Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation Exhibitors
The mission of the
Zoos and Aquariums: Committing to Conservation conference is to promote the greater involvement of zoos and aquariums in support of
in situ conservation efforts whether on a local, regional and/or international level. The biennial conference continues to focus on how best to provide partnership opportunities between field researchers and zoos and aquariums, provide a useful and positive networking atmosphere and instill a feeling of inspiration to the participants. We feel that the relationships developed between conservation commerce, products developed to support communities involved with surrounding research initiatives, plays an important role in the long-term success of these efforts.
A number of of vendors attended the 2007 event and from this, a new initiatve was formed: Vendors for Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation (VZACC). Please take a look at their website to find out how to participate and support conservation -
http://www.vzacc.org/
Confirmed vendors for the 2009 ZACC conference include:
Founded in 1981, the Snow Leopard Trust is the largest and oldest organization working solely to protect the endangered snow leopard and its Central Asian habitat. The Snow Leopard Trust and its local partner organizations provide herders living in remote parts of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, and Pakistan with training and equipment to produce handicrafts from the wool of their sheep and camels. The Trust markets these products at tourist attractions in Mongolia, at retail stores and events in the United States, and through the
Snow Leopard Trust online store. As part of this program, participating communities agree not to kill snow leopards or their prey species, and to follow sustainable herding practices.
Virunga Artisans: The Art of Gorillas and People Living in Harmony http://www.virungaart.com/
Survival of the 700 remaining mountain gorillas greatly depends on the well being of the people who live nearby in Rwanda, Uganda & DR Congo. By marketing this unique line of quality crafts, coffee and tea, we enable local artisans to make a living outside the parks, strengthen their communities and help preserve fragile watershed and gorilla habitat.
EquesInc / Vendors for Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation
There is enormous power in a combined vendor effort in behalf of in situ conservation. VZACC (Vendors for Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation) is a non-profit, unincorporated association established to facilitate and coordinate these efforts. The idea is simple: vendors of like mind unite in the resolve to give back a small percentage of their receivables to the purchasing institution's in situ conservation fund.
Proyecto Titi: Conserving Colombia's Wildlife http://www.proyectotiti.com/
Proyecto Tití is a conservation program that works to study cotton top tamarins in their tropical forest habitat as well as educating local communities about the need to protect the biodiversity of Colombia. To make conservation economically feasible for many local communities, we have developed some innovative strategies to empower local people to get involved and benefit from conservation activities.
A non-profit organization which is educating women to understand, benefit from and conserve the wildlife in their area through the creations of a sustainable fair trade enterprise which produces hand-made traditional crafts and gifts. The profit raised from the sale of these crafts and gifts directly benefits education, healthcare and nutrition of the women who are participating in this organization and their families.
ECO-CELL is the premiere cell phone recycling program for environmentally minded fundraisers. Our passion is to provide our conservation partners with the most profitable, easy to use and environmentally sound cell phone recycling program possible.
http://www.eco-cell.org/
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