|
Ecology Project International is a non-profit organization based in Missoula, Montana, dedicated to developing place-based, ecological education partnerships between local experts and youth (typically age 14-20) to address conservation issues. Ecology Project International works with students and educators at five field sites around the world: Galápagos Islands,〔BBC Wildlife Fund http://www.bbc.co.uk/wild/how-youve-helped/south-america/giant-tortoise/〕 Yellowstone, Belize, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica.〔The Missoulian 6/28/2010 http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_878126fc-80c7-11df-b5c8-001cc4c03286.html〕 EPI's programs typically run 5–14 days to some of the most biologically diverse and unique ecosystems in the world,〔About.com Cause of the Week - 3/25/2010 - http://nonprofit.about.com/b/2010/03/25/cause-of-the-week-ecology-project-international.htm〕 working alongside professional land managers and research scientists. EPI was founded on the principle that engaging locals is essential to the success of conserving biodiversity. The organization works to provide communication, mentorship, and learning between scientists and the general public. Since EPI's first field season, over 10,000 people have participated in this programs 〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=http://www.ecologyproject.org/get_involved/events/1389/fundraiser/ )〕 resulting in increased scientific literacy, and community-based conservation that is connected to the needs and priorities of the people who most impact the ecosystem. ==History== Co-founders Scott Pankratz and Julie Osborn lived in Costa Rica during the 1990s, and recognized that despite the ample presence of international research teams and prolific scientific studies, many critical habitats and species continued to decline. Julie and Scott combined their educational and scientific expertise in 1998 and began formulating a plan to partner local students and communities with scientists working on critical conservation issues. EPI's first field program involving 61 Costa Rican students and teachers took place in May 2000. The goal was simple: ''to involve local residents in the monitoring and protection of critically endangered nesting leatherback sea turtles''. The students patrolled the beach at night and learned about turtles and the nearby forest during the day. In October 2001, Ecology Project International received official independent non-profit status under United States Internal Revenue Service tax code 501(c)(3). In February 2003 EPI began work in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, partnering with the Charles Darwin Research Station on a green sea turtle monitoring program. In 2005, EPI began work in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico partnering with the Centro Interdiciplinario de Ciencias Marinas〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=CICIMAR )〕 (CICIMAR) and in Montana, partnered with the United States Forest Service〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=US Forest Service - Caring for the land and serving people. )〕 out of Gardiner, Montana. In 2006 EPI’s campus in La Paz, Mexico officially opened. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Ecology Project International」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|