DFG's Tragic• PRO T ( T N G ( A o R A s w L D L FE.

ltildlife

SPECIAL

INSERT

rocketed." There are,after all, more than sixmillion housecats in thestate.

The final tragic touchin all of this was revealedwhen the victim of the"mountain lion attack"admitted he had gottendrunk and dropped aknife on hi mself. TheRecord SearchJight edito­rialized that this was thefourth such false repOlt ofthe year.

MLF will continue toinvestigate this situation

and all others related to mountain lions. Itis our goal that as the public learns more

about how to assure the survival of our wild- In this issue:life, that OFG will respond ina mannermore consistent with the wishes of its ulti­mate employers - the people of Califor­

nia. Further, we will work to calm the hys- ltILF St'loutegieteria generated by OFC and attempt toavoid both false reports and the tragedies P'"n to Suvethat ensue.

n a bizarre twist in themountain lion hyste­ria, Fish and Came of­

ficials have shot and killeda four-year-old, ten-pounddomestic housecat. Asoriginally repOlted in theRedding Record Search­light, OFC officials, re­sponding to a report of amountain lion attack, shotthe Abyssinian kitty with a12-guage shot gun, andsent it to a lab for necropsy.Even more remarkable,OFC continues to defendtheir actions sayi ng theyare SOlTY a pet was taken but feel they were justified.

Obviously the owners of Tai the housecat are devastated, asituation made worse by the fact that OFC will not return thebody so that they may bury it in their family pet graveyard. Infairness, OFC may be altempti ng to further spare the family sincethere is probably not much body left, given the eat's demise.

Regardless, OFC officials are the same folks who keep tryingell the public that we should leave the management of wild­

e up to them. And it does make us wonder about OFG's nu­merous claims that the sightings of mountain lions have "sky-

Incoming MLF Presidenl Kathy Fletcher

•

•

Programs; Lynn Sadler, Executive Director;Carsynn Costa, Director of Administration and Op­erations; Bill Yeates, Legal Program Director andformer president; Mikey Biaggi, Office Manager;

and Caitlin Rivers, EducationDirector (also in charge ofthe anti-poaching program).Kathy Fletcher, President, ispictured below.

MLF has upgraded itscommunications technolo­gies to better serve our mem­bers. Our newsletter, MLFReview, will become quar­terly this year and bi­monthly next year, thanks tothe generosity of Giles and

Elise Mead Foundation. In addition to check­ing out our web page for updates and alerts,members may access recorded messages. rAther, members may leave detailed messages'"staff using the directory listed on page 9. If youdon't know who to e-mail or talk to, just leaveyour message in the main box and Mikey willtransfer it to the appropriate person.

Sadly, for MLF, there have been somechanges that are not so positive. We have losttwo strong supporters in the last month. FredFaIT, former legislator and one of our foundingfathers, recently died in Monterey. Mr. FaITserved on our Honorary Board of Directors sincethe beginning and his memory will be honoredat our awards dinner in October (see story onpage 12).

We also mourn the loss ofMLF supporter andwell-loved movie great, Jimmy Stewart. Throughthe years, Mr. Stewart, his wife Gloria and othermembers of his family have been loyal support­ers of the Foundation. Mrs. Stewart also servedon our HonoralY Board of Directors until herrecent death. Our sympath ies to the [amil iesand friends on the passing of these great souls.

MLF Staff

Field Notes...FROM THE DIRECTORLots of Changes at MLF

As you can see from the insert in this newsletter, MLF Board of Directors and staffhave recommitted themselves to the pro­tection of California's wildlife and outlined

the five-year plan for MLF'sunique role in accomplishing thatgoal.

Bill Yeates - our founder and ,..president for the past six years­has resigned from the Board ofDi­rectors to build our grassroots le­gal program.

Fortunately, long-time Boardmember and supporter, KathyFletcher, enthusiastically acceptedelection as our new president.Toby Cooper has taken over as Trea­surer of the Board and both are busy recruitingfolks to expand our Board to help shoulder thenew responsibilities of an extremely ambitiousstrategic plan.

