Endangered animal conservation programs

[simonm]

Hi all,

I would like to donate some money to conservation programs directed at Australian endangered animals. I am particularly interested in people/programs working with the Swift parrot but would love to hear about other programs.

Cheers

[MickyB]

I think a good organisation to donate to is 'Save the Tasmanian Devil Program'

http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/tasdevil.nsf/

[simonm]

Thanks it's on the list.

I am looking for a number of programs. I can't find any specific to the Swift Parrot at this stage.

[peregrinator]

Perhaps BirdLife Australia can provide more information.

http://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/swift-parrot

http://www.birdlife.org.au/projects/threatened-bird-network

[whynotwalk]

Nice one Simon - there's also the most endangered of all, the orange-bellied parrot. Wildcare Tas has a fund, and also a volunteer group that has regular trips to Melaleuca and Birchs Inlet to monitor, band, etc. http://wildcaretas.org.au/donations/wildcare-save-the-orange-bellied-parrot-fund/

cheers

Peter

[simonm]

Thanks. I have now sent a few emails to different organisations.

My idea is to name a few of my products after different endangered species and then have a portion of the sales go to an organistion helping that particular animal. I think its potentially a good way to raise awareness and also a way for me to donate some money on an ongoing basis.

Plus I don't want my kids asking what did you do to try and help these species, and not have a good answer. My young daughter is already quite upset at the demise of the Thylacine.

[FootTrack]

I think a good organisation to donate to is 'Save the Tasmanian Devil Program'

http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/tasdevil.nsf/

I think the Tasmanian Devil program is a great initiative, but if I had to give my money to a conservation program I would probably look elsewhere. From what I've heard, conservation programs are heavily under funded these days. Whats more, some species receive a significantly greater slice of funding, as compared to other species (the Tasmanian Devil falls into this category). I would put my money towards a less well known/cute/fluffy/tourism driven but equally important species, that may not be fortunate enough to receive the exposure and funding of others. Or perhaps I would donate towards one of Australia's endangered plant species, which commonly fly off the public's radar. I think it is important to chose wisely where donations are directed; $1 can be a lot more valuable/useful to some programs compared to others.

Below are two excellent articles which elaborate on this topic.
http://www.theage.com.au/multimedia/triage/
http://theconversation.com/another-aust ... tion-36203

[simonm]

Cheers. I will have a look at those articles when I get a chance.

[FootTrack]

Cheers. I will have a look at those articles when I get a chance.

Not a problem.

I forgot to say - great work on considering to donate some of your profits to these causes too. They are definitely in need of more public awareness and support.

[north-north-west]

My idea is to name a few of my products after different endangered species and then have a portion of the sales go to an organistion helping that particular animal. I think its potentially a good way to raise awareness and also a way for me to donate some money on an ongoing basis.

Loud applause.

A great idea and a very simple & straightforward way to help our endangered species.
Thank you.

[simonm]

Those articles were great FootTrack, it put a few things in perspective and perhaps a bit of a path forward.

Thanks NNW. Hopefully the first of the products will go up once I get back from the Overland Track.

[Hallu]

Amphibians are amongst the most endangered species on earth because we don't take care of our wetlands, we tend to drain them for access or building over them. Plus mining pollutes the water sources . If you wish to have one animal per new product you could chose one marsupial, one amphibian, one reptile, one bird, one insect, one tree etc...

[vicrev]

My idea is to name a few of my products after different endangered species and then have a portion of the sales go to an organistion helping that particular animal. I think its potentially a good way to raise awareness and also a way for me to donate some money on an ongoing basis.

Loud applause.

A great idea and a very simple & straightforward way to help our endangered species.
Thank you.

Agree !!...........

[simonm]

If you wish to have one animal per new product you could chose one marsupial, one amphibian, one reptile, one bird, one insect, one tree etc...

I like that idea. It might give me some impetus to make more products .

[Suz]

fab idea. as you are in Tas you might also consider Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: http://bonorong.com.au/conservation/

Corroboree frog could make a good amphibian

I am thinking about fund-raising for my AAWT hike - since I am the fund-raiser for the local branch of my wildlife rescue group it seems pretty much the thing to do really But we are NSW based so probably not the the group for you.

[simonm]

Thanks Suz - they certainly don't have to be Tasmania based. My kids are now keen to check out Bonorong Sanctuary.

[Suz]

Ah great - I hope they have fun when you gettem there
You can also donate to my AAWT hike when I get round to organising it! ha ha

According to the IUCN list - the threatened bird network suggested by peregrinator have apparently been involved with swift parrot conservation so hopefully they get back to you if you contact them. Check the entry on the swift parrot here: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22685219/0

If you don't know the IUCN list ( http://www.iucnredlist.org ) - well it's now your go-to endangered animal list …it's basically the wikipedia of species status' and conservation efforts.

