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What's News at LCF
LCF's 2010 Annual Report (6/24/11)
Our 2010 report full of pictures covering events and activities from the year is in the mail. Click here for a pdf version of the report. If you're not on our mailing list and would like to receive a copy in the mail, please contact us. lcfservice@lemurreserve.org Visiting Researchers (6/23/11)
Dr. Francine Dolins, Dr. Jacob Napieralski, and Christy Steffke, from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, spent two weeks in June conducting a pilot study comparing GPS equipment for monitoring and plotting the ranging behavior of the reserve’s semi-free ranging lemurs. The goal was to determine what equipment provided the most accurate data, to establish an accurate and detailed map of the enclosures, and to prepare for future studies to enhance our understanding of the interaction between spatial knowledge and social decision making in foraging. Dr. Dolins and Dr. Napieralski hope to apply the techniques perfected at the reserve to field research in Madagascar. Christy used her considerable skill and knowledge of GIS technologies to create several maps of the reserve for use by staff and other researchers. Like Dr. Freed, Dr. Dolins hopes to conduct field training courses at the reserve for her own students in the future. In April, the Myakka City Lemur Reserve was pleased to be able to host some colleagues of Dr. Alison Jolly -- Dr. Julie Hagelin and Jen Crick of Swarthmore College and Amber Walker-Bolton of Roehampton University (London).Dr. Hagelin, Ms. Crick, and Ms. Walker-Bolton study olfactory communication, most recently with ring-tailed lemurs in Berenty Reserve, Madagascar. Staff enjoyed learning about their interesting research and we look forward to possible collaborations in the future. Alison Zak - Research Intern (6/13/11)
Alison is very excited about the internship and has been enjoying it thus far. In her time at the reserve she hopes to learn the basics of field research and gain valuable experience that will contribute to her pursuit of a career in primatology. Lemurs are quickly becoming one of Alison’s favorite primates! Jenny Botting - Research Assistant(6/10/11)
A recent graduate with an MSc in Evolution and Behaviour from the University of Stirling (Scotland), Jenny Botting is LCF's first international research assistant. Jenny earned her BSc (hons) in Psychology from the University of St Andrews. She arrived in Myakka City in April for a 3 month stint as a research assistant and is helping to collect data on habitat use and activity for the Reserve’s long term research goals. She is also designing and conducting her own project to investigate social cognition in lemurs as she hopes to continue on to a PhD in primate cognition. Manager, Animal Care Position Open (4/15/11)The Lemur Conservation Foundation is seeking a motivated person
for the Animal Care Manager position at the Myakka City Lemur
Reserve. The Animal Care Manager’s primary responsibilities will
be the daily and long term husbandry management of the lemur colony
(currently 40 individuals and growing) and the supervision of
interns and researchers.
Click here for complete job description
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Dr.
Ben Freed visited the reserve in May from Eastern Kentucky
University to assess the reserve’s suitability as a field training
program and research site for his undergraduate and graduate
students. Dr. Freed teaches a number of anthropology courses
at EKU, including Primate Conservation and Primate Ecology and
Sociality. While visiting the reserve, he had an opportunity
to observe our Sanford’s brown lemurs, Eulemur sanfordi, one of the
lemur species that he studies in Madagascar. We were delighted
to host Dr. Freed and look forward to meeting his students when he
returns for a field training course, tentatively scheduled for 2012.
The
Myakka City Lemur Reserve welcomes its latest research intern,
Alison Zak. A native of Tampa, Florida Alison recently graduated
from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in
Anthropology. In her final year she participated in the Anthropology
Honors program and completed a thesis on Thai Buddhism. While she is
interested in human culture, she is most passionate about wildlife
conservation and believes that the two fields should be considered
together in order to understand the complex issue of protecting
primates and their habitat. 
The first three domes are mostly completed with just a few finishing
touches to be done. The freeranging lemurs are getting used to their new housing where they can go in and out as they choose.
Thanks to a few very special supporters who provided funds
along with a grant from EnviroKidz we were able to make
this novel idea a reality. They serve as secure shelters for the freeranging lemurs in the
forests so that they can be protected and stay together in their groups when emergencies arise and
they also help establish natural territorial boundaries in the
multi-acre forests. The domes are designed to withstand hurricanes and are divided so that they can contain two groups.
