ECCo Annual Report 2006

ECCo Annual Report 2006 Environment, Culture, and Conservation (ECCo) is a Division of Science at The Field Museum. 1 What role can a museum play in the conservation of vast landscapes? Dear Friends of the Museum, In 2006, we saw the protection of vast new conservation landscapes as a result of the work of The Field Museum’s division of Environment, Culture, and Conservation(ECCo). The reason for our continued success? The Field Museum’s century-strong tradition of excellence exploring the diversity of life on Earth and the connections between human cultures and the environment. ECCo puts this rigorous science into immediate action that creates and supports lasting conservation. ECCo Environment, Culture, and Conservation 4 Community neighboring Zona Reservada Sierra del Divisor, Peru; A. Nogués We recognize the crucial link between healthy wild lands and sustainable human livelihoods. It is the local villagers living in or around biologically rich landscapes who become the most efficient long-term stewards of the natural resources central to their quality of life. In 2006 we worked with in-country collaborators to transform 9,000 square miles of protected Andean foothills and Amazon lowlands into functioning conservation units. Environment, Culture, and Conservation ECCo 6 7 Closer to home, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Chicago Wilderness (CW) with 200 partner organizations at The Field Museum. We continue to work as a coordinated consortium to reach the courageous goal set by CW in 1996: to rescue and restore the globally important remnants of natural wildness that survive in our metropolis. Our strategy: transform the environmental culture in our urban setting. In 2006 we also worked toward the launch of the Chicago Cultural Alliance (CCA), which will serve as the public voice of local ethnic museums, cultural centers, and historical societies. CCA highlights the value of cultural diversity in our communities and will work with CW to reach non-traditional audiences for conservation. ECCo Environment, Culture, and Conservation 8 ECCo continues to develop ways for a major academic institution to spearhead the protection of biological and cultural diversity. In 2006 we strengthened ECCo’s financial base, allowing us to retain an exceptional team of experts. Generous endowment grants from The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, along with an increased commitment from the Museum and gifts from individual donors have ensured that we can continue our action for conservation. ECCo embodies the Museum’s mission to explore, interpret, and conserve our diverse Earth and its Peoples. We invite you to read our 2006 highlights. Sincerely, ECCo E N V I R O N M E N TA L A N D CON S E R VAT I O N PROG R A M S C E N T E R FO R C U LT U R A L U N D E R S TA N D I N G AN D C H A N G E John W. McCarter, Jr. President and CEO Debra K. Moskovits Senior Vice President, ECCo Two Departments 10 M ISSION FEATU R E Protect wild landscapes with high potential for conservation Rapid inventories for new conservation landscapes Peru’s Nanay-MazánArabela Headwaters Remarkable diversity, clean water, empowered local people Peru’s Nanay-Mazán-Arabela Headwaters These waters sustain peoples and environments. The Loreto region holds half of Peru’s lowland forests. Yet only 12% of it is protected. From a tiny area near Loreto’s Ecuadorian border spring the headwaters of the Mazán, Nanay, and Arabela Rivers. They provide water, fisheries, and transportation for people living along them, and for 400,000 people downriver in Iquitos. Distinct geologies and habitats in each river valley contribute to rich biological communities. One Vision 13 We found large populations of Atelopus in the upper Nanay. This frog genus is severely threatened elsewhere. Photo: A. Catenazzi This Bujurquina— likely new to science— is abundant in the Panguana headwaters. Photo: M. Hidalgo Micrurus langsdorfii, a coral snake from the upper Amazon, is part of the region’s extraordinarily diverse reptile community. Photo: M. Bustamante Myleus cf. rubripinnis, commonly known as pacu, feeds in flooded forests. We found it in our flooded heliport. Photo: P. Willink Photo: John Smith Photo: John Smith A government’s invitation offered unprecedented opportunity. Responding to the area’s importance for people and biodiversity, Loreto’s Regional Government (GOREL) invited ECCo to lead a rapid inventory of the headwaters to obtain scientific data to support protection. This created our first opportunity to collaborate directly with a regional government to study and conserve fragile landscapes. 