TAKING ACTION TODAY FOR A LIVING PLANET TOMORROW

Emirates Wildlife Society in association with the WWF-UAE Project Offi ce (EWS-WWF) is a local environmental agency established in February 2001 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan to implement conservation actions for the protection of local biodiversity

VOL 11 SPRING EDITION 2006

THIS ISSUE:Students who, in all likelihood, will take up careers in the fi eld of communications were introduced to locally-relevant environment versus development issues as part of their course work. Taking the lead on this ‘Eco-challenge’ were students of communications technology at Abu Dhabi Women’s College. The feature story for this issue of Dar al Khair describes the project. Wadi Wurayah in Fujairah, has been assessed for its potential as a protected area; the Marine Conservation Forum is scheduled to meet in September of this year; coral reef investigations are progressing well; and Fortune promoseven is the corporate profi le.

The HCT initiativeThe budding partnership between EWS-WWF and Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) promises to be a rewarding one. The ‘Eco-challenge’ project was launched early this year with an interesting agenda: Introduce topical conservation issues to students studying communications technology and so, provide them an opportunity to develop environment-related marketing strategies and advertising campaigns. This in mind, themes of some EWS-WWF projects were suggested to 2nd year diploma students at Abu Dhabi Women’s College.

“The overarching goal of this project is to enhance the effectiveness of conservation action in the UAE by promoting community participation through educational institutes,” pointed out Razan Al Mubarak, Managing Director, EWS. “Through this formal partnership with HCT we will promote an education that also delivers an environmental education.”

Selecting campaign theme

A number of options were provided to 18 students participating in the Eco-challenge. The fi rst focused on conserving the native ghaf tree, about which EWS-WWF will undertake an awareness campaign in partnership with the Al Fahim Group. Another was agarwood or oudh, the customary fragrance of Arabia, that is protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

The third - one that was eventually

selected for the campaign - was coastal development and coral reef protection. EWS-WWF and partners are investigating the reefs of Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar under a project sponsored by Dolphin Energy.

“Coastal development is a local issue. We thought that building artifi cial islands was so wonderful, but we knew just one side of the issue and wanted

to know the other side too. Once we understood, it would be nice to inform the public about it,” said Salama Nader Mohammed Al Qubasi, a student, explaining their choice of subject. Understanding the issue

EWS-WWF worked with HCT to put together a programme embracing various facets of this ‘real life,’ environment versus development question so that students could adopt a balanced view. This included site visits, meetings and discussions with both developers and environmentalists and, fi nally, a workshop at which professionals in the fi eld of communications imparted ‘on the job’ knowledge to students.

Field trips were organised along Dubai’s coastline to view some artifi cial islands under development. On the trip, opinions on environmental impacts of coastal development came from Ibrahim Al Zubi, Director, Emirates Diving Association.

Another excursion was arranged to Sammaliah Island (Abu Dhabi), a 32- sq km spread of mangrove, wetland and desert, protected to preserve the

country’s environmental and cultural heritage. On the beach front close by, reclamation was going on for the Al Raha Beach development. Ron Loughland, Environmental Researcher, Commission of Environmental Research, Emirates Heritage Club spoke to students about Al Sammaliah and coastal development.

Finally, the students met real estate developers, listening to an impressive presentation by Abu Dhabi-based ALDAR Properties who are developing the Al Gurm Resort and Residence, as also estates on Al Raha Beach.

“We are very proud to participate in education initiatives in Abu-Dhabi; as well as support the conservation work of EWS-WWF” Ousama Ghannoum,Marketing & Communications Director, ALDAR Properties

Wrap-up workshop

On 22nd March, a workshop was organised at the ADWC to assimilate all that the students had gathered and to clarify any doubts. Most importantly, the workshop dealt with ideas and processes of developing campaigns as well as marketing, advertising and fundraising for documentary fi lms on conservation themes.

That the Eco-challenge went down exceedingly well with students, came from the students themselves. All were more than willing to develop, in following years, more campaigns revolving around prevailing environmental issues.

