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http://alaska.fws.gov/juneau
PDF FILE: of Michelle Kissling's Research
Kittlitz’s Murrelet Cooperative Study in Icy Bay, Alaska
U.S. National Park Service
PDF FILE: KIMU Proposal
PDF FILE: Kittlitz’s Murrelet Fact Sheet 2008
The Autry National Center
The Foundation is currently exploring a project in collaboration with the Autry National Center that will focus on multiple levels with respect to Native Americans, ecological sustainability and photography.
www.autry-museum.org
Conservation International
Conservation International's President, Dr. Russell A. Mittermeier, is the on-camera host of Dancing Star Foundation's new feature film documentary "Hotspots", based upon Dr. Mittermeier and colleagues' remarkable book, Hotspots Revisited: Earth's Biologically Richest And Most Endangered Terrestrial Ecoregions (CEMEX 2004).
Filmed in Southern California, Washington D.C., throughout Madagascar, Brazil, Peru, New Zealand and on Easter Island/Rapa Nui (Chile), "Hotspots" profiles techniques to save endangered species and habitat across the planet.
See HOTSPOTS on the DSF website for more info.
Smithsonian 2008 Folklife Festival
For ten days beginning the last week in June, 2008, the Smithsonian Institution's annual Folklife Festival (which has been named, in the past, "The Top Event in the United States") honored the nation of Bhutan on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.. All events were free and were organized by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, in concert with the Royal Government of Bhutan. Dancing Star Foundation was proud to be one of the two major donors of the Festival. This alliance corresponds to DSF's commitment to the Smithsonian Institution and to Bhutan as a nation which has strived with remarkable success to uphold its own convictions regarding conservation and cultural heritage, in the face of complex 21st Century pressures. DSF believes that in many respects, Bhutan represents an ecological model of excellence for other nations. As the leaders of the Folklife Festival wrote, "The Festival will celebrate Bhutan's special approach towards life. The Bhutanese have chosen a different path towards development, rooted in deep respect for and protection of the Kingdom's unique resources. The Festival program will place emphasis on the Kingdom's protection of its diverse culture, community and environment, and it comes at a time when the country will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the current monarchy as well as preparing for a new future under a democratic constitution."
The Focus of DSF's involvement with the Bhutan portion of the Folklife Festival pertained to the various elements within the diverse programs which drew attention to, and commended Bhutanese conservation, as well as that nation's pursuit of what Bhutan's Fourth King named "Gross National Happiness". This "indicator" was devised as a means of better assessing the total quality of life of a people – spiritual, environmental and ethical - as opposed to thinking merely in strictly monetary terms.
DSF's recent book, Sanctuary: Global Oases of Innocence, with its final chapter on Bhutan, and a Foreword by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Queen of the Fourth King of Bhutan, was officially released at the Festival, with the kind assistance of the Smithsonian Institution.
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National Biodiversity Centre - Bhutan
Based in Serbithang, on the outskirts of the capital of Thimphu, the National Biodiversity Centre of Bhutan was created by Dr. Ugyen Tshewang, named a DSF Research Fellow in 2007. As part of its mandate, the National Biodiversity Centre not only maintains the nation's herbarium and gene bank, but is charged with creating the country's national Biodiversity Action Plans, under the Royal Government of Bhutan's signatory obligation to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, which first came into being as a result of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.
The Convention's Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) are conservation five-year blueprints mandated by the Convention for each of the nearly 190 countries that are signatory to it. Bhutan its third BAP, which was released at a particularly critical time for the nation. On March 24, 2008 Bhutan held its first democratic election of a Prime Minister and National Assembly since the country was founded, a century ago. The Biodiversity Action Plan III is a critical blueprint for a new democracy's conservation planning and implementation. With its existing policy of keeping at least 60% of its native forests in pristine condition, the new democracy and economy will provide great challenges and opportunities for Bhutan to maintain its outstanding global example of in situ conservation.
Dancing Star Foundation worked with the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) as a consultant to the document. Michael Tobias served as the international Advisor for BAP III, working with a team of more than 20 Bhutanese technical experts whose respective research was coordinated at NBC under The Ministry of Agriculture's guidance.
The book which should hopefully provide invaluable conservation data for nations and NGOS throughout the world and was published in December 2009 by The Royal Government of Bhutan
Royal Society for the Protection of Nature
Dancing Star Foundation is pleased to announce its collaboration with EarthTalk Today founded by Co-Hosts Peter Gwilim Kreitler and Alexandra Paul.
"Planet earth, many voices, one future" is EarthTalk Today's motto. In this half hour video interview show, Peter and Alexandra spotlight issues critical to the sustainability of the planet. Featuring discussions with prominent environmentalists, ethicists, scientists, and activists, EarthTalk Today is full of information on the every conceivable ecological topic. The shows are easy to download, with powerful b roll to accentuate each interview. EarthTalk Today is essential viewing for those committed to a sustainable future.
Voice For A Viable Future
Howard Lyman, President and founder of the nonprofit organization Voice For A Viable Future, co-produced and starred as himself in the Dancing Star Foundation co-production, "Mad Cowboy". (Read more about the film on the DSF Website). See www.madcowboy.com.
Population Communication
Bob Gillespie, President and founder of the nonprofit organization Population Communication, is one of the world's leading family planning experts. Dancing Star Foundation is proud to have collaborated with him, as well as his colleague, Producer Elizabeth Hughes at Population Communication, on the production of "No Vacancy," which is hosted by Mr. Gillespie.
For more information on the film, visit No Vacancy on the DSF web site.
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