14 This environmental crossroads revealed species wealth and people who value it. In August and September, Field Museum, Peruvian, and Ecuadorian biologists conducted rapid inventories at three sites. The team found an exceedingly diverse array of plant and animal species from the Andes, the lowlands, and specialized habitats, such as white sands. Visiting 11 local villages, the social science team learned how residents depend on and value the river to support a largely self-sufficient lifestyle. 15 Brownea grandiceps brightens the forest understory with its spectacular flowers. Photo: R. Foster The Marcgravia canopy vines are pollinated by bats. This one is likely a new species. Photo: R. Foster CHANGING THE MAP OF THE FuTuRE—With strong collaboration from in-country organizations, ECCo’s rapid inventories have brought swift results in the Andes and Amazon: more than 35,000 square miles of intact forests are now fully protected or on the road to protection. AM AZ ON Photo: John Smith Early steps are moving this vulnerable region towards protection. Based on the inventory results, GOREL is working towards granting protection for the Nanay-Mazán-Arabela Headwaters. The government also plans to extend ECCo’s results to secure protection for other threatened Loreto headwaters. 16 M ISSION FEATU R E Transform protected landscapes into effective conservation units that integrate cultural and biological diversity Conservation implementation that engages local people in the long-term stewardship of their land and culture The Chicago Region: Programs enrich Chicago environments—both biological and cultural A 200-organization consortium dedicated to restoring the region’s rich nature, Chicago Wilderness turned 10 in ’06. Photo: P. Rossi Calumet Environmental Education Program ’06: 90 teachers + 2,700 students celebrating Calumet’s natural areas. Photo: Field Museum Photo: John Smith The Chicago Region We apply our expertise in our own “backyard”. The greater Chicago region has a wealth of endangered biological communities, including prairies, savannas, and oak woodlands. The area’s cultural fabric weaves together people of multiple ethnic and cultural backgrounds. With wide-ranging programs throughout the Museum’s “backyard,” ECCo fosters conditions for neighboring cultures and natural areas to thrive and benefit one another. 18 Maintaining one of Chicago’s greatest strengths—diversity—is our goal. Appreciating how Chicago’s nature and people depend on each other to flourish, we address both. We focus on biodiversity—providing scientific expertise, environmental education, and training, and encourage involvement in land stewardship. ECCo also focuses on cultures—promoting communities’ strengths to enhance their quality of life and local environments. Our programs build bridges and create broader dialogues among communities. 19 M ISSION FEATU R E Sustain conservation landscapes for the long term Capacity building for the next generation of conservation actors Participatory Action Research Handbook: Sharing expertise in creating community-based research partnerships The PAR handbook describes a seven-step model for collaborative research to achieve social change. We brought 20 Chicago-based community and faculty partners together to define “best practices.” Photo: S. Johnson Participatory Action Research Handbook A powerful tool brings collaborative research to many. In 2006, ECCo published Collaborative Research: A Practical Introduction to Participatory Action Research for Communities and Scholars. This 50-page book documents eight years of collaborative social research in Chicago. It gives researchers the means to build bridges between academic institutions and communities. 20 Positive social outcomes motivate these collaborations. Participatory Action Research (PAR) emphasizes action —using social science research to facilitate positive social changes, such as inspiring restaurants to provide more healthful menu options. Already being tapped by local organizations is the opportunity for communities to engage in on-line dialogue with collaborators through the PAR website. 