Bat Conservation International - Wings Across the Americas: BATS

100,000 will help Bat Conservation International raise awareness and increase scientific and public knowledge of migratory bats.

Winged migrations across North America are truly extraordinary—but not everyone realizes that BATS join birds and butterflies in transcontinental flight every year. Bat Conservation International is working with the "Wings Across the Americas" project to increase scientific and public knowledge of migratory bats. Online education and outreach will bring bat scientists' fieldwork across the Americas into homes and classrooms around the world. We will be showcasing several bat species (including two endangered species!) that can be found in the USA. For each species we will be completing on-the-ground conservation projects and sharing those stories, presenting up-to-date maps of migration routes and stopovers. As our scientists plot the locations of roosting sites, water and foraging resources along migratory corridors, we will alert the public to the routes of the bats and opportunities for volunteers to lend a helping hand. Bats do a lot to keep fields and forests healthy—and their migratory routes need to be protected so they can travel safely to the north to have their pups and return south when the seasons change.

Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) — Conservation Clubs and Nature Corners

$50,000 will help the Painted Dog Conservation organizing Conservation Clubs in 17 village schools in Zimbabwe.

The land near Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park is a harsh region with little rainfall and frequent droughts. While it is home to a great number of animals, including painted dogs, elephants and lions, the trees are over-harvested and wildlife is often poached for food. Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) works to protect the endangered species in this area and also helps people learn to live sustainably in harmony with nature. To enlist young people in this effort, PDC is organizing Conservation Clubs in 17 village schools. These students will learn to grow tree seedlings and use them to reforest their lands. They will fill in eroded gullies with fertile soil, showing their communities how to grow abundant, healthy and organic crops. The Conservation Clubs will build Nature Corners in classrooms with exhibits that share their conservation knowledge with other children. Putting into action the lessons they have learned, Conservation Club members teach adults in their communities how to live in balance with their natural world.

PATH Foundation Philippines Inc. (PFPI) — Help Young Eco-Warriors Rescue Toby!

$25,000 will help children around the world to help the Young Eco-Warriors put a stop to cyanide fishing, which is destroying the fragile coral reef habitat that's home to tropical fish, like the Black-saddled Toby.

"Rescue Toby!" is the battle cry of the Young Eco-Warrior Movement, which PFPI and partners are working hard to promote. We implore children around the world to help the Young Eco-Warriors put a stop to cyanide fishing, which is destroying the fragile coral reef habitat that's home to tropical fish, like the Black-saddled Toby (left). With support from Disney and kids like you, the Young Eco-Warriors will bring their story from Cuyo Island to other islands in the Philippines and neighboring Indonesia to help children find their voice and speak out against cyanide fishing. Eco-Warriors will also use internet portals to disseminate information to children globally about how demand for aquarium fish is fueling the problem and contributing to destruction of reef habitats. With these simple steps, you too can become an Eco-Warrior!

Snow Leopard Conservancy — Saving the Ghost-Cat's Snowy Habitat

$50,000 will help students in Nepal to protect the habitat of the snow leopard.

The snow leopard lives high up on the snowy and rocky slopes of the Himalayan Mountains. Rarely seen by people and never heard (as it cannot roar), this magnificent "ghost-cat" has largely been known by silent tracks left in snow. As people and their livestock have moved into snow leopard habitat, the snow leopard's natural prey has been driven away, and snow leopards have found people's sheep and goats to be an easy and tasty snack. This project will train students in Nepal to help protect both snow leopards and livestock. Students will teach farmers how to build predator-proof corrals to keep their livestock safe. They will also learn to check hidden cameras to track snow leopard activity and help define the corridors that need to be protected to keep snow leopard habitat intact. Most importantly, students will help their communities understand how snow leopards maintain the balance of nature, and why it is important for humans to find ways to live in harmony with wildlife.

Wildlife Conservation Society — Fiji's Goby Guarantee

$25,000 will help Kubulau communities in the Fiji Islands establish new freshwater reserves to protect the habitat of the Goby.

