earth love

THE WOODLAND TRUST

Total Raised: £49.85
The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading conservation charity. Their press officer, Rachael Burkitt, gave us this information on their action plan:
Trees and forests are crucial to life on our planet. They stabilise the soil, generate oxygen, store carbon, play host to a spectacular variety of wildlife, and provide us with raw materials and shelter. They also offer us peace and tranquility, inspire our imagination, creativity and culture, and refresh our souls. A world without trees and forests would be barren, impoverished and intolerable.
The UK's woodland cover has had a chequered history of stewardship and degradation over the past 3000 years. Our naturally occurring forests have been slowly altered and destroyed through man's intervention, to the point where there are virtually none untouched by human hand and where our rich heritage of ancient woods has become fragmented and neglected.
The Woodland Trust was founded at a time of emerging consciousness about the crisis surrounding the UK's woods. Our mission now, as then, is to conserve, restore and re-establish the country's woodland.
We have a clear vision for its future:
We believe there should be no further loss of ancient woodland.
We want to see woodland biodiversity restored and improved
We wish to see an increase in the area of new native woodland
We want to see an increase in people's awareness and enjoyment of woodland.
With attention focused on the millenium, the Woodland Trust calls for government - UK, country, regional and local - to take ten steps towards protecting and developing the country's woodland through a mix of policy, practice and funding.  See www.woodland-trust.org.uk  Email: enquiries@woodlandtrusst.org.uk  Tel: 01476 581135 for nearest postal address.

IFAW

Total Raised: £52.82
The IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) has, for the past 34 years, been working actively to fight animal cruelty worldwide. They have offices all over the globe and their tireless work includes projects such as:
- Over £180,000 spent protecting elephant habitat in Kenya from the illegal ivory trade.
- Pressurising the Canadian government to protect the seals and prosecute abusers, via video evidence of cruelty sadly captured by IFAW investigators, and by providing sound scientific arguments against the hunt.
- Setting up animal shelters around the world to provide care for cats and dogs. In Beijing, IFAW is helping to fund the first ever private animal shelter.
- Rescuing animals in distress eg. bushfires, nursing orphans and helping wildlife rehabilitators.
- Working to save gentle moon bears from the horrific 'bile farms' of China. Seven bears are now freed and living in an IFAW funded model sanctuary and three others have been released to a safe haven.
- Providing sanctuary for abused lions, tigers and bears discarded by the 'entertainment' industry.
These are just a few of this remarkable organisation's wonderful projects.
IFAW said, "Thank you so much for your generous donation of £52.82. Your support enables us to help animals wherever they are suffering or in pain. Your kindess ensures that we will do more than ever during 2003 to protect animals all over the world." Contact: IFAW, 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7UD Tel: +44(0)207 587 6700.  Email: info-uk@ifaw.org  Or see www.ifaw.org

THE RAINFOREST FOUNDATION

Total Raised: £52.30
Ambika Sahay from the Rainforest Foundation said, 'Thank you ever so much for your donation to our charity. It is greatly appreciated. All our work in the rainforests and with indigenous peoples worldwide depends entirely on the support of people such as those involved with your magazine - people who care.'
The Rainforest Foundation also provided the following statement for the website:
The mission of the Rainforest Foundation is to support indigenous people and traditional populations of the world's rainforests to protect their environment and fulfil their rights to land and livlihood.
While you read this sentence, an area of rainforest the size of two football fields will disappear, and the world's 50 million indigenous forest people, who call these forests home, will have a smaller place in which to live.
In 1950, rainforests covered twelve per cent of the Earth's land mass; today only six per cent are left. With up to 70 per cent of the earth's biological diversity said to be contained in the world's rainforests, experts estimate that as many as 55,000 species of wildlife become extinct each year as a result of rainforest destruction.
Since European colonial expansion in the 16th century, indigenous peoples have been subjected to extensive violations of their human rights, and are being driven to extinction at a rate unprecedented in human history. Between 1900 and 1957 in Brazil alone, 143 unique indigenous tribes were extinguished.
Often treated as invisible by the state, their lands are allocated to logging or mining companies, and they are often forcibly relocated. In other cases, they have been subjected to the pollution of their natural environment by these industrial activities, and are vulnerable to diseases imported by colonisers and settlers.
The Rainforest Foundation works to counter these trends by building meaningful partnerships with non-governmental organisations and indigenous rainforest communities and associations. We assist them in demarcating their traditional territories, securing their land rights, establishing community forestry, improving their livelihoods and upholding their basic rights. We also work to improve our partners' capacity to better manage and fund their work.
Internationally, we work to influence and change government policy and practices that undermine indigenous peoples' rights and lead to further destruction of the rainforests.
In the UK, we produce information and educational resources to further the public's knowledge about rainforests and their indigenous inhabitants, and encourage them to make a positive difference.
Our role differs from that of other organisations in that we are committed to both human rights and the environment. Early attempts at environmental conservation often excluded local populations and sometimes resulted in forced expulsion from their traditional land. Indigenous peoples' participation and their knowledge of the local ecology is now recognised as one of the most effective environmental management tools. The Rainforest Foundation was one of the earliest organisations to realise this, and advocate the involvement of forest communities in the protection of the rainforests. Using our experience and extensive knowledge, we continue that today.  Contact: The Rainforest Foundation, 2nd Floor, Imperial Works, Penon Street, London, NW5 3ED.  Tel: +44(0)20 7485 0193.  Or see: www.rainforestfoundationuk.org



FAUNA & FLORA INTERNATIONAL

Total Raised: £55.00
Fauna & Flora International was founded in 1903 and is the world's longest established international conservation group. Its aim is to protect the entire spectrum of endangered plant and animal species of the planet by providing support, on a global scale, to conservation initiatives throughout the world. This is done by forming partnerships, direct funding and consultancy.
The organisation divides its work into 5 conservation programmes.
THE FLOWER VALLEY PROJECT
FFI purchased Flower Valley in 1999 - an area of fynbos heathland found only in South Africa that was under threat from expanding wine production. FFI provided and economic alternative by developing a market to sell wildflowers from a sustainable harvest. Now the market protects over 50,000 acres of fynbos and employs hundreds of local people.
ANTIGUAN RACER
The Antiguan Racer is the world's rarest snake. Thanks to a project launched by FFI involving ecological research, habitat restoration and public awareness, the Racer's population has doubled to 100 in the last 5 years. Other plants and animals sharing the snake's habitiat hvae also benefited.
CARDAMOM MOUNTAINS
The Cardamom Mountains are Southeast Asia's largest remaining natural area, with over 2 million acres of forest providing home to endangered species such as tigers and elephants. FFI has been working with the Cambodian Government to protect this area and to train young Cambodians to manage this outstanding area of natural beauty.
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT
For 3 years, FFI has provided technical assistance to Romania's Biodiversity Conservation Management project. This involves developing the effective area management of 3 flagship parks: Retezat National Park, Piatra Craiului Natural Park and Vanatori Neamt Forest Park, while also recognising the need to support traditional activities and economic development of local villages.
GLOBAL TREES CAMPAIGN
Aims to monitor and save the world's most endangered tree species and their habitats via conservation, education and wise use. The first co-ordinated internationl project of its kind.
Sir David Attenborough is presently the vice president of Fauna & Flora International.
Contact: Fauna and Flora International, Jupiter House, 4th Floor, Station Road, Cambridge, DB1 2JD.  Tel: +44(0)1 223 571 0000.  Email: info@fauna-flora.org  Or visit www.fauna-flora.org for more information on these and other projects.