21 FIELD GuIDES TO DIVERSITY—Regions of the world with the richest biodiversity have no field guides. Museum specimens and photo collections can become instant tools to aid in field identification. 2006 New Web Sites Berlin Type Photography Collection (in collaboration with the Department of Botany) emuweb.fieldmuseum.org/botany/search_berlin.php Calumet Environmental Education Program Evaluation www.fieldmuseum.org/ceeppublication Chicago Region Biological Guides www.fieldmuseum.org/chicagoguides/ Cultural Connections: main site www.fieldmuseum.org/research_collections/ccuc/ccuc_sites/culturalconnections Cultural Connections: web-based audio archive, Chicago Amplified www.wbez.org/programs/amplified/amplified_audio.asp Field Museum Members’ Stories www.fieldmuseum.org/ccuc/ccuc_sites/membersstories/members_stories.htm Mexican Immigrants Assets Study www.fieldmuseum.org/creativenetworks/ Mighty Acorns www.mightyacorns.org Participatory Action Research www.fieldmuseum.org/par For more information, please visit ECCo’s main web site: www.fieldmuseum.org/research_collections/ecco.htm Color Guides Published between 2000 and 2006 23 2006 Active Grants and Gifts ECCo depends on your support. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors. Individuals, Foundations, Corporations, and Public Agencies $1,000,000 and above The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation† $500,000 to $999,999 Gail Waller and Timothy R. Schwertfeger*† Institute of Museum and Library Services† Nuveen Investments Jocarno Fund CCUC Council Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Schnadig† The Warwick Foundation Cultural Connections McDougal Family Foundation† Environmental and Conservation Programs The Kainz Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. J. Parker Hall, III Charles and M.R. Shapiro Foundation Cofan Landscape in Northern Ecuador Conservation Communication Training Initiative in Peru and Bolivia Lake Park Crescent Programs Science-Based Conservation at The Field Museum The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation $100,000 to $499,999 CHASE Calumet Environmental Education Program (CEEP) Niamogue Foundation*† Polk Bros. Foundation† Environmental and Conservation Programs Cultural Diversity Alliance Lake Park Crescent Program The Ford Foundation Cultural Connections $10,000 to $24,999 The Bannerman Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Marc Wilkow Cultural Connections Participatory Action Research Mr. Jack Fuller*† Wilbur* and Linda Foundation† Gantz† $25,000 to $99,999 The Achnacarry Foundation– Lenore and Douglas Cameron† Susan and Stephen Baird BP Chicago Board of Education Up to $1,000 Mr. and Mrs. Fred Axley Mrs. Adrian R. Foster Dr. and Mrs. Frank Guthrie Cultural Connections The Field Foundation of Illinois Expanding The Field Museum’s Conservation Science Capacity Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation† Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley UrbanWatch Program Illinois Humanities Council Calumet Stewardship Initiative—Education Calumet Environmental Education Program (CEEP) Chicago Wilderness–Calumet Focus Groups Earth Force in the Calumet Region Hamill Family Foundation† Calumet Environmental Education Program (CEEP) Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Cultural Connections Palmer Foundation Conservation Status of Peru’s Endemic Plants Science in Action for Conservation—Andes and Amazon Management of Cordillera Azul National Park U.S. Agency for International Development† Cultural Diversity Alliance The Don and Rebecca* Ford Terry Family Fund† Illinois Conservation Foundation UrbanWatch Program $1,000 to $9,999 Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. James D. Abrams Ford Motor Company Conservation of Cordillera Azul National Park 24 Protecting Diverse Amazonian Lowlands: The Rich Forests of Güeppi Chicago Wilderness— Mighty Acorns Program Laurie and Rich Kracum† Kraft Foods, Inc. Calumet Environmental Education Program (CEEP) Mrs. Robert C. Hyndman † Multi-year pledge/grant * Trustee Cultural Connections 25 2006 Project Expenditures Committee and Council Members BOARD COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE Rapid Inventories and Link with Action ................................................... $ Conservation Implementation Chicago Region Calumet Initiatives .................................................................................... Cultural Connections .............................................................................. urban Research ............................................................................................ Total Chicago Region ............................................................................. 775,000 289,000 384,000 373,000 1,046,000 176,000 1,891,000 210,000 Ecuador ......................................................................................................................... Peru .................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................. Bolivia Total Conservation Implementation ................................................... $ 3,323,000 Tools and Training ........................................................................................................ $ TOTAL PROJECT EXPENDITuRES * Unaudited Project Expenditures .......................................................... 821,000 $ 4,919,000 * Trustee Members James L. Alexander, Co-Chair Adele Simmons, Co-Chair Mrs. T. Stanton Armour Charles W. Benton Susan M. Benton Judith S. Block Gail K. Boudreaux Robin Tennant Colburn Louis Delgado Janet Diederichs* James S. Frank Wilbur H. Gantz III Lewis S. Gruber Richard M. Jones Constance T. Keller Randolph R. Kurtz Hugo J. Melvoin Robert A. Pritzker John S. Runnells II Maureen Dwyer Smith Bonnie E. Stearns* Susan A. Willetts Other Members Henry T. Chandler Jean L. Baldwin Herbert Kenneth P. Kaye William J. Kirby Withrow W. Meeker Charles F. Nadler George Rabb Patricia Schnadig Debra F. Yates CCUC COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Rebecca Ford Terry, Co-Chair Laura S. Washington, Co-Chair Ms. Katherine Abele Susan and Stephen Baird Rick Callahan and Benedicte Wirtz Lenore and Douglas Cameron Lawrence and Martha Casazza Joanne Benazzi Friedland Laurie and Rich Kracum Mrs. Withrow W. Meeker Mr. and Mrs. Donald W. Patterson Ms. Suzette Sodini Mr. and Mrs. John W. Taylor, III Mr. John W. Taylor, Jr. Theodore and Louann Van Zelst Ms. E. Ruth White Mr. and Mrs. Marc Wilkow 26 * Trustee term concluded in 2006 27 2006 ECCo Staff Office of The Vice President Debra K. Moskovits Senior Vice President Rob McMillan Finance Planning and Accounting Brandy Pawlak Sr. Administrative Assistant Ryan Peters Digital Media Developer Betsy Quail Special Projects Coordinator– Conservation Education Sergio Rabiela Digital Media Coordinator Laurel M. Ross Regional Director, Conservation Implementation Thomas S. Schulenberg Conservation Ecologist, Zoology Douglas F. Stotz Conservation Ecologist, Zoology Nathan Strait Visual Presentation Media Specialist Kirk Anne Taylor Conservation Programs Manager Sarah Thompson Research Assistant Lisa Thoss Conservation Education Assistant Jonathan VanderBrug Community Educator– Conservation Education Corine Vriesendorp Rapid Inventory & Tools Director Conservation Ecologist, Botany Tatzyana Wachter Conservation Programs Coordinator Center for Cultural Understanding and Change (CCUC) Alaka Wali Director Rosa Cabrera Public Involvement Manager Kimberlee Guenther Urban Research Programs Coordinator Samantha Johnson Communications Specialist Jeannette Matuska Project Coordinator, Cultural Connections Mario Longoni Cultural Connections Program Coordinator Meganne M. Lube Sr. Administrative Assistant Clinton Nichols Resident Liaison Manager Yvonne Nieves Cultural Connections Administrative Assistant Andrea Nogués Community Conservation Specialist Josh Ostergaard Urban Research Programs Coordinator Rebecca Puckett Program Assistant Rebecca Severson Urban Research Programs Manager Madeleine Tudor Communications and Operations Manager Environmental and Conservation Programs (ECP) Debra K. Moskovits Director William S. Alverson Conservation Ecologist, Botany Daniel Brinkmeier Manager, International Community Outreach Michael Cepek Research Assistant Anne Umali Ferguson International Programs Manager– Conservation Education Robin B. Foster Conservation Ecologist, Botany John Gonzalez Grant Compliance Specialist Paul Guggenheim International Programs Manager– Conservation Education Kevin Havener Visual Communications Developer Rob McMillan Manager, ECP Finance Planning and Accounting Christy Page Calumet Environmental Education Program Assistant Mario Pariona Manager, International Programs 28 ECCo Environment, Culture, and Conservation The Field Museum 1400 South Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois 60605