Petition Tag - conservation

Thames Water are proposing to use green land next to Deptford Church Street and in the heart of Deptford as a worksite for the Thames Tunnel project. After works are completed a Thames Tunnel kiosk and vents to the sewage pipes will remain on the green.

We are petitioning against this because the site is valuable green space in the heart of a densely populated urban area. It is in a residential area in close proximity to two schools, a leisure centre and the High Street. Works here will have a big impact on our community. The site is also next to a grade 1 listed church and a listed railway viaduct.

We do not dispute the importance of Thames Tunnel works but we do believe there are other, more appropriate, sites available which would not so negatively affect community, buildings of historical importance and biodiversity.

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Orangutans are caged, bound and brutalised, and exposed to degrading and inhumane conditions after having their homes ripped away from underneath them. Others are mindlessly slaughtered as illegal loggers destroy their habitat.

These creatures have the intelligence and sensitivity to think and feel and understand what is happening to them, to grieve for their homes and loved ones, to feel fear, hopelessness, confusion and despair. Please help them.

DeforestACTION, via Taking It Global, are aiming to rescue these animals and provide a safe home for them, restoring areas of barren and degraded land and working with the Indonesian Government to preserve what is left of their forest. They will involve the local people in preserving and protecting these animals and their natural habitat.

Please add your name and email address to the Taking It Global database to show your support for these animals. By adding your name you are agreeing to Taking It Global's terms of use. We can then also update you on the progress that the deforestACTION team is making in securing new homes for those fortunate enough to be rescued from their dreadful conditions. As individuals they are suffering appallingly, but as a species they are gravely close to extinction. When the forests are restored, many of these animals will be rehabilitated and released back into the wilds of Borneo where they belong.

Therefore, by helping us to provide these individuals with a life worth living, you are also helping to provide a future for their species. These animals are on the verge of extinction, and they are suffering unforgiveably at the hands of humans. They need those of us who are strong enough to acknowledge their plights to speak out on their behalf.

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The Miller Beck County Wildlife Site is 14.4 hectares of valley fen with a series of marshy pastures and meadows on low-lying and peat soils on the floodplain of the Miller Beck and its tributaries at the foot of England's largest lake, Windemere.

Of the 11 different habitats found, the Tall-herb fens, Rush pasture and Habitat mosaics are BAP priority habitats meaning that they have been identified as a priority for conservation. County Wildlife Sites are not protected by law. Their survival depends on owners and managers being sympathetic to the needs of wildlife.

The Cumbria Local Sites Partnership is responsible for monitoring and protecting the Millerbeck County Wildlife Site. The partnership membership includes Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Cumbria County Council, Lake District National Park Authorities, District Councils, Natural England, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency, and The National Trust.

The National Trust recently sold 11 hectares of the Miller Beck County Wildlife Site, and by selling at auction to the highest bidder, there was no protection on this land.

The new owner has already canalised much of the beck, which is a spawning ground for salmon and crayfish, and has also dug new field drains and spread lime which is in direct contravention of the Wildlife Trust's management recommendations.

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Despite laws protecting sea turtles in most countries, the illegal trade of eggs, meat, and shells (known as poaching) of turtles continues to be a threat.

In many parts of the world, these animals are harvested for their meat and eggs which are used for human consumption and in some places are considered a delicacy. In many countries, the trade in turtle eggs is a big industry that provides income to many people. In other parts of the world, including some island nations, sea turtles are used for ceremonial purposes. Their shells and skins are also used to make a variety of objects like jewelry, sunglasses, tourist trinkets, instruments, and wall hangings. The hawksbill is particularly valued for its shell which is used for ornamental purposes.

Lack of enforcement and public awareness are particularly problematic when it comes to illegal trade. As trade occurs across borders between countries, monitoring illegal trade is sometimes impossible. Often illegal activities occur in remote areas and poachers are unable to be found and prosecuted or local officials are not motivated to enforce the laws. Educating local communities on the economic benefit of a live versus a dead sea turtle is essential to eliminating illegal trade. Many conservation programs are underway worldwide implementing projects which bring more money to local communities in tourism dollars than they would receive from harvesting the animals.

