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Welcome from a Texas subscriber

Dear Grasslands People,

Ilya, welcome as our (first?) international grasslands subscriber!

Your email reminded me that "The Prairie Promoter" (newsletter of the Prairie 
Enthusiasts in Wisconsin and neighboring areas) in its winter 1995 issue ran a short 
article about the Central Asian and South Aferican Grasslands.  

In essence, it said that although only small remnants of North America's tallgrass 
prairie remain pristine, there are still wide expanses of grasslands in China, Russia, 
Kazakstan, and Mongolia, and the eastern highlands of South Africa BUT they are losing 
ground and that economic and social pressures (of course) are overshadowing conservation 
needs. They said that overgrazing and the planting of cereal crops are the primary 
problems for the steppes, as well as sheep farming. 

The International Crane Foundation is working in Asia also because cranes depend on 
grasslands. You may have this already, but here's their homepage: 
www.baraboo.com/bus/icf/whowhat.htm  and their email address is cranes@baraboo.com 

The editor of the "Promoter" printed the names of two people working on steppe and veld 
grasslands and encouraged readers to get in touch, to be supportive and encouraging 
because it can be hard and lonely work in a country with a harsh economy.I didn't have 
email at the time, and had just in the last couple of days remembered that article and 
thought to get in touch. I love coincidences. 

Ilya, I suppose you know Dr. Oleg Goroshko of the Daurski Nature reserve-where Russia, 
Mongolia and China meet?  He is establishing a tri-national nature reserve for the 
steppes.  His email is chita@glas.apc.org.  Address is Box 50, Nizhniz Tssuchey, Chita 
674480, Russia. "The Promoter" reported that he was short of many basic needs to 
continue his work, including receiving regular paychecks.

Also, they included a contact with the South African Veld, Ms. Elna Kotze (Wakkerstroom 
Natural Heritage Association), PO Box 223, Wakkerstroom 2480, South Africa.  No email at 
the time, but a phone number 27-013-339-233. She heads a program to establish a 
Grasslands Biosphere Reserve in South Africa. Perhaps she can help you get such a 
program going for the Steppes? United Nations money may be available for it.

Also the International Society for Ecological Restoration is meeting here in Austin this 
week.  I believe next year's conference will be in Liverpool, England. Does a subscriber 
have their email address handy? These folks could be very helpful.

Welcome again.  It's very nice to hear from you. 

Lee Stone
Austin, Texas


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