ecco annual report 2006 - the field museum annual report 2006 ecco environment, culture, and...

ECCo Annual Report 2006

ECCoEnvironment, Culture, and Conservation

The Field Museum

1400 South Lake Shore Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60605

Environment, Culture, and Conservation (ECCo) is a Division of Science at The Field Museum.

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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.

Environment, Culture, and ConservationECCo

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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.

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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.

Environment, Culture, and ConservationECCo

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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,

John W. McCarter, Jr. President and CEO

Debra K. Moskovits Senior Vice President, ECCo

Two Departments

E N V I R O N M E N T A L A N D

C O N S E R V A T I O N P R O G R A M S

ECCo

C E N T E R FO R C U LT U R A L

U N D E R S T A N D I N G A N D C H A N G E

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One Vision

MISSION

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.

Protect wild landscapes with high potential for conservation

Rapid inventories for new conservation landscapes

FEATURE

Peru’s Nanay-Mazán- Arabela Headwaters

Remarkable diversity, clean water, empowered local people

Peru’s Nanay-Mazán-Arabela Headwaters

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Photo: John SmithPhoto: John Smith

We found large popula-tions of Atelopus in the upper Nanay. This frog genus is severely threat-ened 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

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.

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.

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Photo: John Smith

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

AMAZ

ON

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.

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.

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Conservation implementa-tion 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

Transform protected landscapes into effective conservation units that integrate cultural and biological diversity

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.

Photo: John Smith

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.

MISSION A 200-organization consortium dedicated to restoring the region’s rich nature, Chicago Wilder-ness turned 10 in ’06.

Photo: P. Rossi

FEATURE Calumet Environmental Education Program ’06: 90 teachers + 2,700 students celebrating Calumet’s natural areas.

Photo: Field Museum

The Chicago Region

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Capacity building for the next generation of conservation actors

Participatory Action Research Handbook:Sharing expertise in creating community-based research partnerships

Sustain conservation landscapes for the long term

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.

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.

MISSION The PAR handbook describes a seven-step model for collaborative research to achieve social change.

FEATURE We brought 20 Chicago-based commu-nity and faculty partners together to define “best practices.”

Photo: S. Johnson

Participatory Action Research Handbook

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Color Guides Published between 2000 and 2006

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.

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 sitewww.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’ Storieswww.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

2006 New Web Sites

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$1,000,000 and above

The John D. and Catherine

T. MacArthur 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

Expanding The Field Museum’s Conservation Science Capacity

Gordon and Betty Moore

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†

Conservation of Cordillera Azul National Park

$500,000 to $999,999

Gail Waller and Timothy R.

Schwertfeger*†

$100,000 to $499,999

CHASE

Cultural Diversity Alliance

Lake Park Crescent Program

The Ford Foundation

Participatory Action Research

Mr. Jack Fuller*†

Wilbur* and Linda Gantz†

Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley

Foundation†

Calumet Stewardship Initiative—Education

Calumet Environmental Education Program (CEEP)

Chicago Wilderness–Calumet Focus Groups

Earth Force in the Calumet Region

Hamill Family Foundation†

Protecting Diverse Amazonian Lowlands: The Rich Forests of Güeppi

Institute of Museum and

Library Services†

Cultural Connections

McDougal Family Foundation†


Niamogue Foundation*†

Polk Bros. Foundation†


$25,000 to $99,999

The Achnacarry Foundation–

Lenore and Douglas Cameron†

Susan and Stephen Baird

BP


Richard H. Driehaus Foundation

Cultural Diversity Alliance

The Don and Rebecca* Ford Terry

Family Fund†

Illinois Conservation Foundation

Chicago Wilderness— Mighty Acorns Program

Laurie and Rich Kracum†

Kraft Foods, Inc.


Nuveen Investments

CCUC Council

Mr. and Mrs. Richard H.

Schnadig†

The Warwick Foundation

Environmental and Conservation Programs

$10,000 to $24,999

The Bannerman Foundation

Chicago Board of Education


The Field Foundation of Illinois

UrbanWatch Program

Illinois Humanities Council


Palmer Foundation

UrbanWatch Program

$1,000 to $9,999

Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. James D. Abrams

Ford Motor Company


Mrs. Robert C. Hyndman

Jocarno Fund

Environmental and Conservation Programs

The Kainz Family Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. J. Parker Hall, III

Charles and M.R. Shapiro

Foundation


Mr. and Mrs. Marc Wilkow

Up to $1,000

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Axley

Mrs. Adrian R. Foster

Dr. and Mrs. Frank Guthrie

2006 Active Grants and Gifts

ECCo depends on your support. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors.

† Multi-year pledge/grant * Trustee

Individuals, Foundations, Corporations, and Public Agencies

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BOARD COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE

Trustee MembersJames L. Alexander, Co-ChairAdele Simmons, Co-ChairMrs. T. Stanton Armour Charles W. BentonSusan M. BentonJudith S. BlockGail K. BoudreauxRobin Tennant ColburnLouis DelgadoJanet Diederichs*James S. FrankWilbur H. Gantz IIILewis S. GruberRichard M. JonesConstance T. KellerRandolph R. KurtzHugo J. MelvoinRobert A. PritzkerJohn S. Runnells IIMaureen Dwyer Smith Bonnie E. Stearns*Susan A. Willetts

Other MembersHenry T. ChandlerJean L. Baldwin HerbertKenneth P. KayeWilliam J. Kirby

Withrow W. MeekerCharles F. NadlerGeorge RabbPatricia SchnadigDebra F. Yates

CCUC COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

Rebecca Ford Terry, Co-ChairLaura S. Washington, Co-ChairMs. Katherine AbeleSusan and Stephen BairdRick Callahan and Benedicte WirtzLenore and Douglas CameronLawrence and Martha CasazzaJoanne Benazzi FriedlandLaurie and Rich KracumMrs. Withrow W. MeekerMr. and Mrs. Donald W.

PattersonMs. Suzette SodiniMr. and Mrs. John W. Taylor, IIIMr. John W. Taylor, Jr.Theodore and Louann Van ZelstMs. E. Ruth WhiteMr. and Mrs. Marc Wilkow

Committee and Council Members

* Trustee term concluded in 2006

Rapid Inventories and Link with Action ................................................... $ 775,000

Conservation Implementation

Chicago Region

Calumet Initiatives .................................................................................... 289,000 Cultural Connections .............................................................................. 384,000 urban Research ............................................................................................ 373,000

Total Chicago Region ............................................................................. 1,046,000

Ecuador ......................................................................................................................... 176,000

Peru .................................................................................................................................. 1,891,000

Bolivia ............................................................................................................................. 210,000

Total Conservation Implementation ................................................... $ 3,323,000

Tools and Training ........................................................................................................ $ 821,000

TOTAL PROJECT EXPENDITuRES .......................................................... $ 4,919,000

* Unaudited Project Expenditures

2006 Project Expenditures

*

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Office of The Vice President

Debra K. Moskovits Senior Vice President

Rob McMillan Finance Planning and Accounting

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

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

2006 ECCo Staff

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ECCo Annual Report 2006

ECCoEnvironment, Culture, and Conservation

The Field Museum

1400 South Lake Shore Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60605

ecco annual report 2006 - the field museum annual report 2006 ecco environment, culture, and...

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