Did You Know?

* All 7 species of sea turtles are at risk of poaching or illegal trade for their meat, eggs, or shell.

* CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species is an international agreement between countries that aims to protect species from extinction as a result of trade. This agreement however is voluntary and not all countries around the world are members. CITES currently provides protection for more than 30,000 species of animals and plants worldwide.

* Some cultures believe sea turtle eggs are aphrodisiacs. There is however, no scientific basis to this belief. In other cultures it is believed that eating them leads to a long life.

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Hexthorpe Flatts is a public park located on the site of a former limestone quarry in Doncaster. The site has been continually developed since 1902 with the aim of creating a park that is safe, accessible and enjoyable to all.

The riverside path is a valuable feature of the park; it connects the two local towns of Hexthorpe and Sprotborough and also forms part of the Trans Pennine Trail. A wide range of wildlife has been seen at this site including otters, foxes, grass snakes, & potentially water voles (UK protected species).

However, the area has not been well looked after in the past and has become a ‘no-go’ area in the main with a reduced value for wildlife due to it being dwarfed by non-native Himalayan Balsam. Visitors also feel enclosed and unsafe when walking the pathway due to the density of Balsam. The local community wish to change this.

Volunteer groups will pull by hand 1000m2 of Himalayan Balsam before composting on-site as habitat piles. Although labour intensive it is the best way of preventing its spread. This will then allow the river bank to naturally recolonise with native flora and fauna and the rotting Balsam will create new habitat for invertebrates elsewhere. It will also mean people can better access the site and feel safer whilst doing so.

Funding is needed for this project to happen. It is supported by Friends of Hexthorpe Park, Living Streets, Hexthorpe Primary School and many other local people and organisations.

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Sheffield’s historic Portland Works is threatened with closure and conversion into flats. Please help us to persuade Sheffield City Council to reject this planning application.

This atmospheric metal trades building, a grade II* listed building, currently houses a thriving collection of profitable and innovative local businesses. It is a place where the boundaries between art, industry, and technology break down, allowing Sheffield’s manufacturing past to inspire its creative future. Local artists rub shoulders with tool makers, heritage craftspeople ply their trade next to businesses researching and developing new patents, and the sound of local bands rehearsing mingles with the rasp of grinding wheels.

The proposal to convert Portland works into flats threatens a whole traditional way of life. Conserving this place means more than preserving its beautiful grade II* listed architectural fabric, which witnessed the manufacture of the first stainless steel cutlery. It means defending jobs, safeguarding traditional specialist skills so that they can be passed on to new generations, and preserving continuity with Sheffield’s proud tradition of expert ‘little mesters’ who work in an enterprising, sustainable, and fundamentally local way.

There is a viable and exciting alternative to flats on this site, an option that seeks to conserve both the building’s fabric and its use. The Portland Works campaign, staffed by volunteers, aims to purchase the works building with funds raised through a community share issue. Our aim is to repair its fabric and to develop it as both a business cluster and a community space.

However, for this to be possible, Sheffield City Council must reject the current planning application to convert the building into flats. This petition urges them to do so, in the name of Sheffield’s historic past, its characterful present, and its sustainable future.

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We are lulled into a false sense of security thinking that areas designated as of 'out standing natural beauty' are safe from development, but on a whim a government can decide that it is 'in the national interest' to develop these areas.

"In the national interest" is a very vague term and it really means that someone - whether a public body or a private body will profit from the ruination of our precious areas of outstanding natural beauty.

There is ALWAYS an alternative to developing these areas - it just means less profit or more costs for the government. If we don't make a stand we will lose the cotswolds, the chilterns, yorkshire dales and many other outstanding areas bit by bit, and our children's heritage will be sold down the river successive governments.