[simonm]

I have had initial contact with Birdlife Tasmania and am just waiting for confirmation before proceeding.

I might re-name a couple of my existing products to reflect an amphibian and marsupial next.

Thanks for the links Suz.

On a related matter I have been exposed to the grubby end of business after a very ordinary business dealing with a local Tasmanian company, which has reaffirmed my desire to have a focus for my business that is not just about making money.

[Empty]

On a related matter I have been exposed to the grubby end of business after a very ordinary business dealing with a local Tasmanian company, which has reaffirmed my desire to have a focus for my business that is not just about making money.

It is an interesting business philosophy in general. Some years back I did some consulting work for a business in the US that was started by a husband and wife who's sole objective when they started up was to generate enough income so that they could help homeless people. They were from the Deep South and very religious. Their business turned out to be pretty successful and,not long before I met them they accepted a buy out offer from a division of Brambles.

I was not told the sum but as the lady put it to me, neither she, nor her family, nor her children's family, nor her children's children family would have ever to work again (assuming nobody squandered it). It has always been a lesson to me about the power of altruism.

Of course I have also seen the opposite where misdirected good intentions have led to ruin.

Interesting philosophy. Proceed with caution.

[simonm]

Hey Empty - caution recommendation noted . My wife is always here to keep my idealism in check.

[north-north-west]

It is an interesting business philosophy in general. Some years back I did some consulting work for a business in the US that was started by a husband and wife who's sole objective when they started up was to generate enough income so that they could help homeless people. They were from the Deep South and very religious. Their business turned out to be pretty successful and,not long before I met them they accepted a buy out offer from a division of Brambles.

I was not told the sum but as the lady put it to me, neither she, nor her family, nor her children's family, nor her children's children family would have ever to work again (assuming nobody squandered it). It has always been a lesson to me about the power of altruism.

And what happened to the homeless people after the buyout?

[Empty]

I have no idea as it is many years ago now. A condition of the sale was that the husband and wife stayed on in a consultancy role for a period of time ( which is pretty usual) which is how I got to meet them. We went out for dinner a few times and they impressed me as very genuine people so I have no doubt that they would have continued to support those in need. Being very religious ( which I am not) they saw their business success a Gods plan so I doubt that they would risk getting him/her/it offside by taking the money and running.

It is not altogether unusual as I know of other similar success stories. As they say, do what you love and the money will follow.

[north-north-west]

As they say, do what you love and the money will follow.

I love bludging. Never made a red cent out of it, but.

[MickyB]

Thanks Suz - they certainly don't have to be Tasmania based. My kids are now keen to check out Bonorong Sanctuary.

I have been to several wildlife parks / animal sanctuaries in Tasmania and IMO Bonorong and Trowunna Wildlife Park are easily the best in the state. The staff's main concern is animal welfare, unlike at other parks in the state where they are only interested in making money. At one park (I won't mention which) the owner told me she was annoyed that Tasmanian Devils were being bred on the main land and in her opinion they should only be bred at the sanctuaries in Tasmania. I was gobsmacked that she was putting her business ahead of a species survival

Here are some photos of a typical Tasmanian blue tongue lizard that was road side rescued by Bonorong and brought back to the park when we were there

[simonm]

MickyB - interesting Blue Tongue.

Now for some naming assistance - I have a new hammock in development and need a name as per detailed in this thread I would like it to be named after a vulnerable species.

I have been looking at mainly marsupials and birds. Some I have been considering are:
Bent-wing (bat)
The Dibbler
Quoll
Potaroo
Quokka
Goshawk

Open to other suggestions not necessarily restricted to mammals or birds.

Thanks for any assistance.

Netted hammock 014_800x533.JPG (98.23 KiB) Viewed 40697 times

Netted hammock 019_800x533.JPG (144.06 KiB) Viewed 40697 times

[Moondog55]

Honestly the best way to support endangered animals would be to support agencies which help people to limit family size to replacement of lower, after all it's population pressure which is the problem

[simonm]

Honestly the best way to support endangered animals would be to support agencies which help people to limit family size to replacement of lower, after all it's population pressure which is the problem

Hammocks are a solution to reduce family size. Having sex in a camping hammock is quite difficult.

[MickyB]

Bent-wing (bat)

Would having 'bent' in a product name put doubt in people's minds about the quality of the product?

I think all the other names would be great.

[Moondog55]

Honestly the best way to support endangered animals would be to support agencies which help people to limit family size to replacement of lower, after all it's population pressure which is the problem

Hammocks are a solution to reduce family size. Having sex in a camping hammock is quite difficult.

I'll mention this to the Boss and start work on a giant sized hammock immediately

[neilmny]

It's not an Aussie endangered species but the way a hammock hangs
and the whole hammock concept makes me think sloth.

Hey wait a minute .......... not endangered but what about the Tiergear Drop Bear