The five-year plan also required major restruc­turing of staff and administration and that pro­cess is nearly complete. In the picture above, leftto right, is Tom Martens, Director of Conservation

Board of IlireetursKathy Fletcher,

PresidentRabbi Joseph Hurwitz.

Vice PresidentToby Cooper,

TreasurerSharon Cavallo.

SecretaryDon DiandaSteve PrattJohn TaftJohn Thompson. M.D.William NewsonHonorine FlanaganMargaret Owings.

President Emeritus

NewsletterDesigll/Prodll<:tion:

Jenni Haas

Hunorary BuardRobert BatemanMichael BlakeSybil BrandDoris DayMr. & Mrs. Gordon P. GeltyMarian HeisklO'llBarry LopezPett'r MatthiessenRue McClanahanRussel PetersonRobert RedfordNathaniel P. ReedDr. George SchallerChlistine StevensHon. Russel Train

Stuff:Exewlive Director:

Lynn SadlerDirector of ConservationPrograms:

Tom MartensAnti-Poaching Director:

Caitlin RiversAdministrative Director:

Carsynn CostaOffice MUlwger:

Mikey Biaggi

I~VIMG WIIOIII\11M 11~~1 01

Mountain LionFoundationP.O. Box 1896

Sacramento. Ca 95812916/442-2666

Fax 916/442-2871Web Page:

http://www.mlll-lion.org.Email:

mlnlion@ns.net

2

MLF

interestiug jobs

To volunteer

waiting for y011.

9161442-2666

"likefl Biuggi at

Ready, Willing &AbleLyn Whitcomb painting Carly, the "cougar cub"

This newsletter launches our series on very specialunpaid staff with an introduction to Lyn Whitcomb,Outreach Coordinator. By day, Lyn is a mild mannered

provider services representative for Foundation HealthServices. On nights and weekends, Lyn transforms into one ofour most energetic mountain lion advocates.

"The cause is what makes me so outgoing about this," Lynexplains. "All my shyness andinhibitions are gone. I don'tstutter. I don't hesitate. This issomething I am passionate about."

Those qualities are put to goodwork as Lyn takes the mountainlion display she created around tofairs and festivals. While onevolunteer paints a cougar face onour younger supporters, Lyn - orsome other seasoned volunteer­educates the parents aboutmountain lions and their habitatneeds, answering questions asneeded.

Working with Mikey Biaggi,MLF Office Manager, Lyn does allthe recruiting, training, bookkeep-ing and purchases for each event. She created the conceptsand is assisting in developing handouts and sales items.

"This experience has enhanced my life so much," Lynadds. "I've finally found my niche."

Her goal is to get this type of outreach going beyond thesurrounding areas and encourages interested folks to callMLF and volunteer to be a local outreach volunteer.

tIle initiatives

use the enclosed

envelope

liforniaLegislative Update

Remarkably, the two leadi ng pieces oflegislation we are con­sidering are no longer in the legislature. Both are initia­tives targeting the November 1998 ballot.

The first proposed initiative would provide a tax credit forfolks who donate habitat to the state and would provide addi­tional funding for parks and wildlife from state revenues from oilcompanies. This is a very exciting proposal and the more than$100 million per year it would provide would probably mean thedifference between some species surviving or being driven toextinction. MLF Director Lynn Sadler is on the steering commit­tee for this effort, will be carefully reviewing the details, and willbe letting you know how you can make sure this proposal passes.

The other proposed initiative would ban body-gripping trapsand two deadly poisons as means of capturing and killing wild­life. These prohibitions would help eliminate two very inhumane

and indiscrimate types of killers.We are examining this initiativeclosely to determine if it would ac­complish its stated purposes andif it appears to be poli tically viable.If it looks as good as it sounds, MLFwill become actively involved in itspassage.

For the record, there are likelyto be other environmental ballotmeasures that we support that pro­vide park bond funding for wild­

life, help clean the air, and perhaps reform forestry. We will keepyou posted as these proposals solidify.

