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What's News at LCF
Visiting Researchers
Dr. Freed teaches a number of anthropology courses at EKU, including Primate Conservation and Primate Ecology and Sociality. While visiting the reserve, he had an opportunity to observe our Sanford’s brown lemurs, Eulemur sanfordi, one of the lemur species that he studies in Madagascar. We are delighted to host Dr. Freed and look forward to meeting his students when he returns for a field training course.
Dr. Francine Dolins, Dr. Jacob Napieralski, and Christy Steffke, from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, spent two weeks in June conducting a pilot study comparing GPS equipment for monitoring and plotting the ranging behavior of the reserve’s semi-free ranging lemurs. The goal of this visit is to determine what equipment provided the most accurate data, to establish an accurate and detailed map of the enclosures, and to prepare for future studies to enhance our understanding of the interaction between spatial knowledge and social decision making in foraging. Dr. Dolins and Dr.Napieralski hope to apply the techniques perfected at the reserve to field research in Madagascar. Christy used her considerable skill and knowledge of GIS technologies to create several maps of the reserve for use by staff and other researchers. Like Dr. Freed, Dr. Dolins hopes to conduct field training courses at the reserve for her own students in the future. In April, the Myakka City Lemur Reserve was pleased to be able to host some colleagues of Dr. Alison Jolly -- Dr. Julie Hagelin and Jen Crick of Swarthmore College, and Amber Walker-Bolton of Roehampton University (London). Dr. Hagelin, Ms. Crick, and Ms. Walker-Bolton study olfactory communication, most recently with ring-tailed lemurs in Berenty Reserve, Madagascar. Staff enjoyed learning about their interesting research and we look forward to possible collaborations in the future. Alison Zak - Research Intern
Alison recently graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology. In her final year she participated in the Anthropology Honors program and completed a thesis on Thai Buddhism. While she is interested in human culture, she is most passionate about wildlife conservation and believes that the two fields should be considered together in order to understand the complex issue of protecting primates and their habitat. In her time at the reserve Alison expects to learn the basics of field research and gain valuable experience that will contribute to her pursuit of a career in primatology. Lemurs are quickly becoming one of Alison’s favorite primates! Jenny Botting - Research Assistant
A recent graduate with an MSc in Evolution and Behaviour from the University of Stirling (Scotland), Jenny Botting is LCF's first international research assistant. Jenny earned her BSc (hons) in Psychology from the University of St Andrews. She arrived in Myakka City for a 3 month stint as a research assistant and is helping to collect data on habitat use and activity for the Reserve’s long term research goals. She is also designing and conducting her own project to investigate social cognition in lemurs as she hopes to continue on to a PhD in primate cognition.
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Dr.
Ben Freed, from Eastern Kentucky University, visited the MCLR to assess the reserve’s
suitability as a field training program and research site for his undergraduate and graduate
students.
The Myakka City Lemur Reserve welcomes its latest research intern,
Alison Zak.A native of Tampa, Florida.
Bladstrom Library Hosts Erica Howe for Library School Fieldwork
Shannon
Schane is earning her Master's degree in Library and Information
Science at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She is enrolled
in the Fieldwork course fall term which requires 120 hours of work in a
library.
Many thanks to the members of the South Florida Wildlife Club of the
Florida Gulf Coast University. Eight club members braved the early morning hours
and long drive to spend a day at the Myakka City Lemur Reserve.
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LCF Animal Care Technician
LCF welcomes Animal Care Technician, Alison Hunt. Alison has recently moved to
sunny Sarasota from windy Chicago where she worked as a Lead
Veterinary Technician at a busy animal clinic.
As a recent graduate Western Illinois University, Alison has a Bachelor's of Science in Biology, with a concentration in Zoology and a minor in studio art.
Along with her extensive Veterinary Technician experience, Alison has also worked for the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds where she rehabilitated wild penguins. Having been highly recommended from here previous institutions, we are looking forward to having her join the team in late March.
Monica Mogilewsky Earns Master's
Monica completed all the requirements for her Master's in Biodiversity
Conservation and Management from the University of London in
December 2009 and will receive her diploma March 15th in London.
She conducted the lab work for her Master's thesis "Genetic
heterozygosity in captive populations of Eulemur collaris,
collared brown lemurs, and Eulemur coronatus, crowned
lemurs" at the Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics at the
American Museum of Natural History. LCF Scientist and Board
Member George Amato, who is the Director of the Sackler Institute,
was instrumental in arranging use of the specialized lab.
March Tree Planting
A local nurseryman in Venice generously donated 50 8 ft. live oak
trees to be planted throughout the reserve which in years to
come will increase the tree canopy for the lemurs.
A Myakka City neighbor is also giving LCF some faster growing cypress trees, which will be placed in the wetter areas where they will thrive and contribute to the diversity of the forest.
