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Ornithological Group Seeks Computer to Protect Rare Species

Region: Russia
Author: Sokol
Consortium Member: Sacred Earth Network
Status: Needs Funding Budget: $1078 Collected: $0 Needs: $1078
Goal: The Stavropol Ornithological Group is requesting a complete E-mail station to distribute information on endangered species and efforts to create nature preserves.
Comment: Stavropol, southern Russia, is in a ecologically sensitive area between the Black and Caspian Seas. The computer also be shared with other local environmental groups. The information will go to local newspapers, colleges, and schools.

This group is requesting a complete E-mail station, which includes a computer, modem and printer.

The equipment would be used for distributing the results of the group's work over e-mail and developing a database on rare and endangered species of the Stavropol region. Two other groups, Dagestan Ecological Center (Makhachkala),and Regional Ecological-Biological Center (Stavropol) could also use the equipment for communications.

The group is currently working on:

  1. Conducting ecological research and fauna surveys for developing a recommendation for establishment of Dadynskoe Lake State Nature Reserve (Zakaznik)
  2. Discovering undisturbed tracts of steppeland where rare and endangered animal species have been preserved; Making preparations for organizating state zakazniks (nature reserves) there.
  3. Increasing environmental awareness: providing information for "Stavropol Pravda", "Evening Stavropol" and "Caucasus Health Resort" newspapers, and regional schools and colleges. Publishing "Societal-Ornothological Ideas and Problems," "Caucasus Ornothological Bulletin," "Ecological Problems of the Stavropol Krai" and other publications.
About the Sacred Earth Network's equipment program: The Sacred Earth Network (SEN) provides middle-ground equipment (not top-of-the-line, but reliable equipment). Recipients sign a 2 year contract committing themselves to using the granted equipment to communicate for their environmentally oriented work.

After delivering the equipment, training recipients on computer and E-mail use, and making sure groups open e-mail accounts, SEN's Moscow technical and project staff provide considerable post hook-up consultation to ensure that participants become reliable e-mail users.

SEN's Moscow staff will provide training and follow-up consultation for any environmental group granted equipment by Virtual Foundation donors.

Budget

Computer (486dx4-100MHZ/8MB RAM/820MB HDD/1MB SVGA/0.28") $670
Modem US Robotics 14,400 internal $130
Matrix printer LX-100 $180
VF Administrative Cost $98
Total $1078