Bladstrom Library Hosts Erica Howe for Library School Fieldwork
(2/15/11)
Shannon
Schane is earning her Master's degree in Library and Information
Science at the University of South Florida in Tampa and is enrolled
in the Fieldwork course fall term which involves working at a
library 120 hours. She chose the Anne and Walter Bladstrom Library
as her fieldwork site because she is interested in becoming a
science librarian and LCF provides a unique opportunity to work in
an unusual special library. Shannon is working with LCF
Librarian, Kate Lippincott, on a number of challenging projects
which include cataloging the library's serials collection, ordering
new materials and revamping the library's web site. Shannon has an
extensive background in the book trade having managed both
Waldenbooks and Books-a-Million stores.
Many
thanks to the members of the South Florida Wildlife Club of the
Florida Gulf Coast University. On Saturday, April 10th,
eight club members braved the early morning hours and long drive
to spend a day at the Myakka City Lemur Reserve. After
being introduced to seven different species of lemurs, the
students got down to work transplanting trees and building a
“jungle gym” out of pine culled from the forest enclosures.
The trees were young saplings of magnolia and live oak that were
growing close to the enclosure fences. They were removed
and planted in open areas within the forest, where they would
have room to grown and would not threaten the integrity of the
fence. The jungle gym was installed to provide more places
for the lemurs to eat, sleep, and play in the second enclosure,
which is currently dominated by slash pine and very low shrubs.
The students overcame the heat and enthusiastically tackled the
hardest tasks; we were all rewarded for our efforts when all
three troops of lemurs arrived to explore the new additions.
Thanks to Ashley, Cailin, Sean, Amanda, Lauren and a special
thanks to Greg for organizing the event.
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2010 Teachers' Institute Apply Now (4/6/10)
Dates
are set for this summer's Institute. Apply now for this unique
opportunity to come to the Reserve and work with leading
scientists and other science teachers from around the country.
Click
here for complete information.
Donate Your Car or Vehicle to LCF! (3/25/10)
LCF is now partnered with Action Donation Services who handle all the details if you wish to contribute to LCF by donating a no longer needed vehicle. Visit our "Contribute" page to read more about this giving option.
Xeko.com (3/9/10)
LCF
has partnered with Xeko.com and their Gaming for Good program -
- check out the Good Quest section of Xeko.com for some lemur
facts, photos, a short video, and a lemur themed game. The Lemur
Good Quest will run for one month, starting March 5th. Once
players reach the in-game goal, Gaming for Good will make a
donation to LCF which we will use to install artificial vines in
the lemur's forests. These "vines" will make our forests even
more lemur friendly, providing additional arboreal pathways for
the animals to enjoy.
http://xeko.com
LCF's New Animal Care Technician (3/9/10)
LCF
would like to extend a warm welcome to our new part-time Animal
Care Technician, Alison Hunt. Alison has recently moved to
sunny Sarasota from windy Chicago where she worked as a Lead
Veterinary Technician at a busy animal clinic. As a recent
graduate Western Illinois University, Alison has a Bachelor's of
Science in Biology, with a concentration in Zoology and a minor
in studio art.
Along with her extensive Veterinary Technician experience, Alison has also worked for the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds where she rehabilitated wild penguins. Having been highly recommended from here previous institutions, we are looking forward to having her join the team in late March.
Monica Mogilewsky Earns Master's (3/9/10)
Monica
completed all the requirements for her Master's in Biodiversity
Conservation and Management from the University of London in
December 2009 and will receive her diploma March 15th in London.
She conducted the lab work for her Master's thesis "Genetic
heterozygosity in captive populations of Eulemur collaris,
collared brown lemurs, and Eulemur coronatus, crowned
lemurs" at the Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics at the
American Museum of Natural History. LCF Scientists and Board
Member George Amato who is the Director of the Sackler Institute
was instrumental in arranging use of the specialized lab.
March Tree Planting (3/9/10)
A
local nurseryman in Venice generously donated 50 8 ft. live oak
trees to be planted throughout the reserve which in years to
come will increase the tree canopy for the lemurs.