There should at least be a referendum on any major projects affecting OUR areas of outstanding natural beauty, when they do not enhance or conserve the natural beauty of these areas.

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Unless the current trajectory of rhino poaching is considerably reversed, the current positive growth in the rhino population is going to turn negative by 2013.

The horrors of the assault on South Africa's rhino population reached a new level this week when a rhino grave, containing the carcasses of 17 rhinos, was discovered in the Letaba Ranch provincial park, a reserve run by the Limpopo provincial government (see report). The reserve is alongside South Africa's premier national park, the Kruger Park, and there is no boundary fence, thus allowing the free flow of animals between these two protected areas. It is therefore plausible that rhinos from the Kruger Park have been killed in Letaba.

Notwithstanding an investigation by Limpopo officials, I have today written to the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs asking her to instigate an inquiry as well into who is responsible for these poaching incidents and how it is possible that this rhino grave could have gone unnoticed for so long. The fact that the grave is close to the Kruger, should be of specific concern to the national Minister, as SANParks, which runs Kruger, reports to her Department.

The assault on South Africa's rhino population has been relentless during 2010. In fact, this year has been an annus horribilis' for conservation in South Africa, with approximately 270 rhinos killed thus far. While law enforcement officials have made many high-profile arrests, the demand for rhino horn is insatiable, which means that the emergence of new poachers is a constant threat. Unless the current trajectory of rhino poaching is considerably reversed, the current positive growth in the rhino population is going to turn negative by 2013.

The question does need to be asked whether, in the case of the Letaba, any employees of the state were involved in poaching. How could no one have discovered this grave previously, if it was not for the possibility that staff may have turned a blind eye to goings-on in the park, or at worst, may have been actively involved in these acts of poaching? Alternatively, there has been such a considerable dereliction of duty in this provincial park that staff do not even patrol the park and have lost control of what happens in the park. Either way, employees of the state need to be held accountable.

The lack of security in Letaba Ranch directly threatens the Kruger Park. The Minister, who is new to her job, needs to investigate, hold her provincial counterparts to account, and must send a strong signal that she will take a tougher stance on rhino poaching than her predecessor ever did. Most importantly, she needs to reassure the public that she is going to win the war against rhino poachers.

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The marine ecosystems of the Riviera Maya are facing a crisis - overfishing and irresponsible tourism practices, in combination with the lack of designated marine park protected areas are killing our reef and marine life.

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, second largest in the world, is an International Protected Area. However, the section adjacent to the popular tourist destination of Playa del Carmen, remains unprotected.

The dive community, together with concerned global citizens, can make a difference. We are petitioning local and federal government to regulate responsibly, with concern for the environment.

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Society's young people are the ones who have the drive and energy to help protect our threatened habitats, species and communities. They also have the most interest as it is they who will inherit the mess that the rest of society has created, globally!!

Society should encourage them but, instead, we seem to be committed to lumbering them with huge student debt for when they start their careers and this having sacrificed so many years in lost wages as they worked hard to achieve their qualifications - something that society benefits from as it makes our economy more competitive and dynamic.

They will persevere. they will continue to study and to achieve and they will take on the extra debt into their careers and, they will be successful, BUT, it is not fair!

It is also damaging to global society as our young people more so than any others on the planet are the ones who are capable of going out into the world, volunteering with our NGOs, and making change- to threatened habitats, species and communities. They WANT to do this BUT their increasingly burdensome debt commitments are making it simply impossible.

Society should support them! What this petition proposes is that young people volunteering with our NGOs can earn credit for their time which is then offset against their student debt. In this way we make it possible for our young people to continue to help, 'save the planet', and, as importantly, we, as a society, demonstrate our commitment, support and respect to them.

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Scotts Meadow is located in Torquay on Riviera Way, next to 'The Willows'. Cavanna homes wants to build 230 homes on this meadow, and we are advocating against it. Saving 'Scotts Meadow' is an issue we feel very strongly about. We believe that many people do not know about the many wonderful benefits of keeping Scotts Meadow as it is. We hope that you will come around to our way of thinking and support our advocacy.