Sara, Zainab, Asma, Salama and the rest of their team mates faced a dilemma. What should their campaign support?On the one hand they heard from developers about a resort amidst mangroves. And that the utmost care would be taken of nature, in keeping with the company’s ‘wildlife fi rst’ policy. Two mangrove trees would be planted for each one cleared to enrich the coastal environment. That apart, all environmental mandates had been fulfi lled.What was more, elsewhere along the

shoreline students glimpsed islands of sand emerging from turquoise waters. The islands would soon support prime ocean view properties - ones that had already attracted investors from far and wide. These man-made territorial extensions into the sea were viewed as an economic boon and national pride. But on the other hand the girls heard concerns about the ecologically sensitive coastal waters of the Arabian Gulf. They learned of dying corals, disappearing turtle-nesting beaches, dwindling fi sheries, and a defi led

nature reserve……And more: It was pointed out that it was vital to undertake environmental impact assessments before projects before projects beforeand their locations were decided upon. This hadn’t happened in most cases. Ad hoc development withoutproper coastal zone planning resulted in the destruction of coastal habitats. Ideally environmental parameters should form part of the decision making process.Opinions swung like a pendulum. In the end, the campaign choice was the students’ to make.

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ADWC students on a fi eld trip to view coastal development.© ADWC

Coastal development and marine biodiversity

“Bio-productive areas in the UAE are limited. For instance, we don’t have forests like other countries; nor rivers. Our natural wealth lies in marine resources. We should protect our coastal waters as our national identity.”Razan Al Mubarak,

Managing Director, Emirates Wildlife Society

“Turtles in the UAE waters are dwindling. Hoteliers ask: why is everyone going to Oman to see sea turtles? Now these same hotels want the turtles back. It is important to look beyond business plans at

environmental concerns – short and long term.”Dr. Frédéric Launay, Director, WWF – UAE Project Offi ce

“This has been a wonderful way to expose the students to issues in the UAE that affect them directly. The islands are of interest to students in many ways, be it fi nancially, socially or simply geographically. That is why this initiative

is so effective; and it hits home. It creates an awareness that did not previously exist.” Yasmine Zaki, Journalism Instructor, Abu Dhabi Women’s College

Framing the issues with coastal development – Dr. Frédéric Launay and Razan Al Mubarak, EWS-WWF

How does WWF develop campaigns? – Lisa Shrake Perry and Razan Al Mubarak, EWS-WWF

Marketing and advertising tools, including campaigns developed – James Duthie, OgilvyOne Middle East by Ogilvy & Mather for WWF and others

Documenting nature: How do you market for nature conservation projects? – Jonathan Ali Khan, Ocean World Productions

EWS-WWF & HCT Workshop on Marketing & PR for ConservationCoral Reef Protection/Coastal Development

ADWC, Abu Dhabi, March 22, 2006

Razan Al Mubarak

Lisa Shrake Perry

Jonathan Ali Khan

James Duthie

FRESHWATER

Wadi Wurayah Mountain Protected Area

EWS-WWF and Fujairah Municipality with support from HSBC have completed a three-month preliminary survey of Wadi Wurayah. The purpose is to assess the site’s importance for nature conservation and its potential as a protected area.The Wadi is of considerable ecological signifi cance for its permanent water resources that allow among the rarest species found in the UAE, Arabian Peninsula and the world to survive in

this harsh environment.The survey team identifi ed nine different freshwater habitats in Wadi Wuraya ranging from temporary pools to streams and riffl es. Among species noted were: the unique orchid of the UAE - Epipactis veratrifolia; plants considered uncommon/rare in UAE by botanists - Tamarix aphylla, Moringa peregrine, Typha domingensis; and a new confi rmed record for the Dhofar toad (Bufo dhofarensis).About 60% of mammal species and 28% of bird species recorded in the proposed Wadi Wurayah Mountain Protected Area are of international or national concern, including the Arabian tahr, for which it is one of the last three strongholds in the world. Reptiles and amphibians endemic to the UAE mountains are found

here, as also the native wadi fi sh Garra barreimiae.A social survey of the local population was conducted, revealing that a vast majority favoured the idea of a protected area.

Field work in Wadi Wurayah, Fujairah © EWS-WWF

Wild fl owers, Wadi Wurayah, Fujairah. Courtesy Olivier PINEAU

A palm tree oasis, Wadi Wurayah, Fujairah © EWS-WWF

8th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP8), 20 – 31, Curitiba, Brazil

At the close of the CBD COP8, WWF said that a lack of political will and divisions between industrialized and developing countries over future funding resources have signifi cantly slowed down progress of the convention. Doubts over the future of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the convention’s main funding source, cast a cloud over the negotiations.Here are a just few highlights:● Language requesting an increase in

GEF funds for protected areas was signifi cantly weakened.