Pete Shover, Phil Sirois and Michael Stern finish unloading the oaks.
The Bradenton Times
A lengthy article and a video featuring the Myakka City Lemur Reserve with key staff interviews was published by the Bradenton Times and are available on their website.
Animal Husbandry Intern - Jessica McCall
Jessica McCall begins a six months at the Myakka City Lemur Reserve as
the Penelope Bodry-Sanders and Mackarness M. Goode Animal
Husbandry Intern.
Jessica arrived shortly after graduating Cum Laude from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology, concentrating in Ethology. She will be involved in the daily care of LCF’s growing lemur colony, working closely with Animal Husbandry staff and LCF's Director, Research & Operations.
Jessica is especially interested in behavioral enrichment as it applies to improving animal welfare, and endangered species conservation through captive breeding programs.Born and raised in Orlando, Florida has previous husbandry and behavioral research experience at the Palm Beach Zoo in West Palm Beach, Florida, as both a Conservation & Research Intern and a Carnivore Care Intern.
Research Internship Takes Shape
Savannah Schulze arrived from Minnesota to
begin laying the groundwork for LCF's Research
Internship program. Serving as our first research
intern, Savannah, a graduate of the University of
Minnesota, Morris with a BA in Anthropology and Wildlife
Biology, will spend four months at the Reserve working
closely with LCF Director of Research and
Operations, planning and setting up our long-range
research program.
Savannah is mapping the forest and developing the ethograms that future research interns will use when they collect data. Subsequent interns will build upon previous research so that a significant body of data will be collected for in-depth analysis. This is an exciting challenge for Savannah and a very exciting contribution to LCF.
Savannah setting up the GPS device
Meg Lowman Writes About LCF
, professor at New College of Florida and noted tree canopy expert, came to the reserve with a group of students and wrote about their experience in her weekly environmental column. Most importantly she described the current political crisis, the rapid deforestation and what practical steps can be taken to help save the lemurs in Madagascar.
Canopy Highway
Volunteers helped install the beginning of our canopy highway in the pine forest. The Varecia rubra)red ruffed lemurs) were instantly enthralled with the artificial vines and enjoy displaying their acrobatic skills especially at mealtime.
Fieldwork Student Begins in Library
Claire Miller, a graduate student in the University of South Florida's School of Library and Information Science program, began her supervised fieldwork course in the Bladstrom Library. She will assist with library projects and learn about what goes on in a special library. A New College graduate with family in Arcadia, she feels right at home on the Reserve.
Fieldwork students gain hands-on library experience while earning course credits by working for a minimum of 120 hours in our library. Besides traditional library tasks like cataloging and collection development Claire will do some grantsearching and help with the digitization of the rare books.
Claire is LCF's second USF/SLIS student to choose the Bladstrom Library for her fieldwork experience. We appreciate this this mutually beneficial partnership.
LCF Named Recipient of Nature's Path EnviroKidz Giving Back Award
Funds Will Support Tampolo Classroom/Community Center
The Lemur Conservation Foundation has been named a recipient of Nature’s Path Organic Foods’ 2009 EnviroKidz Giving Back Award. The Giving Back Program donates money to non-profit organizations, such as LCF that support endangered species, habitat conservation and environmental education for kids.
LCF's relationship with Nature's Path began with the development of the EnviroKidz Organic Leapin' Lemurs Cereal and cereal bars which educates children about lemurs and their situation as an endangered species. "We have heard from dozens of children who have responded enthusiastically to the products and the games and informational material on the box and wanted to help us in our mission," said Penelope Bodry-Sanders, LCF's Executive Director. "Given the current political unrest and accelerated environmental devastation in some parts of Madagascar, the LCF's classroom project being supported by EnvironKidz, has become even more urgent and critical for conservation efforts on this island nation," she added.
“We are committed to leaving the world a better place than we found it by supporting organizations like the Lemur Conservation Foundation,” said Arran Stephens, President and Founder of Nature’s Path Organic Foods. “We are extremely grateful to the consumers who have supported our EnviroKidz line and made this possible and proud to be able to give back to this dedicated and hard-working group.” Nature’s Path, North America’s number one organic cereal manufacturer is celebrating the 10 year anniversary of its EnviroKidz Giving Back Award this year.
For more information go to or .
About the Project:
The
$30,000 grant will fund a much needed
classroom/community center at LCF's sister reserve in
Tampolo, Madagascar. (To see complete plans, click on image)
The center will fill a critical need at the Tampolo Forest Reserve and will dramatically enhance education outreach for both school students and adults by providing a centralized gathering place for environmental educational presentations and study.
The Tampolo Station which is already a hub of environmental activity, can also become the civic and intellectual center for all residents of Tampolo villages. In this way, the building serves a social need while bringing attention to environmental issues. As new towers for wireless Internet are being built ever closer to Tampolo, within the next couple of years when the Internet is available, LCF will install four computers powered by solar panels in the classroom, available for the use of Tampolo village children.