We think we should all save Scotts Meadow because:
• It is a good place to spend time with your family, or to walk your dogs.
• If we build houses on Scotts Meadow it will be bad for the environment.
• There is not much green space around 'The Willows', so it is vital that we protect what little there is, such as Scotts Meadow.
• Scotts Meadow has been a part of many people's lives for many years, and so if people have enjoyed it before now, they will enjoy it for years to come.
• We need to protect the meadow to enhance its value as a wildlife site.

Building more homes in the willows will put pressure on local facilities as there is already a lack of community facilities.

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The Village Council of Wabamun is requesting approval from the Alberta Government to develop the lands south of the CN railway track in the town of Wabamun. This area is an important wetlands for Wabamun lake. It serves as an important bird nesting area and a major fish spawning area.

The vegetation in this area also serves to maintain the lake's water quality. In addition, the area is not suitable for development as there is no strong foundation to build on. The marshy area would require excessive gravel fill to create a suitable building area. This alteration to the lake's natural shoreline would further disrupt the lake.

Plans for the development can be seen here. http://www.wabamun.ca/life/documents/Web_Package.pdf

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This is to try and save the killing of lions in South Africa and the breeding of them for killing.

Most lions now live in eastern and southern Africa, and their numbers there are rapidly decreasing, with an estimated 30–50 percent decline over the last two decades. Currently, estimates of the African lion population range between 16,500 and 47,000 living in the wild in 2002–2004, down from early 1990s estimates that ranged as high as 100,000 and perhaps 400,000 in 1950. The cause of the decline is not well-understood, and may not be reversible.

Currently, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are considered the most significant threats to the species. The remaining populations are often geographically isolated from each other, which can lead to inbreeding, and consequently, a lack of genetic diversity.

Therefore the lion is considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, while the Asiatic subspecies is critically endangered.

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Due to governmental red tape we have been informed that parliament wants petitions in their format on their website. It's not surprising that they make it difficult to be heard. So if you want your voice to count please sign both these petitions. The one on this page and the one at this link:

We strongly recommend you click here and add your name to the second petition which is presented to parliament.

Energex plans to destroy a huge amount of our precious and beautiful Sunshine Coast cutting a 40 metre wide channel 22 kilometres long which courses through trees, bordering and crossing Eudlo Creek in many places, spelling the end to much flora and fauna and destroying a lot of public and private land in the process.

The proposed high voltage powerline will pass alongside a major school, through a number of environment reserves, over the picturesque Maroochy River as well as passing over major sporting venues where people of all ages, including kids, play sport.

The following points will help you understand why demanding the energy corridor be placed UNDERGROUND is the only sustainable option with best results for the whole community, preserving our much loved wildlife and beautiful scenery for all time. The underground solution represents good economic practice making long term savings for ENERGEX and therefore the end user.

Most people believe that overhead powerlines pose a significant danger to the health of people living under, near or those who work, play sport etc, or pass under or near these lines.

Even if you think there's no problem with high emissions, Corona Ions (which are shed into the atmosphere from the wires themselves), or high milligauss levels (magnetic field levels) then there are still MANY other reasons why supporting this petition is very important.

1 The erection of these massive ugly pylons will be a PERMANENT BLIGHT on our beautiful landscape for ALL FUTURE generations.

2 The path ENERGEX has chosen is largely following Eudlo Creek which will have devastating effects on this fragile and necessary ecosystem.

3 ENERGEX has totally misrepresented their intentions by stating that they would place all pylons in a manner that would preserve the environment and not affect species of vulnerable or threatened flora and fauna. This is NOT the case at all.

ENERGEX plans to annihilate much of the precious and fragile ecosystems along Eudlo Creek, interfere with a gazetted Koala Corridor, destroy thousands of trees that are generations old (taking with it vulnerable habitats of threatened birds, frogs, marsupials, monotremes – even endangered species – and so on).

