My name is Estrela Matilde, and I am a conservation leader from Príncipe Island (São Tomé & Príncipe, West Africa). I am luck enough to lead an amazing team of 64 future local conservation leaders and our mission is to promote the social and economic development of the local communities on the island with and for conservation.
I am very happy to be part of this community and to learn and growth with each one of you!
Did you know that Príncipe Island have the highest rate of endemic species by square km in the world?
Check out our work at www.fundacaoprincipe.org!
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Welcome to WildHub Estrela, great work you're doing at Principe's. What are some of the endemic species found in Principe's Islands? What are the different areas you're training the 64 future conservation leaders in?
Hi Grace! Thank you so much for your kind words! The list of endemic species on the island is huge and I often jokingly say that every rock we kick we find a new specie! We have a Terrestrial team, who works with the terrestrial biodiversity, specially the Príncipe Thrush (Turdus xanthorhynchus), the Giant Land Snail (Archachatina bicarinata) and the Principe scops owl (Otus bikegila). The three species of frogs we have are endemic, we also have endemic snakes, bats and a little Shrew. And in our terrestrial program we also have a botanical team and we found out so far 10 new species of trees. We also have a marine team, working with the Sea Turtles (not endemic but threatened) and on the establishment of the first network of MPA in the country. Check out our projects at www.fundacaoprincipe.org!
Wow!!! Principe Island would be a lovely place to visit. Thanks for educating us. I'm looking at your website presently. Cheers
A warm welcome to WildHub, Estrela! We are happy to have you join us!
Is there any conservation work challenge that the community could perhaps help you with at the moment?
HI Thirza!
As a small insulate state, the invasive and introduce species are a big problem and is something hard to find funds for it. We are looking for grants to support the understanding and control of the introduced species, but have been hard to find funds for it. Our island is really small (140 km2), and the endemic species only exists here... the human pressure and climate change are reducing and threatening these species every day...
As a local organization, one of our priorities is the capacity building or our team, specially in writing of proposals, project management, etc. however, due to the English dependency, have been something hard to do, to ensure the autonomy and grown of our organization and local team, putting them less dependent of international staff.
All hard things to fund! But we are working on them and we are optimist about the future!
All the best,
Estrela
Hi Estrela,
Thank you for sharing your work challenges. At the WildHub member social yesterday I met @Manya who is working on invasive species in Malta. Manya, what has your experience been regarding getting funds for this type of activities?
I also at-mentioned you at an unique opportunity for action learning provided by our WildHub Coach @Ross Rowe, in case this could be of interest to you. Additionally, WildTeam UK provide online training (with opportunity for bursaries) on grant writing, project management, strategy development, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation and leadership: https://www.wildteam.org.uk/conservation-online-training-team
Hope this is of help to you? Let us know if there is anything else our community can do to support you and your team!
Welcome to WildHub!
Thank you @Lara Reden !
Hello Estrela! Welcome to WIldHub. What an amazing team and research effort you and your team have! I was just on your site and was so fascinated by the size of the team and research effort-and you are hiring! Congratulations on all of your accomplishments to date! When the dust settles from hiring your new project manager, I would love to discuss how WatchSpotter could be of great use to you for several of your projects. Feel free to visit our website www.watchspotterpro.com. No worries with the language barrier, as we are currently available in 38 languages. Also, feel free to message me here and or send me an email asleeman@watchspotterpro.com or on whats app +1-401-644-4891. I am located on the east coast of Florida USA. Have an amazing day-continue doing the great work that you are doing.
Cheers
Anne
Hi Estrela, what a wonderful looking place to live and work! I love your mission to change the world one island at a time - that's awesome!
Dear @Ross Rowe , thank you so much for your kind words! You have to visit us some time! Cheers!
Estrea