● Thanks to WWF lobbying at preparatory meetings, the COP adopted the Ecological Footprint as one of a range of indicators (including the Living Planet Index) to assess progress towards the 2010 Target. To know about the ecological footprint and Living Planet Index download WWF’s Living Planet Report from http:/assets.panda.org/downloads/1pr2004.pdf

● For the fi rst time, the CBD recognized that an increase of global temperatures above 2 degrees centigrade above pre-industrial temperatures will give rise to signifi cant impacts on ecosystems.

● The Governments of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei launched and

committed to fully support the Heart of Borneo conservation initiative that aims to preserve one of the most important centres of biological diversity in the world, including approximately 220,000 sq km of equatorial forests and numerous wildlife species. Read about the Heart of Borneo conservation initiative http://www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/press_releases.cfm?uNewsID=65000

Year of the Turtle 2006

March 1 marked the offi cial launch of the Year of the Sea Turtle within the Indian Ocean and South-East Asian region.

Today, six of the seven species of marine turtle are classifi ed “Endangered” or “Critically Endangered.”The Year of the Turtle is organized by the Indian Ocean South-East Asian (IOSEA) Marine Turtle Memorandum

of Undestanding. IOSEA is an intergovernmental agreement that aims to protect, conserve, replenish and recover marine turtles and their habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asian region, working in partnership with other relevant actors and organisations.Among WWF activities to mark the Year of the Sea Turtle are: working towards creating nation-wide awareness on threats to turtles in Fiji; declaring Indonesia’s Derawan Island (one of the biggest green and hawksbill rookeries in South-East Asia) as a Marine Conservation Area; and monitoring and protecting nesting sites in and around Kenya’s Marine National Reserve.Read about WWF’s work on marine turtles: http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/species/our_solutions/endangered_species/marine_turtles/index.cfm

Prince of Wales receives British environment award

On March 23, 2006 WWF presented His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales with an Awareness Award at this year’s British Environment and Media Awards (BEMA) ceremony. The award is given in recognition of achieving an outstanding impact on public consciousness on the subject of the environment. WWF-UK CEO Robert Napier, who presented the award, said that the Prince of Wales stood out as an exceptional winner of the BEMA award, due to his “determination not only to highlight the issues threatening the environment as well as proposing possible solutions, but also to act as a catalyst for change”.The British Environment and Media Awards were created to promote excellence in environmental reporting among journalists and other professionals. WWF has been managing the event since 2001.More on the British Environment and Media Awards from http://www.bemas.org.uk/

EWS-WWF in the UAEPROJECT NEWS

MARINE

Coral Reef Investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar

The second bi-annual report (June – December, 2005) of the project was prepared and presented to sponsor - Dolphin Energy and project partners – Supreme Council for the Environment and Natural Resources, Doha and Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. The project has highlighted that the offshore islands and banks of Abu Dhabi emirate and eastern Qatar harbour some of the most extensive and biologically important coral reef resources of the southern Arabian Gulf.

Marine Conservation Forum for the Arabian Gulf and Region: The forum will meet in the UAE on 19 – 13 September, 2006 to discuss coral reef and marine turtle protection.

SPECIES

CITES Enforcement and Capacity Building

A very successful training for Sharjah Customs was conducted on 6th

February, 2006 as part of the project. The next

training will be in April in Abu Dhabi with EWS-WWF,

Ministry of Environment & Water and Environment Agency

– Abu Dhabi.

Conservation of the ghaf tree: An awareness campaign strategy about ghaf is being formulated in consultation with the Al Fahim group (project sponsor). EDUCATION

Eco-challenge

EWS-WWF worked with communications technology students of the 2nd year diploma programme at Abu Dhabi Women’s College on developing advertising and marketing strategies around an environmental issue. The students selected ‘coastal development and coral reef protection’ as the subject of their campaign. EWS-WWF organised site visits and facilitated students’ consultation with various stakeholders, and interaction with recognized communication professionals.

WWF in the world

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Orchid (Epipactis veratrifolia), Wadi Wurayah, Fujairah. Courtsey Olivier PINEAU

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Common green turtle (Chelonia mydas) resting in coral reef, Indo-Pacifi c Ocean © WWF – Canon / Jürgen FREUND

The Heart of Borneo is one of the most important centers of biological diversity in the world, Sabah © WWF – Canon / A. Christy Williams

D. Kilalea: The company was created in Beirut in 1968 by seven young students, hence the name Promoseven. Promo, of course, stands for promotion. The main push for its establishment came from Akram Miknas who, based in Bahrain, is Chairman of the group. The name fortune is linked to an association with an advertising agency of that name in Hong Kong in the late 70s; and the name stuck.I joined Fortune Promoseven in 1983 in Bahrain, where its head offi ce was at the time. I moved to Dubai in 1986 to restructure the offi ce here and the company has grown from six people working then to today, over 300 in the UAE. It has over 1000 in the group as a whole led by a very strong dynamic team.Business developed through growth of clients and expansion into countries where the clients were going. These were Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Cyprus as well as all the gulf countries. FP7 has always believed in producing creative that works.

