News, Publications, and Reports
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AlTo sends out three newsletters per year and electronic updates on alternate months.
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ALTO’S CURRENT NEWS
Update September 2024:
How We’re Connected: The Coconut Connection
by Cliff Rice, PhD
Did you know that Indonesia is the world’s leading producer of coconuts? Also, plenty of this production comes from Sulawesi, the island where AlTo works. In this update, we will explore the connections between growing coconuts in the tropics and the consumption of various coconut products elsewhere.
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Newsletter July 2024:
- Maleos at Kaumosongi: Numbers increased 7-fold, protected until 2044!
- Conservation Awareness goes back to school
- Tompotika: with three increasing sites, it’s now a stronghold for maleo recovery
- New Czech Sea Turtle Collaboration
- Art for Conservation: Celebrating Forests in the Pacific Northwest and Sulawesi
- The Faces of AlTo – Etty Seno: “For the future of our children”
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Newsletter April 2024:
- The Preserve Grows: Land purchase expands protected area in Panganian
- Monjagai Tompotika Rangers: A new corps of community rangers to protect Tompotika’s forests and wildlife
- Community Benefits: Free Reading Glasses
- Restoration: Trees for Tangkuladi’s Bats
- The Faces of AlTo – Ardi Managkari: Farmer, Dammar Collector, Forest Protector
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Update February 2024:
The Neighing of Horses
When the Alliance for Tompotika Conservation (“Al-To”) was formed, we picked a venerable namesake. At 1600m tall (5200 ft), Mount Tompotika is the hub and centerpiece of the 2500 km2 (c. 1000 mi2) peninsula where AlTo works; geographically and culturally, the whole peninsula turns on Tompotika. At its summit, Mt. Tompotika is noted for three distinct peaks, and the three separate ethnic groups native to this region—the Saluan, Balantak, and Banggai peoples—all honor…
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RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
Degree of egg‑taking by humans determines the fate of maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) nesting grounds across Sulawesi
Summers, M., et al.
2023 – Biodiversity and Conservation
Full Article Here
“Someday we will all learn anew through hands that love us”: Protecting a key insular population of the Sulawesi Fruit Bat Acerodon celebensis
Summers, M., Bunsung, R., & Manasai, W.
2021 – Conservation Science and Practice
Full Article Here
Maleo Macrocephalon maleo population recovery at two Sulawesi nesting grounds after community engagement to prevent egg poaching
Tasirin, J., et al.
2021 – Global Ecology and Conservation
Full Article Here
NEWS ARCHIVES
UPDATES
NEWSLETTERS
AlTo Update October 2023: A Death in the Rainforest
AlTo Update July 2023: “My forest is whispering softly…”
AlTo Update February 2023: Long- and Dearly-Held Cultural Traditions Can Change
AlTo Update October 2022: Mandiodo: Money, Mud, and Misery
AlTo Update September 2022: A Maleo named Amirudin
AlTo Update July 2022: Palm Oil Part 2
AlTo Update June 2022: Palm Oil Part 1
AlTo Update March 2022: Forests. YES.
AlTo Update December 2021: You Did It!
AlTo Update September 2021: This is how it grows
AlTo Update July 2021: The Bat Defender
AlTo Update March 2021: The Pandemic: Everybody needs to know this
AlTo Update February 2021: How we’re connected: Nickel, AlTo, and you
AlTo Update December 2020: Happy holidays and thank you! You are already helping to prevent the next pandemic
AlTo Update August 2020: One primate family
AlTo Update June 2020: A bright star
AlTo Update March 2020: As if the whole world depended on it
AlTo Update February 2020: A tale of two poachers
AlTo Update October 2019: For want of a shovel
AlTo Update May 2019: Life amongst the dead
AlTo Update October 2018: Earthquake. Tsunami. Trees.