California Endangered Species Act legislation looms large inthe legislature and in the courts. MLF is supporting SB 879 whichwould set very strict conditions about when a developer couldbuild in habitat that affects endangered species. For more infor­mation on this and other bills, check out www.sen.ca.gov.

Assembly Member Mike Machado's AB 739 would create mini­mum fines for poaching, a proposal long needed. It requirespoaching cases to be prosecuted and will help end an era ofhand slapping that has plagued our state and allowed our wild­life to be illegally slaughtered.

The Budget continues to be exciting as deadlines loom andnegotiations continue. Most thrilling for wildlife enthusiasts is a

•

vision that creates a fund that would provide $68 million foritat resources this year. This Natural Resources Infrastruc­

ture Fund is one of the most exciting developments in the legis-lature this year. We are working with a coalition of groups toencourage its passage. MLF

• volunteer 10'-

3

4

MLF winslandmarl{ case inSupreme CourtMojave Ground Squirrel now protected

When the Fish and Game Commis­sion voted to de-list the Mojaveground squirrel in June 1993,

thereby removing its protections under theCalifornia Endangered Species Act(CESA), MLF responded quickly. Chal­lenging the decision as a violation of bothCESA and the California EnvironmentalQuality Act (CEQA), Mountain Lion Foun­dation et. al. v. Fish and Game Commis­sion was filed. Lead attorneys Joe Brecher,Esq., and Joel Reynolds of the aturalResources Defense Council were success­ful in the CEQA arguments before boththe Superior Court and Court of Appeal.

Similarly, on a vote of 5-2, the StateSupreme Court said that the Commissionhad violated its own CEQA procedures.The Court found that Kern County, whooriginally pushed the delisting, had sub­mitted a very weak inadequate documentwith no environmental analysis of the con­sequences of de-listing. That means theCourt threw out the de-listing so theMojave ground squirrel still has the CESAprotection it deserves.

Kern County may push another de-list­ing, attempting to follow all of the correctproceedings, but the courts ha e made itclear they will not be a rubb r tamp forthe Commission. If the science and docu­mentation are not there to upport an ac­tion, MLF stands ready to challenge themagall1.

New Strategic DirectionSupporting California's Gra sroots Wildlife Groups

Who will save California's wild animals in the 21st Century?It won't be state agencies with their dwindling funds, lack of regulatory

backbone and less than stellar history of protecting natural resources. It won'tbe the ever-shrinking federal government. And it won't be the tax-strappedlocal government agencies, long known for buckling to development pres­sures on wildlife and habitat decisions.

The future of wildlife will undoubtedly depend on the growing number ofsmall, independent, high-energy and all-volunteer nonprofit wildlife groups.

o scientist has ever counted these groups in California, but the evidenceof their work is evelywhere. Land trusts are preserving wildlife habitat. Wa­tershed groups are protecting riparian areas and wildlife corridors. eigh­borhood associations are creating wildlife preserves. Animal rescue and hu­mane groups have developed wildlife programs. Outdoor recreational groups,such as fly fishing, hiking, photography clubs, are doing seat-of-the-pantshabitat restoration projects.

In a major new strategic direction, the Mountain Lion Foundation's longrange plan calls for building a strong network of these wildlife groups by:

• Providing legal assistance to help them halt immediate threats to wild­life and habitat.

• Creating statewide ballot initiatives that direct public funds to their im­pOltant habitat protection projects.

• Ensuring that existing habitat-protection funds (such as Proposition 117)are made available for their work.

• Lobbying for creative incentives (such as tax credits) to support theirwork.

• Reforming state agencies in a way that public officials provide meaning­ful support for work of grassroots groups.

• Providing the research on model land use plans for dealing with suchissues a wildlife corridors, watershed protection and endangered spe­cIes recovery.

The work will be part of the MLF's new California Wildlife Habitat Cam­paign, which will "help grassroots activists protect and restore habitat neededfor sustainable wildlife populations."

"California is undergoing a new regional orientation to wildlife planning.Local areas are writing atural Communities Conservation Plan, HabitatConservation Plans, watershed plans," the new MLF strategic plan says. "Com­munities are increasingly adding wildlife elements to general plans.

