Fundación Refugio now Recognized by Salta Government
Fundación Refugio was formally certified as a Non-Government Organization (NGO) on the 6th May. The photo shows Andrew receiving the relevant paperwork from Dr. Godoy, President of the Camara de Diputados and the provincial Governor, Dr. Urtubey (just behind Dr. Godoy). The formal recognition now means we can function as a legal entity. This is a prerequisite to being able to apply for and receive funding from either private or government donors.
Networking
We are very grateful to Erica Dunn (Canadian Wildlife Service) for her assistance with helpful comments and literature related to the methods we will be using in the monitoring of birdlife in the Chaco. This is a project that we are launching with support from a Christian education organization from Buenos Aires, and one on which we will also be receiving technical advice from A Rocha International and Clarke Expeditions (bird watching specialists here in Salta).
Land search
We have now narrowed down the area in which we would like to acquire the first plot of land. The actual process of finding what’s on sale takes time, and other than what gets published in the newspapers depends very much on word of mouth. Andrew has put out “feelers”, and we are waiting to see what comes up. While our focus is on something we can afford with the funds that have been pledged so far, we also have our eye on some big plots that are located in what has been recently described by a local conservation biologist as the most important area for the conservation of the Chaco in the province of Salta. The region we are looking at includes one of the last areas of the Chaco that still has Tapir (Tapirus terrestris), South America’s largest land mammal. It is strange looking animal, with the distinctive elongated flexible nose that looks like a mini version of an elephant’s trunk.
We continue to work on establishing an account for the reception of funds to be put towards land purchases in the Chaco. In the meantime St. Paul’s Church in St Albans (UK) has kindly agreed to receive (and gift aid) donations from the congregation or others locally in the St Albans area. Donations can be made by cheque to St Paul's PCC, c/o the Treasurer, Lindsey McLeod, 10 Edward Close, St Albans AL1 5EN. Please mark any donations clearly for Land for Life – Fundación Refugio. If you wish to make an online donation please email Lindsey at mcleod1206@btinternet.com, for bank details.
We are extremely grateful to Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) which has granted Fundación Refugio a Not for Profit license to use its geographic information system software (ArcGIS10). This will significantly contribute towards our ability to gather, store and analyze conservation related data.
These are some of the key events coming up over the next few weeks:
· Andrew is coordinating an over-flight across the area we are interested in buying land in. This will involve a professional photographer, Ossian Lindholm, who has kindly offered his services along with use of a whole catalogue of wild life shots.
· Together with a member from his local Church, Andrew will be visiting Manantial, a community with a strong evangelical presence deep inside the region where we wish to buy land. This will allow him to make contact with folk and identify others with whom we may become eventually involved with in the bird monitoring project.
· Andrew and Marcelo are currently finishing the first draft of the bird monitoring proposal. It has been an interesting task as it has served to focus our thinking and to reach out to specialists who can help.
· Bank accounts, tax exemptions and board meetings. All very tedious but necessary items we now need to contend with.
Family News
The family is keeping well. Tomas continues with his studies and flying lessons in Cordoba. The maths is proving quite a challenge! The girls continue to battle through secondary school here in Salta. Cecilia is doing a lot of thinking about her future options for study, and is currently keen on Biology. A few questions to sort out include; what area of biology she is most keen on, what country to study in, what university, and the big one: how do we fund her studies if she chooses to study in the UK or abroad?
Autumn is well on its way here, and temperatures have dropped. We spend a good amount of time gathering firewood, which is wonderfully therapeutic, especially when we all go down to the river with the dogs and fill the truck with drift wood. Having said that we do look forward to the day we get our central heating installed, as it can and does get very cold at this time of year!
Prayer pointers
· Give thanks for the successful application to register Fundación Refugio as an NGO.
· Give thanks for the donation of a free license for ESRI mapping software.
· Give thanks for the growing interest shown by people in what we are doing and for their helpful input.
· For discussions with Fundación Kairos, with whom we are seeking to formalize an agreement on working together on strategic issues, including the bird monitoring project with local Churches in the Chaco.
· For safety and wise use of scarce funds as we plan and carry out the over flight to photograph the area we wish to buy land.
· For the right piece of land to pop up at the right price!
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