CBC, which resulted in plans for a learning exchange between Andes and Meso in early 2007. CI Ecuador and the Andes CBC CSU supported a USAID-funded study of nature-based tourism in Ecuador. This study is the first of its kind to use Value Chain analysis and the Nature, Wealth and Power framework to analyze tourism and conservation in three high biodiversity areas in Ecuador (Machallilla National Park, Mindo, and the Napo basin). The study will contribute to USAID's strategy for biodiversity conservation over the next several years. See: meweb.org/ev_en.php?ID=17136_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC

Important Staff Issues

Programmatic

· Juliana Botía, a Business Administrator and specialist on contracts and acquisitions, was contracted as Coordinator of Acquisitions for the Full Size GEF-WB INAP Project.

· The technical team in charge of the implementation of territorial ordering plans for the USAID funded Landscape Conservation project were hired: Ramiro ávila (planning and territorial management coordinator), Marco Flores (biophysical specialist), Rildo Barroz (geographer).

· After training from HR DC to key HR regional staff all the Andean countries (except Colombia) implemented Oracle HR since August. The staff has perceived this as a comprehensive tool and of great utility for the administrative area.

Seascapes

· CI-Ecuador hired Ana María Rodríguez as Program Assistant for the ETPS program.

Other: Any new partnerships, problems, funding opportunities or liabilities, etc.:

Programmatic

Fundraising

· Vilcabamba-Amboró (VACC): CI-PERU submitted a proposal on mitigating the impacts of the Southern Inter-Oceanic Highway to an individual donor.

· Colombia: CI-Colombia agreed with the Environmental Action Fund (FPAA) the continuous funding of the migratory birds program in Colombia up to $100,000.

· Bolivia: USAID has officially secured funding for FYO7 for the Landscape Conservation Program, objectives 1 to 4. This guarantees the continuity of actions in the Bolivian sector of CCVA. Objective #5 has received 33% of the budgeted amount for FY07; however, the planned actions will be implemented. Based on strengthening of partnerships CI Bolivia has catalyzed fundraising so that partner institutions can directly implement projects of sustainable use of resources such as: a) CEATA – essential oils ($US35.000) b) Instituto de Investigaciones Fármaco-bioquímicas and UNDP - Chonta ($US 35. 000) c) Comunidad de Irimo, TROPICO y la Fundación PUMA - Majo ($US60.000).

Partnerships

· North Andean (NACC): An agreement was reached with the Aqueduct of Bogotá for the implementation of a project to reshape the hydro-geomorphology of the two important bio-zones in the Conejera wetland (Phase II of the restoration). Conejera is part of the wetland system of Bogotá and CI-Colombia has been working there on research, conservation and restoration since 2000. The Aqueduct will contribute US$450,000 to Phase II of the restoration and a specific agreement will be signed shortly.

Misc.

· Communications: On August 15 CI-Bolivia and CI-Global Communications, with the Journalist Association of La Paz, implemented the 2006 Biodiversity Reporting Award ceremony. The event had the participation of government, representatives of environmental institutions, indigenous communities and the media. Of 74 articles, 3 were awarded. Second and third prize were trips to ecotourism projects that CI has catalyzed in Madidi and Carrasco parks.

Seascapes

Fundraising

· CI-Ecuador submitted three concept notes on the Galapagos to the Legacy Fund: 1) Participatory Zoning and Management around the Ports of Galapagos for $160,280 2) Reducing the Environmental Footprint of Galapagos Live-aboard Tour Boat Operations by Changing from Use of Anchors to Moorings for $157,219 3) Best Practices and Regulations for Dive Operations in the Galapagos Marine Reserve for $106,347

BRAZIL CBC

Progress towards outcomes

Programmatic

· Pantanal Program and Rio Negro Private Reserve: On the week of August 7th – 12th, the Pantanal Program hosted Peter Seligmann and guests, including several Board Members, at CI’s Fazenda Rio Negro. Their visit was part of the Live Earth effort and helped present to the group CI Brazil’s work in the region.

· CI Brazil Board Meeting: On August 14th, CI Brazil’s 26th Board Meeting took place in S?o Paulo. Issues discussed included: "Balance of Activities for 2005”, presented by Angelo Machado; “CI Brazil Results between July 2005 and 2006”, presented by José Maria Cardoso and “Building Global Alliances for Biodiversity Conservation, by Peter Seligmann. More then 40 participants included partners, Board Members and special guests. Gustavo Fonseca, Carlos Bouchardet, Paulo Gustavo Prado, Luiz Paulo Pinto, Ricardo Machado, Guilherme Dutra, Isabela Santos and Marcele Bastos represented CI Brazil.

· 6 th Atlantic Forest Biodiversity Journalism Award: On August 9 th , in S?o Paulo, the winners of the Atlantic Forest Biodiversity Journalism Award for 2006 were announced. The Award takes place yearly and recognizes excellence in environmental journalism in two categories “Press” and “Television”. This year’s Award was attended by 300 guests, including journalists, environmentalists and business people and participation reached a record 102 submissions to the Press category and 68 to the TV category. The winner of the category TV was Rede Globo team from Recife, with the program “Pacto Murici” and the category Press had first place go to Pesquisa Fapesp Magazine, with an article on Atlantic Forest ants. Finalists included representatives from all over Brazil.