"These trends present an enormous opportunity to work with gras rootactivists protecting wildlife habitat from immediate threats, while cr atingmodel restoration and recovery plans aimed at endangered species."

Saving California's Wildlife

Core Values

Mountain Lion Foundation Bold ew Strategic Plan For the Future

PREVENTI(ILLING!PRESERVE HABITAT!

These four words capture the essenceof the Mountain Lion Foundation's futurepriorities as spelled out in a new strategicplan that was adopted in June by the Boardof Directors.

The plan sets conservation and orga­nizational priorities for three to five years,and it was produced after a comprehen­sive review of the foundation's history,achievements, strengths and weaknesses.

•

"The plan envisions the foundationltinuing its impOltant work ensuring that

mountain lions remain protected, whileusing that powerful symbol to preserveother wildlife, " said Bill Yeates, whoserved as MLF President during the plan­writing work.

"The three campaigns in the plan callfor a renewed commitment to working withgrassroots wildlife groups and individualactivists," said Yeates, who founded MLFin 1986.

"We acknowledge that local partner­ships for wildlife are critical to long-termprotection and enhancement of sustainablepopulations of wild animals and their habi­tat," he added in the introduction to theplan.

Funded by a grant from the True orthFoundation, work on the plan stalted sixmonths ago by surveying a dozen wildlifegroups to asse s their priorities and to getsuggestions on MLF's future wildlife-sav­ing priori tie .

•"We conducted the sUlvey to find out

out the other wildlife protection organi­zation ," said MLF Executive DirectorLynn Sadler, who conducted the survey."We didn't want any of our future

continued on page 7

Cougar as a SymbolWe believe the cougar is the foremost symbol of our vanishing wilderness.

As its habitat disappears, so do its only chances for survival. And when thecougar is in peril, so is every other living thing in its ecosystem.

As a society, we assume responsibility for the welfare of not only the cougar,but all wildlife. Their sUlvival is now a moral obligation.

Grassroots LeadershipWe believe that our role is to collaborate with many diverse and like-minded

grassroots wildlife organizations and individuals who are working to protect wild­life and habitat. We respect the opinions and skills of local activists and en­comage their leadership in the wildlife protection movement.

Measuring SuccessWe will measure our success on how well our work protects wild animals.

Our operational style is oriented to being aggressive advocates for wildlife andhabitat.

Mountain Lion HuntingWe oppose the sport hunting of mountain lions on the grounds that is bio­

logically and morally unjustified. Sport hunting is neither a legitimate wildlifemanagement technique nor a morally justified recreational activity.

Science and DecisionsAs much as possible, our decisions will be based on the best known science

on what is good for the wild animals.

Wildlife EthicWe believe that animals have a right to exist naturally. We disagree with the

prevailing wildlife model that says wild animal management should alway beoriented toward hunting. We support management that is oriented toward us­taining natural wildlife populations.

Cause of the ProblemsWe will attack the root causes of problems for wildlife and their habitat,

rather than dwelling on the symptoms.

5

•The mission 01 the Mountain Lionis to protect mountain lions, wilellhabitat in Calilornia anel other are

that a wildlile heritage eneluluture generations.

The Foundation will prevent theunnecessary and inappropriate killing of

wildlife.

Campaign for a NewWildlife Ethic

Purpose: To create a new ethic so that sustainability, ratherthan killing is the basis for wildlife management.

Strategies: In 1997, the foundation will aggressively de­fend against the California Department of Fish and Gameplans to promote mountain lion hunting in big horn sheepcountry.

In 1998, the foundation will focus on statewide initia­tives to eliminate inhumane and inappropriate methods ofkilling animals, such as trapping and hounding.

In 1998, the foundation will launch a three-year effortto reform the DFG and the California Fish and Game Com­mission in order to strengthen their ability to protect wild­life without such a reliance on hunting as a prime means ofmanaging populations.

In 1998, the foundation will publish a public policy studyshowing the economic benefits of non-game management.

Crimes Againstthe Wild Campaign

Purpose: To greatly reduce the amount of poaching ofCalifornia's wildlife through public education and changesin the law.