AlTo Update May 2018: Waging Peace for a Third Thing
AlTo Update February 2018: True Wealth
AlTo Update September 2017: Upang and the Maleo Worms
AlTo Update February 2017: Experience Conversion
AlTo Update May 2016: Recovery Happens
AlTo Update March 2016: Beyond Elections
AlTo Update January 2016: Sharing Stuff
AlTo Update October 2015: Dawn Chorus, Sulawesi Style
AlTo Update September 2015: Spitting on Forest Fires
AlTo Update May 2015: Happy Endangered Species Day!
AlTo Update February 2015: Preparing for Wonderful Things
AlTo Update December 2014: What Maleos Teach Us About Parenting, Trust, and the World We Live In
AlTo Update August 2014: Art Has Changed Things
AlTo Update May 2014: Listening Hard
AlTo Update August 2013: The Bat Man of Batu Bassi
AlTo Update April 2013: Small is Beautiful
AlTo Update January 2013: Conservation = Reclaiming Our Identity
AlTo Update December 2012: Thanks for gifts you have already given
AlTo Update September 2012: This is the Frontier
AlTo Update August 2012: In Praise of Guano
AlTo Update May 2012: Have Fun and Leave a Lasting Legacy
AlTo Update April 2012: Give BIG like the Maleo!
AlTo Update January 2012: Elegy and Celebration
AlTo Update December 2011: All Creatures Great and Small
AlTo Update September 2011: Mt. Tompotika: The View from the Top
AlTo Update June 2011: Ideas for building the future
AlTo Update January 2011: The Ghost of Tompotika
AlTo Update December 2010: The Giving Tree
AlTo Update September 201o: What About Big Blood-thirsty Man-eaters?
AlTo Update May 2010: World Turtle Day May 23
AlTo Update April 2010: Salutary Stories from Tompotika
AlTo Update March 2010: Portrait of a Predator, Converted
AlTo Update January 2010: This is for you.
AlTo Update December 2009: What happens when the world opens
November 2023
A New Forest Preserve: AlTo-village partnership proposes a new protected area in Tompotika; Learning the Birds; AlTo’s Tompotikan Staff Visit the USA; Her Name is Athena, and She’s Calling You!; It’s Here! Sulawesi Giant Civet; WPAS Does Maleo – and More!; More vegetables, more variety; In Memoriam: Steve Sears; The Faces of AlTo: Laurie Gano
April 2023
Festival Returns!; What we need most; The Panganian Preserve expands; Jackoustic; Festival: Changing young lives; The Season for Giving; The Faces of AlTo
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November 2022
A New World Record; The Gift of Clear Vision; Bats Are Thriving in Tompotika; Protect the Forest; World Maleo Day – Nov 21; The Season for Giving; The Faces of AlTo
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May 2022
The Beloved Maleo: The good, the bad, and the beautiful; Tompotika Forests: Stepping up our protection effots in the face of new mining pressures; The first mining casualties: Teku sea turtles; A mine in our village: What are the effects?; The Faces of AlTo: Bryony Angell: Birder, Writer, and Parent
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November 2021
AlTo Apprenticeship: How to build a conservation professional; AlTo Research Published: Two articles document AlTo conservation success in peer-reviewed scientific journals; News Briefs: Mining activity increasing in Tompotika, Covid-19 in Tompotika; New Preserve: Maleo restoration
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May 2021
We speak for the trees: First case of illegal logging prosecuted in the region; The bat book: The origins of the pandemic explained; Who is Athena and what is her Circle?; The faces of AlTo: Galen Priest, Senior Science Advisor and Outreach Specialist
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November 2020
Partnership: AlTo’s collaborative approach is key to conservation success; COVID-19: Community-based means COVID-resilient conservation; Portrait of a partner: Yudil Dilao, Hunter-turned guardian; Outreach: AlTo goes home; The Faces of AlTo: Ichsan Tobing: Advisor, Ally, Advocate
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May 2020
Festival: What kind of world do we want?; COVID-19 in Tompotika: Protecting the vulnerable, facilitating long-term change; Jackoustick! Music for conservation contest bigger than ever; The faces of AlTo: Focus on women and girls
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November 2019
For its own sake: Villagers renew and deepen their commitment to maleo conservation; Saving Bat Island: Tangkuladi Island lease renewal protects bats, sea turtles-and rainforests-for another ten years; Law enforcement – No longer just talk; “We got an upgrade!”: AlTo staff give presentations at conferences; The faces of AlTo; The Bear Cuscus: Mystery, Gravitas, and… Cuteness
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April 2019
Two for two: Kaumosongi confirmed as AlTo’s second maleo recovery site; Healing nature, helping people: AlTo helps aid victims of the Palu earthquake and tsunami; Annual fund 2019: Terima Kasih!; Not just another pretty endangered face: The maleo as a conservation ambassador for all; The faces of AlTo: Wiranto Abas, AlTo Conservation Officer.
