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Miaro atiala, mamboly fiainana. Protect the forest, and life will grow.
On Earth Day and every day, we celebrate Madagascar—an island like no other! Located hundreds of miles off the southeastern coast of Africa, Madagascar has been isolated for more than 80 million years, changing and evolving independently from the rest of the world. Today, the island is famed for its extraordinary biodiversity and distinctive flora and fauna, with more than 85% of its species found nowhere else on Earth.
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This illustration and its accompanying article were created by Talia Felgenhauer, a gifted storyteller and artist and 2023-24 DLC Undergraduate Fellow in Communications. See more of Talia's work in our annual magazine.
IN THIS ISSUE: Annual magazine, impact report, spring fundraiser, student research, celebrating lemurs in Madagascar, and more!
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Why do we do what we do?
Of all the animals on Earth, why are we so passionate about lemurs? Of all the islands in the ocean, why is Madagascar remarkable—and so worthy of our conservation attention? In this issue, you'll find out!
The "Why" issue of our official magazine addresses the core mission of the DLC: Why do we do what we do? Featuring articles from DLC staff, students, and collaborators, as well as gorgeous images from our volunteer photographers, this year's magazine is infused with the curiosity and tenacity that have defined the DLC since our founding 58 years ago.
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Impact Report
We're proud to share specific examples of how your investments of money and trust have made a lasting impact in measurable ways through the Lemur Center's work. On behalf of all of us at the DLC, thank you for standing with us 🧡
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Holding on to hope
For almost 40 years, the DLC has worked on-the-ground on the island of Madagascar, partnering with communities and organizations to protect lemurs and their natural habitat. For an in-depth review of what we've accomplished with your help throughout the previous year, we invite you to read the DLC-SAVA Conservation Annual Newsletter.
PICTURED: "Most people in the SAVA region have never visited the national parks that are all around them," says DLC-SAVA Conservation Education Specialist Evrard Benasoavina (far right). "It is important for people to see these natural spaces themselves and experience them to understand more about the value of the environment. That is why I began bringing groups of school children to the national park for field trips. We do lesson plans about lemurs and the importance of the forest. At the end, all students are so grateful to have the experience and ask for more ways they can help."
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Celebrating lemurs in Madagascar
Earth Day isn't our only day of appreciation for the remarkable wildlife of Madagascar; we also celebrate World Lemur Day every fall! Similar to Earth Day, the goal of World Lemur Day is to raise awareness about lemurs and to increase interest in environmental conservation.
This year, DLC-SAVA Conservation partnered with local people and organizations to host a World Lemur Day celebration in a rural village near Marojejy National Park. More than 1,200 people attended, and the day was packed with parades, dancing, concerts, lessons about lemurs and the environment, and more. Watch the video and celebrate with us!
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Spring fundraiser: Welcome to the Dark Side
A critical aspect of the DLC's "why" is to inspire and train the next generation of environmental stewards, researchers, conservation scientists, animal care and welfare professionals, and educators. This spring, we invite you support these student programs by purchasing this limited edition, glow-in-the-dark t-shirt! All donations raised through this promotion will go directly toward the DLC's internship program, and our goal to fully fund these experiences and remove barriers to participation.
ATTENTION STAR WARS FANS: Order today for the best chance of receiving your shirt in time to celebrate May the Fourth (Star Wars Day)!
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Getting a fuller picture of a forest: a team effort
For some people, the word "rainforest" conjures up vague notions of teeming jungles. But Camille DeSisto, a Duke graduate student working with the DLC and other partners at Duke and in Madagascar, sees something more specific: a complex interdependent web.
For the past few years, Camille has been part of a community-driven study exploring the relationships between people, plants, and lemurs in a rainforest in northern Madagascar, where the health of one species depends on the health of others. Read the full story on the Duke research blog.
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