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BIAZA Conservation

In partnership with internationally operating conservation organisation, the World Land Trust, BIAZA is raising funds for the purchase and protection of a reserve of Atlantic rainforest in Brazil. The reserve will be known as the BIAZA Reserve. For further information please follow this link.

BIAZA reserve Updates

BIAZA reserve trip places!

Calling BIAZA members - new dates for BIAZA reserve trip. Trip date:
Leave UK 28th November (BA flight leaves Heathrow at 12.15 and arrives Rio at 22.00)
Leave REGUA 5th December (BA flight leaves Rio at 23.30 and arrives Heathrow 12.35 on 6th December.)

Sadly because of the volcanic ash, the BIAZA reserve trip had to be cancelled at the last minute. However we have now re-organised the trip for the above dates, and there are places going spare on it! All previous details, including price and draft trip agenda, can be found on line.

If you are interested in coming on this trip, PLEASE CONTACT George at conservation@biaza.org.uk ENDS

More updates ...

The World Land Trust initiated The Wild Spaces programme in 2006 as a way for zoos to contribute to habitat conservation overseas. Within that programme a BIAZA reserve in Brazil has been created which members can help contribute towards. BIAZA and the World Land Trust are working in partnership with Brazilian conservation organisation REGUA in the creation of the BIAZA Reserve. REGUA have been protecting the Atlantic forest since 1998 and already protect over 7,000 hectares. REGUA will legally own, manage and protect the BIAZA Reserve; situated in forests adjacent to the existing REGUA reserve.

Why are zoos involved?

Many zoos are involved in large or small scale in situ conservation efforts. However, not every zoo can devote the time to identify a viable, value for money and effective in situ conservation project to support. This initiative will allow zoos to not only contribute towards a fantastic conservation project, but also become a part of a larger group of zoos collectively working together for the overall benefit of this initiative.

Zoos involved will be helping towards:

Nicholas Locke

Click here to view the BIAZA Reserve Resource.

	Conserving and protecting valuable land		Providing employment to the local community to protect the reserve
	Conserving endangered species		Supporting the local community dealing with issues related to the environment, and development, and supporting an environmental education programme

Conserving the Atlantic forest

In addition to protecting the land, activities taking place on the rest of the REGUA Reserve include restoring wetland that had been drained, reforestation, species reintroduction, biodiversity monitoring and local education programmes. The Reserve is based in the Atlantic Rainforest – an area of high biodiversity, with large numbers of endemic species, many of which are included in BIAZA member collections. The Atlantic Rainforest is considered to be one of the most critically endangered ecosystems in the world, following severe habitat destruction.

Progress to date

	The BIAZA Reserve project was officially launched at the BIAZA Annual Conference and AGM in 2007. The BIAZA Reserve has already attracted more than 20 BIAZA members and contributions of all sizes are being made by private members, small collections, zoos and large wildlife parks.
	Since 2007 BIAZA members have raised more than £78,000 and continue to raise more funds for this fantastic project. Field webcams, trips to the reserve and the discovery of new species are all exciting new possible developments that are happening because of the funds raised by BIAZA members.

For the Zoos

If you would like your zoo to contribute to the programme, please do contact us for further information on the site, species found and fundraising ideas. There is also a page on the World Land Trust website dedicated to the BIAZA Reserve from which links have been established to the websites of all the supporting collections; Click here.

Updates

1)	The biggest news update is that the land has actually been signed for now. So REGUA will be able to add that area to their current protected reserve and immediately be able to start protection. This land purchase - the area of which will be known as the BIAZA Reserve- will bring the amount of Atlantic forest protected by REGUA to over 18,000 acres!
2)	The latest site visit: both the lodge and the wetland habitat area have been extended
3)	As well as fundraising for land purchase, WLT supports REGUA through providing funds for tree planting (this provides employment, as well as having obvious biodiversity benefits).
4)	More zoos have expressed an interest in getting involved with this project, please do get in contact for more information! Kelly Jacobs from the World Land Trust has recently visited the area again, so I am sure there will be more updates to follow shortly.

Kelly Jacobs from the World Land Trust has recently visited the area again, so I am sure there will be more updates to follow shortly.