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November 2018
The Great Maleo Comeback: What does it look like when an endangered species recovers?; Securing the land: Government action formalizes maleo habitat protection; New faces at AlTo: Sukendra Mahalaya; New faces at AlTo: Virginia James; Measuring Success: How effective are AlTo’s Outreach efforts?
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July 2018
Protect and Restore: When damage is done, Nature gets help in healing; How Are They Doing: Assessing Maleo’s status across their full range; Kaumosongi Maleos: Protect and Restore; Restoring Tangkuladi Bat Island; The Faces of AlTo: Keven Schafer, Photographer and U.S. Board V-P.
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April 2018
Building Conservation Professionals: NGO staff gather to create a “Culture of Care”; Festival 2018: Drama and music delight and inspire Tompotika villagers; Faye Wilkinson: Still making a difference; Jackoustick: Contest sparks new original music for conservation by Tompotika artists; The Faces of AlTo: The Cooking Ladies of Tanah Merah.
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November 2017
Our Actions Matter: Outreach in remote villages spotlights deep jungles and their wildlife; Of Hunters and Hunting: How and why Tompotikans hunt endangered wildlife; New research turns up little-known bat species; Sea Turtle Hatchlings: More healthy babies this year; The Faces of AlTo: Simon Purser, AlTo’s New Program Director.
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July 2017
Eyewitness to Recovery: AlTo field trips give Tompotika kids a rare direct view of endangered maleos; Going Wider and Deeper: AlTo catalyzes Sulawesi-wide outreach campaign for endangered forest mammals; The benefits of conservation: Scholarships for rural students; The Faces of AlTo: The Babirusa: Not what you might think.
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March 2017
Festival! AlTo’s 2nd Tompotika International maleo and Sea Turtle celebration wows villagers; Jackoustick: Contest sparks the creation of new music for conservation; More Kids’ books delivered through the Tompotika Children’s Library Project; New research program to address never-before-studied maleo questions; The Faces of AlTo: Looking closely reveals hidden faces.
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April 2016
Bring in the Light! New Children’s Library Established in Tompotika; Climate Change in Tompotika: Fires, Floods, and Failed Crops; Maleo program stronger than ever; On the Tarsier Trail: Survey finds tarsiers of Tompotika are abundant and distinctive; The Faces of AlTo: Sheila Eckman – AlTo’s Program Assistant.
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November 2015
Climate Change: in Tompotika: Fires, Floods, and Failed Crops; Standing our Ground: helping government move to avert a maleo disaster; In Memoriam: Dr. Jack Barbash, Consummate Conservationist; Kids’ Books Project: Just in time for the holidays!; The Faces of AlTo: Dilawati Manjong, future AlTo staff member.
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August 2015
Raising Awareness: Spreading the conservation message in Tompotika; On the Tarsier Trail: Volunteer with Tompotika’s first scientific tarsier survey; Shameless Advertising; More Research Needed…; The Faces of AlTo: The Anoa, buffalo of the jungle.
