NEW YORK (March 23, 2011)The job of promoting conservation in the most biodiverse nation in the world is for the birds, according to the authors of a new bird guide produced by the Wildlife Conservation Society, Cornell University Press, and Editora Horizonte in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Published in Portuguese and English, "Birds of Brazil: The Pantanal & Cerrado of Central Brazil" highlights the bird life of one of the greatest wild places on Earth. More importantly, the guide strives to inspire a nation of potential conservationists to enjoy and safeguard Brazil's vibrant ecosystems and natural heritage. It is the first in a series of five regional field guides (to include more than 1,830 known species in Brazil) that will promote conservation through the hobby of birding.
The "Birds of Brazil" uses impactful graphics, lavish illustrations, and in-depth text to showcase the 740 species of birds found in the Pantanal and the Cerrado, the world's largest freshwater wetland and most endangered grassland ecosystem, respectively.
The landmark guide is specifically targeted toward Brazilians. Unlike other bird guides for Brazil, many of which are prohibitively expensive, the Portuguese version of "Birds of Brazil" will be available for 44 Brazilian Reais (about $26). The low cost facilitates a conservation strategy to make the guide widely available.
"The guide is a resource for the citizens of Brazil, one that will instill a love for the natural world through the joys of bird watching," said John A. Gwynne, WCS's emeritus Chief Creative Officer and one of the authors and artists of the guide. Other authors include: Robert S. Ridgely, author of many authoritative volumes on Latin American bird; famed neo-tropical bird artist Guy Tudor; and Brazilian ornithologist Martha Argel. The authors received crucial support from an
advisory team of eminent Brazilian experts in birds from universities, other NGOs, government and tourism agencies, and a n
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| Contact: Stephen Sautner ssautner@wcs.org 718-220-3682 Wildlife Conservation Society Source:Eurekalert |