4 Overhead powerlines involve carving a path through the landscape 40 metres wide in as straight a path as possible. Cabling underground only requires a ‘corridor’ or 10 metres wide. That is a huge difference. Plus you will never see the powerlines after they are buried.

5 Overhead powerlines are made of aluminium. Underground cabling is made of copper. Copper is a better conductor of electricity. This means that less natural resources are needed to produce the power. There is more efficiency and that results in delivering more power.

In fact using underground cabling means 30% better power efficiency. There’s more bang for our power bucks! It also means we burn LESS COAL. Underground power cabling is a truly sustainable option. It requires FAR less maintenance and is replaced approx every 40 years. Overhead wires are replaced every 15. I hope you’re getting the picture! It’s a real way to REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT.

6 Overhead powerlines represent a waste of our money in the long term, present a risk to health, a risk to the lives of a HUGE proportion of our environment.

YOU have the power to stop this insulting and ridiculous program from going ahead. Please sign the petition. And PLEASE send every Australian you know this petition. Creating another precedent will mean that we will be able to protect all communities from the threat of overhead powerlines in ALL communities in Australia. This is much more than a local issue. It concerns us all. Hurry. We only have til June 14 to get to as many people as possible.

Thank you! Your support is greatly appreciated.

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Sharks are in a vulnerable state now! Please rmb that we not only share the world with humans, but with so many other animals including these predatory sharks living here for 400 million years already.

Here in Singapore, with so much red tape it's almost impossible to make an individual's voice heard! Do let your voice be heard! Do not let the consumption of sharks be a NORM here!

Stop the supply; stop the demand too! Who knows what other fish they can sell here next time!!!

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After luring a baboon into a trap by using bread as bait, a Wilderness man fired about 20 shots into the animal, using a .22calibre gun. The baboon suffered abominably, taking hours to die. Police called to the scene were so traumatised, they were unable to put the animal down themselves and called a professional hunter in to end the baboon's suffering. The man was arrested but only charged with firing a weapon in a residential area.

The SPCA is prosecuting the perpetrator under the animal Protection Act for cruelty to animals.

Baboon Matters Trust believes that this and other
related incidents could have been prevented if
CapeNature (Responsible for nature conservation in the Western Cape) and SA National Parks implemented pro-active baboon
management into baboon affected areas.

KILLING SO-CALLED “PROBLEM ANIMALS” DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

The outdated belief that the only way to solve a problem caused by the inability of man to live alongside wildlife, is to eliminate the wildlife needs to be changed. Killing so-called “problem animals” does not solve the problem. It has been proven that pro-active management reduces conflict and helps solve the problem eliminating the need to hurt, maim or torture any animal.

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STOP SHARK SALES CAMPAIGN

Sharks are currently being exported overseas and sold on the Egyptian market, even at a multi-national hyper-market chain, namely, Carrefour Egypt! Overfishing and consumption of sharks and their fins are serious threats to human health, the environment and our economy. The goal of HEPCA’s Stop Shark Sales Campaign is to avert these impacts and encourage the community to come together to put pressure on those who fish, trade and sell sharks in order to protect our health, environment and prosperity.

Four years ago we helped to secure legislation that banned shark fining in Egyptian waters, which led to widespread condemnation of those who flouted the ban (both in fishing and selling shark meat). This led to Egypt being honoured as Shark Guardian of the Year in 2006.

In 2010 we are once again faced with the same issue as we find one of the largest hypermarkets in Egypt and a brand of international standing – Carrefour – openly trading baby sharks in their store in Maadi, Cairo. Their sale of sharks is an irresponsible act that endangers the wellbeing of their clientele and the future of our planet.

HEPCA wants the Egyptian Government to intervene to stop shark trading and to ensure a ban on the exporting of shark meat. We encourage the community to challenge those endangering us like Carrefour who do not care for the health of the citizens of Egypt nor the natural and economic resources of this country.