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March 2015
Festival! Celebrating conservation at the first Tompotika International Maleo and Sea Turtle Festival; Tompotika Schools get Involved: Creativity for conservation; Tompotika Tarsiers 2016: Join AlTo for a scientific expedition; The Faces of AlTo: Nick Fury, clowning for conservation.
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November 2014
Maleos: How Bright the Future!; A New Era: Bat Island receives official government protected status; Teku Sea Turtle Program Keeps On Growing!; Festival 2015: Maleos and Sea Turtles Scale it Up!; The Faces of AlTo: Dr. John Tasirin, Sulawesi’s Native Son.
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June 2014
Maleos Safe Again!…and returning to nesting ground in record numbers; Youth Drama Festival: Tompotika youth take maleo and sea turtle show on the road; What’s that on the scan?; Gates not open wide; The long arm of the law gets longer; New face at AlTo’s US Office, Sheila Eckman; Indonesian Government: Conserving maleo and sea turtle habitat is essential!; The Faces of AlTo: Sandra Noel, Volunteer Extraordinaire.
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February 2014
Still Out There: New maleo nesting sites discovered in Tompotika; Youth Drama Festival: Endangered wildlife to be celebrated in Tompotika youth production; Community-Based Conservation: Community division means a setback for maleos; We’re Coming to America; The Faces of AlTo: Alfred Russel Wallace.
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October 2013
Pulau Tangkuladi: New island sanctuary for bats and sea turtles; Essential Ecosystems: Government declares Taima a new national conservation area; Clean water for Taima; New Maleo projects; Tompotika Bird Guide Delayed; The Law is on Our Side: Officials take a stand for maleos and sea turtles; The Faces of AlTo: Roma of Taima, Conservation Hero.
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July 2013
Where is Tompotika Anyway? And why should we care about it?; Tompotika.org Redesigned: AlTo’s website gets a facelift and new content; Water for Taima: New possibilities; Reconnaissance in Tompotika: Where are the best bats?; Law Enforcement Program Gathers Steam; The Faces of AlTo: Laura Bienen, AlTo Donor.
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February 2013
The Pride of Tompotika: Conservation villages celebrate their wildlife in two beautiful new mural paintings; No Bats, No Durian: AlTo’s new Bat Awareness Campaign is off and flying; Enforcing Wildlife Law: Progress in planning – and action; Keeping Maleos Connected: AlTo launches new effort to protect critical forest corridor; The Faces of AlTo: I Ketut Sukraba, Cacao Farmer.
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October 2012
Maleos and Turtles: Not for Sale!; A Field Guide to the Birds of Tompotika: AlTo’s guide will be a first for Tompotika and Sulawesi; Six Years of Maleo Recovery: a Progress Report; Giving Baby Sea Turtles a Chance; The Faces of AlTo: Tompotika’s Conservation Professionals.
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June 2012
Not Just Charming: Bats are essential for forests and fruits; AlTo Launches New law Enforcement Outreach Program; Training Local Professionals; New MoU with BKSDA; Maleo Numbers Continue to Grow; No taste for maleo Eggs; AlTo on Indonesian National TV; Do Your Part to Save Maleos and Sea Turtles – In Person; Keeping you informed, and AlTo fed; The Faces of AlTo: Sea Turtle Hatchlings.
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March 2012
Tripods in the Mud: Documenting Tompotika’s Natural Riches in Pictures; The Results Are In: Organic farming techniques dramatically improve soil and crops; Still Growing: Tompotika Forest Protection Receives a New Boost; Tompotika Mural Painting Trip: Rescheduled for 2012. The Faces of AlTo: The AlTo Team Grows by Two.
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October 2011
Turtle Evolution: Hatchings by the thousands from re-vamped program; Organic Farming for Healthy Forests: The training comes home; The Benefits of Conservation; Clean water for Taima village; The Faces of AlTo: The Tarsier, Miniature marvel.
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June 2011
More New Species in Tompotika! Survey discovers 2-3 shrew species brand new to science; AlTo is Five Years Old!; Conservation through Carbon Storage: Will REDD save forests and wildlife?; Why Art for Conservation; Seat Turtle Nesting Season 2011: AlTo and villages revamp our programs; The Faces of AlTo: Five-Year Allies.
