Project Update
Hello F&M Tree Climber Supporters!
Since I last wrote we now have many new backers and we are now at 57% of our goal. Thank you all SO MUCH for your support!
I wanted to clarify why your support is so critical to us being able to establish the first long-term canopy monitoring program. The largest funding source in my field is the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF funding process is extremely competitive and they don't generally fund long-term observational studies. As a result, we can't count on NSF funding to support this project.
If our campaign is successful, this would be a truly unique program. The tropical montane cloud forest canopy may be one of the first habitats to "feel" the effects of climate change and yet no one is monitoring this community to see what will happen. There are 800 species of plants in the canopy and many animals depend on this habitat. Even the trees themselves benefit from the canopy community because the canopy plants strip water out of the clouds and funnel it into the soil. This community is important in the functioning of the tropical montane cloud forest but is vulnerable to changes in climate. By setting up these traverses and time-lapse cameras we can monitor the health, growth, diversity and survivorship of this important community for years to come.
The way crowd-sourcing fundraising works is that it is all-or-nothing. If we do not reach our goal, no credit cards are charged and we loose all the funds that have been pledged. If you would be willing to share our link with folks you think might be willing to support our campaign we would greatly appreciate it. We still have a long way to go!
Lastly, I wanted to share a little video. Ken made this as a recruitment tool to show to perspective students. Can you identify the theme music?
Enjoy and thanks again!
Sybil
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