Shark Facts: Proof that we should lobby for a complete ban on shark trading in Egypt

Health Risk
As top predators, sharks accumulate high concentrations of toxins present in the environment in their body, often as much as 10,000 times that of their surrounding environment. Persistent toxins such as Methyl Mercury are retained in sharks, and they are far less susceptible to the toxic effects of Methyl Mercury than humans; therefore even healthy sharks contain high concentrations of the toxicant.

The effects of this toxic compound on humans are numerous. It is estimated that more than 60,000 children are born with neurological damage due to exposure during pregnancy in the United States alone, due to the fact that this biotoxin is not held back by the natural barriers in the human body. Thousands of families each year are faced with the challenge of raising a child with severe neurological damage or disability, simply because the mother or father ingested shark meat.

The effects of Methyl Mercury are not limited to the unborn, it is also considered to be a carcinogen, its impact on the central neural system is irreversible, and it is known to cause coronary artery disease and cardiac arrest, as well as trigger autoimmune diseases and immune dysfunction.

Methyl Mercury ingestion has extensively been documented to cause male infertility and spermatozoa mutation, in addition to instigating type II diabetes.
The maximum mercury intake as indicated by The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food (JEFCA) is 0.23µg/kg of body weight per day. Therefore, a person weighing 80kg can safely ingest up to 18.4µg of Methyl Mercury per day according to JEFCA. Shark meat has been found to contain as much as 4000µg/kg of Methyl Mercury! Using an average value of 1400µg/kg of shark meat, a simple calculation reveals that an average shark steak (that is 300g in the pan, served as 200g) contains 420µg of Methyl Mercury, nearly 23 times the maximum allowable limit by JEFCA; which is more than double the limit set by the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 0.1µg/kg.

Environmental Destruction
Shark populations have witnessed a dramatic decline over recent decades; some regions have recorded reductions of 80% and in some areas 90% since the 1970’s! The diminution of populations can mainly be attributed to overfishing due to the demand for sharks which has skyrocketed with the proliferation of cuisines that utilise shark meat and fins, along with the development of modern commercial fishing technologies.

The implications associated with reductions of shark populations at this magnitude are horrific. Concern for the marine world’s apex predators has less to do with sentiment and is more about waking up to the devastating impacts on marine ecosystems that have been observed around the world. The removal of sharks has disrupted the entire marine food chain, with chaotic consequences, some of which are only now becoming apparent.

Eliminating the top predator in any system creates what is called a trophic cascade. The species whose numbers sharks used to police, such as ray and skates, are now exploding in population. They in turn are wiping out scallops and other shellfish, and water quality is suffering as a result.

Reefs, too, are under assault as parrot fish, which are key to controlling algae growth on reefs, are being exterminated by the fish whose numbers are no longer being regulated by sharks.

Socio-economic Impact
The potential socio-economic impact, of declining shark populations, in Egypt, and other countries that rely on dive tourism is extremely costly. The impact on the fishing industry coastal communities that rely on fishing shall be disastrous due to the disruption of the marine food web. The estimated annual income, from the tourism industry, of a single shark, at Brothers Islands, is EGP 1,250,000 per year. Carrefour sells juvenile sharks at L.E. 30 per kg!

We have to take a stand! Please sign our online petition, to pressure Carrefour to cease the sale of sharks and the destruction of our health, environment and prosperity!

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“Data released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency shows that somewhere between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year.”

-National Geographic News September 2, 2003

“Plastic bags account for over 10 percent of the debris washed up on the U.S. coastline.”

-National Marine Debris Monitoring Program

If just 1 out of 5 people in our country used a Bio bag we would save 1,330,560,000,000 bags over our life time.

A study in 1975, showed oceangoing vessels together dumped 8 million pounds of plastic annually. The real reason that the world's landfills weren't overflowing with plastic was because most of it ended up in an ocean-fill.