THE BLUE CROSS

Total Raised: £38.02
The Blue Cross was founded in 1897 to care primarily for the welfare problems faced by working horses in London. During the First World War, The Blue Cross helped relieve the suffering of horses at the front, and in World War Two, provided refuge to animals stranded by the Blitz.
Since then, the focus has shifted to caring for the increasing number of household pets, while still continuing to care for the needs of horses.
The Blue Cross helps in many ways to ensure the welfare of companion animals. The charity provides free veterinary treatment to owners with low incomes, finds permanent homes for abandoned animals, educates the public in responsible ownership, and promotes the benefits to people of having a companion animal. A fleet of ambulances also helps transport housebound owners to and from the London hospitals.
The Blue Cross's flagship hospital (Victoria Animal Hospital, Hugh Street, SW1) was officially reopened by the Queen in November 2001, after a complete rebuild costing £4 million. This was funded entirely by public donations, and includes new kennelling areas, three operating theatres, disabled access, a private owners' room and new equipment. 25000 consultations are expected pa.
The charity's eleven adoption centres are committed to finding permanent happy homes for animals that have suffered the distress of being given up. This involves a dedication to careful matchmaking that includes checking for any special requirements an animal needs, solving behavioural problems with the Blue Cross's specialist animal behaviour team prior to rehoming, screening potential owners, promoting responsible attitudes and also providing a Pet Bereavement Support Service.
You can find out more information about The Blue Cross at Blue Cross, Shilton Road, Burford, Oxon, OX18 4DF  Tel: 01993 822 651  Email: infor@bluecross.org.uk  Or visit: www.bluecross.org.uk

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH

Total Raised: £38.02
With a global reputation, Friends of the Earth is the largest international network of environmental groups in the world, with representation in 68 countries, and are one of the leading pressure groups in the UK.
This involves a network of local groups campaigning in over 200 communities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 90% of the organisation's funding comes from individual donations, the other 10% from fundraising events, grants and trading.
The charity commissions detailed research and over the years has successfully campaigned against CFCs, has reduced trade in rainforest timber and increased support and awareness for cleaner energy technologies. Friends of the Earth was also the first environmental group in the UK to campaign for whales and endangered species, and against acid rain and climate change.
While some success has been achieved in these areas, there is still much to be done and standards have to be maintained and improved. Today Friends of the Earth continues to fight for the environment on many issues and is committed to stopping climate change, preventing air pollution, controlling dangerous chemicals such as pesticides, stopping hazardous waste dumping, forcing the clean up of rivers and drinking water, promoting renewable energy and phasing out nuclear power, reducing over-consumption, encouraging sustainable agriculture, protecting wildlife habitats and many more.
Find out more at Friends of the Earth, 26-28 Underwood Street, London, N1 7JQ.  Tel: +44(0)020 7490 1555  Or visit: www.foe.co.uk

THE PEOPLES' TRUST FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES (PTES)

Total Raised: £31.16
PTES was founded in 1977 with the aim of securing a future, within their natural habitat, for many endangered species in the UK and abroad. The organisation commissions research on key conservation matters and funds specific research projects. PTES also buys reserves to help threatened species, organises conferences on conservation issues and runs an educational programme, indluding wildlife watching events that enable supporters to see first hand the hard work they're helping to fund. Involving supporters in national wildlife surveys is one way the organisation gathers information.
As more new roads and housing developments encroach on the countryside, the habitats of many species of animals are increasingly at risk. The smaller areas they are pushed into may not provide proper shelter or food supplies, and machinery and chemicals damage delicate soils where seeds lie dormant. Red squirrels are almost extinct in mainland England and Wales, and very few survive in Scotland. Reduced woodland and loss of hedgerows, the common habitat of the dormouse, means they are now only found in Southern England and Wales. Over 90% of water voles have sadly disappeared in the last decade and several species of bats have been lost at a rate of 90% over the last 100 years.
Twelve years ago, the PTES bought the largest block of ancient woodland in the Isle of Wight. Here, gladly, red squirrels and dormouse are now thriving and a roost of Bechstein's bats was discovered, only the third so far in the UK.
PTES is currently looking to buy another important site for conservation in the lower valley of the River Avon in Worcestershire, a former orchard that is now home to otters, damselflies, rare insects such as the click beetle and meadow ants that support nesting green woodpeckers. 100 species of plants also thrive in this area, that has lain untouched for over 50 years. PTES seeks to improve and maintian the area as a conservation site.
You can help PTES directly by reporting sightings of mammals in your garden or neighbourhood during April to June, and by telling PTES about all the dead animals you see along single carraigeway roads during July, August and September. This will help them to build a picture of how mammals are faring nationwide and of the numbers of mammals living in areas through which roads pass. To find out more about this dedicated organisation, contact: 15 Cloisters House, 8 Battersea Park Road, London, SW8 4BG.  Email: enquiries@ptes.org  Tel: 020 7498 4533 or see www.ptes.org

GREENPEACE

Total Raised: £31.15
In 1971, a small group of anti-war protesters charted a beaten up fishing boat and renamed her Greenpeace. They set sail to take up non-violent protest against US nuclear weapons testing on Amchitka Island, Alaska. In 1972 the US abandoned its nuclear testing in this area and, inspired, the campaigners turned to the French testing at Morura in the South Pacific. Crew members sustained injuries at the hands of French commandos but in 1974, the French announced all nuclear testing would be conducted underground. In 1975, Greenpeace began to campaign against whaling, confronting Soviet ships off the Californian coast and in 1976, began protests against the slaughter of seal pups in Newfoundland. Greenpeace UK started out with 4 members in 1977 and in 1978, a 23 year old trawler was renamed the Rainbow Warrior and sailed out to confront Norweigen and Icelandic whaling fleets, pressing for an international moratorium on whaling to be introduced.
Over the next decade Greenpeace exposed the dumping of radioactive waste by various governments, continued to make significant strides in their campaigns for seals and whales and added 2 new ships, Sirius and Cederlea to the fleet. The organisation was now becoming accepted as an international body.
In the early eighties, Greenpeace divers exposed dangers at Sellafield, leading to criminal charges against BNFL and in 1985, Rainbow Warrior evacuated islanders from one of the Pacific Marshall islands contaminated by radioactive fallout from US nuclear tests. Later that year, Rainbow Warrior was blown up by French secret agents in Aukland harbour resulting in one of the Greenpeace crew being drowned. The same year, Beluga was added to the fleet and transformed into a laboratory ship to monitor pollution in rivers, harbours and coastal waters of Europe. In 1988, Greenpeace received an award for 'outstanding environmental achievement' from the UN Environmental Programme.
In 1990, concern over global warming became a major focus and a campaign was launched against CFCs. In 1992 a ban was agreed at the Montreal Protocol. In 1993 production of Greenfreeze fridges began.
Greenpeace continued their work throughout the nineties, staging a protest in 1995 at the Brent Spar oil rig to prevent Shell dumping it in the Atlantic Ocean and later that year, The Atlantic States banned the dumping of oil installations. Targets were also set by the North Sea States to end toxic waste discharges within the next 25 years and The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was agreed by France, UK, Russia, US and China.

In the new millenium, Greenpeace has continued to campaign through direct non-violent action.  3000 volunteers boycotted garages around the UK on Stop Esso Day. Elsewhere, other Greenpeace volunteers faced up to 6 years in jail for a peaceful protest that delayed the test of a star wars missile system at Vandenberg Airforce Base California.  Greenpeace actively opposes the war in Iraq and campaigned against it. They are committed to:

- stopping the US Government's attempt to build a National Missile Defense System

- preventing a new arms race

- ending nuclear power and nuclear waste dumping and using wind, solar and wave technology alternatives. Greenpeace aims to eventually break our addiction to oil

- defending the moratorium on commercial whaling, creating new whale sanctuaries.

- protecting ancient forests

- preventing release of GM crops into the environment
Years of active campaigning has shown what can be achieved when we lend our voices to the environment and invest our energy for the benefit of our planet. Trying times threaten our global landscape. The US, the world's greatest pollutor, rejects the Kyoto Treaty, other governments are calling for an end to the whaling moratorium, the fur trade is on the increase etc. But Greenpeace over the last 23 years, has become a feature of our global landscape.  Indeed, where would we be without them? Contact: Greenpeace International, Ottho Heldringstraat 5, 1066 AZ Amsterdam.  Email: supporter.services@int.greenpeace.org  Or see: www.greenpeace.org

THE GORILLA ORGANISATION (formerly the DIAN FOSSEY FUND)

