SWEC News: Wolves, bat houses, Prius
January 13, 2012
Join the Cause: Release Mexican Wolves into New Mexico Before it’s Too Late
The annual census of endangered Mexican wolves (“lobos”) will be released soon and we are not expecting much improvement over last year’s total of 50 wolves in the wild. It is essential to get more wolves in the wild to ensure the long-term survival of this magnificent animal. More than 300 lobos are in captivity, many waiting to be released into the wild as part of the reintroduction program. Releasing wolves directly into New Mexico–where the best remaining unoccupied habitat exists–is critical to quickly boosting numbers and gene diversity in the wild population, but for bureaucratic reasons the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) won’t do it, citing an outdated rule that prevents direct releases into New Mexico. The FWS could easily change this rule by issuing an Environmental Assessment and putting it out for public review, but it refuses to do so.
Tell the FWS to take action before it’s too late for Mexican wolves by joining our Facebook Cause. Not on Facebook? You can still sign our petition here. We are trying to raise $2000 to run a newspaper ad demonstrating public support for more Mexican wolf releases in New Mexico. Can you make a small contribution towards the cause? You can donate when you join the Facebook Cause or make a contribution at www.wildmesquite.org.
Introduction to Wildlife Tracking
Join us on Saturday, February 11, 2012 for a free all day workshop to learn basic wildlife tracking skills. The morning session will be indoors, followed by an afternoon field trip. Space is limited and reservations are required. You can learn more here.
Learn how to build a bat house
We will be holding a Bat House making workshop on Sat, Jan 14 from 10-12 at SWEC. Learn how to build a bat house in this fun hands-on interactive workshop. We will be putting these houses up later this Spring at our newest Rio Grande restoration project, the La Mancha Wetlands. Bring the family! More details at www.wildmesquite.org.
End of year contributions bring in $20,000
Thanks to everyone who made a special end of year contribution to the Southwest Environmental Center. Your gifts totaled nearly $10,000, all of which was matched by a generous donor. This was a great way to kick off our 20th anniversary year.
Call of Life: Facing the Mass Extinction
The Southwest Environmental Center is proud to sponsor a free screening of the film Call of Life: Facing the Mass Extinction on Friday, February 3, at 7:30 pm at SWEC. The screening is part of our free film series on the first Friday of each month.
Call of Life is the first feature documentary to investigate the threat to Earth’s life support systems from this unprecedented loss of biodiversity. Through interviews with leading biologists, ecologists, social scientists, indigenous leaders, and others, the film explores the causes, the scope, and the potential effects of the mass extinction. But it also looks beyond the immediate causes of the crisis to consider how our cultural and economic systems, along with deep-seated psychological and behavioral patterns, have allowed this situation to develop, continue to reinforce it, and even determine our response to it. Call of Life tells the story of a crisis not only in nature, but also in human nature.
2012 SWEC Calendars on sale at half-price
Oh no! Didn’t get a calendar this holiday season? Afraid you are going to miss important dates? Don’t worry – we still have some left and they are now HALF PRICE! That’s right, all month long get our beautiful calendar for just $6.48. Stop on in and peruse other items in our EcoShop!
SWEC is hiring canvassers
Are you tired of unrewarding jobs? The Southwest Environmental Center is currently looking for dedicated organizers to educate the public about conservation issues and fundraise to support our campaigns. Must be in good physical health to walk door to door. Great job for students. Training Provided. Average Pay is $200 a week for part-time work. Send your resume to erica@wildmesquite.org.�
Prius Raffle is coming!
SWEC is once again raffling off a new Toyota Prius hybrid, just in time for rising gas prices! We will only be selling 400 tickets at $100 each. Drawing is on Earth Day, 2012. Stay tuned for details!
Southwest Environmental Center
275 N. Downtown Mall
Las Cruces, NM 88001
United States
www.wildmesquite.org
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