Ireland took the lead in Europe, taxing plastic bags in 2002 and have now reduced plastic bag consumption by 90%

- BBC News August 20, 2002

China will save 37 million barrels of oil each year due to their ban of free plastic bags

- CNN.com/asia January 9, 2008

Reducing plastic bags will decrease foreign oil dependency.

Bangladesh, China, Ireland, Rwanda, Israel, western India, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Taiwan, and Singapore have also banned or are moving toward banning the plastic bag.

- PlanetSave.com February 16, 2008

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The Istituto Centrale per il Restauro (recently renamed Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro) www.iscr.beniculturali.it was founded in 1939, based on a project developed by Giulio Carlo Argan and Cesare Brandi, to ensure that restoration and conservation activities would be carried out on a scientific basis – human and natural sciences – and to unify conservation methods applied to works of art and archaeological artefacts.

Cesare Brandi was its first director and the author of the first “Theory of Restoration”, a fundamental text for conservators throughout the world, now translated into numerous languages.

In the 70 years of its activity, the Instituto has played a major role in the international field of conservation and has influenced schools and conservation programs in many countries. The recent eviction and consequential precipitous transfer of the Institute to inadequate premises will compromise its role and existence, and will seriously damage the structure of Italian Cultural Heritage.

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Mr. Steiner, former Director General of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), current Executive Director of UNEP, said "Deep sea bottom trawling is an act of insanity and should become subject to prosecution.

We are just beginning to scratch the surface in terms of our knowledge of open ocean species and ecosystems at all depths, and realize the urgency of protecting them from degradation through over-harvesting and destructive fishing practices such as deep sea bottom trawling. We must protect the high seas before it's too late. It must become priority for UNEP in 2006. "

“Because of dwindling fish stocks, women no longer have sufficient work and do not earn enough to pay for essentials for their families like health, education and three basic meals a day. Europe is playing a major role in this growing catastrophe,” says Faty Kane, campaigns officer at ActionAid Senegal in 2007.

Several years have passed and either the legislation or enforcements are lacking. Still the destruction went on.

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The NWCU (National Wildlife Crime Unit) since operation 3 years ago have reduced their staff from 14 to 9 due to funding and have made only 51 convictions in 2008-2009 which is only 3.3% of the cases they dealt with.

Wildlife crime is on the increase but with only 9 members of staff for the whole of the UK we believe there is no commitment for the protection of our wildlife and its environment.

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The former RAF Yatesbury airfield dates back to WWI and the only reaming airfield with complete suite of buildings and hangars in the country. The hangars are listed Grade II* and believed to be the only remaining of it’s type in the world.

At the public inquiry, evidence was submitted by English Heritage that established that the site is of international, as well as national, importance. It retains “the best preserved flying field of the First World War period, bounded by one of the most complete suites of technical and hangar buildings of the period up to the end of the First World War period” and “the most complete of all 56 of the Civilian Training Schools built in the inter-war period”. At the time of its construction, this Flying School was singled out for praise by Flight Magazine which stated that “…they have unhesitatingly made at Yatesbury a model school whose pattern few will equal and none will better”.

English Heritage and Wiltshire County Council have spent great efforts to support the restoration of the airfield yet they failed to extend support at these difficult times by relaxing the onerous legal agreement they forced the owners to sign.

Jamal Khanfer has fought and waited 8 years before he succeeded in securing a planning consent, which ensures its survival for future generations. Jamal has sacrificed every thing possible to secure the consent financially, personally and gave up his very promising career.

The project is funded by RBS who have in October 2008 stopped funding the project. The project, however, remains widely supported by the local community and many associations as well as nationally and internationally.

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The Shooters Party's Robert Brown has placed a Bill before the NSW Parliament which will allow hunting access to the State's National Parks.

The value of this Bill as a conservation tool is limitless and if successfully passed will help save countless native flora and fauna populations from predation by introduced and feral animals.

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Marine Turtle Poaching is happening right now and it needs to stop!