Total Raised: £50.00
Dr Dian Fossey (1932-1985) spent 20 years studying and living amongst the mountain gorillas of the Virunga Volcanoes (mountains spanning the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo). Through National Geographic magazine, she brought the plight of the mountain gorillas to the attention of the world, and began raising money to pay for the first ranger patrols. On 27 December 1985, she was murdered by an unknown attacker.
The Gorilla Organisation has continued working to assist the survival of the 650 mountain gorillas left in the world today. These most precious and intelligent of animals are endangered by habitat destruction as thousands of people, often forced from their homes by the results of war and genocide, have no option but to encroach on the gorillas habitat for food, water, shelter and fuel. Added to this is poaching, for the bush meat trade and the illegal trade in live infant gorillas. Gorillas are often the victims of illegal game hunting for antelope or porcupine, their limbs becoming trapped in snares resulting in infection and even death. Another new threat to the gorillas is the mining for coltan, a rare mineral used in circuit boards for electronic goods. Found only in a handful of places, one of these is directly under the feet of the endangered lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
The Gorilla Organsiation works with local partners in Central Africa, establishing projects dedicated to the protection of the gorillas.
Ranger patrols are fundamental and the Fund works with local authorities to financially support the teams with wages, equipment etc as they patrol round the clock clearing snares and protecting the gorillas vital habitat.
The Batwa people, indigenous to the Virunga Volcanoes rainforest were ejected from their traditional homes when the National Parks (Virunga Volcanoes and Kahuzi Biega) were created. Now the Organisation is dedicated to helping them by providing land, tools, seeds, training, medical care, and assistance in the making and selling of fuel efficient clay stoves as their livlihood. Last year donations helped buy 17 hectares of farmland and train women in sewing skills - a sustainable alternative to depending on forest resources. The Organisation has also set up the Virunga Wildlife Club, educating young people on the importance of conservation. 353 teachers have been trained as leaders and 43,302 children are members of the club. As wood from the forest forms 90% of the fuel used by locals, the Fund supports a reforestation project, providing indigenous and fruit tree saplings. An organic agricultural training project, hygenic water cisterns and the clay stoves have been put in place as alternatives to exploiting the gorillas habitat. The stoves reduce firewood consumption by 70%. Small loans are also available for enterprises that reduce pressure on the forest.
Currently, the Organisation needs more rangers to patrol vulnerable areas in the northeastern regions of the Congo Republic and more land needs to be secured for the displaced Batwa people. The Organisation wants to expand its clay stove project to more villages and a new nursery is needed to cultivate more saplings for the reforestation project. The Organisation wants to expand their credit scheme into Uganda and an area around the Kahuzi Biega National Park, home of the majority of endangered lowland gorillas, and to provide further training so that beekeepers, who used to keep their hives high in the Virunga Volcanoes but are now provided with gorilla-friendly modern hives, can operate their project independently. More water cisterns are need for villages around the other side of the parks and a geologist is needed to identify new areas outwith the Park where the mining co-operative can continue to work without harming the gorillas or the environment. The Organisation is the only charity so far to address this problem. Finally, there is concern over the declining population of lowland gorillas (from 12000 to 2000 in 3 years) and together with dedicated locals, the Walakale forest area has now been declared a community reserve.The Gorilla Organisation realises that the well-being and secure future of the mountain and lowland gorillas is dependent on the security and sustainable futures of the people in the surrounding regions, and aspires to the benefit of both, the conservation of the region, its gorillas and its people. For more details on the organisation and the local populations' outstanding and courageous achievements see The Gorilla Organisation, 110 Gloucester Avenue, London, NW1 8HX, Email: info@gorillas.org, Tel: +44(0)20 7722 0928  www.gorillas.org

Total Raised: £17.10
Based in Scotalnd, Vetaid works in the developing world with small-scale farmers who depend on livestock for their survival. The charity offers training in animal health and husbandry and works with local authority veterinary and agricultural departments to ensure the necessary skills are in place to support local farmers. Some restocking is also carried out and training is given to basic animal health workers to carry out vaccinations etc, assist in treating the animals of their fellow farmers. Projects receive funding fromt he Department for International Development, The Community Fund, Comic Relief, the EU and donationas from the public, trusts and companies.
Recently Vetaid has initiated such projects as working with families in Swaziland affected by the loss of a member due to AIDS. Vetaid supplies each family with a breeding flock of chickens and provides training in managing the birds. In the Garadag District of Somaliland a unique pilot project was set up to provide an initial start-up kit of essential animal and human drugs and train people in their administration. A local pharmacy was also set up to replenish stocks thus reducing the number of livestock and human illnesses and death due to treatable conditions. Whole herds can be lost and the impact on communities who depend on the livestock for their livlihood is vast. Community Based Disease Surveillance Workshop in Tanzania involves the use of Community Animal Health workers to report, manage and control disease in livestock. They were recently able to stem the spread of an outbreak of Contagious Bovine Plural Pneumonia (CBPP), potentially fatal in 50% of cases. A vaccination campaign was carried out. In Afghanistan the Kuchies (a nomadic people) kept around 1/3 of the sheep and goats of the country but drought since caused the loss of half of these, some Kuchies being left with no livestock at all. Vetaid with other NGOs proposes to help replenish their stocks. In Mozambique various projects draught cattle and agricultural equipment to farmers (in particular female headed households) and Community Based Animal Health Workers provide veterinary back up. In Mongolia after summer drought and harsh winter conditions caused the death of approximately 15,000 cattle each day, Vetaid together with the Brooke Hospital for Animals rushed in to provide 600 tonnes of fodder and distribute veterinary medicines. These are some typical examples of the work carried out by Vetaid. For further details contact: Vetaid, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PL.  Tel: +44(0)131 445 6241  Email: mail@vetaid.org  Or see: www.vetaid.org



SAVE THE RHINO INTERNATIONAL

Total Raised: £43.93
The rhino species is around 40 million years old. 30 years ago, they numbered 70,000 and today, there are only 18,000 left in the world. Of the 5 species that exist, 4 are critically endangered, and the white rhino is 'conservation dependant'. Illegal logging, habitat destruction, pollution, human conflict and poachers all contribute in the decline.
Save the Rhino Int'l has projects in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia and South Africa that aim to protect the rhino and raise public awareness about rhino conservation.
The Javan rhino is the most endangered, with only 60 remaining in the world. 300 Sumatran rhinos remain, 2400 Indian rhinos, 3610 black rhinos and 11000 white rhinos.
The rhinos' horn is made of keratin and is widely sought after for traditional medicine in Asia and for ornamental dagger handles in the Yemen. Traders are known to pay the poachers vast sums. Unfortunately, the current situation is such that, without the actions of charities like Save the Rhino, the rhinocerous population could easily have become extinct.
Save the Rhino promotes community education and conservation programmes, encouraging sustainable development methods: it sets up monitoring and anti-poaching patrols to protect habitat and gather information; relocates rhinos to former habitats; researches threats to the rhino and alternative uses to rhino horn.
In the late 1990s, Save the Rhino and other NGOs, reintroduced the black rhino to Tsavo East National Park, Kenya.  In Rwanda, black rhinos were thought extinct after the civil war. Poaching increased, then in September 2004, a single female, Patricia, was finally found hidden in long grass and the search began to ship her a mate. By contrast, the white rhino has been a conservation success. From only a handful a century ago, numbers have now reached over 11000. However, their fight for survival is not over. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, years of civil war have seen numbers fall and conservation workers were forced to flee the area.  Contact: Save the Rhino, 16 Winchester Walk, London, SE1 9AQ  Tel: +44(0)20 7357 7474  Email: info@savetherhino.org  Or see: www.savetherhino.org

HILLSIDE ANIMAL SANCTUARY

Total Raised: £43.93
Based in Norwich, Hillside Animal Sanctuary has become home to hundreds of animals rescued from appalling conditions in factory farms all over the country. The organisation, which runs without profit, works by investigating and campaigning for animals in need, and by providing homes and continuous care for rescued animals.
Hillside Animal Sanctuary investigated Burnside Farm at Hedden-on-the-Wall, two months before the first British case of foot and mouth was detected - at that farm. Rotting carcases were found in amongst live pigs, piglets were being eaten alive by other pigs and many of the pigs were ill, arousing suspicions of disease. Hillside reported their finds to the authorities who claimed no prosecutable offences were found. Soon after this 'investigation' Burnside farm was confirmed to be the source of the foot and mouth outbreak.
Hillside Animal Sanctuary's inspectors have evidence to show that, over years of investigations in the factory farming industry, animals are routinely left to suffer without proper care or veterinary attention. Given that these appalling low standards seem to be set as somewhat uniform throughout the industry, it is hardly surprising that serious conditions such as BSE and foot and mouth occur, and are so easily overlooked.
A major offender is Grampian Chickens, who supply over 200 million battery chickens a year to the likes of Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Marks and Spencer. Turkeys are routinely shoved in windowless sheds, lying in their own waste with untreated wounds, often unable to drag themselves to reach food and water. Ducks are also subjected to forced growth, causing their legs to buckle so that, in order to move around, they must drag their bodies through excrement, using their wings as crutches. The ducks are also denied their most basic right - to swim.
A cow's udder normally holds up to 2 litres of milk. However the 'modern' dairy cow is often forced to hold up to ten litres, distending the udder and leading to lameness. Dairy cows are separated from their calves within 24 hours and the young males are often discarded and killed. Dairy herds are kept indoors during winter in overcrowded stalls where unhygenic conditions force them to stand in their own waste. Poor milking conditions cause high rates of mastitis and somatic cells ie. pus, are passed into the collected milk.
Unfortunately, routine animal neglect is commonplace in intensive factory farming and animals are paying the price for our fast-food, throw-away lifestyles. Our abuse of them is being passed back to us, physically in the form of diseases such as CJD, and emotionally, in the spiritual void that is consuming our societies today.
Say no to factory farming by supporting Hillside Animal Sanctuary. Go along to Hillside Open Days, 1-5pm every Sunday between Easter and the end of October, bank holidays and every Monday during June-August, and meet Hillside's rescued animals.  Contact: Hillside Animal Sanctuary, Hall Lane, Frettenham, Nnorwich, NR12 7LT.  Tel: +44(0)1603 736200  Email: contact@hillside.org.uk  Or see: www.hillside.org.uk