My name is Gilbert and I am a goby fish. My family lives in the freshwater rivers of Kubulau, Vanua Levu in the Fiji Islands. I began my life in a stream high up in the mountains of Kubulau, surrounded by thick, tropical forests. As soon as I was born, I began a long journey following the river passage out to the sea. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) plans to develop a comic book, "The Adventures of Gilbert Goby" to tell the story of how I travelled up the river to find my family and all of the dangers (invasive fish, sediment, pollution) that I encountered along the way. WCS plans to share my story with children and adults from Kubulau's 10 villages to teach them how to better manage their freshwater habitats using the "Goby Guarantee", which states that if communities can find many species of gobies in their waterways, they can be assured that their water is clean and plentiful. As a result of the project, WCS will help Kubulau communities establish new freshwater reserves to protect my habitat and designate Goby Youth Ambassadors and Forest Rangers to make sure our rivers stay in good condition.

African Wildlife Foundation

$100,000 will help protect the Endangered Bonobo.

The bonobo, which shares 98.4 percent of its genetic makeup with humans, is critically endangered. This fascinating but little understood species is confined to the forest habitat of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and even more specifically to the left bank of the Congo River. Excessive logging destroys the rainforest and hunting of the bonobo for food, known as "bush meat," is growing in popularity among poachers. The people living in this remote, impoverished area are trying to provide for their families, resulting in the "slash and burn" destruction of the forest for agricultural purposes. The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is working to establish the Iyondje Community Bonobo Reserve as a safe haven for the endangered bonobo population.

Northern Jaguar Project

$50,000 will help grow the Jaguar Garden.

Jaguars once roamed from Arizona to Argentina, traveling as far north as the Grand Canyon and across much of the southern United States. Today, with a century of illegal killing and habitat destruction, jaguars are endangered - especially along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Northern Jaguar Project, in partnership with Naturalia, have created the Northern Jaguar Reserve where two biologists serve as "jaguar guardians" to protect the local jaguar population and dozens of threatened wildlife species that share the jaguar's home. They work with scientists, keep out poachers, document wildlife and take care of the reserve's lands and waters so that it becomes the best possible habitat for jaguars. Children in nearby rural communities are joining in this conservation effort and will be growing native trees they can plant on the reserve to improve the quality of life for jaguars and all wildlife.

Mangrove Action Project

$25,000 will help the Mangrove Curriculum Adaptation for China.

In the past decade, spanning across seven countries, hundreds of teachers and more than 100,000 students have learned about the wonders of tropical mangrove wetlands through exciting hands-on science initiatives. The Mangrove Curriculum Adaptation for China project will expand this program into China teaching children about the importance of coastal mangrove wetlands and how it is critical for achieving long-term conservation. While China has witnessed a slow trend towards better environmental education in regards to water and air pollution issues and the current generation is growing up with little environmental knowledge. Mangrove Action Project will address this issue and help increase awareness through its project.

BirdLife International - Save Spoony's Wetlands

$100,000 will help save Spoony's Chinese wetlands.

This project will contribute to the conservation of Spoon-billed Sandpiper, a unique and highly threatened migratory shorebird. It aims to strengthen the protection of the two most important sites known for the species in mainland China, by raising awareness among local government and communities about the importance of the species and of the inter-tidal wetlands that are vital for its survival. Student conservation groups will be established and become the ambassadors for the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, informing local people and the government about the importance of conservation and protecting wildlife.

The Nature Conservancy - Protecting Canada's Great Bear Rainforest

$50,000 will go towards protecting Canada's Great Bear Rainforest.

The Nature Conservancy and the First Nation people have teamed up to protect the critically important coastal temperate rainforest through several different initiatives. They have trained local students to study grizzly bears and wolves using remote controlled cameras hidden in the forests and local high school students are working alongside community researchers to monitor local wildlife in their traditional territory. By supporting First Nation-led wildlife monitoring projects and leading a youth program that encourages First Nation kids to take an active role in learning about their traditional territory, the Conservancy and partners are working together to ensure the long-term protection of the rainforest.