The Tampolo Station which is already a hub of environmental activity, can also become the civic and intellectual center for all residents of Tampolo villages. In this way, the building serves a social need while bringing attention to environmental issues. As new towers for wireless Internet are being built ever closer to Tampolo, within the next couple of years when the Internet is available, LCF will install four computers powered by solar panels in the classroom, available for the use of Tampolo village children.
About Nature’s Path:
Founded in 1985, Nature’s Path Organic Foods is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia and employs around 350 people at its four facilities in Canada and the United States. The privately held, family-owned company produces breakfast foods and snacks sold in specialty foods stores and retailers in 40 countries around the world. The company’s innovative brands include Nature’s Path®, Flax Plus, EnviroKidz®, Weil by Nature’s Path TM, and Optimum®. Visit Nature’s Path online at .
Baby Mongoose Lemur Born!
4 weeks old with mother
both parents and baby at almost 2 months
Myakka Reserve's New Lead Keeper
Pattie Walsh began work as as the Myakka City Lemur Reserve's new Lead Keeper in April. And, she arrived well-prepared for the challenging job.
Pattie comes to LCF from the Wildlife Conservation Society in the Bronx, NY where she worked for six years as a pathology technician. Prior to this she was as an animal keeper at Disney Animal Kingdom and Baltimore Zoo and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Madagascar.
Pattie has a B.S. in psychobiology from Long Island University, Southampton Campus and a certificate in conservation biology. She’s also been engaged in conservation efforts in Kenya with bongos (a rare forest antelope) and lions. She has several publications -- on both pathology and animal husbandry – to her credit. She is especially interested in animal enrichment and training.
Besides handling animal husbandry responsibilities, Pattie will direct the work of the interns and volunteers, assist with visiting researchers, plan and implement enrichment activities, and will work closely with Monica to maintain our thriving and expanding lemur colony.
Teachers' Institute for Conservation Ecology
The Teachers’ Institute for Conservation Ecology is a five-day research based summer institute sponsored and conducted by the Lemur Conservation Foundation (LCF) in Myakka City, FL.
The goal of the Institute is to provide high school teachers the necessary scientific background, inspiration and specialized tools and techniques in a working science environment to enable them to create stimulating conservation curricula to take back to their classrooms and share with their colleagues.
The participants work with leading national scientists who share their expertise and provide hands-on activities designed to excite and motivate young science students. Using the Reserve's lemur colony and the native habitat as a resource, participants will also practice living day-to-day science through a field-training program where they learn proper fieldwork techniques under the guidance of professionals.
Director Wins National Conservation Fellowship
Penelope Bodry-Sanders is one of 40 conservationists to be selected for the TogetherGreen Conservation Fellowship program for 2008.
The program, created by an alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota, is designed to foster leadership and creativity in promoting conservation and environmental projects across the country.
Read more about the Fellowship and the project Penelope is working on at the
LCF Internship Changes Hands
Laura Ellsaesser, from North Carolina, will take over the animal husbandry internship from Roy Keech and begin her six-month stay at the Reserve. A recent graduate of Auburn University, we are glad to have her on board. We will miss Roy whose sense of humor, diligence, ingenuity and positive attitude made him a pleasure to work with.
For more information on internship opportunities at LCF click here.
Lemur Jewels Ltd.
LCF
is proud to announce that the Lemur Jewels Ltd. website
is up and running.
Uniquely designed handcrafted pieces in sterling silver
and 18 kt. gold featuring six different lemurs by
Valentin Magro might make the perfect and very unusual
holiday gift. Primatology Field Methods Course
Natalie Vasey, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, will visit the reserve in to conduct three intensive one-week sessions on primatology field methods. These courses, which can be taken for credit, are open to students and professionals at other institutions.
For complete information on this and other field training opportunities at LCF,click here.
Lemur Tales: Lessons from the Forest
Alex Porpora, former LCF intern, is back at the Reserve offering distance learning classes for K-12 students. This exciting new outreach program is designed to engage students in science education by enabling them to interact online with a scientist or researcher in the field.
To find out more about the program visit ourOutreach Page
Leapin' Lemurs
Leapin' Lemurs, a new organic EnviroKidz brand cereal from Nature's Path Organic, is on grocery and health food store shelves and 1% of the sales goes to the Lemur Conservation Foundation. You can also order the cereal online. Inside and outside of the box there is information about lemurs and endangered animals with games and puzzles. It also tells about the Lemur Conservation Foundation and what we do. Included on the box is a form to send a contribution directly to LCF. Read more about Nature's Path's commitment to conservation and their efforts to educate children about environmental causes.
The Ako Project
The Ako Project produces storybooks on the lemurs of Madagascar, involves and aids primary school teachers, and provides posters about Madagascar’s forest habitats. more...