TREES FOR LIFE

Total Raised: £26.56
This conservation charity was set up in 1981 as part of the Findhorn Foundation, and in 1993 was established as an independant charity dedicated to the regeneration of Scotland's native forests.
The goal is to restore the scattered remains of the Caledonian forest to a wider area, and to eventually re-introduce many of the old species of wildlife that formerly inhabited these lands.
On a grander scale, the project comes at a time when deforestation is a critical problem, and is part of a wider effort to create a sustainable future, and restore biological diversity. Stopping the ecological destruction is not enough, and we have to introduce measures to heal and improve natural vitality in areas where it has been seriously devastated. Trees for Life believe that Ecological Restoration is a global priority for 21st Century humanity.
The Scottish Highlands, sometimes described as a wet desert, has suffered severe environmental damage. The Caledonian Forest originally covered the greater part of the Highlands (Caledonia is Roman for wooded heights) with an estimated 1.5 million hectares of Scots pine, birch, rowan, aspen, juniper and oak. Less than 1% of this native forest survives today, in isolated pockets, and the brown bear, wild boar, lynx, moose and wolf are long since vanished (the last wolf was shot in 1743). The destruction first began in Neolithic times to clear land for agriculture, and as populations grew, the forest disappeared.
The remaining fragments stand as they were at the end of the Ice Age. However, 150 years ago, the forest reached a critical point of no return. All the trees were old and no new trees could become established with deer eating all the young saplings. Part of the work of Trees for Life has been to fund fences to prevent overgrazing and to allow young trees to flourish. The charity also wants to link up some of the best surviving fragments to create a large continguous area of over 600 miles of forest. And has special projects for the regeneration of rare trees such as aspen. More than 472,000 Scots pines and broadleaved trees have been planted by Trees for Life, and the charity also works with landowners, outlining proposals for forest regeneration.
In 1991 Trees for Life was declared the UK Conservation Project of the Year, and in 2000 received the Millenium Marquee Award, given to projects which demonstrate environmental excellence for the 21st Century. The charity works closely with Forest Enterprise, the RSPB and National Trust for Scotland. Volunteers come from all over the world, surveys are carried out, photographic exhibitions organised for Earth Summits, educational videos produced. Just some of the activities necessary to communicate the importance of our natural wild heritage and to help restore the biological diversity of the future. The message is clear, we need Trees for Life. Contact: Trees for Life, The Park, Findhorn Bay, Forres, IV36 3TZ  Email: trees@findhorn.org  Tel: +44(0)1309 691 444 or 0845 6027 386  Or see: www.treesforlife.org.uk

PAL NETWORK FOR ANIMALS

Total Raised: £26.56

Last year I received a letter from PAL. Inside was a poster of a dog. It lay on concrete flooring it's front paws tied tight behind its back, it's back legs wound together, and a rusty tin can was fastened over the dog's muzzle. It's eyes strained round and upwards with fear. To say this image is heartbreaking is an understatement.
The photograph was taken in the Phillipines, where tens of thousands of dogs are butchered in an illegal trade in meat for human consumption. the dogs are bought or stolen and taken to one-room slaughterhouses where they watch and wait to be butchered, without stunning.
Network for Animals is a political lobbying organisation and in the past has campaigned on badger baiting, fox hunting and fur farming. Their focus now is on the Phillipine dog trade and a small but dedicated team of PAL raids markets where dogs are being sold, and the slaughterhouses where they end up. Over 1000 dogs have been seized so far, and 50 perpetrators brought to court. However, penalties are minimal and these operators are soon back out to continue where they left off. PAL Network for Animals is campaigning to have animal welfare laws modified to include confiscation of vehicles and property of the convicted.
Donations to PAL go to funding the team, their vehicles for catching traders and towards the pound the organisation has built for the survivors and for the necessary veterinary care, medical aid and food. PAL also pays for the legal costs of taking traders and slaughterhouse owners to court. It's difficult and painful work but Network for Animals are determined to strive and persist until this terrible trade is brought to justice. Contact: PAL, Queen Anne's Business Centre, St James's Park, 28 Broadway,London, SW1H 9JX  Email: info@networkforanimals.org  Tel: +44(0)20 7233 2678  Or see: www.networkforanimals.org

THE MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Total Raised: £35.53
Founded in 1977, MCS is the UK's principal charity for the conservation of the marine environment and its wildlife. With thousands of volunteers, MCS has brought its concerns to the attention of the public and informs government, the EU and industry with accurate advice. The charity's work operates on a number of levels, from compiling codes like the seashore code and Underwater Photographer's code, on how best to enjoy the marine surroundings without causing harm, to projects such as Beachwatch on the 3rd weekend of September every year, where volunteers gather to clean up stretches of beach and carry out litter surveys. The Adopt a Beach project is also concerned with the coastal environment and volunteers can participate by adopting their favourite stretch of coast and taking part in quarterly surveys and beach cleans. There are also more intricate projects perhaps for the more adventurous volunteer, such as Sea Search where sports divers can help to map out areas of sea bed found in the near shore zones around the UK, helping to record marine life and identify issues of concern and areas in need of protection.
MCS has various campaigns. Their Deepwater Fisheries campaign calls for the regulation of this type of fishing. Many of these fisheries are new and little is known about the biology and life histories of species that live at this depth. But with many being slow breeders, consequences of over exploitation could result in population collapse.
The MCS Bycatch campaign is concerned with the failure of government to intervene under the UN Biodiversity Convention and prevent thousands of dolphins and porpoises from being captured and drowned in trawl nets in UK waters each year. One particular fishery trawling for sea bass is responsible for the deaths of several thousand dolphin in a 6 week period, and the decline of the sea bass population by catching young adults before they've had a chance to reproduce. At present, the fisheries continue and the problem is being ignored, but MCS asks people to write to DEFRA, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR and the European Commissioner for Fisheries, 200 Rue de la Loi, Westraat 200, B-1049, Brussels, asking them to intervene.
MCS is campaigning for coral reefs by pressing the issue of the trade in tropical fish and calling for better management of fisheries to ensure the sustainability of species and their marine environment. The charity has published a book, 'The Responsible Marine Aquariast' to help answer questions about which species it is appropriate to buy, how they are collected and if they are endangered.
Finally, MCS have successfully lobbied for a marine bill which should be put to Parliament in 2006/7. The bill calls for a network of protected and highly protected marine areas to be established, and for the strengthening of laws to protect vulnerable species from harmful activity. The Bill calls for a planning system that co-ordinates how and where different organisations use the sea eg. fishing, wind farming, oil and gas etc, and for laws concerning inshore fisheries to be reformed, to ensure a sustainable future for fish stocks.  Contact: MCS, Unit 3, Wolf Business Park, Alton Road, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5BN.  Tel: +44(0)1989 566 017.  Or see www.mcsuk.org

PLANTLIFE INTERNATIONAL

Total Raised: £35.53
Formed in 1989, and patroned by the Prince of Wales, Plantlife International is dedicated to conserving all forms of plant life in their natural habitats throughout the UK, Europe and across the globe. The charity aims to conserve our wild plant heritage so that it is not impoverished by human activity but recognised, cherished and enhanced.
Plantlife takes direct action, influencing legislation and policy decisions, to prevent the decline of common plants, protect threatened species and to preserve sites of special botanical importance. The charity aslo hosts the secretariat for Planta Europa which brings together European organisations working for the cause of wild plant conservation.
In the UK, Plantlife has a base of 500 volunteers and the 'Back from the Brink' conservation programme helps to monitor and conserve some of the country's most threatened species. 22 endangered habitats are protected as nature reserves and Plantlife conducts nationwide annual plant surveys, and conservation work days, advising organisations, local conservation professionals and land managers. In all, around 5000 people, and 150 organisations benefit from Plantlife International each year - not to mention the plants!  Contact: Plantlife International, The Wild Plant Conservation Charity, 14 Rollestone Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1DX.  Email: enquiries@plantlife.org.uk  Or see: www.plantlife.org.uk

