September 28, 2008
CA Whale Disentanglement Team Needs Funds
Not about research diving, but a huge effort to put together a whale disentanglement team in CA. Please help the folks putting this project together with important funding-Dida
Since the fall of 2006 a project that has been at the fore front for Marine Life Studies (MLS) in California is to help create a full functioning disentanglement team for the central coast of California with annual training, a toll free number for people to call when a whale or dolphin is entangled in gear, more gear in various locations along the coast, public outreach, etc. Up to now it just took a lot of time and not much money. Our efforts have been very successful. This spring W.E.T. was created.
We were able to coordinate our efforts with Fluke Foundation – Mary Whitney, Moss Landing Marine Lab - Jim Harvey, Alaska Whale Foundation - Pieter Folkens, UCSC/Long Marine Lab - Dave Casper, and California Academy of Science - Kathi Koontz. Along with Marine Life Studies (MLS) these are the core members of our regional whale disentanglement network. We have adopted the acronym W.E.T (Whale Entanglement Teams) as a shorter, catchier, way to represent what we do. Classroom and hands-on training was given this spring and summer. We have a strong commitment to public outreach and education including annual training, plus there is a new toll free hotline and a variety of printed materials in the pipeline.
Now we have an opportunity to apply for a grant to help fund much needed equipment. But the stipulation of the grant is that we have to come up with 25% matching funds. This is where I desperately need your help. Marine Life Studies (MLS) is looking to add to the cache of tools that will be kept in central California.
I am asking you to please pledge a donation at this time. We need it because as part of the application process MLS has to list the dollar amount that we will match to be even considered for the grant. The donation itself will be tax deductible in 2009 as we are part of a 501(c)3 organization. The pledged donation money would not have to be sent in until 2009 and only upon being awarded the grant.
Right now we need the dollar amount of your pledge that you will donate so MLS can submit it for the grant request. Whatever you can pledge will be greatly appreciated.
MLS has already gotten $2500 in pledges but still need to raise $2000 in pledges by early Monday morning. I know it is a lot to raise in such a short amount of time but thanks to the generosity of my friends, dive buddies, volunteers of MLS, etc. we have raised $2500 since Tuesday.
The deadline for submitting the application is next week so if you could please let me know what you will pledge by Sunday, September 28th so there is time to finish the paperwork. Please only serious pledges as I am going on the faith that you will stand behind the pledge you make and send it to MLS.
Please email pledges to Peggy peggy@marinelifestudies.org
Once I receive a pledge I will send you back an email to let you know I have received it.
Please write or call me with any questions you may have.
Thank you and the whales will thank you most of all.
Aloha,
Peggy
Peggy Stap
Marine Life Studies in Monterey, California
Project of the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation
Cell: 831-901-3833
Home: 269-623-8355
Email: peggy @ marinelifestudies.org
Website
(please keep in mind I have not had time to update my researcher's blog since December but hope to do that real soon - just not enough hours in the day : )
Posted by Dida at September 28, 2008 7:14 PM