Strategies: In 1997, the foundation will publish an a.poaching manual for prosecutors and judges.

In 1997, the MLF will distribute anti-poaching publicservice announcements to the media.

In 1997, the foundation will begin an annual award torecognize the anti-poaching efforts of individuals.

In 1998, the foundation will conduct a policy study ofthe needs for additional wardens in California.

In 1998, the MLF will advocate dramatically increasingthe funding for wardens and anti-poaching measures.

Wildlife Education CampaignPurpose: To expand the awareness of the need to

preserve California's wildlife and habitat.

6

Foundation's Priorities

Build on a Base of

Education, Fundraising

Strategies: In 1997, the foundation will increasethe number of newsletters it publishes.

In 1998, the foundation will work with educa­tors, develop a K-12 wildlife curriculum that fea­tures mountain lion and wildlife protection.

In 1998, the foundation will update its "CrimesAgainst the Wild" anti-poaching book. •

:oundatione and theirsto ensure~s lor

The Foundation will protect habitat inorder to sustain healthy wildlifepopulations in their native areas.

California WildlifeHabitat Campaign

Purpose: To protect and restore wildlife habitat throughacquisition, litigation, proper planning and increased publicfunding for grassroots wildlife groups.

• Strategies: In 1997, the foundation will begin a new pro­gram to provide litigation support for small grassroots wild­life groups.

In 1998, the foundation will work on a statewide ballotinitiative to provide funding for wildlife habitat protection.

In 1998, the MLF will work with grassroots activistsand agencies to create model recovery plans for endan­gered species.

In 1998, the foundation will expand its work to ensurethat Prop. 117 funds are used to protect wildlife habitat.

Reorganizing to Support GrassrootsPurpose: To increase the foundation's capacity to raise

funds and create a new ba e of support for thegrassroots and habitat protection work.

Strategies: In 1997, the MLF will expand thefoundation's Board of Directors to more effectivelygovern and raise funds.

In 1997, the foundation will rai e more funds frommajor donors, foundations and corporations.

,n 1998, the foundation will examine a subsidiaryganization to build broad-based coalitions for habi­

tat protection.

continuedfrom page 5

conservation priorities to duplicate the work of others."Armed with that information, board and staff members held

a planning retreat and reaffirmed the organization' mission to"protect mountain lions, wildlife and their habitat in Califor­nia and other area to ensure that our wildlife helitage en­dures for future generation ."

Following that, the plan sets out two broad goals. In future,the foundation would work to:

• Prevent the unnecessary and inappropriate killing of wild­life; and

• Protect and restore habitat to sustain healthy populationsof wildlife.

To meet these goals, the foundation will embark on threecampaIgns:

A "Campaign for a New Wildlife Ethic" will instill in pub­lic agencies such as the California Department of Fish andGame a new wildlife ethic where killing isn't the prime tool formanagement.

A "Crimes Against the Wild Campaign" expands on theMLF's enormously successful anti-poaching efforts.

The "California Wildlife Habitat Campaign" prevents im­mediate threats to wildlife through litigation, while develop­ing meaningful long-term plans and public fund to restorewildlife habitat.

MLF's strategic planners quickly figured out that suchsweeping campaigns could not be done alone.

While the foundation willmantain its presence as a watch­dog and advocate in the State Capitol, the organization willincrease its work creating and supporting a vast network oflocal grassroots wildlife activists.

In 1997, the MLF will create a new legal wing to providefree or low cost litigation support to small grassroots wildlifegroups.

"This means providing them with immediate help when aparticular onerous project destroys habitat," aid Tom Mar­tens, the MLF's conservation director who will manage the newprogram. "It would also mean helping them ensure that publicagencies such as the DFG follow their own environmental laws."

The new legal work is being made possible with a start-upgrant from the Giles and Elise Mead Foundation.

In addition to legal support, the new grassroots work willfocus on strengthening the ability to do their work through tech­nical assistance and by lobbying for public funds to supporttheir important local work.

This will include not only ensuring that Proposition 117funds are spent wisely, but also creating new sources of fundsfor habitat protection.

