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Sirenian International, Inc.
Mission Statement
The mission of Sirenian International is to promote the long-term conservation of manatee and dugong populations around the world through research and education.
Background: Most manatee and dugong populations are fragmented, threatened or endangered due to over harvesting and habitat destruction.
In attempting to develop management and recovery plans, the assumptions made about sirenian biology, ecology, and behavior
are based on a few well researched populations located in industrialized nations, such as the USA and Australia. Given the
taxonomic and geographical differences between species and populations, we would expect to need site specific conservation
management plans. However, there is very little funding for research, education, or
conservation projects in less-developed nations where most populations exist. Sirenian International is dedicated to supporting
grassroots efforts to protect sirenian populations in these less-developed areas.
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Our Participating Members are actively involved in sirenian projects
around the world. They share knowledge through educational outreach
programs, effect change by providing scientific data to decision makers concerned with
conservation issues, and provide opportunities for students and local communities to participate
in the field and
the laboratory. Our Supporting Members provide financial support to projects and services
funded by Sirenian International. An International Board of Directors
governs our activities and our Scientific Advisory Council insures the scientific
integrity of projects we fund. Our Participating Members, our Board of Directors, and our Scientific
Advisory Council are volunteers, there fore 100% of donated support goes directly to
our projects and services.
GOALS | BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COUNCIL | CHARTER CONTRIBUTORS
Sirenian International is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the State of Virginia, USA
OUR GOALS:
RESEARCH, EDUCATION, and CONSERVATION through Inter-cultural Collaboration
RESEARCH GOAL: To to foster, promote, and support
scientific research related to manatees & dugongs with a focus on populations in developing
nations where resources are limited.
- Encourage sound and professional scientific research related to sirenian populations
by providing feedback, support, and funding
- Support international network of existing sirenian researchers; provide a platform for
the international exchange of ideas and information, accessible via the Internet
- Promote inter-cultural exchange and foster enduring collaborative relationships between
host countries and researchers
- Provide internship opportunities for students from both host and visiting countries;
encourage respect for and consideration of the local knowledge in each study area, e.g.
students, teachers, fishermen, tour operators, non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
governmental agencies
EDUCATION GOAL: To facilitate meaningful exchange
of information among scientists, students, regulatory agencies, NGOs, and concerned citizens
and to promote effective communication about science & conservation to diverse audiences.
- Provide educational materials suitable for science programs at multiple educational
levels, including higher education
- Organize forums that bridge communication barriers related to diversity of language,
experience, academic training, and access to resources, e.g. dynamic multi-lingual website
- Coordinate presentation of information about research projects, in a format suitable for
distribution via ongoing outreach programs, e.g. seacow ambassador program, traveling road show,
participation in educational tourism
- Encourage mutual respect for diverse perspectives, in a manner that enhances
awareness, knowledge, and evaluation of sirenian projects
CONSERVATION GOAL: To support conservation efforts by
local people in developing nations and to provide scientific data to local decision makers
concerned with manatee & dugong conservation.
- Facilitate information transfer from researchers to regulatory agencies in a manner that
is both timely and in a format suitable to meet decision-making needs
- Incorporate the information and implementation needs of regulatory agencies and
in the design of research projects
- Enhance awareness, knowledge, and use of collaborative problem-solving approaches to
management of conflicts related to conservation of sirenians and their aquatic habitats
- Commitment to low environmental impact in research design with a focus of contributing
to conservation of the subject and its environment
The benefits of projects funded by SI reach far beyond science - each project facilitates
the sharing of knowledge with local communities, students, governmental agencies,
non-governmental agencies, and other conservation groups. Although our focus is on manatees
and dugongs, SI fosters a better understanding of the complexity of conservation issues, and
the compelling need for partnerships among all parties involved, in both developing and
industrialized nations.
Won't you please JOIN our global efforts by becoming a
member of Sirenian International today?
Our Board of Directors
- Sarita Kendall, Colombia, The Omacha Foundation
- Renata Santoro de Sousa Lima, Brazil, Laboratorio de Mamiferos Aquaticos - INPA, Cornell University
- Ester Quintana Rizzo, Guatemala, University of South Florida
- Nicole Auil, Belize, Coastal Zone Management Institute & Authority, Texas A&M University
- Katherine S. LaCommare, USA, University of Mass, Boston
- Tamra Gilbertson, USA, Washington, DC
- Angela K. Sullivan, USA, Fredericksburg, VA
- Caryn Self Sullivan, USA, Texas A&M University
Our Scientific Advisory Council
- Robert K. Bonde, Ct. E.S.,
USGS Sirenia Project, Gainesville, Florida
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Gregory Bossart, Ph.D., VMD, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida
- Daryl P. Domning, Ph.D.,
Department of Anatomy, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
- Helene Marsh, Ph.D.,
School of Tropical Environment Studies and Geography, James Cook University,
Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Antonio A. Mignucci-Giannoni, Ph.D.,
Caribbean Stranding Network,
Universidad Metropolitana, Puerto Rico
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Jane M. Packard, Ph. D., Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
- Cameron Shaw, Law Enforcement Coordinator,
Endangered Species Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jacksonville, Florida
- Jim Valade, Wildlife Biologist,
Endangered Species Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jacksonville, Florida
-
Graham A. J. Worthy, Ph. D.,
Provost's Distinguished Research Professor of Biology and
Hubbs-Sea World Professor of Marine Mammalogy;
Director, Physiological Ecology and Bioenergetics Lab,
Department of Biology, University of Central Florida
- Leszek Karczmarski, Ph.D., Texas A&M University, Marine Mammal Research Program, Galveston, Texas.
Our Charter Contributors
Our most sincere thanks and appreciation go to the following Patrons who have made
donations of funds and/or services at the Patron or Contributing Membership level
during our organizational process:
- Scott Carl, Alliance Computer Systems, Myrtle Beach, SC
- John Patrick Sullivan, Artist, Fredericksburg, VA
- Tim Hayes & Bill Gray, Hunton & Williams Law Firm, Richmond, VA
- Peter Gadient & Maija Gadient-Heberlein, Cape Coral, FL
- Sue Otto, Fairview Park, OH
- Thomas W. Evans, Richmond, VA
- Jane M. Packard, College Station, TX, IN HONOR OF MARTIN PACKARD
- The Martin Packard Family, California
- Kieran Carew, California
- Mr. and Mrs. James H. Self, IN HONOR OF THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Add your name to this list in
perpetuity. JOIN our Membership at the Patron or Contributing
Level.
(c) 2000-2003 Sirenian International, Inc.
SNAIL MAIL TO: Sirenian International, Inc., 200 Stonewall Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 USA
Sirenian International, Inc. is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation.
All contributions are tax deductible within the limits of the law.
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