Too much illegal wood in EU markets - WWF
Brussels, Belgium: Almost one-fifth of wood imported into the European Union in 2006 came from illegal or suspected illegal sources, with Russia, Indonesia and China being the main sources, says a new WWF report. The global conservation organisation calls for strong European legislation to prevent illegal wood entering the EU markets.
Vague land ownership a factor in Amazon deforestation
A "fragile" land tenure system and "a scarce presence" by the State were identified as key factors in rising Amazon deforestation last week.
Brazil announces new Amazon protected areas
Brazil's Environment Minister Carlos Minc announced today, May 29th, at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Bonn, a commitment to create 4 new protected areas, 3 of them in the Brazilian Amazon.
Conservationists lament departure of Brazilian minister
The sudden resignation of Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva on 13 May has been greeted with shock and regret by the conservationist community.
“This is a clear sign that environmental issues are not in the agenda of the government”, said Denise Hamú, WWF-Brazil’s Secretary General.
Bolivian River Dolphin: Conservation Ambassador for the Department of Beni in Bolivia
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, April 23rd, 2008. The Bolivian river dolphin (Inia boliviensis) was declared by the Prefecture of the Department of Beni (northeastern Bolivia) as a Natural Heritage. This recognition highlights the value placed on the conservation of this species, the freshwater ecosystems in the Beni where it lives and the country in general.
32 foreign business men and women participate in the “Business Mission for Forestry Products, Bolivia 2008”
WWF Bolivia, the conservation organization, and its Bolivia Forest Trade Network (FTN) organized, for the second consecutive year, the Business Mission for Forestry Products aimed at companies that are part of WWF’s Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) and are interested in establishing trade relations with companies that are participating in the Bolivia FTN, certified Bolivian producers or those in process of certification.
13 river, 5 nation river dolphin census to help conservation on two continents
Santiago de Cali, Colombia: A milestone in the protection of the world's engangered river dolphins has been achieved with the successful completion of an ambitious 13 river, five nation census survey of South America's river dolphins.
Climate change speeds up Amazon’s destruction
Report: A vicious cycle of climate change and deforestation could wipe out or severely damage the Amazon forest by 2030.
Pact to end deforestation launched in the Amazon
WWF-Brazil joins eight other Brazilian non-governmental organizations to launch a pact to reduce deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon to zero by 2015.
South American dolphin survey wraps up in Bolivia
South America’s first-ever river dolphin census through the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers has come to an end. The census is just an initial phase towards protecting pink and grey dolphins.