<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div>On the Caribbean island of Bonaire the Yellow-shouldered
Amazon Parrot (IUCN: Vulnerable) inhabits an equally endangered dry-forest.
After felling nearly every tree, early European settlers introduced goats and
donkeys. What remains is an uninviting thorny forest heading towards
desertification.</div><div><br class=""></div><div>Working to safeguard the parrot’s future and restore the
dry-forest, Echo, an NGO on Bonaire, is tackling the biological and social
threats that underpin the current situation.</div><div><br class=""></div><div>The Echo team have established a native plant nursery and
over 1600 plants representing over 30 native species have been propagated.
These include species that are important food and nest trees for the parrot
including the Guaiacum officinale, G. sanctum which are Endangered (IUCN) and Zanthozylum
flavum which is Vulnerable (IUCN). </div><div><br class=""></div><div>Government led programs to control invasive herbivores are
underway, however these programs will take many years to reduce the density of
those species. <b class="">In order to jump start reforestation efforts and boost further
propagation in the short term a strategic network of herbivore exclusion areas
are being developed.</b> Planting can occur within these fenced area allowing the
abundance and diversity of native plants to increase immediately. </div><div><br class=""></div><div>Engaging the local community so they enjoy the benefits of
habitat restoration is a critical component of Echo’s long-term reforestation
strategy. Echo is working to achieve this through realizing the economic value
of the forest - tourism and increasing opportunities for recreation.
Additionally <b class="">reforestation on Bonaire will reverse the trend towards
desertification and bring positive changes for nature and for human wellbeing</b>
through improved micro-climates. Furthermore the restoration of the dry-forest,
a local and globally important environment, ensures that is more resilient to
future climate change. </div><div><b class=""><u class=""><br class=""></u></b></div><div><b class=""><u class=""><font color="#b92d5d" class="">To achieve these goals, we are in IMMEDIATE need of a Plant Conservation volunteer/intern:</font></u></b></div><div><br class=""></div><div><b style="font-size: 14px;" class="">Plant Conservationist – Immediate Start Date</b></div><div><br class=""></div><div>Is a day filled with being outdoors, collecting seeds, potting plants
and planting out trees your idea of fun? Do you love to garden and have
a knack for learning different types of plants as well as the types of
environment they’ll grow in? Do you want to gain practical experience in
botanical work while also learning about conservation management and
helping to make the world a better place? If so this could be a perfect
position for you!</div><div><br class=""></div><div>To apply, please visit: <a href="http://www.echobonaire.org/volunteer/current-opportunities/" class="">http://www.echobonaire.org/volunteer/current-opportunities/</a> and scroll to the bottom of the page to fill out the online application.<blockquote type="cite" class=""><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p class=""></o:p></p>
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