When completed in five years, the new MLF will have cre­ated a new generation of wildlife activists and expanded pub­lic funding to support their work.

7

New Legal Program HelpsGrassroots Groups Protect Wildlife •

o one likes to go to court, but ome­times it's the only choice for grassrootsgroups working to protect wildlife.

While large wildlife groups can easilypay for legal help, most small, locally­based organization do not have the ne­cessary funds to ask the courts to protectwildlife.

To help these groups, the MountainLion Foundation is starting a new programto provide legal assistance to California'small wildlife groups.

The program will support the groupsin two ways:• Through direct legal assistance from en­

vironmental attorneys who work coopera­tively with law schools;

• And by matching the grassroot groupswith law firms willing to donate their ser­vIces.

Funded with a start-up grant from theGiles and Elise Mead Foundation, the pro­gram will be managed by the MLF staff,who will work closely with attorney Bill

Yeates, who heads a Sacramento public in­terest law firm.

Yeates is the founder of the MLF, whoserved for many years on the organization'sBoard of Directors. He re igned from theboard in June in order to work on thisproject.

For more information on the project orto provide financial support, contact MLFstaff member Tom Martens in the Sacra­mento office.

MLF

STRATEGIC PLAN

Thanl{ YouThe Mountain Lion Foundation's new

strategic plan would not have been pos­sible without the help of many key indi­viduals and groups. Most notably, True NorthFoundation helped underwrite oUI' planningprocess. Their supp0l1 gave us the oppor­tunity involve many more experiencedleaders to assist us.

Members of the MLF all-volunteerBoard of Directors met in a two-day retreatto decide on the future programs. PlannersAllen Goldstein and Vern Goehring helped fa­cilitate the retreat discussion, focus the is-ues and shape the plan.

Additionally, leaders from severalgroups participated in the strategic plan­ning survey: Planning and ConservationLeague, ational Audubon Society, EndangeredHabitats League, California Biodiversity Alliance,

atural Heritage Institute, California League ofConservation Voters, Oak Foundation, CaliforniaWaterfowl Association, Humane Society of theU.S., California State Park Rangers Association,Committee for the Preservation of the Tule Elk,California Trout, and The ature Conservancy.

Many thanks to all.

8

New Image,New Program

The mountain lion, once a predatorto be exterminated, has been elevated

in the minds of Californians to itsrightful place at the top of the food

chain.The image has served the

Mountain Lion Foundationwell as an icon for the needto not only preserve this mag­nificent animal, but also as asymbol of the need to protectother wildlife.

While the mountain lion will continue to be a domi­nant icon for the foundation, the strategic plan calls forit to soon be joined by another image that reflects an

expanded wildlife program.The drawing above reflects the work of a soon-to­

developed subsidiary organization of the foundation thatwill be devoted entirely to working with gras roots wild­life groups to protect California's unique heritage of

wildlife habitat.

For recorded information, dial:1 staff directory2 membership, sales, volunteering3 wildlife updates and alerts4 addres , fax number and internet

addres es

TechnologicalUpdate

Individual telephone extensions and e­mail addresses are:

]01 Lynn Sadlerlynnsadler@mtn-lion.org

105 Tom Martenst.martens@mtn-lion.org

103 Caitlin Riverscaitlin@mtn-lion.org

104 Carsynn Costacarsynn@mtn-lion.org

100 Mikey Biaggimtnlion@ns.net

Our phone is normally answered byMikey Biaggi, a live (very) per on! If herline is busy or it is after hours, you will geta general voice mail message. You may im­mediately dial any extension ju t as soonas the message starts:

When planning your estate, please consider the MLF:• By earmarking a donation in your will.• By naming us beneficiary of insurance policies or retire-

ment plans.• Through donations of appreciated stocks or prope11y.• With a charitable remainder trust.• Through a philanthropic gift that is directed to a specific

purpose.• Or with another planned-giving vehicle.

Create a Legacy for LionsThere was a frail, elderly person - whose name we promised

never to reveal- with a dying wish .Protect as many mountain lions as much as possible with money

from an estate, our benefactor asked in a bequest to the MountainLion Foundation.

