Hello, everyone,

I hope Norm and all of you will forgive a non-MD-birding message as it is
for a good cause...

I am writing with an appeal for donations of used binoculars (or new, if you
are feeling ultra-generous) for a community-based conservation project in
Zambia. Unfortunately, Birder's Exchange is not able to help with this
request, so I am appealing directly to all of you for used nocs in good
condition.

The Natwange Community Campsite is just outside the boundaries of the North
Luongwa National Park in Zambia. The Frankfurt (Germany) Zoo has been very
active in helping to develop conservation projects in and around this area,
including Natwange. However, Natwange is apparently not a high priority
among the many competing and important claims on the zoo's efforts, and
hasn't received much attention or help.  This may be because it has no large
mammals and so doesn't draw the tourists. However, for birders, it is
terrific. It is a small area of extremely high-quality miombo forest, some
of it riverine gallery forest called mushitu.

Money earned from the project goes to the community, for further development
of the project and for schools and other community needs. Unlike virtually
all other campsites in Zambia, this one is not owned or run by people of
European or South African origin, but is owned and operated by the native
community.

The community has developed three small campsites, each with an "ablution
block" (the British term for a bath house) with a shower and toilet).
Several of the members of the community are designated to lead visitors
through the forest, and they are trying hard to learn their birds. We left
them our field guide but didn't have any extra nocs with us. They are trying
hard to learn their birds, but without nocs it is difficult.

Mark Harvey, the owner of Shiwa Safaris <http://www.shiwasafaris.com/>  and
Kapishya Hot Springs is helping the community with the project and will take
the binoculars to them.

If you send binoculars to me, I will bear the responsibility and cost of
getting them to Mark.

I have one pair already and would like to have at least 2-3 more. Any extras
will be sent on to Birder's Exchange for their program, which focuses on the
Neotropics.

Ellen Paul
Chevy Chase, MD

/Please share th