TREE AID

Total Raised: £32.39
'Without trees we have no life,' the words of one farmer on a Tree Aid funded project.
Deforestation in Africa is depriving people of essential resources and Tree Aid trains for and funds community forest projects on a local level in Ethiopia, Northern Ghana, Mali and Burkina Faso.
The charity has raised over 拢3.5 million, directly benefitting over 230,000 people. Around 6 million trees have been planted, over 30,000 villagers trained in forestry techniques and over 400 community tree nurseries established.
Tree Aid began in 1987 as a response by UK foresters to poverty and environmental degradation in Africa. It funds community organisations working to ensure the sustainable management of forest areas, the planting of trees around villages and farmland, and the development of income and sustainable livlihoods related to tree products eg. fruit, oils and medicines.
Help is given to the most impoverished and marginalised groups, in particular, women, who represent 70% of the world's poor, and Tree Aid ensures that, where its projects are concerned, women have fair access to resources.
The charity also works directly with African organisations ensuring villagers' needs are defined and represented and all projects aim to provide people with training and skills to last long into the future.
Activities such as cutting trees for fuel and the extraction of sand and gravel for construction materials depletes the soil, and in the West Gonja area of Ghana where Tree Aid has set up the Matenso Community Project population growth is higher than average. In an area where people depend heavily on natural resources, this creates a great need. Agroforestry, tree planting and bush fire control will improve 'food security' providing income and employment opportunities.
Read more about this project and others - Barsalogho Natural Resources Management Project, Zoundweogo Women's Land through Agroforestry Project, Hidi Rasa Tree Nursery and Reforestation Project - at www.treeaid.org  Or contact: Tree Aid, Brunswick Court, Brunswick Square, Bristol, BS2 8PE.  Tel: +44(0)1179 096 363.  Email: infor@treeaid.org 

THE SCOTTISH WILDLIFE TRUST

Total Raised: £32.39
The Scottish Wildlife Trust has conservation at its heart and aims to give a home and a voice to wildlife. Set up in 1964, the Trust contributes to the 'enhancement and preservation of habitats and wildlife throughout the country' by providing practical conservation solutions to land management.
The charity believes that to preserve our heritage, people must be persuaded to change the way they live and work, and the Trust has close links with other environmental organisations across the UK, often working with Parliament to improve current legislation, perspectives and funding.
Currently the Trust is campaigning for the re-introduction of beavers to Scotland's native fauna, a proposal that was initially rejected by Rhona Brankin, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development. Excessive hunting caused beavers to become extinct in Scotland in the 16th century and twenty-three European countries have now successfully re-introduced the beaver, and SWT would like Scotland to do the same.
In other areas, the charity is campaigning for a Marine Act for Scotland to deliver better management and protection of our rapidly depleteing marine environment. As a result, Scotland's first Coastal and Marine National Park could be up and running by 2008.
Now, and over the next three years, SWT will be focusing on 'greener' farming, how to influence planning decisions to help preserve local wildlife sites, and the monitoring of progress and action on the new Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. For more information on the work of the Trust and how you can help, contact: SWT, Crammond House, 3 Kirk Crammond, Edinburgh, EH4 6HZ.  Or see: www.swt.org.uk

THE RETIRED GREYHOUND TRUST

Total Raised: £28.32
The Retired Greyhound Trust is a nationwide charity with branches across the country, dedicated to the rescuing and rehoming of greyhounds in need. All dogs cared for are ex-racing greyhounds of which 9000 retire each year at the average age of about three to four.
The dogs still have lons lives after their career and while some owners do ensure their dogs are cared for, the RGT aims to encourage more to take responsibility for their greyhounds and to encourage the public to take on retired greyhounds.
The charity never destoys a healthy dog and has sponsorship schemes, where the sponsor will receive a certificate, news updates, Valentine cards and badges from their sponsored pal, and also adoption schemes, with the charity offering help and advice to those who decide to take in a retired dog.
The charity says that despite the 'frantic' appearance greyhounds give on the racecourse, they make ideal pets and are actually affectionate couch potatoes, needing only two twenty minute walks a day. Incidentally, the greyhound is one of the oldest breeds of dog and features in early cave drawings. 'It is also the only dog mentioned in the Bible!'
Contact: 149A Central Road, Worcester Park, Surrey, KT4 8DT.  Tel: +44(0)844 826 8424.  Or visit www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk to find out the location of your local RGT branch, and for news of upcoming events and shows.

THE SUMATRAN TIGER TRUST

Total Raised: £45.32
This international charity was founded by David Gill in 1996. All tigers are in danger of extinction but with probably less than 400 left in the wild, the Sumatran tiger is one of the most critically endangered.
David uses his conservation park, The South Lakes Wild Animal Park, to actively take awareness of tiger conservation to the public, and is committed to saving the last few tigers on the planet, along with their habitat.
The charity runs the largest tiger conservation field programme in Indonesia and works with the world's leading conservation scientists to determine the locations and needs of different groups of tigers and assess the threats they face. All research is documented so the charity, and others, may learn from their expriences.
The charity's conservation programme (STCP) is a collaborative effort between STT and the Indonesian Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation. Their agreemtn was sanctioned at a parliamentary level until 2007, and for a 5 year period thereafter. Field activities are underway in Way Kambas and Bukit Tigapuluh National Parks, and future projects and regional activities continue to be developed. STT is the sole founder of teh STCP. The status and needs of these rare animals has been accurately established in Way Kambas and projects were initiated with regard to management strategies, anti-poaching intelligence and law enforcement. The success of this programme has been replicated across Sumatra and despite the political turmoil of the 1998 Asian crisis, enthusiasm has continued to grow amongst NGOs and everyday citizens, to make conservation a national priority. In March 06, the Minister of Forestry approved the Senepis Tiger Conservation area - 106,000 hectares, the latest conservation Success.
The major threat to all Indonesia's wildlife is human population growth and deforestation. Indonesia's last tigers are now only found in Sumatra. They have declined from thousands 50 years ago, to only 300-400 today. The conservation plan now is to identify the best forest habitats and work on protecting these remnants. As an Indonesian symbol of might, the tiger is perhaps the best hope of raising awareness of current conservation issues.
STT has a vision and a plan but needs funding to sustain this strategy into the long term. Forest rangers who risk their lives to prevent poaching need equipment. Training programmes have been developed but resources are needed to carry them out on a large scale. The charity aims to develop programmes that ensure money is allocated directly to rangers and their representatives without being frittered away by beaurocracy.
Money is raised via public donations, sponsorships and through South Lakes Animal Park where visitors can learn about conservation and adopt animals, from rhinos and giraffes, to fruit bats and lemurs. Indeed, the Park is the Lake District's top visitor attraction.  Contact: South Lakes Wild Animal Park, Broughton Road, Dalton in Furness, Cumbria, LA15 8JR.  Tel: +44(0)1229 466 086.  Email: enquiries@wildanimalpark.co.uk  Or see: www.tigertrust.info

COMPASSION IN WORLD FARMING

Total Raised: £36.33
In 1967, dairy farmer Peter Roberts and his wife Anna, concerned about the effects new practices of intensive factory farming were having on farm animals, set up their own campaign against these new techniques and so began CIWF. Today the organisation is international and co-ordinates the European Coalition for Farm Animals. The aim is to put an end to cruel farming practices and advance the well-being of farm animals worldwide through hard political lobbying, undercover investigations and by raising public awareness of the severe welfare problems that accompany modern intensive farming methods.
Over the years, CIWF has met with some success. In the 1980s, the organisation brought the issue of veal crate farming to the public attention and by 1990 veal crates had become illegal in the UK. In the early 90s, CIWF campaigned against sow-stalls (gestation crates) and sow tethers with the result that legislation was introduced to phase these out in Europe and the UK. At the same time, a ban was also introduced on young orphan lambs being sent to market. By the mid 90s, CIWF had begun their high profile campaign against live exports, receiving the British Environment and Media Award for the Best Environmental Media Relations Campaign. In 1996, pressure from CIWF offices resulted in an EU phase-out of veal crates by 2007 and in the late 1990s, a European wide campaign led to an EU decision to ban standard battery cages by 2012.
In 2002, Peter Roberts received an MBE for his services to animal welfare. Unfortunately, live exports are still an issue at this time, with thousands of animals suffering overcrowding, dehydration, stress and death. The present campaign has met with gradual success such as Berwick Upon Tweed refusing to allow live exports through port and some supply companies refusing to carry live exports. Finally, in May 2005, following the organisation's film Animal Welfare: The World is Watching, the first ever international guidelines to protect the welfare of animals during transport were introduced. However, as the BSE ban on UK exports is lifted, transport still remains one of CIWF's priority campaigns as they push for the shortest journeys possible - a maximum of 8 hours.
Other primary campaigns are conditions for the 5 billion broiler chickens reared for meat each year in the EU. In their brief 6 week lives, they suffer forced growth so that many become lame, their small legs unable to support their weight, and overcrowding means they are often forced to sit in their own excrement, suffering burns as a result. Hock (burn) marks are clearly visible on the skins of chickens sold in supermarkets that have suffered in this way. CIWF believes all chickens should be kept free range.
Egg laying battery hens, confined to a space less than the size of an A4 sheet of paper, are denied their natural behaviour such as stretching and flapping their wings. Many are confined to cages the whole duration of their lives, suffering extreme stress and mental cruelty. CIWF continues to press for egg-labelling and for alternatives such as perchery and free range systems, as the new 'enriched' cage set to replace the standards in 2012 is only marginally larger than the latter.
Finally, CIWF's EAT LESS MEAT campaign aims to increase public awareness that the current expansion in meat production and consumption is unsustainable. 500 litres of water are needed to grow 1kg of potatoes compared to 100,000 litres of water for 1kg of beef. As factory farming increases, more animals suffer and much land is turned over to growing feed for livestock while human populations in some parts of the globe are starving. These are just some of the issues CIWF tackles on a daily basis. For more details contact: CIWF, River Court, Mill Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1EZ.  Or see www.ciwf.org or Tel: +44(0)1730 264 208

