Bushmeat Briefing 1: Celebration and Reception on Building Capacity and Networks for Bushmeat Solutions

Celebration and Reception on Building Capacity and Networks for Bushmeat Solutions

23 June 2009

This event brought together conservationists from the U.S. and Africa to:

• Celebrate ten years of accomplishments by the Bushmeat Crisis Task Force (BCTF) (www.bushmeat.org)
• Learn about capacity building for a cadre of eastern African conservationists addressing bushmeat exploitation through the 2008-2009 USFWS Wildlife Without Borders-Africa MENTOR Fellowship Program (www.mentorfellowshipprogram.org)
• Meet two USFWS MENTOR Fellows and a Mentor, and hear about their efforts on regional bushmeat solutions
• Participate in the launching of the Bushmeat-free Eastern Africa Network (BEAN) (www.bushmeatnetwork.org)

The full agenda may be found here

Welcome and Introductions

Ms. Nancy Gelman, Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group

Celebrating 10 years of Accomplishments by the Bushmeat Crisis Task Force (BCTF)

Dr. Heather Eves and Ms. Natalie Bailey, BCTF

Highlighting USFWS Wildlife Without Borders- Africa

Dr. Richard Ruggiero, U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service

Building Capacity for Bushmeat Solutions in Eastern Africa: The 2008-2009 USFWS MENTOR Fellowship Program

Mr. Vincent Opyene, Senior Warden Prosecution for Uganda Wildlife Authority
Mr. Iregi Mwenja, Bushmeat Coordinator, East African Wildlife Society-Kenya

Launching the Bushmeat-free Eastern Africa Network (BEAN)

Dr. William Olupot, BEAN Director, WCS-Uganda

Additional links:

• MENTOR Fellowship Program: includes an overview of the program, features on each Fellow, fact sheets on field assessments and recommendations and more
• BEAN Brochure
• Bushmeat-free Eastern Africa Network website
• Bushmeat Crisis Task Force website