Which are the various business divisions of FP7?

FP7 is an advertising agency. We also have Promoseven Weber Shandwick, which handles public relations. Further, there are: 7 Below for promotions; Promo 7 RM for direct marketing; Brand beat, a corporate identity company; UM7, a media buying company; and, fi nally, Promo7 Sports Marketing that I started three years ago.

Does your company have an environmental policy?

We certainly do. Being in advertising, our paper consumption is large. We give all our used paper to the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) for recycling. As a matter of fact, we initiated paper recycling 10 years ago. Since 1992 we have been producing our stationery on environmentally-friendly (non-chorine bleached) paper.

Besides, we stopped the use of spray gum – the adhesive spray used for art work – in our studios a decade ago on account of the environmental damage it causes.

What does your association with EWS-WWF mean to you?

We believe that EWS-WWF and all that the organisation represents are vital for this country and its people. We worked with the WWF when it fi rst wanted to set up an offi ce in the UAE, handling all their publicity for free. Have you taken up environmental public relations work/projects with other companies?

As I mentioned, we were the fi rst PR company to work with the WWF when it came to the UAE. There have been other environmental projects we have handled – with Sony Gulf FZE for instance. This was a conservation research and education project for Zayed University students. We have also worked with EEG and Coke, again undertaking PR for an environmental education project. Do you have a view that you’d like to share with us on the implications of

rapid economic development on the UAE environment? We have to be very careful that development does not happen at the expense of the environment. I am always distressed to read the annual WWF Living Planet report and see the fact that the UAE is consistently mentioned now.

CORPORATE INTERVIEWInterview with Donal Kilalea, Board Member/Partner, Fortune Promoseven

Fortune Promoseven (FP7) is a founding member of the EWS-WWF Corporate Club. The company’s assistance to the conservation organisation, particularly during WWF – UAE’s early days in the country, is worthy of appreciation. Provision of offi ce space, publicity, media monitoring, press conference and seminar support…in fact, all of our public relations work during the initial years was courtesy of FP7.Dar Al Khair, meets up with Donal Kilalea to learn more about the company and its environmental stance.

Dar Al Khair : Provide a brief background to Fortune Promoseven, including how the name originated. How did the company get where it is?

EWS-WWF Corporate Club Members in the UAEAME Info, Canon Middle East, T. Choithram & Sons, DHL, Dolphin Energy Ltd, Khaleej Times,

Landmark Group, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Sony Gulf FZE 76

Donal Kilalea

Dubai Municipality and Wildlife Protection Offi ce in partnership with the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi undertook satellite tagging and ringing of fl amingos in Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubai, on February 27, 2006. Dr. Christophe Tourenq, EWS-WWF, assisted in the endeavour.

Zeina was born on March 15 to Manar and Ashraf Kassem. Congratulations from all of us at EWS-WWF. Manar will rejoin offi ce in September after her maternity leave.

The EWS-WWF offi ce in Abu Dhabi has relocated to the 8th fl oor of Chamber of Commerce and Industry building located on the corniche in Abu Dhabi.

“Be Creative for Conservation,” the wildlife sculptor workshop and exhibition, was held in the EWS-WWF Dubai offi ce on February 9 and 10

. Alan Meyburgh, an acknowledged Dubai-based sculptor, exhibited his own wildlife sculptures (many in bronze) and also conducted a workshop on modeling animals using clay. Guests were provided instruction sheets and guided by Meyburgh on creating animal sculptures of their choice. Sample models of wildlife species were also displayed. About 150 guests attended, creating wildlife sculptures in clay, and taking these away with them to paint at leisure.

To mark World Wetlands Day, H. E. Abdul Aziz Al Midfa, Director General, Environment and Protected Areas

Authority, Sharjah and Board Member of EWS-WWF gave a talk on wetland ecosystems in general and, specifi cally about UAE wetlands on February 12th

at Dar Al Nadwa, Al Bastakiya, Bur Dubai. On the same occasion, Dr. Christophe Tourenq, project manager with EWS-WWF, made a presentation on the wetlands of Al Wathba (Abu Dhabi) and Ras Al Khor (Dubai).

