S.P.E.C.I.E.S. presents at WAFWA’s 12’th Mountain Lion Workshop

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S.P.E.C.I.E.S. recently participated in the 12th Mountain Lion Workshop in Estes Park, Colorado, held by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. The theme of this year’s meeting was “A Synthesis of Management and Research Findings”. S.P.E.C.I.E.S. founder Anthony Giordano presented on a multi-method approach to estimating jaguar and puma densities by integrating noninvasive genetic sampling and home range data. The workshop featured numerous methodological approaches that have the potential to apply to not only mountain lions, but other carnivore and cat species as well.

Support for the Endangered Species Act

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As part of the Endangered Species Coalition, S.P.E.C.I.E.S. is proud to join The Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Earth Justice, Endangered Species Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, Public Citizen, Sierra Club, and WeAct in garnering support for the Endangered Species Act.

The ESA is essential for conserving and protecting species that are endangered or threatened. It has been fundamental to the survival and recovery of imperiled species such as the Grizzly bear, the Gray wolf, and the Florida panther.

Yet, many of our native species still need our help. There are currently over 1,200 species listed on the Endangered Species Act in the United States. S.P.E.C.I.E.S. has launched its first project in the United States, California Carnivores, in an effort to draw greater attention to the major threats facing carnivores and other wildlife in our backyard. The Endangered Species Act is a crucial aspect to conserving these carnivore communities.

It is paramount that we protect the integrity of this important Act. Without it, many of our native species will soon face extinction. If your organization wishes to support the Endangered Species Act, join us in signing this letter of support: http://www.endangered.org/organizational-support-for-the-e…/

S.P.E.C.I.E.S. contributes to Paraguay IUCN Red List update

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Last month, S.P.E.C.I.E.S. participated in the IUCN Red List workshop for Paraguay. The workshop aimed to reevaluate the conservation status for all mammals known to occur in Paraguay, providing a crucial update since the last assessment in 2005. Experts from across Paraguay took part in the meeting. S.P.E.C.I.E.S., represented by founder and director Anthony Giordano, took the lead in determining the criteria for carnivores, and contributed to that of other mammals as well. The IUCN Red List plays an essential role in directing conservation efforts for threatened and endangered species across the globe. Find out how you can support the IUCN Red List at support.iucnredlist.org

Anthony Giordano and Diego Gustavo Giménez at Limoy Reserve, Paraguay

Make for the Planet: S.P.E.C.I.E.S. partners with Conservation X Labs

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This Earth Day weekend, the Smithsonian Institution’s Earth Optimism Summit is hosting Make for the Planet, a “hackathon”. At this event, 17 multidisciplinary teams composed of coders, engineers, designers, and creative thinkers will compete using software and other technology to develop innovative solutions to challenging conservation problems.

Make for the Planet is part of a 3 day summit that brings together leaders, scientists, environmentalists, artists, and international media to celebrate a shifting focus from conservation threats and problems to innovations and solutions. The Earth Optimism Summit will culminate with a science-fair style presentation and judging of each team’s unique conservation solution.

S.P.E.C.I.E.S. is partnering with Conservation X Labs for the event and Anthony Giordano, our founder and director, is attending the event on behalf of both organizations.

Follow the event on twitter at @EarthOptimism

Watch the live stream here.

Channel Island Foxes v Jaguars: A night of comedy with Santa Barbara Zoo

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On Saturday, November 5, Channel Island Foxes will be pitted against Jaguars in a comedy face-off, presented by the Santa Barabara Zoo at the Discovery Pavilion.

S.P.E.C.I.E.S. founder and director, Anthony Giordano, goes up against Tim Connan, a biologist for the U.S. National Park Service at Channel Islands National Park. The two experts are paired up with a comedian from LA’s Improv theatre and “compete” against each other for points, with local celebrities judging.

So come along to the Discovery Pavilion this Saturday to find out whether Channel Island Foxes or Jaguars will come out on top!

Doors open at 7 p.m. for 7:30 p.m. performances. Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 for Santa Barbara Zoo members. Purchase at the door or online at www.sbzoo.org. For more information, call 962-5339. Seating is first-come, first-served; early arrival suggested.

Student Conference on Conservation Science – New York

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The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation is organizing its seventh annual Student Conference on Conservation Science in New York on 20-22 of October. Graduate students, post-docs and early-career professionals are invited to take part in the only international series of conservation conferences featuring students. The event provides an opportunity to network, gain experience, present and get feedback on their work.

Prizes are awarded for best talk, speed talk and poster.

S.P.E.C.I.E.S. founder and director, Anthony Giordano, will be attending the event as an advisor and mentor to international students.

For more information on how to attend please see the American Museum of Natural History website.

Connecting landscapes with Mountain Lions

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Like the wolf and grizzly bear, the mountain lion, cougar, or puma, North America’s largest cat, was once vilified as a pest to the livestock industry. Historically ranging from coast to coast, puma populations today continue to push eastward and reclaim areas they formerly inhabited, and as they do, they are nothing short of an ongoing conservation success story. Today however, no state has more of them than California. As encroachment of development into our wild spaces, increased demand for dwindling water supplies, and expanding transportation infrastructure, all threaten to further fragment (or separate) the state’s landscapes, can we look to the puma as a tool for implementing logical conservation strategies, and to protect wildness, water, and the ecological foundation that is essential to healthy human and wildlife communities alike?

Join Anthony Giordano, local conservation biologist, wildlife ecologist, and founder and director of S.P.E.C.I.E.S, on Wednesday, November 2nd from 7 – 8pm for a FREE open-to-the-public presentation to learn about the ways humans and mountain lions can peacefully coexist.

The event will take place on Wednesday, November 2 at 7pm at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura. To reserve a place visit www.venturahillsides.org/events and click on the RVSP button.