Fauna and Flora International - Iberian Lynx Habitat.

$50,000 will aid conservation of the Iberian lynx habitat.

Once considered common, the Iberian lynx is now the rarest of all the cat species - with less than 100 cats left. The population crash is due to habitat loss in Spain and Portugal and the dramatic loss of food supply, the rabbit. Ninety-five percent of the rabbit population has been killed by a lethal disease known as myxomatosis. Fauna and Flora International has purchased land and is working to reintroduce the rabbit to help support the lynx. The project will also work with local communities and school children to raise awareness about the Iberian lynx, and the very real chance that it might become extinct forever.

ECOLIFE Foundation - Going Ape in Cameroon

$25,000 will help build a community-based aquaponics system in Cameroon.

Rural communities in Cameroon hunt local wildlife, both to eat and to sell - greatly affecting the endangered Cross River gorillas, chimpanzees, and other species in the area. As the human population continues to grow, the demand for this "bush meat" is increasing. The ECOLIFE Foundation, in collaboration with Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon, will build a community-based aquaponics system and educate local people about it as a means to reduce the critical bush meat issues that are devastating forest habitats and the apes that depend on them. Aquaponics is an eco-friendly system for raising fish and vegetables that will improve Cameroonian’s quality of life by providing a sustainable food source, reducing water use for fish farming and vegetable production, and increasing family income, in turn reducing the need and consumption of bush meat.

Conservation International - Restoring Wetlands in Namaqualand.

$25,000 will aid the effort to restore wetlands in Namaqualand.

Help restore the freshwater supply for people and wildlife in Namaqualand. This region of South Africa is known for its colorful wildflowers and unique animals like meerkats. The region is also home to 26,000 people who are losing their main water source as livestock overgraze the land and destroy important wetlands. Conservation International is working closely with local communities to help them conserve water by repairing damaged pumps and restoring natural ecosystems, training local volunteers to remove invasive species like poplar trees -- which use up large amounts of ground water -- and replace them with native vegetation.

Bat Conservation International - Philippines Bats: Extinction and Discovery!

$100,000 will help Bat Conservation International raise awareness of biodiversity in the Philippines.

The 7,107 islands in the Philippines are home to many animals including 74 bat species, 26 unique to the Philippines. Forty-three percent of bat species on the planet are found in the Asia-Pacific region. The conservation of bats in the Philippines is a crucial and frequently underestimated issue and can be solved by educating and engaging the local people in conservation actions. Bat Conservation International (BCI) will help teachers and students, in the conservation of (bat) biodiversity to raise interest in and awareness of conservation issues in local communities. BCI's model for programming in the Philippines is to engage smaller and often underfunded conservation organizations and offer assistance and professional guidance to local partners.

www.batcon.org/philippines

The Nature Conservancy - Internship Youth Program

$25,000 will help the Nature Conservancy connect urban youth with nature.

Give kids the chance to protect and restore wildlife! In the past 30 years, children have spent less and less time outdoors. As a result, they don't get as much exercise and they often feel out of touch with nature. The Nature Conservancy's Internship Program for Urban Youth has worked for more than 15 years to help kids connect with nature, providing high school students with the opportunity to leave the city to live, work, and play in the natural world. The Conservancy works with students in four-week periods to protect and restore habitat, plant native trees and save endangered species. The program allows students to earn money, while they learn about careers in conservation and visit colleges. They also, often for the very first time, enjoy outdoor weekend activities like camping, kayaking and swimming. Most students are from underserved urban communities, where activities like these are not always available. Help them connect with nature when you cast your vote!