A
Myakka City neighbor is also giving LCF some faster growing
cypress trees, which will be placed in the wetter areas where
they will thrive and contribute to the diversity of the forest.
Pete Shover, Phil Sirois and Michael Stern finish unloading the oaks.
The Bradenton Times (2/27/10)
A lengthy article and a video featuring the Myakka City Lemur Reserve with interviews of Michael, Penelope and Monica were published by the Bradenton Times and are available on their website.
http://www.thebradentontimes.com/news/2010/02/11/video_news/video_visiting
_the_lemur_conservation_foundation_s_lemur_reserve/
http://www.thebradentontimes.com/news/2010/02/27/
environment/lemur_reserve_s_work_in_myakka_city_stretches_the_globe_impacting_humanity/
LCF's New Executive Director Begins (2/1/10)
Penelope Bodry-Sanders, LCF's Founder, retires and Michael Stern begins as the new Executive Director. Read press release.
2010 Field Methods Course Still Has Space Available!
There is still room in both sessions and still time to enroll. Click here for more info!
Part-time Animal Care Technician Position Available (1/28/10)
The Lemur Conservation Foundation is seeking a motivated person for the part time Animal Care Technician position at the Myakka City Lemur Reserve. This person will perform regular keeper duties along with additional veterinary technician responsibilities.
Responsibilities include providing daily husbandry care including training, enrichment, commissary, horticulture and record keeping needs as well as implementing and improving on the current preventative/emergency medical care program. The Technician will be responsible for purchasing and dosing medications, assisting with annual physicals, emergency or surgical exams, treatments of ill/injured animals, routine fecal and urine exams, diagnostic testing, maintaining clinic supplies and other duties as needed. Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able perform all essential duties satisfactorily. The successful candidate will be energetic, self-motivated, work well within a team atmosphere, and demonstrate good problem solving, organizational, and time management skills. This job entails a melding of manual labor and mental expertise, resulting in visible, professional accomplishments in which employees may take pride.
An Associate's or Bachelor’s degree in a Life Sciences field from an accredited college or university and at least one year of related experience and/or training is required (or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training). Experience with ARKS and MedARKS is preferred. All staff are required to have a Tb test conducted annually. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 35 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance when cleaning and maintaining animal housing and moving animals.
The employee is expected to provide care during all kinds of weather conditions. This position is an essential service position where the incumbent will be required to provide services during emergency situations. This position may require that the individual be available or on-call 24 hours a day. Some weekend, evening, and holiday work is required.
Salary/funding: This is a part-time position with opportunities for professional growth and development. Salary range is from $12,000 - $14,000, commensurate with experience.
Term of Appointment: Permanent Position
Application Deadline: February 15, 2010
Contact Information: Michael Stern, P.O. Box 249 Myakka City,
FL 34251 US Telephone Number: Fax Number: 941-322-9264 Website:
www.lemurreserve.org
E-mail Address:
mstern@lemurreserve.org
New Animal Husbandry Intern - Jessica McCall (1/3/10)
Jessica
McCall will spend six months at the Myakka City Lemur Reserve as
the Penelope Bodry-Sanders and Mackarness M. Goode Animal
Husbandry Intern. Jessica arrived on January 1, shortly after
graduating Cum Laude from Florida Atlantic University in Boca
Raton with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology,
concentrating in Ethology. She will be involved in the
daily care of LCF’s growing lemur colony, working closely with
Lead Keeper, Pattie Walsh, and Director, Research & Operations,
Monica Mogilewsky.
Jessica is an aspiring animal care professional, and is especially interested in behavioral enrichment as it applies to improving animal welfare, and endangered species conservation through captive breeding programs. Born and raised in Orlando, Florida has previous husbandry and behavioral research experience at the Palm Beach Zoo in West Palm Beach, Florida, as both a Conservation & Research Intern and a Carnivore Care Intern.
