Madagascar Biodiversity Center

Introduction

Soon to be Madagascar's first biodiversity center, the Bibikely Biodiversity Center is a joint project of the Bibikely Biodiversity Institute, and the California Academy of Sciences, in cooperation with the Malagasy government.

an NGO founded and presently directed by Dr. Brian Fisher, preeminent field biologist, and the curator and chairman of the entomology department of the California Academy of Sciences.

The Center began operations in rented facilities in 2002, with plans to move to the permanent facility in late 2006.

Located within the Tsimbazaza National Zoological Park in Madagascar's capital city, Antananarivo, the new facility is adjacent to the Malagasy Academy of Sciences, the Academy Library, and the Academy Herbarium.

Goals

Conservation

The center was conceived in 2001 as a means to provide a safe and permanent home for the Bibikely Foundation to continue its work of cataloging and understanding the rich biological endowment that is Madagascar's biodiversity.

Center’s research will help to identify and protect more than three times the currently protected land in Madagascar.

Understanding

The Center will enable the Bibikely Biodiversity Institute to expand its work in understanding the ecosystems of Madagascar, particularly as they relate to arthropods.

Education

The Center will provide the facilities required to train a larger number of students, particularly those from Madagascar itself, in the science and practice of systematics, ecology, conservation and entomology.

Collection

The Center will also provide space to house the Malagasy government's National Arthropod Collection, a repository of thousands of specimens of arthropods collected on Madagascar. The collection makes possible a large part of the needed research on arthropods of Madagascar.

Funding

The Center is in grave need of further funding in order to complete its construction and to begin outfitting it with the equipment needed for its research and education missions.

Individuals and organizations interested in contributing should contact the fundraising coordinator.

ee also

*Bibikely Biodiversity Institute
*California Academy of Sciences

External links

* [http://bibikely.org Bibikely Biodiversity Institute]
* [http://www.antweb.org Antweb]