Winter 2023/24 Newsletter

TDARFAC Newsletter

Solving Critical Conservation Problems

Issue 2 | Winter 2023/24

WORLD LEMUR DAY • REFORESTATION PROJECT UPDATE • GRANT PROPOSALS • AWARD NOMINATIONS • ANDASIBE FIELD GUIDES • ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING • LANDSCAPE GENETICS PROJECT • LCN MEMBER • SPONSORSHIPS • DONATE

World Lemur Day

We participated in the World Lemur Day celebrations for the first time in Maromizaha, Madagascar on October 27.

TDARFAC supported 29 students to attend the event from the University of Antananarivo. Students, including Kolonia and Marie Jeanne pictured here, visited our reforestation project site.

Students took part in various environmental activities & workshops over several days —Marie Jeanne, Ange, and Stephie in the TDARFAC educational booth.

Dr. Rindra, Dr. Freddy, and Nomena visiting the EcoVision tree nursery.

WORLD LEMUR DAY VIDEOS & PHOTOS

Reforestation Action Update

We joined forces with the Mad Dog Initiative, EcoVision, and Association Mitsinjo to receive a generous grant from Seacology to help fund our reforestation corridor project.

With Seacology's support, we have planted 20,700 seedlings from over 60 native tree species since June.

Our aim is to plant 225,000 seedlings covering 150 hectares (371 acres) to create a green corridor connecting two of Madagascar’s most important protected areas.

Forest corridors expand wildlife population viability and resilience by increasing genetic diversity, establishing new areas for movement (which facilitate foraging and other important behaviors for survival), and providing less direct contact with human populations.

By restoring this vital connection, we can enhance biodiversity, combat climate change, and create new opportunities for eco-tourism to ensure a sustainable future for Malagasy communities and wildlife including 12 lemur species.

Grants & Awards

We are pleased to officially announce that our first call for grant proposals and award nominations will open on December 31, 2023.

TDARFAC is dedicated to supporting research and initiatives that make a tangible difference in preserving our planet's biodiversity. Projects based on any non-human primates, their habitats, or any animal or plant species, which share and influence the same landscapes as non-human primates and directly relate to their conservation, are eligible for funding. If you've been searching for a way to amplify the impact of your work, we encourage you to apply.
Our awards program honors scientists and activists for exceptional contributions to the field of conservation and preservation of biodiversity. Individuals may be nominated for awards by peers, mentors, and/or colleagues. Nominations should indicate if the “Devoted to Discovery” or “Advocates for Change” award is being sought.
Mark your calendars! Applications will close on January 31, 2024. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to contribute to the preservation and protection of our environment. Apply now and let your conservation dreams take flight!

SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATIONS OR AWARDS NOMINATIONS

Field Guides

We donated 30 copies of the field guide, "Protected Areas of Mantadia and Analamazaotra in Central Eastern Madagascar," by Dr. Steve Goodman & colleagues, published by Association Vahatra & Madagascar National Parks to our partners at EcoVision.

TDARFAC is proud to support EcoVision's mission to educate, inspire, and drive action towards a sustainable future. Here's to a greener, brighter future!

Inaugural Advisory Council Meeting

Our first meeting brought together experts from a variety of backgrounds committed to making a real difference in conservation.

Highlights included discussing current initiatives, establishing best practices, & future action.

Landscape Genetics Project

TDARFAC is proud to be part of a project investigating the impact of anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and loss on the genetic diversity and structure of lemur species.

Our first goal is to use a landscape genetics approach to investigate the effects of habitat fragmentation on the population genetics of nine lemur species occurring in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park and surrounding forests.
Our second goal is to quantify antibiotic resistance contamination at different sites to test for a relationship between environmental risk and antibiotic resistance prevalence in lemur populations. This project has important long-term implications for lemur health and conservation.
- Principle Investigators: Dr. Kim Valenta (University of Florida), Dr. Andrea Baden (CUNY Hunter), Dr. Rindra Rakotoarivony (TDARFAC; University of Antananarivo).
- Collaborators: Dr. Jean Freddy Ranaivoarisoa (University of Antananarivo), Mr. Radoniaina Rafaliarison (the Mad Dog Initiative), Ms. Mauricette Marie Rajaobelina (PhD student - University of Antananarivo), Ms. Caitlynn Filla (PhD student - University of Florida), Aparna Chandrashekar (PhD student - CUNY Hunter ), Dr. Christina Bergey, (Rutgers University).

PhD students, Aparna and Mauricette, collecting lemur poo samples.

Dr. Ange, Caitlynn, and Mauricette performing DNA extractions at Mahaliana Lab in Antananarivo.

Lemur Conservation Network Supporting Member

TDARFAC is a new Supporting Member of the Lemur Conservation Network.

This partnership marks an exciting opportunity for us to join forces with like-minded organizations dedicated to preserving lemurs and their habitats.

We are eager to explore potential opportunities for collaboration and exchange ideas with fellow LCN members.

We can foster innovation and develop effective strategies to protect lemurs and their habitats by sharing our experiences, insights, and best practices.

LCN PROFILE PAGE

Event Sponsorships

Knockout Parkinson’s Inc. & Troy Keip Foundation Golf Play Days

Will You Sign: Art Exhibition

Looking for Holiday Gifts?

The Power of Collective Action

DONATE

Your generous donations can make a significant impact on our efforts to protect and restore our natural world.

By contributing to TDARFAC, you are directly supporting:

Groundbreaking research
Community engagement programs
Practical conservation projects

Join us in safeguarding our planet's most vulnerable ecosystems and the incredible diversity of species that call them home. Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to a sustainable and thriving future.

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