Research Internship Takes Shape (10/1/09)
Savannah Schulze arrived from Minnesota in September to
begin laying the groundwork for LCF's Research
Internship program. Serving as our first research
intern, Savannah, a graduate of the University of
Minnesota, Morris with a BA in Anthropology and Wildlife
Biology, will spend four months at the Reserve working
closely with Monica Mogilewsky, Director of Research and
Operations, planning and setting up our long-range
research program.
Savannah is mapping the forest
and developing the ethograms that future research
interns will use when they collect data.
Subsequent interns will build upon the research done
previously so that a significant body of data will be
collected for in-depth analysis. This is an
exciting challenge for Savannah and a very exciting
development for LCF.
2010 LCF Field Methods Course Open (9/30/09)
Dr. Natalie Vasey's Primatology Field Methods course information is now available. Two sessions are being offered in 2010. Click here for complete information
Meg Lowman Writes About LCF (9/28/09)
Meg Lowman, professor at New College of Florida and noted tree canopy expert, came to the reserve with a group of students and wrote about their experience in her weekly environmental column. Most importantly she described the current political crisis, the rapid deforestation and what practical steps can be taken to help save the lemurs in Madagascar.
Link to Sarasota Herald-Tribune article
Growing Madagascar Crisis (8/31/09)
Click here to read a statement from the Director, links to more information and RSS feeds.
Canopy Highway (8/20/09)
Volunteers helped install the beginning of our canopy highway in the pine forest. The Varecia rubra were instantly enthralled with the artificial vines and are displaying their acrobatic skills especially at mealtime.
Fieldwork Student Begins in Library (08/10/09)
Claire Miller, a graduate student in the University of
South Florida's School of Library and Information
Science program, began her supervised fieldwork course
in the Bladstrom Library this month. She will assist
Kate with library projects and learn about what goes on
in a special library. A New College graduate with family
in Arcadia, she feels right at home on the Reserve. Fieldwork students gain hands-on library experience while earning course credits and put in a minimum of 120 hours working in the library. Besides traditional library tasks like cataloging and collection development she will do some grantsearching and help with the digitization of the rare books. Claire is our second USF/SLIS student to choose the Bladstrom Library for her fieldwork experience and we are most appreciative of this mutually beneficial partnership.
Lemur
Latitudes LCF Newsletter (08/03/09)
Click here to read our August newsletter.
Subscribe to LCF's Mailing List
Subscribe online to begin receiving our newsletter electronically along with other news and announcements from LCF. We are saving trees and controlling costs by discontinuing the print version of our biannual newsletter "Lemur Latitudes" and will publish it only electronically starting with our 2009 issue.
We also want to be able to update our friends and supporters quickly and easily with news on the work and activities going on in Myakka City and in Tampolo. Please enter your email address so that we may keep you in the loop! Click here to subscribe
Message from the Executive Director (6/18/09)
Because we have posted the job announcement for my successor, I feel that I owe you an explanation for this shift in leadership. I had intended to announce my retirement at the same time we announced the new executive director, but already several of you have called.
Last summer I gave the LCF Board and scientists a two-year notice that I am stepping aside so new blood can come in and take the LCF to the places we want it to go. The goal of every organization is self-sustainability and LCF has a unique character, heft, and a secure future in its own right. I am thrilled that we have reached this point and I am totally confident to embrace this change.
With tremendous help from the LCF team and you, our steadfast and involved donors, over the last 13 years I’ve been honored to direct the building of the reserve, the initiation of innovative programs and research, the creation of a Madagascar partnership, and the establishment of an endowment fund. Now this baby is ready to go to college and beyond and we need some visionary, vital person to help it take wing. I see it like the formation of a flock of migratory birds when the lead bird gets tired and falls back in the “V” formation and the next bird moves into the leadership position in a flawless and ancient ritual.
I'll still be active on the board but will leave the day-to-day operations. As a board member, I hope to work on a couple of interesting fundraising projects and to do some landscaping on the reserve – things that have been relegated to the back burner while more important tasks have taken center stage.
We will keep you apprised of developments and announce the new director when she/he is chosen. This is an exciting time and together we will all continue to share in LCF’s continued mission of saving lemurs from extinction and inspiring those young people who will husband the earth’s resources for the future.