OFFICE NEWS

Fixing trap lines under water before dawn. Courtesy Ocean World Productions/Koji KAWAI

Releasing the fl amingo after satellite tagging and ringing. Courtesy Ocean World Productions/Koji KAWAI

Holding trapped fl amingos ©Dubai Municipality/Anisuzzaman

Waiting for satellite transmitters and rings to be readied ©Dubai Municipality/Anisuzzaman

Fixing the satellite transmitter. Courtesy Ocean World Prod’s/Koji KAWAI

Launch of the Enviro-Spellathon in Sharjah in February 2003. FP7 provided publicity gratis to EWS-WWF in the initial year of this environmental education project.

Alan instructs participants at the workshop H. E. Abdul Aziz Al Midfa

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The coastal zone makes up only 10% of the ocean environment, but is home to over 90% of all marine species. For example, of the 13,200 known species of marine fi sh, almost 80% are coastal. The coastal zone has the most nutrients of all marine environments. Sunlight can penetrate the shallow waters above continental shelves (land that slopes gently down from the coastline of most continents to a depth of around 200m) meaning that plants can grow, while the sea fl oor provides an anchor for many organisms. As a result, a number of extremely productive and complex coastal ecosystems have evolved. Not only do these ecosystems support a huge variety of life, many also serve as nurseries for much of the biodiversity of the entire oceanic system. These ecosystems also help protect coastal land from erosion due to storm surges and other large waves, such as tsunamis.

EWS-WWF staff:Ahmed, Shahbaz Project Coordinator tel +971 4 3537761 sahmed@wwfuae.aeAl Mubarak, Razan Managing Director, EWS tel +971 2 6336886 Ext 237 ralmubarak@ead.aeAmal Ayyash Executive Secretary tel +971 2 6336886 Ext 237 aayyash@ead.ae De Roy, Rashmi Communications tel +971 4 3537761 rderoy@wwfuae.aeKassem, Manar Marketing & Fundraising tel +971 4 3537761 mkassem@wwfuae.aeLaunay, Dr. Frédéric Director, WWF-UAE Project Offi ce tel +971 2 6336886 Ext 237 fl aunay@ead.aePerry, Lisa S. Programme Development tel +971 4 3537761 lperry@wwfuae.ae

Address: EWS-WWF Head Offi ce P.O Box 45553 Abu Dhabi, UAEDubai Offi ce P.O. Box 45977 Dubai, UAE

Editor, Dar al Khair: Rashmi De Roy, EWS-WWF; Design: Nick CrawleyRead Dar Al khair on line or download it from: http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Arabian_Environment/index.html and http://www.panda.org/uae

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

22 May International Day for Biological Diversity5 June World Environment Day17 June World Day to Combat Desertifi cation and Drought11 July World Population Day9 August International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

16 September International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer3rd week of Sept Clean up the World4 October World Animal Day13 October International Day for Natural Disasters Reduction14 October Arab Environment Day

Cover picture: Dubai coastline courtesy Susmit Dey

Coastal mangroves, Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Xavier Eichaker

Lisa Shrake Perry attended the Fourth Meeting of the Signatory States to the IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU* on 11 – 14 March in Muscat, Oman. Lisa has also enrolled in the WWF College Leadership Programme.*Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and their Habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia

Other participation by EWS-WWF:● Gulf Research Centre (Dubai) project

on natural resources and state of the environment in the GCC countries

● UNEP’s Global Civil Society Forum, February 5 – 6, Dubai and Seventh Global Ministerial Forum, February 7 – 9, Dubai

EWS-WWF gratefully acknowledges the support of:Khaleej Times, EWS-WWF Corporate Club Member who carried advertisements and news about the Wildlife Sculpture Exhibition and Workshop, the Wetlands Day talk and so much more.Akila Balu, who tirelessly publicised the

EWS-WWF Wildlife Sculpture Exhibition and Workshop and even helped with its organisation. Akila has voluntarily classifi ed and sorted out our media clippings.Management and staff of Al Bastakiya for so willingly cooperating with us on programmes we host, time and again, in the Historical Buildings premises.Basta Art Café, Al Bastakiya, who have always been ready with refreshments (at discounted rates!) for our programmes; and who will gladly display our greeting cards for sale to raise funds for conservation.

THANK YOU ALL!

Offi ce news cont’d...