heidiruffler Nov 22, 2006 1:55 am

Hello listserve members,

I am a grad student working with 3 teammates on a project investigating the U.S. consumption of wildlife products imported (legally) from the Amazon, Mekong, and Congo Basin. Specifically, we are writing recommendations for an NGO to approach business/industry leaders to reduce the negative impact and make the trade more sustainable. The industries we are focusing on are: leather (for high-end fashion), pets, food, biomedical resources, and animals for decoration (mainly butterflies). I would greatly appreciate if any of you have experience to share about successful (or unsuccessful) collaborations between NGOs and businesses, or other ways in which incentives were given to encourage businesses to become more environmentally friendly. In addition, if any of you have experience in the wildlife trade (especially for any of the above-mentioned industries) and would be willing to answer some questions, please let me know. Thanks in advance for your time and help!

Heidi Ruffler

MS Candidate,
Sustainable Development and Conservation
Biology University of Maryland,
College Park
[email protected]
[email protected]