THE WHALE & DOLPHIN CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Total Raised: £36.32
WCDS is the world's most active charity when it comes to the conservation and welfare of all cetaceans. Established in 1987, the organisation aims to tackle continuing threats to whales, dolphins, porpoises and their environments, and to raise awareness about threats to their survival, whether this is in their natural surroundings or in captivity. This involves preventing the extinction of endangered species and securing protection for their habitats, campaigning against deliberate killing for commercial or scientific reasons and tackling man-made dangers posed by pollution and fishing nets.
On 18 June 2006, conservation of whales receive a major blow as the International Whaling Commission decided to lift the ban on commercial whaling put in place after the industry decimated whale populations last century to a point where some may never recover. In the uncertainty of global warming, particularly how rises in sea level are affecting the distribution of marine populations and their food sources, conservationists are concerned that a return to whaling can only serve to exacerbate existing problems and there is serious doubt as to how whale populations could withstand renewed commercial exploitation. WDCS estimates that revenue from whale watching tourism has grown rapidly over the years and 34 of the 40 member countries of the IWC have whale-watching industries. This benign utilisation of whales is potentially more valuable and would ensure the protection of whale species for future generations.
WCDS also campaings against dolphin drive hunts - whereby dolphins are ambushed and driven toward the shore then killed for meat or taken into captivity. WCDS is currently working with US congress to gain political support against the hunts. The organisaton also has various campaigns against holding whales and dolphins in captivity, including importation of orcas to the EU. The charity's 'Dying to Entertain You' campaign urges people not to attend marine parks or aquariums where these animals are held captive.
One of the most important issues facing cetacean populations is clean and healthy seas. It is widely believed that habitat degradation affects the health and reproductive ability of animals. Chemical pollution of the highly contaminated St Lawrence estuary has already created amongst the beluga whales, the highest rates of cancer of any wildlife population. Habitat degradation plus overfishing of key prey are key elements in the near disappearance of the common dolphin from the Meditteranean. The few remaining dolphins are now added to the World Conservation Union's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Animals. Add noise pollution and marine debris to the mix and we have some idea of the inherent dangers cetacean creatures are facing. WCDS regularly attends various regional and international conventions to lobby for better protection of whales and dolphins. Likewise when it comes to raising awareness of the dangers of fishing nets such as gillnets and pelagic trawl nets, WCDS urges people to write to UK Fisheries Minister, Ben Bradshaw.
In addition to these and other campaigns, WCDS funds field projects, currently supporting 30 worldwide. The charity has its own wildlife centre near Scotland's Moray Firth where it runs activities for school groups and, through WCDS, members of the public can adopt their own whale or dolphin, helping the charity continue their work to protect and ensure the survival of cetaceans across the globe. For more details contact: WDCS, Brookfield House, 38 St Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1LJ.  Email: infor@wdcs.org  Or see: www.wdcs.org  Tel: +44(0)870 870 0027.

HESSILHEAD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Total Raised: £33.94
From a small holding near Beith in North Ayrshire, Scotland, Hessilhead Wildlife Sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates injured animals and birds for release back to the wild. The sanctuary began when founders Gay and Andy Christie began helping injured wild animals at their isolated home. The project now provides a 24 hour rescue service, holds a Department of the Environment licence for treating birds and includes a small hospital building, recuperation aviaries, releasing pens and veterinary support. There are also enclosures for longer term residents and, in a nearby disused quarry, a loch has formed providing a semi-wild recuperation area for swans, geese and other waterfowl.
The sanctuary is widely known. This year it has responded to calls from the police regarding injured deer on the road; calls from the public regarding injured blackbirds, swans, gulls, owls and my own call about a pigeon with a broken wing! It has rescued and rehabilitated injured foxes, orphaned badgers and orphaned otters. The charity is also involved in rescuing hedgehogs from the Scottish island of Uist, where they were due to be culled after the hedgehogs were introduced as a non-native species to the island. As well as doing all this, Hessilhead holds children's activity days where youngsters meet and help feed some of the hedgehogs and learn to recognise differnt types of birds in the quarry loch.
The advice Hessilhead gives to people on finding injured birds and animals is to minimise stress by housing them in a quiet area, and never to tame wild orphans. Always contact a rehabilitation centre. The sanctuary always endeavours to return animals to their home territory, and rings all hand-reared birds in order to monitor success rates. 'Care for the Wild,' a first aid book for injured wildlife is available from the sanctuary for £4.95. You can help Hessilhead continue their work by raising money via sponsored walks, car boot sales and fetes. And the charity also has a range of items such as sweatshirts, t-shirts, coaster and cuddly toys that make perfect gifts. Or you could sponsor a patient for £25.00, and receive photos and news of its progress. Contact: Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust, Gateside, Beith, KA15 1HT.  Email: infor@hessilhead.org.uk.  Or see www.hessilhead.org.uk  Tel: +44(0)1505502415

THE TREE COUNCIL

Total Raised: £33.94
The Tree Council is the UK's leading tree campaigning partnership, with over 150 organisations under its umbrella, all working for the planting and conservation of trees. Members include other conservation charities, local authorities, professional, non-governmental and trade organisations. This enables the Tree Council to nurture partnerships between various bodies and their common interests.
The Tree Council grew from 1973's National Tree Year, backed by governmental support, with the aim of helping individuals and organisationis plant, care for and enjoy trees.
The nationwide Tree Warden scheme, launched in 1990, consists of volunteer Tree Wardens who collect information on local trees and 'encourage local projects to do with trees and woods.' There are over 7000 Tree Wardens in the UK. The Wardens are trained in conjuction with local authorities and organisations such as BTCV, to identify threats to trees (diseases, vandalism etc) and issue advice as to what trees to plant and how to protect damaged trees and local woodland. Community liason is vital to the process as local people may be aware of what needs to be done before government officials. The Wardens also work with schools, creating conservation areas and organising tree walks and tree planting projects. Contact The Tree Council, 71 Newcomen Street, London, SE1 1YT, to find out how to set up a Tree Warden scheme in your area.
The Tree Council holds National Tree Week from 22 November - 3 December every year, to mark the start of the planting season. Over 1 million trees are planted each year. The Council's Trees Love Care initiative also issues advice on hos to ensure the survival of newly planted trees such as placing guards, clearing and checking stakes, and the charity's Seed Gathering Season from 23 September to 23 October encourages guided walks to gather seeds for planting the natural way. Grants for tree planting are available to schools and community groups. Contact: Tree Council, 71 Newcomen Street, London, SE1 1YT.  Tel@ +44(0)20 7407 9992.  Email: info@treecouncil.org.uk  Or see www.treecouncil.org.uk

HAPPA

Total Raised: £44.13
One of the oldest and most respected charities for equine welfare, The Horse and Ponies Protection Association was founded in 1937 to help fight against the transportation of large horses to The Continent for slaughter.
HAPPA has been involved in campaigning for The Riding Establishments Act, The Ponies Act 1969 and The Illegal Tethering Act 1991. The charity continues to campaign for horses, ponies and donkeys through The National Welfare Committee, set up by HAPPA in 1997.
HAPPA's welfare officers investigate over 800 cases of cruelty each year. They have a thorough knowledge of Animal Welfare law and equine welfare, and the power to prosecute where necessary. The charity has two rescue centres, in Lancashire and Gwent, and horses requiring rehabilitation are lovingly cared for and nursed back to health. Each centre has the ability to house 80 horses at any one time, costing a total of ?11,900 per week! Horses are given their own individual care programmes and, in the case of those who cannot be suitably rehomed, are given permanent care at the resuce centre most appropriate to their needs. For the lucky horses who can be rehomed, HAPPA offers a loan whereby horses, ponies or donkeys can be 'borrowed' under a legally binding scheme. There is currently a waiting list for rideable animals but companion animals - those who cannot be riden - are also in need of good homes.
There are many ways to support HAPPA. Make a donation, shop at HAPPA's online souvenir shop, volunteer at either of the rescue centres or support some of their many open days and events. Alternatively, adopt a HAPPA horse, pony or donkey for only £35.00 and receive a presentation pack and the opportunity to spend time with your new special friend. The Lancashire centre has its own talking horse called Woody who might be quite happy to entertain you with his conversation!
HAPPA is always on hand to offer advice and guidance on all aspects of equine welfare. A free set of information sheets on various topics are available and workshops are held during the year at both centres.
HAPPA also fully supports the new Animal Welfare Bill set to take effect in England in April 2007. This new Act means that anyone caring for animals now has a legal responsibilty to provide a proper diet and living space, will allow them to express their normal behaviour and protect them from and treat illness and injury. HAPPA hails the Act as "a massive step forward in preventing the neglect of equines," Kathryn Roberts, operations manager. See more at: www.happa.org.uk  Tel: +44(0)1282 455 992.  Or contact: Taylor Building, Shores Hey Farm, Black House Lane, Halifax Road, Briercliffe, N Burnley., Lancs., BB10 3QU 

