Update from Robert, Team 5:

As I've told you in my previous update, myself, Celine and Eugene had submitted our write-up on our experience in Monterey to our Marketing Dept for publication in the local media. On the 21st January our write-up was published in "THE TIMES", Malta'a most popular newspaper and on the 22nd February it was published again, now in Maltese on another newspaper called "In-Nazzjon" (in English, The Nation) . I have also submitted my personal write-up to my Local Council of Dingli for publication in their local newsletter which is distributed free of charge to all residents. This should be published next month.

As regards our local community project, we will be doing our project with BICREF (The Biological Conservation Research Foundation). There has been some change of plans since I've wrote to you. Seeing the useful work that this organisation is doing, instead of teaming up with Celine and Eugene only, I've contacted other HSBC fellows who were on other Earthwatch projects and they have decided to join us to support BICREF. In fact, we will be ten in all who collectively will contribute STG 4000 (approx US 7800). In fact Bicref's proposals have already been approved by Earthwatch and funds have already been received. On March 14th, we had our first official meeting to discuss the way forward and also our participation on the project. Also, myself, Celine and Eugene and some other HSBC fellows have enrolled as BICREF members.

Hereunder is an idea how the funds will be utilsed:.

The funds will be utilised to meet costs incurred during field work and marine surveys. While BICREF would make use of its instruments and expertise, side by side with trained volunteers, the HSBC/EARTHWATCH fund would allow the continued long-term efforts of monitoring and research to fill the gaps of necessary environmental knowledge to assist conservation measures. The major share of the funds would be utilised for marine conservation research surveys: mainly to meet the costs of hiring a large boat and/or its fuel; some diving equipment; small aircraft aerial surveys costs; important upgrades for and maintenance of BICREF's dinghy; research equipment used for marine conservation research there will be an allocation of LM 2230; while toward the production of a coloured and informative HSBC/Earthwatch-BICREF Biodiversity Poster for Schools an allocation of LM 350 is planned.

Outputs of the projects:

These costs would also allow for the production of an educational slide show for secondary school children which may also be delievered by the fellows if they wish; a public seminar in summer with the participation of the HSBC fellows' personal experiences; Biodiversity surveys in Conservation areas of Ghajn Tuffieha and Ramla; Biodiversity surveys in non-conservation areas around the Maltese Islands and the production of a report for local awareness using observations obtained during the surveys. The latter would also be in form of a feature & news clip that would be sent to local newspapers and then placed on the BICREF webpage. The report may also be sent to the local environmental authorities as positive recommendations for future management requirements.

The projects would run through out the year 2007. Scientific surveys would pave the way to obtaining accurate data but also real local images used for educational purposes. For BICREF this would allow the contribution of the HSBC fellows to go beyond the single year project but the long-term monitoring effort. Side by side with this valuable contribution, funds for running costs related to research requirements are also essential. BICREF members are happy to work voluntarily and do not get paid for their research, monitoring or local awareness work. Thus the outputs of research are voluntarily utilized for accurate and illustrated local awareness for the public of all ages for years to come.

The informative poster in classes of local schools would be an important way of highlighting the need of conservation research and monitoring for biodiversity protection and survival in a changing world. The message BICREF will forward together with lovely photos will allow children to increase their curiosity and appreciation for the lovely marine and coastal environment. This effort will complement other educational resources BICREF has and would prepare in the coming year.

Also our collective contribution to BICREF and eventually our commitment in our local project with this organisation was given publicity in most of the local media:

Malta Star, March 15
Times of Malta, March 16
Di-ve, March 27
Times of Malta, April 1