Penelope Bodry-Sanders
LCF Executive Director Job Posting (6/16/09)
Click here for complete information
LCF Named Recipient of Nature's Path 2009 EnviroKidz Giving Back Award (5/20/09)
Funds Will Support Classroom/Community Center in Tampolo
The Lemur Conservation Foundation has been named a recipient of Nature’s Path Organic Foods’ 2009 EnviroKidz Giving Back Award. The Giving Back Program donates money to non-profit organizations, such as LCF that support endangered species, habitat conservation and environmental education for kids.
LCF's relationship with Nature's Path began with the development of the EnviroKidz Organic Leapin' Lemurs Cereal and cereal bars which describe the work of the Lemur Conservation Foundation and inform children about lemurs and their situation as an endangered species. "We have heard from dozens of children who have responded enthusiastically to the products and the games and informational material on the box and wanted to help us in our mission," said Penelope Bodry-Sanders, LCF's Executive Director. "Given the current political unrest and accelerated environmental devastation in some parts of Madagascar, the LCF's classroom project being supported by EnvironKidz, has become even more urgent and critical for conservation efforts on this island nation," she added.
“We are committed to leaving the world a better place than we found it by supporting organizations like the Lemur Conservation Foundation,” said Arran Stephens, President and Founder of Nature’s Path Organic Foods. “We are extremely grateful to the consumers who have supported our EnviroKidz line and made this possible and proud to be able to give back to this dedicated and hard-working group.” Nature’s Path, North America’s number one organic cereal manufacturer is celebrating the 10 year anniversary of its EnviroKidz Giving Back Award this year. For more information go to www.naturespath.com or www.envirokidz,com.
About the Project:
The
$30,000 grant will fund a much needed
classroom/community center at LCF's sister reserve in
Tampolo, Madagascar. (To see complete plans, click on image)
The center will fill a critical need at the Tampolo Forest Reserve and will dramatically enhance education outreach for both school students and adults by providing a centralized gathering place for environmental educational presentations and study.The Tampolo Station which is already a hub of environmental activity, can also become the civic and intellectual center for all residents of Tampolo villages. In this way, the building serves a social need while bringing attention to environmental issues. As new towers for wireless Internet are being built ever closer to Tampolo, within the next couple of years when the Internet is available, LCF will install four computers powered by solar panels in the classroom, available for the use of Tampolo village children.
The Tampolo Station which is already a hub of environmental activity, can also become the civic and intellectual center for all residents of Tampolo villages. In this way, the building serves a social need while bringing attention to environmental issues. As new towers for wireless Internet are being built ever closer to Tampolo, within the next couple of years when the Internet is available, LCF will install four computers powered by solar panels in the classroom, available for the use of Tampolo village children.
About Nature’s Path:
Founded in 1985, Nature’s Path Organic Foods is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia and employs around 350 people at its four facilities in Canada and the United States. The privately held, family-owned company produces breakfast foods and snacks sold in specialty foods stores and retailers in 40 countries around the world. The company’s innovative brands include Nature’s Path®, Flax Plus, EnviroKidz®, Weil by Nature’s Path TM, and Optimum®. Visit Nature’s Path online at www.naturespath.com.
Baby Mongoose Lemur Born April 19
4 weeks old with mother
both parents and baby at almost 2 months
Myakka Reserve's New Lead Keeper (4/1/09)
Pattie Walsh began work as as the Myakka City Lemur Reserve's new Lead Keeper in April. And, she arrived well-prepared for the challenging job.
Pattie comes to LCF from the Wildlife Conservation Society in the Bronx, NY where she worked for six years as a pathology technician. Prior to this she was as an animal keeper at Disney Animal Kingdom and Baltimore Zoo and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Madagascar.
Pattie has a B.S. in psychobiology from Long Island University, Southampton Campus and a certificate in conservation biology. She’s also been engaged in conservation efforts in Kenya with bongos (a rare forest antelope) and lions. She has several publications -- on both pathology and animal husbandry – to her credit. She is especially interested in animal enrichment and training.
Besides handling animal husbandry responsibilities, Pattie will direct the work of the interns and volunteers, assist with visiting researchers, plan and implement enrichment activities, and will work closely with Monica to maintain our thriving and expanding lemur colony.