BCTV

Total Raised: £44.13

The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, established in 1959, has successfully recruited conservation volunteers both in the UK and internationally. The organisation began with The Conservation Corps and expanded in 1969 to a membership of 600. The first ever international exchange was in Czechoslovakia, where volunteers travelled to study the wildlife and land management of the Low Tatra Mountains. In the 1970s, membership steadily climbed to 3000, with the Duke of Edinburgh becomign Patron. Throughout the 1980s, activites shifted to focus on the urban environment, including unemployed and retired people in conservation work. Membership grew to 10,000. In the 1990s, BTCV played a key role in the government's New Deal Initiative and Millenium Volunteers Programme. Activities such as Woodland Action Week were launched, The National Pond Campaign and the BTCV Urban Handbook.
BCTV's mission is 'to create a more sustainable future by inspiring people and improving places.' Between 2004-2008, the charity aims to improve the lives of 1 million people through volunteering opportunities, employment and skill development, enrich the biodiversity of 20,000 local environments, and support activities in 5000 community groups. BCTV offers a complete training programme, with 42 long courses and over 100 short courses, covering topics from conservation to personal development. As well as supporting local community groups, the charity offers practical conservation holidays in over 20 countries, from Albania to Australia, Iceland and Japan. Its work aims to protect biodiversity, and to develop eco-tourism and sustainable communities.
BCTV International provides development support to NGOs and communities around the world through initiatives such as training, workshops and field trips. When the tsunami struck the Indian Ocean in 2004, BTCV established a fund to support the restoration project on the island of Phra Thong, and recently a group of volunteers went to Nevada as part of a project with the Nevada Outdoor School.
BTCV believes everyone has a right to enjoy the environment. The 'Environment for All' programme attempted to include people from all marginalised groups, in conservation action, celebrating the UK's diverse society. Today it is an integral part of the BCTV strategy. Since the programme, over 1176 community groups have benefited and 38,000 people. 50% of these were unemployed, 13% disabled, and 44% from minority communities (3000 being asylum seekers or refugees). Most came from disadvantaged areas where their conservation efforts made a real and lasting difference.
To find your local BCTV office and see what they're getting up to in your area, contact: BTCV, Sedum House, Mallard Way, Doncaster, DN4 8DB.  Tel: +44(0)1302388888, Email: info@bctv.org.uk or use the excellent online map search at www.btcv.org 

DOGS TRUST

Total Raised: £33.56
The Dogs Trust is the UK's leading dog welfare charity. Founded in 1891 during the first ever Crufts Dog Show and formerly known as the National Canine Defence League, the charity has been working for the protection of dogs throughout its history.
The charity's aims are to rescue, care for and, where possible, rehome dogs who are homeless, stray, ill-treated, injured or just plain unwanted. No mentally or physically healthy dog is ever destroyed. The Dogs Trust refers all reported cases of cruelty to the appropriate authorities and monitors all existing laws relating to dogs. The charity campaigns for responsible dog ownership, using the media to educate the general public on issues such as neutering and microchipping. Where appropriate, Dogs Trust also assists persons on low incomes to care for their dog's welfare. The purchase of land and buildings for the purposes of establishing and expanding new or existing rescue centres is essential to the charity's work and on occasion, these facilities are used to care for other injured animals and birds where circumstances arise.
Throughout its life, Dogs Trust has been at the forefront of campaigns for dog welfare.
In 1908 the Forfeit Bill (or Cruelty to Animals Amendment Bill) was introduced by Dogs Trust and incorporated into the Protection of Animals Act in 1911, giving magistrates the power to prevent those convicted of cruetly from keeping an animal in the future.
The charity presented petitions against experimenting on live dogs (common 100 years ago) and campaigned for an end to compulsory muzzling (1922) and for the abolition of performing dogs in music halls. Kennelled dogs were provided with essential water on train journeys thanks to action by Dogs Trust and the charity also embarked on an extensive poster campaign in the 1920s after the introduction of cars led to numerous road deaths amongst dogs.
Today Dogs Trust's major concern is to prevent the problem of unwanted dogs, through informative and useful campaigns. There are 17 rehoming centres throughout the UK, including new facilities in West London and Glasgow, and the Trust also co-hosts a regular international conference, the ICAWC (International Companion Animal Welfare Conference) in Eastern Europe dedicated to promoting good practice at animal welfare centres abroad and providing information on animal behaviour, legislation and shelter management.
You can help by sponsoring a dog from one of the many shelters for just £1.00 per week, or rehome if you can. Dogs whom the trust calls 'sticky' because of their tendency to always end up 'stuck' in kennels because they're just not as 'pretty' as other dogs, have special need of good homes.
Visit the website and its online shop and garden centre at www.dogstrust.co.uk or contact Dogs Trust, 17 Wakely Street, London, EC1V 7RQ, +44(0)2078370006.

BROOKE ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Total Raised: £33.56
For nearly 70 years, the Brooke Hospital for Animals has been working to ease the misery of working horses, donkeys and mules in the most impoverished areas of the world. Many work long gruelling hours in areas where people earn less than $1.oo per day and are unable to afford proper veterinary care. The result is that animals suffer from serious illness and disease that may have been preventable through proper information and advice. With more than half the world's population reliant on animal power for their livlihoods, it is essential to the interests of both animals and people that something be done.
Founder Dorothy Brooke's compassion for the plight of emaciated ex-warhorses living thankless lives of hard labour in Cairo, led to the creation of trhe charity in 1934. The aim was to provide free veterinary care to those in need and since the first 'Old War Horse Memorial Hospital' the charity has expanded on an international scale to India, Pakistan, Jordan, Israel, Afghanistan, Kenya, Ethiopia and Guatemala.
There are many ways in which animals are important. In some cases, they are the only means of transport for a community and essential to agriculture (animals supply approximately 50% of global agriculture power needs). In Kenya donkeys are the principal method of transporting water, charcoal, timber and maize to and from markets. In Afghanistan they work as ambulances and taxis, in Jordan to transport tourists, in India and Pakistan to carry sand and gravel and transport heavy loads of bricks to brick kilns. The animals deal with some of the world's harshest environments such as chaotic streets and rural villages that can only be reached by an exhausting treck over uphill, potholed terrain.
Although owners want to care properly for their animals, overloading and the use of ill fitting saddles and harnesses lead to back sores and spinal injuries. In some areas popular traditional misconceptions are the problem. Beliefs such as depriving an animal of water and beating them to make them work harder cause huge suffering. Add to this the myth that splashing cooling water on baking hot flanks will cause cramp and make the animal unable to work. Firing (burning the skin with red hot iron - so painful that the animal has to be held down for the purpose) was once thought to be a cure for all ills from wounds to lameness. And threading, cutting and sewing a cloth into the animal's skin was commonly believe to ease infection. Thankfully, Brooke and organisations like them have been successful in helping to slowly eradicate many of these superstitious procedures. But other problems such as malnutrition, caused by extreme poverty, remain prevalent with many owners unable to afford a proper balanced diet for their animals.
Brooke Hospital aims to create sustainable welfare improvement for working animals in the developed world through the provision of training and local veterinary services. This can be any thing from cleaning donkeys' hooves to prevent maggots and canker, to treating exhaustion, malnutrition and strained tendons.
Brooke provides comfortable saddle packs and harnesses, as well as portable water troughs, and portable shelters that give much needed shade from the relentless heat. The charity is committed to running community based education programmes and working with NGOs and governments to provide advice on livlihood programmes with veterinary and animal components. The Brooke's mobile veterinary teams provide round the clock care to animals in urgent need of attention and are on call 24 hours a day to relieve pain and suffering. Nowhere is too far, no village too remote and no effort too great.
To help or find out how you can get involved, contact: The Brooke, 30 Farringdon Street, London, EC4A 4HH.  Tel: +44(0)203 012 3456.  Email: info@thebrooke.org or see www.thebrooke.org