In 2007, A Chinese fishing boat was found with 300 turtles that they had just poached!

This is clearly unacceptable and needs to stop!

6 of 7 Species of Marine Turtle are endangered or Critically Endangered !

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Kampong Buangkok is the LAST kampong left in Singapore. The government is currently contemplating to demolish the kampong and erect flats in its place.

While applauding the government’s decision to provide more living space for the citizens, we believe that Kampong Buangkok should not be demolished as it allows citizens to witness how far Singapore has progressed in the past forty years.

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The Mormon Temple in Oakland shines bright all night every day of the year. The energy used to keep the lights on is tremendous.

We are asking the Mormon church to join the rest of the world in turning off the lights for just 60 minutes on March 28 from 8:30-9:30 pm. Cities around the world have committed to join in this statement of energy awareness.

Indeed, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the City of Lights, are joining over 400 cities in 74 countries around the world in this simple yet powerful statement against climate change and wasteful energy consumption.

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Deforestation in Madagascar is a very important issue which can not be put off or ignored because if this happens all of the rainforests in Madagascar will be gone within the next 40 years.

Currently 90% of the rainforests in Madagascar have already been destroyed because of logging, slash and burn agriculture, mining, etc. Madagascar is also home to hundreds of endemic species found no where else on earth, if the rainforests are all cut down then many endangered species will also go extinct.

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Although Mexico contains the majority of Monarch overwintering sites, according to the Ventana Wilderness Society, (VWS),

"In some winters, Monterey County may accommodate as much as 35% of the western monarch population." http://www.ventanaws.org/conservation/monarchs.htm#monarchs

At the present, there are nine areas in Monterey County identified as overwintering sites by the VWS. The Monarchs in these areas are monitored annually, and the VWS works with California Polytechnic Institute to protect these areas, but this is on a case-to-case basis. One is on private property, one is on a roadside, and six are in state or city parks. The remaining site (in Pacific Grove) is the only one identified as a 'Monarch Sanctuary'.

"Sites are managed by California Department of Parks and Recreation, the Forest Service, the City of Pacific Grove and private citizens. VWS has worked with each of these landowners to manage their respective monarch groves by producing reports and making recommendations."
http://www.ventanaws.org/conservation/monarchs.htm#monarchs

In 1952, a city ordinance increased the fine for "molesting the butterflies in any way" to $1,000 in Pacific Grove.

In 1990 the residents of Pacific Grove voted to tax themselves $1.2 million to buy the land for the Pacific Grove Sanctuary and save it from condominium development.

According to the VWS thanksgiving counts between 1997 and 2006, this sanctuary housed a range of 4,700 to 45,000 Monarchs every winter. For several years, despite its small area, the Pacific Grove Sanctuary housed the most of the nine sites.

Although the VWS and Cal Poly are working on monitoring and tagging, equal protection should be provided for Monarchs in this county, regardless of location.

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The Irish Seal Sanctuary has been working to build a Marine Conservation and Education Centre for Ireland. This Centre will continue the rescue and rehab. work of the ISS.

It will provide opportunities for further education, research, conservation projects, community outreach. It will provide training for dealing with oiled wildlife and provide a location to spearhead a response to a spill.

The funding has been identified, the site and planning permission passed, the plans drawn up, Fingal County Council now need to allow the building to commence.

The ISS have freely assisted Fingal with their expertise, when called upon by Fingal.

The Irish Seal Sanctuary is Ireland's only marine wildlife rescue organisation run entirely by volunteers, from a private back garden. It needs to move to a purpose built facility to continue to work and grow.

You can learn more about our work on www.irishsealsanctuary.ie

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No 1 Manor Mount wishes to demolish the back and side of a Victorian dwelling and build a two story extension to the back and a two storey extension to the side to turn a family home into a large block of flats.

This will lie directly beside No 1 1/2 Manor Mount a small Victorian Coach House and cause considerable impact, not only to this house but to the surrounding properties.

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