That gift helped galvanize opposition to Proposition 197, a bal­lot measure that would have made hunting mountain lions legal again.Thanks in good part to that gift, an education campaign was launchedon the deceptions of Prop. 197. As a result, voters resoundingly de­feated the measure, and lions remain protected to this day.

•

•

With highly personalized service, we can help you through theprocess - whether it's understanding estate planning options or byhelping solve a tax problem.

For more information, please contact Tom Martens, MountainLion Foundation, Box 1896, acramento, CA. 95812 (916-442-2666,ext. 106).

Together, we can create an enduring partner hip [or wildlife, alegacy [or lions.

I[ we are gone or on another line andyou get a voice mail message, you may hit# to skip listening to it and leave your mes­sage. Or you may immediately dial a newe tension. (We do try to include in ourmessages when we will be gone [or ex­tended period, so you might want to lis­ten to it once.)

MLF

9

MOUNTAIN LION FOUNDATION

Gifts for Cat LoversCOUGAR:THE AMERICAN LIONby Kevin Hansen

Written by Kevin Hansenin association with MLF,Cougar: The American Lionis the most definitive bookto date on the mountain lionin North America! Thisbeautiful and informativebook is accented with beautiful color photos and afOIward by Robert Redford.

$19.95 plus tax (7.75% for CA residents) and ship­ping ($3).

MOUNTAIN LION ACTIVITY BOOK

by Sandra ChisholmRobinson, Put out by theDenver Museum of NaturalHistory this story and activitybook is great for grade levels3-8. Ideal for educators, groupleaders and parents.

$7.95 plus tax (7.75% forCA residents) and shipping($2).

MAKE A SPECIAL DONATION

Yes, I would like to help protect mountain lions.Enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution.

•

CITIZENS GUIDE TO THE CALIFORNIAENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT

by Bill Yeates, Mountain Lion Founda-tion Founder, Past President and one o[ thestates's leading California EnvironmentalQuality Act attorneys. This user friendlyguide, published by the Planning and Con­servation League, will help activists wieldCalifornia's most important law to protecawildlife from the asphalt and bulldozers 01.development.

$15 plus tax (7.75% [or CA residents)and shipping ($2).

]\10L:I\TAIN LIONF'OUNtlATION

BRONZE KEY CHAlN

Designed exclusively [orMLF, this stunning bronze keychain with a bas relief image ofa mountain lion, not only carries

your keys, but will serve as aconstant reminder of why we need

to protect this elusive creature.$8.95 plus tax (7.75% for CA residents) and shipping ($2).

COUGAR COMMEMORATIVET-SHIRT

MLF has been protectingCalifornia's Wildlife for tenyears! To celebrate California'striumph we created a specialcommemorative T-shirt. Thismountain lion design wascreated especially for MLF. Allshirts are 100% cotton andcome in white or natural.(Available in SM/LG/XUXXL).

$15.95 plus tax (7.75% CAresidents) and shipping ($2).

lO

Put your cigarette bulls into a proper receptacle. Butts thrown onsidewalks and streets are washed down gutter drains and straightinto the river! There, they contaminate the water you share with

wildlife. Did you know that a used filter can contain enough

toxins to kill a squirrel'?

Quick and Simple Tips for Protecting Wildlife

One Year "Adoption" Fee is 25.00

Adopt-A-LionThe "Adopt-A-Lion" program gives friends like you a means to

help protect thi majestic predator while learning more about theirbehavior, characteristics and range." dopt" one for a friend or fam­ily member. They make terrific gifts. Because of the mountain lion'elusive nature, we can't track each lion.

