Afghanistan
Objective: assist Afghans with an interest in natural resource restoration to communicate and coordinate their actions during the rebuilding phase in Afghanistan. CMI currently serves on the steering committee for the Afghanistan Conservation Exchange, an informal group of individuals with an interest in natural resource restoration in Afghanistan. CMI provides a listserver, web site, and meeting support. Contact: Khaled Hassouna.

Objective: translate and publish a book entitled Mammals of Afghanistan by Khushal Habibi in the Dari language for use in training and management in Afghanistan. CMI will assist the author, The World Bank, The US Fish and Wildlife Service Internationl Conservation Division, and The Agha Khan Foundation in translating, editing, publishing, and distributing this book, the first of it's kind in Afghanistan. Contact: Jeff Waldon

Belize
Objective: assist the Government of Belize with biodiversity information management. CMI is working with the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Belize Audubon Society to maintain and further develop the Belize Biodiversity Information System.

Objective: co-direct the Las Cuevas Research Station. We have agreed to coadminister the Las Cuevas Field Station in Belize along with the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinborough, Maya Forest Enterprises Inc, University of Belize, and the Forestry Department of Belize. For more information click here or contact: Jeff Waldon

Objective: assist the Government of Belize in developing the Belize Biodiversity Clearinghouse Mechanism. We have have been contracted by the Forestry Department in Belize to develop their Biodiversity Clearinghouse Mechanism, a web site for sharing information on biodiversity resources and issues. This web site will permit Belize to comply with their commitments under the Interntional Convention for Biodiversity. For more information click here or contact: Jeff Waldon

Objective: provide a unique international educational experience to alumni and friends of the College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech. In February of 2006, we sponsored our first Alumni and Friends Study Tour to Belize. The trip was a great success, and we have plans to hold it again in 2007.

Bolivia
Objecitve: prepare a forestry resource information management needs assessment to support the Bolivia Sustainable Forestry Project. Lila Wills and Jeff Waldon are preparing an assessment and plan for forestry infomation management in Bolivia in 2005. Contact: Jeff Waldon.

Brazil
Objective: improve fisheries management education and planning in southern Brazil. CMI is assisting in the design of reservoir and stream management plans that will enhance tourism development in rural southern Brazil (Estado de Santa Cantarina). Emphasis is on hydropower reservoirs, restoration of native stream species, and evaluating the impacts of introduced rainbow trout. An academic exchange program to improve fisheries training also is being developed. Contact: Brian Murphy.

Cape Verde Islands
Objective: prepare a natural resource information system needs assessment for the Cape Verde Islands. CMI will perform a user needs assessment for the Cape Verde Islands in 2005 in collaboration with the USGS National Biological Information Infrastructure.

China
Objective: develop a fisheries management plan for Caohai Lake in Guizhou Province, China. This reservoir is severely impacted by overfishing, and programs are being developed to increase reservoir fish productivity by reducing overfishing, shifting fishers to other enterprises, and creating programs to educate the public to the values of resource protection. Contact: Brian Murphy.

Cuba
Objective: protect stocks of freshwater fish important to the development of a sport fishing tourist industry in Cuba. Special regulations to limit the impacts of commercial tilapia fisheries on largemouth bass stocks, practiced now for 8 years, have helped rebuild sport fish stocks to the point that foreign tourists now come to Cuba specifically to fish in freshwater. Contact: Brian Murphy.

Objective: survey populations of endemic birds in Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra, Cuba. CMI is working to create a student intern program that will assist Cuban biologists in avian surveys in this unique park, beginning with the Cuban pygmy owl. Contact: Brian Murphy.

Egypt
Objective:work with universities in Egypt to establish research exchanges and training programs. In the past we hosted a research from Alexandria University for a six-month sabbatical, and we continue to pursue collaborative projects in Egypt. We have memoranda-of-understanding with Alexandria University and Assiut University in Egypt. Contact: Khaled Hassouna.

El Salvador
Objective: provide an assessment of water, forest, and biodiversity resources for the government of El Salvador. CMI fielded one consultant to assist a team of professionals from Chemonics International to perform a rapid assessment of water, biodiversity and forest resources in El Salvador. This project was completed for USAID in January of 2004, and the final report is available on the Chemonics BIOFOR web site..

Kyrgyzstan
Objective: Establish a research and outreach center that can assist with sustainable development in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan has many opportunities for development that rely on natural resources. We have established several memoranda-of-understanding with agencies and organizations in Kyrgyzstan to begin the process of developing a CMI center as a result of an extended visit in the summer of 2004.. The center will focus on providing assistance and research support for sustainable development projects. Contact: Khaled Hassouna.

Nepal
Objective: assist The Mountain Institute in developing ecological monitoring and evaluation criteria for their project in Nepal. CMI is developing an appropriate vegetation monitoring and evaluation protocol for use by local TMI affiliates in Nepal. Contact: Verl Emrick.

Peru
Objective: assist The Mountain Institute in developing ecological monitoring and evaluation criteria for their project in Peru. CMI is developing an appropriate vegetation monitoring and evaluation protocol for use by local TMI affiliates in Peru. Contact: Verl Emrick.

Ukraine
Objective: provide training opportunities for ecologists from Ukraine. In October of 2003 we hosted a group of Ukrainian urban ecologists and provided training and background on a variety of areas useful for establishing a program in Ukraine. Memoranda-of-Understanding and a web site are under development. A listserver and limited research support will be provided to the group while they are getting established. Contact: Khaled Hassouna.