ANIMAL AID

Total Raised: £34.84
Founded in 1977, Animal Aid is the longest serving animal rights group in the UK, investigating and peacefully campaigning against animal cruelty.
The Society is a non-profit limited company run by a voluntary board of management dedicated to preventing the exploitation of animals, particularly where it occurs in factory farming, scientific experiments and entertainment. Animal Aid aims to educate the public, creating a sense of moral responsibility towards animals amongst young people, and is happy to provide circulars, literature, audio-visula material, courses and lectures on this subject.
The Society also examines existing animal protection legislation with a view to lawfully improving and reforming the legal rights of animals in the above areas.
In the past, the organisation has had successes with campaigns such as stopping horses being sold for meat at Ascot, investigating the shooting industry's use of battery cages for breeding birds, preventing Makro selling live lobsters in its stores, and stopping Cambridge University from building a massive primate testing facility. Animal Aid's anti-vivisection leaflet 'A Crying Shame' was also the subject of a 2 hour GCSE English paper sat by over 430,000 pupils. Indeed, the Society's Education Department supplies 'teaching resources (free of charge) and student information for all National Curriculum key stages and Sixth Form Study.' It also trains 'volunteer speakers who talk in around 300 schools each year.' (Animal Aid website)
The in depth reports and factsheets that are the result of Animal Aid's undercover investigatioins provide the basis of their campaigns.
These include campaigning for better conditions for the 1,000 million animals slaughtered for food in the UK each year; calling for an end to the suffering of the 3 million animals experimented on inside UK laboratories each year (Animal Aid's Mad Science Awards - AAMSA's - are handed out annually for pointless and grotesque scientific research); campaigning against the cruelty behind horse racing such as the slaughtering of horses who do not 'make the grade,' and the use of the whip by jockeys during races; the mass production and 'fattening' of millions of pheasants and partridges every year in Britain to be then releases as 'targets' for shooters; the trade in 'pets' often involving birds and reptiles stolen from the wild and imported thus encouraging the illegal pet trade.
Animal Aid advocates a responsible attitude to companion animals such as spaying and neutering, and also promotes an holistic attitude to wildlife. Currently they are campaigning against a ?3.3 million mass slaughter of the UK's ruddy ducks because some are believed to have migrated to Spain and bred with the endangered (due to hunting) white headed duck resulting in offspring that some conservationists, bird watchers and DEFRA consider 'impure.' Animal Aid believes conservation should begin with habitat protection rather than targeting the animals themselves. To this end, Animal Aid has produced a Climate Change factsheet detailing the potential impact on wildlife and including useful tips on how to help combat the problem.
The Society also champions 'Living Without Cruelty' and provides literature and guides on how to make cruelty-free choices such as a healthy vegetarian diet, and boycotting cosmetics that have been tested on animals.
There are a range of online petitions on the Animal Aid website including stop the badger cull, end shooting for sport and ban primate experiments, so it's easy to add your voice. There is also advice on how to take local action, on how to become a school speaker, as well as guides to fundraising and online campaigning.
Contact Animal Aid, The Old Chapel, Bradford Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1AW. Tel: +44(0)1732364546, Email: info@animalaid.org.uk, or see www.animalaid.org.uk

INTERNATIONAL TREE FOUNDATION

Total Raised: £34.84
'Across the globe, 15 million hectares of forest are destroyed every year.'
'Since 1930, half of our ancient woodland (in the UK) has been lost.' (International Tree Foundation)

ITF, the longest established tree charity in the UK, was founded by Dr Richard St Barbe Baker in 1924 after returning from Kenya where he worked as a Forestry Officer and formed the first 'Men of the Trees' group (the title of his first book published 1931). Born in 1889, Richard was a visionary character, ahead of his time as a campaigner and took his love for trees to governments across the world, helping to establish the first protected reserves of redwoods in the western USA. In 1978 he was awarded an OBE and died in 1982 at the age of 93.
Today, ITF's work is all about recognising that trees are not only a major life support system for the planet, providing oxygen and a range of habitats for animals and plants, but that they are vital to our communities, economies and our health and well-being.
ITF works both within the UK and overseas to promote the importance of protecting our existing trees and of planting new trees, working with schools, corporations and government organisations in order to spread awareness of the need to maintain biodiversity.
Within the UK, ITF offers grants for tree planting, emphasising that our trees protect us from wind, rain, sun and noise, stabilise the soil, sustain the watertable and provide medicine, timber and fuel as well as making the landscape more beautiful. Application forms are available on the ITF website. The site also provides a guide to TPOs (Tree Preservation Orders) detailing what they are and the conditions under which one may or may not be granted. ITF hopes that local councils will in future list all TPOs on their websites for public viewing.
Internationally, ITF has projects in nineteen countries, from Bangladesh to Zambia, each tailored specifically to that area's needs. For example, in Bangladesh the project aims to provide trees of value to local people (coconut, mango, jackfruit) for food, furniture and medicine. In Cameroon, the objective is to improve degraded landscape areas, stabilise the soil and prevent landslides, as well as protect local peoples' water resources through watershed protection. In Pakistan ITF is funding the supply of seedling for tree nurseries, the project benefitting 150 small and marginal farmers, improving their land and educating them as to the positive impact trees have on their environment. In Zambia fast-growing trees have been selected for use in nurseries for their nutritional and medicinal value, and as animal fodder.
ITF also has a tsunami appeal, aiming to raise £100,000 to fund the replanting of mangrove forests and coastal woodland in those areas most affected. Mangrove forests provide a crucial natural barrier to incoming waves and many had been destroyed to make way for industrial shrimp farms. They also provide timber, wildlife havens and a rich source of medicine.
Becoming a member of ITF can cost as little as £15.00 per anum, and corporate membership is also offered with a link on ITF's web page to the website of your company. The charity also has schemes such as the 'Family Tree Scheme' whereby a new tree is planted to commemorate a loved one or special event, and the 'Alternative Wedding Gift.' The trees planted create new woodland, such as The Homeopathy Wood at Sywell Country Park in Northhamptonshire which now has 850 individually sponsored trees, all of which can be used in homeopathic medicine.
To find out more visit www.internationaltreefoundation.org or contact ITF, National Office, Sandy Lane, Crawley Down, West Sussex, RH10 4HS. Tel: 08707744269. Email: info@internationaltreefoundation.org

BUAV

Total Raised: £44.13
The BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection) was founded in 1898 by Frances Cobbe. Initially the organisation campaigned against experimentation on dogs. Today its attention is focused on a number of areas, including carrying out undercover investigations, promoting non-animal tested products and helping consumers identify and buy products that have not been tested on animals, via its Humane Cosmetics and Humane Household Products Standards.
The BUAV believes in a world where animal testing is unnecessary. At present, over 3 million animals are experimented on in the UK every year, with one animal dying every 12 seconds in a laboratory. They are deliberately brain damaged, mutilated, infected, paralysed, starved, force-fed, deprived of sleep - the list goes on, all of which causes immense pain and suffering, and all done in our name and, in 60% of cases, without anaesthetic. Academic researchers (see NHS funded report, 'Testing treatment on Animals') found that these experiments 'fail to reliably predict effects on humans.' Many non-animal alternatives offer a cheaper, quicker and more accurate solution, such as in vitro cell culture techniques, in silico computer simulation and microdosing. Institutes researching and funding alternatives to animal testing include Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Dr Hawden Trust.
In the past, BUAV has achieved a UK animal testing ban for cosmetics, the refusal by various airlines to transport monkeys destined for research, and a ban on the LD50 oral toxicity test which would routinely poison groups of animals till 50% of them died.
Recently, BUAV's undercover investigations have exposed the breeding and supply of monkeys from Vietnam for experimentation in Europe and the US, and the University of Cambridge's and Covance's (formerly Hazleton Laboratories America Inc) contract testing laboratory in Germany. BUAV is currently pursuing a judicial review against the Home Office as a result of the latter investigation.
BUAV belives that the only obstacles to change are vested interests that would require effort and investment to change, and a lack of political will. To this effect, BUAV is focused on promoting cruelty free products. The Humane Cosmetics and Humane Household Products Standards are audited accredition schemes in which retail companies can confirm that their products and ingredients are not tested on animals. A full list of BUAV approved companies eg CO-OP, Marks & Spencer's, is available online at the BUAV website. National Cruelty Free week takes place in the UK in July every year and seeks to avoid all products of cruelty to animals or humans.
The BUAV is against any form of intimidation, violence or blackmail and believes their cause can only be furthered by changing hearts and minds. With the recent EU REACH proposal to test thousands of chemicals on millions of animals, the group's work to get beyond the media spin that it is a matter of choice between a sick person or a dying animals, is still ongoing. 'All animals are entitled to dignity, respect and compassion.' Contact BUAV, 16a Crane Grove, London, N7 8NN, Tel: 0207700488, Email: support@buav.org.  Or see: www.buav.org

SAINT FRANCIS WOLF SANCTUARY

Total Raised: £44.13