San Bernardino National Forest Association - Children's Forest: Great Seeds Youth Reforestation Project

$25,000 will help The Children's Forest Program restore Southern California's San Bernardino National Forest

Southern California's San Bernardino National Forest is one of the busiest forests in the country. Visitors enjoy many activities on this beautiful forest, but this has an impact on the health of our natural resources. With millions of people hiking, biking, and off-roading our forest is being loved to death. The Children's Forest is a program led by youth volunteers who help restore our forest by growing native plants, planting trees, and teaching visitors about how to keep our local National Forest habitats beautiful clean environments for both people and animals to enjoy.

The Nature Conservancy - Save Reefs in Mosquito Lagoon, FL

A $100,000 contribution will help kids restore oyster reefs by giving the oysters a new place.

Help stop oyster reefs from disappearing! Oyster reefs are important because they provide shelter for wildlife, promote clean water, and protect the shoreline. A recent study showed that 85 percent of the world's oyster reefs have already been lost! To save reefs at the Mosquito Lagoon in Florida, we will work with volunteers-including kids like you-to make "oyster mats." The mats restore the reefs by giving the oysters a new place to grow. We'll also educate the community about oysters and let them know what they can do to help

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/misc/art26796.html

Launch Video

Natural Resources Defense Council - Cerro Osa Forest Restoration

$50,000 will help Friends of the Osa, to plant thousands of local trees and plants to restore 50 acres of forest land.

The Osa Peninsula, located on Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast, is one of the wildest places left in the world. It is home to half of Costa Rica's 500,000 animal and plant species, including many that do not exist anywhere else. The Osa is a critical place for saving animals like the jaguar, squirrel monkey, and peregrine falcon. Unfortunately, this special area is being threatened by expansion of agriculture and other activities. The Natural Resources Defense Council will work with a local group, Friends of the Osa, to plant thousands of local trees and plants to restore 50 acres of forest land. The revived rainforest will once more be the home of unique wildlife and will offer local students a living laboratory to learn about protecting natural resources.

http://www.savebiogems.org/costarica/revivearainforest/

Read Progress Report

Launch Gallery

Fauna and Flora International - Forest Fruits for the Future

$25,000 will educate kids about the implications of using these precious forests.

Many people living in the countries of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan depend on their forests for survival - fruits and nuts for food to eat, wood for fires and other natural resources to earn an income. Almost all of the people in these communities use the forest with limited knowledge of their impact. This has led to a 90 percent decrease in the size of the fruit and nut forests in Central Asia. Fauna & Flora International's project will educate local community members, kids and young people specifically, through positive and fun activities to increase awareness about the implications of using these precious forests so frequently. With kids help the project will establish eco-youth clubs, tree nurseries and also create conservation plays, poems and dances to change attitudes and behaviour about sustainable forest use.

World Wildlife Fund - Protecting Indonesia's Tesso Nilo's Habitat

$50,000 will help Protect Indonesia's Tesso Nilo's Habitat.

Sumatra is the only place in the world where elephants, tigers, rhinos and orangutans live together in the same habitat. In 2004 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) helped create Tesso Nilo National Park on the island of Sumatra as a safe zone for tigers and elephants. WWF will work with the local community to protect this habitat by training local people to patrol the ground-keeping away poachers and minimizing human/animal conflict and will also work to empower local children to care for their wildlife and environment by teaching them how to conserve their resources through several fun, hands-on initiatives.

http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/borneo/results.html

African Wildlife Foundation - Communities Give Elephants Room to Roam

$25,000 will help to protect the habitats that elephants depend on and the pathways they travel.

Elephants are one of the most far-wandering species in all of Africa, traveling great distances in search of food and water. They are very smart and social animals that live in large families and watch closely over one another. Sadly, elephants are often attacked by poachers for their ivory tusks. They are also in trouble because the lands they live on and the paths they travel on are being destroyed. The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is working in Zambia to protect the habitats that elephants depend on and the pathways they travel. It is not only elephants that need help though. There are many poor people who live in this area. For that reason, AWF and local villages have agreed to help both elephants and people by protecting a critical elephant path and improving opportunities for local children to go to school.