2009 Teachers' Institute for Conservation Ecology - July 12-17
The Teachers’ Institute for Conservation Ecology is a five-day research based summer institute sponsored and conducted by the Lemur Conservation Foundation (LCF) in Myakka City, FL. The goal of the Institute is to provide high school teachers the necessary scientific background, inspiration and specialized tools and techniques in a working science environment to enable them to create stimulating conservation curricula to take back to their classrooms and share with their colleagues. The participants work with leading national scientists who share their expertise and provide hands-on activities designed to excite and motivate young science students. Using the Reserve's lemur colony and the native habitat as a resource, participants will also practice living day-to-day science through a field-training program where they learn proper fieldwork techniques under the guidance of professionals.
Click here for complete information and application form.
Subscribe to LCF's Mailing List (1/21/09)
Subscribe online to begin receiving our newsletter electronically along with other news and announcements from LCF. We are saving trees and controlling costs by discontinuing the print version of our biannual newsletter "Lemur Latitudes" and will publish it only electronically starting with our Spring 2009 issue.
We also want to be able to update our friends and supporters quickly and easily with news on the work and activities going on in Myakka City and in Tampolo. Please enter your email address so that we may keep you in the loop! Click here to subscribe
Director Wins National Conservation Fellowship (1/20/09)
Penelope Bodry-Sanders is one of 40 conservationists nationwide to be selected for the TogetherGreen Conservation Fellowship program for 2008. The program, created by an alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota, is designed to foster leadership and creativity in promoting conservation and environmental projects across the country. Read more about the Fellowship and the project Penelope is working on at the
LCF Internship Changes Hands (January 2009)
Laura Ellsaesser from North Carolina takes over the animal husbandry internship from Roy Keech in January and begins her six-month stay at the Reserve. A recent graduate of Auburn University, we are glad to have her on board. We will miss Roy whose sense of humor, diligence, ingenuity and positive attitude made him a pleasure to work with.
For more information on internship opportunities at LCF click here.
2009 LCF Limited Edition Calendar (12/5/08)
The 2009 calendar features a beautifully reproduced oil painting by Judy North of a red-ruffed lemur. These calendars have become collectibles and are beautiful framed.
See our Malagasy Lemur Shop to order your calendar and see the many lemur-themed items available.
Click here for the Lemur Shop.
Lemur Jewels Ltd. (12/3/08)
LCF
is proud to announce that the Lemur Jewels Ltd. website
www.lemurjewels.com is up and running.
Uniquely designed handcrafted pieces in sterling silver
and 18 kt. gold featuring six different lemurs by
Valentin Magro might make the perfect and very unusual
holiday gift. Primatology Field Methods Course
Spring 2009(10/2/08)
Natalie Vasey, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, will be visiting the reserve in the spring to conduct three intensive one-week sessions on primatology field methods. These courses, which can be taken for credit, are open to students and professionals at other institutions. The first deadline to apply is December 20, 2008! Apply early as each session is limited to 10 students.
For complete information on this and other field training opportunities at LCF, click here.
Lemur Tales: Lessons from the Forest (9/23/08)
Alex Porpora, former LCF intern, is back at the Reserve offering distance learning classes for K-12 students. This exciting new outreach program is designed to engage students in science education by enabling them to interact online with a scientist or researcher in the field. To find out more about the program visit ourOutreach page.
Leapin' Lemurs (8/1/08)
Leapin'
Lemurs, a new organic EnviroKidz brand cereal from
Nature's Path Organic, is on grocery and health food
store shelves and 1% of the sales goes to the Lemur
Conservation Foundation. You can also order the cereal
online. Inside and outside of the box there is
information about lemurs and endangered animals with
games and puzzles. It also tells about the Lemur
Conservation Foundation and what we do. Included on the
box is a form to send a contribution directly to LCF.
Read more about Nature's Path's commitment to
conservation and their efforts to educate children about
environmental causes. Product information
Nature's Path Organic
EnviroKidz Web Site
The Ako Project
The Ako Project produces storybooks on the lemurs of Madagascar, involves and aids primary school teachers, and provides posters about Madagascar’s forest habitats. more...
