This organization really just appears to be a grass-roots NGO of concerned scientists, ecologists, and foresters in Puerto Rico. They may not be large enough yet to have a mission statement that covers all the work they intend to do.
If the question is about whether or not ESA has a policy about NGO's publishing postings, or if the ESA investigates legitimacy of NGO's, then that sounds like a legitimate question. Was there a response from ESA leadership? I have observed over the years that email is not always the best vehicle for in-depth conversations. Tone of voice is hard to convey and miscommunication occurs very easily. I prefer cautiousness and politeness. Sincerely, Lyndell On 7/30/08, Wayne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > My question was "Which ESA policy covers this sort of thing?" > > WT > > PS: I really enjoyed Gomez' unintentionally Freudian typo, "timber corps." > I am not passing a final judgment on this particular "NGO." But whether or > not they "care at all" or don't is not the subject question. The question is > whether or not there is a SUBSET of NGOs that is more opportunist than > ecologist? I do not object to "sustainable" forest management, but I suggest > a certain amount of caution with respect to declarations of righteousness. > Protestations of protests increase my suspicions rather than diminish them. > Does Mr. Gomez have any connection at all to the Mahogany for the Future > corp or is he speaking purely from personal conscience and science? > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Daniel Gomez" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 7:02 AM > Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Ecology as a cover for production exploitation? Re: > [ECOLOG-L] Mahogany for the Future, Inc., Call for Proposals > > > Dear Mr Wayne & Ecolog: >> >> I don't see a problem. At least they at least are trying to support >> research >> of this valuable timber species. Would you prefer that they didn't care at >> all like most timber corps.? In anyway this intiative is not new, many >> forest management organizations in the Amazon are focused on timber >> species. >> >> Daniel >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Wayne [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 9:11 PM >> Subject: Ecology as a cover for production exploitation? Re: [ECOLOG-L] >> Mahogany for the Future, Inc., Call for Proposals >> >> >> ESA Forum at Ecolog: >> >> I certainly and sincerely hope that this organization does not fall into >> the >> subject category, but the mission statement is far too vague. It would >> seem >> that the minimum that should be available on the website would be a >> complete >> copy of the articles of incorporation. The focus on merchantable timber >> alone is suspicious; it would seem that ecologists would have been more >> forthcoming about the ecosystem aspects of the mission. >> >> Which ESA policy covers this sort of thing? >> >> WT >> >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > >> To: <[email protected]> >> Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 1:02 PM >> Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Mahogany for the Future, Inc., Call for Proposals >> >> >> Please post. >> >> Mahogany for the Future, Inc., Call for Proposals >> >> Mahogany for the Future, Inc., is dedicated to >> ensuring the future of the neo-tropical timber >> species of the family Meliaceae. We are starting our operations by >> sponsoring a small grants program, with one award of $2000. The theme >> will >> be a research or community project focused on successful regeneration of >> mahogany (Swietenia spp.) or Spanish Cedar (Cedrela spp.) in a country >> within the native range of one of these species. This competition is open >> to graduate students at US institutions, (US citizens or otherwise). >> Projects should include a local in-country partner (could be farmer, >> community group, NGO, etc.) who will participate in the implementation and >> assessment of the project. Projects based on needs defined in conjunction >> with the local partner are preferred. >> >> Please submit a proposal in MSWord or rich text >> (three pages maximum) on 8.5 x 11 inch paper with 1 >> inch margins on all sides, single spaced, and in 12 >> point Times New Roman or Arial font. The proposal >> should include: 1) problem being addressed, 2) >> methodology, 3) expected outcomes, 4) how project >> success will be assessed, 5) budget and budget >> justification. Include documentation of your current >> status as a graduate student at a US institution, a >> curriculum vitae (2 page maximum), and 2 references. >> Include your contact information, and that of the >> in-country partner. >> >> Applications are due October 1, 2008. Applications >> should be submitted by email to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. >> Awards will be announced on November 1, 2008. >> >> Questions? Contact Sheila Ward - ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) >> For more information on Mahogany for the Future, see >> www.mahoganyforthefuture.org . >> >> Address: Mahogany for the Future, Inc. >> PO Box 21072 >> San Juan, PR 00928-1072 >> >> Key words: tropical ecology, tropical forestry, plant >> ecology >> >
