We've joined together to raise money for the Schools For Forests challenge. You'll see our team fundraising target on the right. Your donation can really help us smash this goal.

We are CIRCLE (Collaboration for Integrated Research, Conservation and Learning), a partnership between the University of York and the UK’s most visited zoo, Flamingo Land. This year we are running a fundraiser called Schools for Forests, and we are aiming for hundreds of schools and colleges to take part!

The funds raised will go towards our work in Tanzania in collaboration with the Udzungwa Forest Project (UFP). Our partnership with UFP began in 2007 and aims to better protect tropical forests through scientific research, forest management, community education, training and lobbying. UFP is based mostly in the Magombera Forest, on the east side of the breathtaking Udzungwa Mountains, and has seen a number of successes over the past 7 years. It is particularly important that we conserve tropical forests like Magombera as they provide many benefits both locally and globally, and hold many endemic species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. One of these is the charismatic Udzungwa red colobus, which is found only among the Udzungwa mountains!

In June 2011, CIRCLE Director, Dr Andy Marshall, discovered a new species of Polyceratocarpus tree whilst carrying out research in the area. The tree grows as large as an oak tree, so the expedition team was amazed to find that scientists had not named it before - instead this honour will go to the school or college that can raise the most funds for our work over the course of the campaign!

As well as the chance to name the tree, there are a range of other fantastic prizes available for schools/colleges and individual students taking part in sponsored events. Every participating school or college will also be invited to the awards ceremony at Flamingo Land, which will include rainforest activities and talks by the CIRCLE team!

If you would like more information, or to register yourself, a school or a college, please get in touch with us at info@circle-conservation.org.

www.circle-conservation.org