· New Private Reserve in Mato Grosso do Sul, MS: The MS State Secretariat for the Environemnt and Water Reseources – SEMA decreed in August the creation of new Private Reserve of Natural Heritage – RPPN “Gavi?o de Penacho”. With 77 hectares, the new reserve is located in the municipality of Corguinho (MS) and will join other reserves protecting the headwaters of Rio Negro Basin. Creation of the new protected area was driven by resources from the 1 st Request for Proposals of the program to Support Private Reserves in the Pantanal, launched last year and developed in partnership between CI Brazil and the Landowners Association of Private Reserves of Mato Grosso do Sul (REPAMS).

· Biological inventories in Amapá record 23 species new to science: In late August, CI Brazil and IEPA researchers presented results of the eleven scientific expeditions conducted in various regions of the Amapá Biodiversity Corridor and registered the importance of the project for conservation of the State’s biodiversity. The most significant results included the discovery of 23 new species to science, new occurrences for the state and the country and re-discovery of species not seen in Amapá for decades. Among the animals and plants recorded - more than 1,700 species, fish was the group with most discoveries. The project lasted two years and was a parternship between the Institute of Scientific and Technological Research of Amapá (IEPA), Ibama, Environmental Secretariat of Amapá and CI Brazil.

· IR Ecológico (Green Tax) is approved by environmental commission: The amendment to the bill of law supporting fiscal incentives for environmental projects was approved unanimously by the Commission for the Environment and Sustainable Development of the House of Representatives in July. Among other provisions, the project stipulates individuals and organizations can deduct up to 6% from their Income tax, while a portion of this amount (up to 80% and 40%of these amounts, respectively) can be donated to not-for-profit organizations, to be used in projects for environmental conservation and sustainable development of natural resources. CI Brazil is part of the Working Group responsible for this initiative. Starting in August, the Action for IR Ecológico, a group of environmental NGOs, businesses and volunteers supporting the measure, organized a round of presentations and seminars to travel all over Brazil to disseminate this information. Meetings are conducted in partnership with local institutions and are free and open to the public. About 16 cities are included in the itinerary of presentations, which should conclude by the end of September. The capitals S?o Paulo (SP), Vitória (ES), Salvador (BA), Curitiba (PR), Recife (PE), Manaus (AM) and Fortaleza (CE) have already hosted presentations.

· Cerrado Biodiversity: In early August, CI Brazil was well represented at the Workshop “Quantitative Scientific Information about Biodiversity of the Cerrado” in Brasília. The event, supported by CI Brazil, gathered over 30 reserachers linked to the University of Brasilia, who are engaged in projects that compile data on species occurrence in the Cerrado. Taxonomic groups studied in the workshop ranged from vascular plants to invertebrates and terrestrial vertebrates. Data being analyzed for endemism and vulnerability of species and potential distribution models already shed a new light on biodiversity distribution in central Brazil. According to Cristiano Nogueira, results will be published in a standardized format, allowing free access to crucial information for conservation in the Cerrado.

· Communication and Environmental Education Program – Veracel: After meetings with the local NGOS, to support the planning and implementation of activities developed in partnership with Veracel, and with local communities, to develop of the “ecomapping” around the area of influence of the Company, the Communication and EE Program for Veracel was presented by CI Brazil to a group of 40 people including directors and managers of Veracel Celulose. The meeting took place in the Esta??o Veracel and was followed by a walk in one of the trails of the Company’s reserve, which provided some employees of Veracel their first contact with the natural environment of the area.

· Industries in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS): Mariza Silva represented CI Brazil in a meeting from companies with plans to establish plants in Corumbá, MS. The meeting, organized by suggestion of senator Delcídio do Amaral, took place in Campo Grande, on August 10th, with the objective of establishing a forum for dialogue about possible consequences of the implementation of an industrial pole in Corumbá. Industries present included Petrobrás, Rio Tinto, Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, Transportadora de Gás Brasil-Bolívia (TBG Brazil – Bolivia Gas transporter), MMX, Vetorial and Votorantin, in addition to representatives of seven NGOs and the Public Attorney’s office.

Important Staff Issues

Programmatic

· New hire: In mid August, Isabella Freire Wanderley joined the CI office in Brasilia as a Specialist in Environmental Policy.

· Departure: Zaíra Gon?alves do Prado, Comptroller in the Belo Horizonte office, has left her position with CI in early August. CI Brazil is sad to see her go and wishes her well in her new endeavors.

Seascapes- Nothing to report

Other: New partnerships, problems or liabilities, funding opportunities, etc.:

Programmatic

Partnerships

· Amazon and the Agriculture Frontier: On August 22 nd , José Maria Cardoso and Ricardo Machado participated in the Workshop on Sustainability from Bunge, which gathered the company’s national and international executive staff. Bunge invited CI Brazil to present its biodiversity corridor strategy and TNC and Greenpeace discussed the expansion of the agriculture frontier in the Amazon. CI Brazil also presented the status of the Amazonia and Cerrado biomes and data showing that the national agriculture production can grow without further deforestation, simply by make turning already degraded and non-productive areas into useful areas.