WISH LIST

When you Adopt-A-Lion, you'll receive:• Adoption Certificate which includes a photo of your lion• Personal adoption papers• Fact and survival sheets• Over the course of the next year, you'll receive quarterly news­

letters• Personal satisfaction

Gifts in Kind

Point and shoot cameras (3) for outreach events

Newspaper and magazine subscriptions

POitable exhibit backdrop frame

Kodak carousel slide projectors (2)

Memberships in wildlife societies

Underwrite with a Contribution

PIaill paper FAX ($500)

Computer (2) ($1,000 each)

Network program ( 1,000)

Member hip soft~ware ( 1,500)

etwork file server ( 3,000)

Anti-poaching book update ( 25,000)

Volunteer

omeone to update our Web Page weekly

Office help in Sacramento

Arlist to do pen-and-ink sketches of I ildlife

If)ou I,ish to donate an item, please contact Mikey at

916/442-2666 ext. 100 or e-mail us at rntnlion@ns.nel.

Donations to the Moulltain Lion Foundation are lax deductible.

Don't feed the wildlife, either on IJUrpose or by negligence. Remove

pet foods, secure trash can lids and mop up spills. Animals thathang around homes are often killed by animal control, turning

what you may have perceived a kindness into a death sentence.If you live around skunks, be sure to clean that sweet grease offyour barbecue. If you live in bear country, you should also bringbird feeders inside at night and make sure fallen fruit is re­

moved. lf you live around mountain lions, coyotes or roaming

dome tic dogs, bring your pets in at night.

Keep your cats indoors and make sure they are spayed or neutered.

Studies conducted by the University of Wisconsin found thateach year in the Uni ted States, domestic cats kill several hun­dreds of millions of our songbirds. Your cat can eat in the kitchen.The birds have to catch what they can - even when they areexhausted from their migrations to South America. It is no won­der that many songbird species are imperiled. Give them a break.

MLF

11

MLF SPOTLIGHTSANTI-POACHINGACCOMPLISHMENTS

Poachers usually do the spotlighting. They stalkour state's back roads under cover of darknessand, using powerful spotlights mounted on truck

cabs, they momentarily blind and transfix deer. Amoment is all an experienced poacher needs to ille­gally shoot and steal wild animals.

Now the Mountain Lion Foundation is turning aspotlight on successful efforts to stop poaching withthe first annual "Margaret Owings Anti-PoachingAward." On October 18, at a dinner hosted at theMonterey Bay Aquarium, MLF will honor a wildlifeprotection professional for their outstanding com­mitment and work to protect California's wildlife frompoachers.

Named after Margaret Owings, MLF's cofounderand first president, this award is made possible bythe fundamental support and vision of Sam and MaryMills of the Vanguard Foundation, Julie Packard,the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Regina BauerFrankenburg Foundation for Animal Welfare, andwildlife sculptor Dwight Lutsey.

Printed by Commerce Printing, Sacramento, CA

Cover banner photo courtesy of Alan Carey

MOUNTAIN LION FOUNDATIONProtpcting C(lL~fimli(l\ WiLdL~j('

P.O. Box 1896

Sueramenlo, CA 958]2916/442-2666

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•Thanks to the athan Cummings Foundation, the Campaignhas translated its two public service announcements into six lan­guages. In addition to English, the PSA's are available in pan­ish, Korean, Vietnamese, Laotian, Chinese, and Japanese. Ifyou'd like to lobby your local television station(s) to air them orshare them with community groups and organizations, pleasecontact MLF.

The support of the Roberts Foundation has been instrumentalin enabling the Anti-Poaching Campaign to initiate our "WildChild: Kids Who Care About Our Wild Planet" educational out­reach project. Research has shown that children, even those ofpoachers, when taught the need for protecting and conservingwildlife, can also enhance their parents attitudes about wildlife.Beginning with the internet, we will educate California kids abouttheir wildlife, poaching, and poaching prevention.

The Anti-Poaching Campaign extends its thanks to internAndy Spafford, a law student at the University of San Francisco,for his research for the "Practitioner's Guide to Poaching Law."Eric Speiss, an attorney in Sacramento, recently volunteered toassist with further research and development. Made possible bythe support of generous volunteers as well as the Regina BauerFrankenburg Foundation, this guide will assist judges, district •attorneys and other wildlife law enforcement officials in the suc-cessful prosecution of wildlife crimes. If you are an attorney orthird-year law student who would like to volunteer in the re-search and preparation of this document please contact us foran interview.

MLF

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