Many tropical rivers fluctuate seasonally from torrents to lazy caños.

The NGC also funds projects other than students and researchers.

The NGC funds important projects outside our normal programs whenever the opportunity to promote conservation arises. Below are some examples of recent activities that further our mission.

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BOLIVIA
Student Sponsorship

The NGC sponsored three Bolivian undergraduate students at the October 2003 Neotropical Ornithological Conference in Chile. The students were given new binoculars at the conference, and we have no doubt they will remain lifelong conservationists.

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ARGENTINA
Book Underwriting

The NGC agreed to share the underwriting costs of publishing a book on threatened grassland habitats in Argentina. This book was written by Aves Argentinas in cooperation with BirdLife International and the World Wildlife Fund.

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URUGUAY Conservation Education Report from Adrián Azpiroz Distribution of Materials – Adrián designed a small poster with specific information concerning the Pampas Meadowlark Project. This poster highlighted the differences between the threatened Pampas Meadowlark and the common White-browed Blackbird (Sturnella superciliaris) which is also found in the study area.

Copies of this poster along with color prints of meadowlarks and information on natural grassland ecosystems were sent to seven local schools. Additionally, copies of the book "Aves del Uruguay" [Birds of Uruguay] (Azpiroz 2001) were distributed among all seven schools.

Talks at Schools – During the spring field trip Adrián gave talks at the schools of Vera and Arerunguá towns, which are located within the area where the meadowlarks occur. Talks focused on Pampas Meadowlark and other grassland species conservation. Both children (40+ at Vera, and 20+ at Arerunguá) and parents (eight at Vera and five at Arerunguá) attended these talks. In Vera, parents provided valuable information on the Pampas Meadowlarks that eventually led to finding the first two nests.

Drawing Contest – Adrián organized a drawing contest in the school at Vera. Some of the children received prizes (books and crayons) for their drawings. In Arerunguá, because of time constraints, he gave the principal the materials necessary to organize another contest.

The series of educational activities carried out in the study area had a positive effect in terms of increasing public awareness. Teachers were pleased to receive the articles on grassland conservation and color pictures, and they used them in the classrooms prior to the talks.