A fascinating talk by Sue Butler Cole about an Amazonian Forest Project
Sue Butler-Cole gave a 30-minute talk about this Amazonian Forest Project the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project (BDFFP) where she had worked from late 1979 until early 1982. It was originally called the Minimum Critical Size of Ecosystems. This project was to identify the minimum critical size of a forest reserve so that there would be no loss of species. In the 1970’s there was a very ambitious Brazilian Government program of national park development in Amazonia, but the big question was whether these new parks were going to be large enough to protect all the species within them. In 1977 Dr. Thomas E. Lovejoy learned about the law stipulating that 50% of land purchased from the Government had to be left intact. He came up with a plan to isolate various sized forest reserves starting with 1 hectare up to 1,000 hectares and study the rate of species loss due to their isolation. In 1979 the WWF and the Brazilian National Institute for Amazon Research (INPA) set up the BDFFP project with the intention of finding answers to the debate about single large or several small reserves (SLOSS). After 45 years the project is still going strong because long term data statistics are so valuable and make it possible to answer questions which were not part of the original project design. To date the project has produced 140 PhD & Masters graduates (of which more than half are Brazilian) plus an enormous number of scientific publications.
See Wikipedia regarding:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SLOSS_debate
Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_Dynamics_of_Forest_Fragments_Project
Rubber Duck Racing
Never been tried before but RC Silves is always up for a challenge. Thirty members and friends gathered for an afternoon of fun and fundraising at the home of one of the members. They were treated to an afternoon tea and drinks whilst their rubber ducks raced to find the fastest rubber duck in the pool. Each member had a mascot duck to mark their progress through the races to the grand final.
The crowd watched in anticipation while the racing ducks took their places in the starting gate and then they were off. Fighting turbulence and adverse wind conditions they battled to the finish.
After four heats, two semi finals and a final the winner was Nicky Emms and her cross looking zebra rubber duck who managed a brief smile at the finish. In second place was Jim Kennedy with his lilac dragon duck who wore a heart on his chest throughout.
Prizes were presented by Domino and Petra from the Corridors of Peace Project. A good time was had by all and 835€ was raised in support of the Corridors of Peace project in Chad. A new focus for RC Silves.
Sunset Cruise
On the 30 September 11 members of Silves Rotary club joined RC Portimão on their Sunset Cruise. The event was in aid of fundraising to purchase a Socorro ambulance for the Bombeiros in Portimão. An exciting time was had by all if a little rough at times. The sunset was spectacular and the large waves on the return to port were well worth it. Congratulations RC Portimão on a great event.
RC Silves members and friends
Back to School
RC Silves members contribute to the Back to School project organized by the Silves based family charity Castelo de Sonhos. Message from Castelo de Sonhos:-
Castelo de Sonhos would like to thank everyone who contributed to this project which this year provided 70 disadvantaged children with backpacks filled with school material needed for the start of the new term.
Special thanks go to : CASA (Club for Algarvean Social Activities), Silves Golf Club, the Peace & Harmony Lodge of Carvoeiro, the Prince Henry the Navigator Lodge, the Portugal Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association and members of Silves Rotary Club. Due to the wonderful support which Castelo de Sonhos received this year the charity was able to distribute filled backpacks to an additional 20 disadvantaged children living in the Portimão area.
Happy Faces!
Rotary Clube de Silves 