THE LINCOLN PARK ZOO SCOTT NEOTROPIC FUND Supporting research in wildlife conservation and conservation education throughout Mexico, Central America, South America and the Islands of the Caribbean Department of Conservation and Science In 1986, the Lincoln Park Zoo Scott Neotropic Fund was initiated by The Lincoln Park Zoological Society and Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens in support of in situ conservation efforts throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. By emphasizing support for young conservation biologists working in their own countries, the fund assists a new generation of researchers in becoming the environmental decision-makers of tomorrow and strengthens the core of conservation leadership throughout the Americas. The emphasis of the fund is to support new conservation initiatives with special consideration to projects that have: direct impact on wildlife conservation and/or conservation biology; direct participation by graduate and/or undergraduate students; involvement by students and/or field assistants from Latin America; or, links to either the Lincoln Park Zoo animal collectionor conservation interests of the zoo curatorial staff.

En Español - Version in Spanish Identification of Projects Evaluation of Proposals How to Apply Conservation Across the Americas Since its establishment, the Lincoln Park Zoo Scott Neotropic Fund has awarded more than 86 grants in 17 Latin American and Caribbean nations. Each year, the fund typically supports between five and 15 projects, including project renewals for a second year. Awards are seldom greater than $7,500 (U.S.), and most awards fall into the range of $3,000-$5,000. Initial support is for up to one year from the date of award. Maximum duration of support is two years. Projects supported during 1996-97 include: Argentina Effects of human disturbances on bat populations in subtropical rain forest Status assessment of the Tucuman Amazon, an endangered parrot Use of private and protected lands as refuges for Culpeo foxes in Patagonia Belize Protection of riverine habitat for black howler monkeys Bolivia Research and training project of Puna grassland preservation in Bolivia, Peru and Argentina Brazil Survey of non-flying mammals of the Caetetus Ecological Station in Sao Paulo Habitat use by mammalian carnivores in Iguacu National Park Evaluation of community-based education programs in support of the golden-headed lion tamarin Chile Impact of predation by native foxes on the last wild population of chinchillas Assessment of raptor density and habitat use along the Bio-Bio River Colombia Management and harvesting of pacas from tropical forest fragments in northern Colombia Development of a conservation education program for the Cali Zoo Ecuador Breeding behavior of flamingos in the Galapagos Islands Mexico Assessment of bird and habitat distributions in the Lacandon Forest Assessment of large mammal and habitat distributions in the Lacandon Forest Long-term studies of forest fragmentation in Veracruz Venezuela Distribution of spectacled bears and interactions of bears and humans in Venezuela's national parks Projects are solicited and reviewed once each year through an annual call for proposals mailed to institutions, organizations and individuals interested in conservation of Latin American flora and fauna; through notices in professional newsletters and journals; and through the zoo staff's direct contacts with people working in Latin America.