Action deadline: immediately Dear Alan,
**Help save one of the world's most precious tropical forests and prevent the unsustainable logging of big-leaf mahogany in Peru.** The Peruvian rain forest is one of the world's most biologically rich and diverse regions and provides habitat for wildlife such as the jaguar, harpy eagle and giant river otter. Unfortunately, these creatures and their habitats are at risk from the unsustainable harvest of timber, particularly of big-leaf mahogany--a threatened species so valuable that it can lead to the destruction of large forest areas. Peru is the world's largest exporter of big-leaf mahogany, with 90 percent going to the North American market. The international trade in big-leaf mahogany is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Peruvian government has taken many steps to improve forest management and stop illegal logging. Despite these precautions, big-leaf mahogany continues to be harvested at unsustainable levels and illegal logging remains rampant. Many of these trees are illegally logged in protected areas or on the lands of indigenous peoples who receive only a fraction of the actual value of the wood. Strong measures must be taken today if this species and the rain forest of which it is a part are to survive for future generations. Every year, Peru sets a quota for mahogany that determines how much can be exported. It is critically important that Peru sets a quota level that is sustainable and scientifically-based, and that can be verified as legally harvested. If that does not happen, WWF will urge countries worldwide not to import Peruvian mahogany. Action is urgently needed as Peru is expected to announce its annual quota for mahogany exports in only a few days. Now is your chance to prevent further habitat destruction and overharvesting in the Peruvian rain forest. TAKE ACTION: Send an email urging Peru to take immediate measures to conserve and sustainably manage mahogany: * QUICK OPTION: If you only have a minute, send the message below, as is, by simply replying to this email. (This option works only if you received this email directly from the Conservation Action Network.) * POWERFUL OPTION: Personalize your letter. Go to the following site and follow the instructions for adding your own thoughts to your message. Decision makers pay much more attention to personalized messages. http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/ctt.asp?u=30516&l=137041 Please forward this alert to your friends and family. You can make a huge difference for the Peruvian rain forest and its creatures. Thanks for your help. Sincerely, Fred Prins Peru Program Office World Wildlife Fund *********************LETTER TEXT****************** Mr. Juan José Salazar-Garcia Minister of Agriculture Pasaje Zela N° 150 - Jesús María Lima 11 - Perú Dear Minister Salazar, Peru has made great strides in promoting sustainable management of its vast forest resources and in combating illegal logging, but I am very concerned about unsustainable and illegal harvesting of big-leaf mahogany. I am also concerned that Peru's system of annual export quotas for mahogany does not comply with the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). I urge you to set a 2007 mahogany export quota that is sustainable, scientifically-based and verifiable. The quota should give priority to mahogany that is certified--according to recognized international standards--as having been harvested in a sustainable and legal manner, with minimal destruction to surrounding forests. I also urge you to establish and implement a Big-Leaf Mahogany Action Plan to ensure full compliance with CITES. By implementing these measures to conserve mahogany, the government of Peru will show that it has the political will to lead the fight against illegal logging, corruption and fraud in the forest sector. These measures will directly contribute to the long term survival of big-leaf mahogany. They will also promote sustainable forest management and responsible forest trade to the direct benefit of local forest enterprises and indigenous communities. Sincerely, Your name and address will be inserted here ***********************END OF LETTER TEXT********************* Learn more about the mahogany trade: http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/ctt.asp?u=30516&l=137042 Read WWF's position on the mahogany trade: http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/ctt.asp?u=30516&l=137043 What more can you do: Consumers can play a powerful role in protecting mahogany from over-harvesting by purchasing only those mahogany items that have been "green-certified" by an organization such as the Forest Stewardship Council. Visit the FSC website to learn more: http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/ctt.asp?u=30516&l=137004 _____________________________________________________________________ You received this message because [EMAIL PROTECTED] is an activist with the World Wildlife Fund Conservation Action Network. _____________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] from [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word REMOVE in the subject line or you can unsubscribe at http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/unsubscribe/index.asp. _____________________________________________________________________ Direct any questions about the WWF Conservation Action Network to [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________________________________ The Conservation Action Network is sponsored by World Wildlife Fund-US. Known worldwide by its panda logo, WWF is dedicated to protecting the world's wildlife and the rich biological diversity that we all need to survive. The leading privately supported international conservation organization in the world, WWF has sponsored more than 2,000 projects in 116 countries and has more than 1 million members in the United States. WWF calls on everyone -- government, industry, and individuals -- to take responsibility by taking action to save our living planet. World Wildlife Fund 1250 Twenty-fourth Street, NW Washington, DC 20037 http://www.worldwildlife.org http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org