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February 2011
For the Love of Birds: New Birding Skills Come to Tompotika; Art for Conservation Travel: Join us to create Tompotika’s first community murals; Trash Awareness Campaign: Tackling the litter problem school by school; Taima Village Declares New Sanctuary for Bats!; It’s All About Relationships: Maleo Disaster Averted; The Faces of AlTo: Meet our U.S. Board.
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October 2010
Putting Trash in its Place: New Awareness, New Habits in Tompotika; The Biodiversity Crisis: We all have a part to play; The Next Five Years in Taima: Healthy Maleos, happy People; Proper Disposal: Why Incinerate?; The Bats are Back!; The Faces of AlTo: Captive turtles and their release.
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June 2010
Food, Farms, and Forests: How organic farming is saving Tompotika’s rainforests; Recognizing Success: AlTo’s partner Taima wins the Maleo Award – Maleo numbers have tripled; The Faces of AlTo: A Scientist and His Discoveries.
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February 2010
The endangered Maleo, up from the grave: See what recovery looks like!; Be part of the Solution: Join AlTo’s 2010 Eco-Service Tour & Tompotika Trash Jamboree; Protecting the Whole, Protecting the Parts: Bat & Turtle Island; AlTo’s Conservation Awareness Campaign: Recruiting Nature Lovers for Tomorrow.
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October 2009
AlTo Survey Team Discovers Three Brand-New Species!; New Tompotika Forest Preserve: Now Ten Times Original Size; Tompotika’s First-Ever Butterfly Survey: We come bearing nets; Meet AlTo’s Splendid Staff; Tompotika Youth Calendar Project: High School Artists Celebrate Tompotika’s Wildlife.
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June 2009
Sea Turtles: How Do We Know It’s Working?; New Tompotika Rainforest Preserve Moving Forward; Art For Conservation: The Tompotika Youth Calendar Project; Meet our Indonesian Board; The Maleo: an evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered treasure.
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December 2008
New Tompotika Forest Preserve – from now to forever; First Sea Turtle Season: A Fourth Species!; Summer 2009: Tompotika Ecotour and Butterfly Survey.
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May 2008
AlTo Launches new Sea Turtle Conservation Program; Teku: Unearthing a hidden treasure in Tompotika; Be Aware or Be Square.
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November 2007
Year 1: 1300 Maleo Eggs; Art Birds: Conservation from the Heart; Have Maleos, Will Travel.
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May 2007
Maleo moratorium: A “Win-Win” for Everybody; Art Exchange to Promote Conservation Awareness; Come to Tompotika; AlTo’s new Logo by Gargoyle Design.
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December 2006
Moratorium Bears Fruit: First maleo Chicks Hatch!; Indonesia’s New Conservation Professionals; Dates set for next Tompotika Trip; AlTo’s own 501(c)3 Status Approved.
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REPORTS
Annual Report 2023
Full summary of AlTo’s 2023 activities and financials.
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Annual Report 2022
Full summary of AlTo’s 2022 activities and financials.
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Annual Report 2021
Full summary of AlTo’s 2021 activities and financials.
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Annual Report 2020
Full summary of AlTo’s 2020 activities and financials.
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ALTO IN THE NEWS
Associated Press News, December 6, 2023: Indonesian maleo conservation faced setbacks due to development and plans for a new capitol city
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San Diego Union Tribune, December 10, 2023: Bird conservation efforts face setbacks because of development
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Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, September 2021: Recent study highlights local group’s conservation successes
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Mongabay, August 9, 2021: Article: Maleos bounce back in Sulawesi after villagers resolve to protect their eggs
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New Scientist, July 30, 2021: Article: Endangered Maleo bird of Indonesia bouncing back from the brink
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Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber: April, 2021: Article: Shifting the Baseline Back Toward Truth
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