Conservation - Yonok (YWP) and Bird Conservation Society of Thailand.

This page has be produced to show the variety of work we will be doing for conservation Thailand.

Map - Mick Davies.

Proposed Wetland Conservation area; The boundaries were drawn up today by Dr P D Round & Mick Davies.

The boundary is highlighted in darker green and includes areas of good habitat within the agricultural network.

1 - Yonok and Nong Bong Kai ( Non Hunting Area) (Chiang Saen Lake). 2 - The Mekong and Little England.

3 - The Mekong - Chiang Klong (eastern Laos border). 4 - Salawin river (western Myanmar border).

Yonok Wetland Project - Bird Conservation Society of Thailand - Lanna Bird Group - Rajabhat University.

Present at this inaugural meeting were representatives from the BCST, Lanna Bird Group & Yonok Wetlands project. Described as a stakeholder meeting; Dr Mong gave a talk on Birds and conservation and the meeting was Chaired by Senior officials from Rajabhat University.

Sorry to say as an observer, I was left with rather mixed feelings on the matter. I was surprised that Dowrrong or Myself were not introduced at this meeting, a thank you would have been nice. Further; Dr Phil Round who flew up specially was also not introduced.

The major interested parties were relegated to the audience, including the BCST.

I had expected to see formulated ideas on how to mange this area for the future. This meeting was organized some months ago, however we did not receive a program or invitation in advance. preparation in advance is essential. It is an absolute requirement that all interested parties know the agenda.

Well a start has to be made, we will have to see what happens. I have so far not received details of the agenda of the proposed meeting planned for April.

Final word; The Summit Meeting was a direct result off the Sole Work of Yonok Wetlands Project in that we provided information freely collected over the past 2.5 years on initiatives we started in wildlife conservation of Yonok. This work we have under taken at our own expense.

Yonok Welands project will continue to look out for the local people and conservation of the wetland; with regard to hunting and damaging projects.

Thanks to Dr Phil Round & Dr Mong (BCST) for giving support and encouragement to Yonok Wetlands. Their help has been integral to the success of Yonok Wetlands Project, in creating interest in conserving this most valuable wilderness. Thank you from Dowroong & mick Davies.

2nd April 2008;

Wat Muenbuddha - Wittaya School.

Ban Sell School

Hendrik's raft for Yonok River Terns.

Nesting platform raft Designed & Donated by Hendrik Jacobs Prototype; We hope that this project will encourage both Birds and Local people to live in harmony in Yonok.

Khun Secsun (Village No;4 Nam Ham Rak) helped us place the raft in it's temporary resting place. Khun Secsun has pledged his support for Yonok Wetlands Project. Khun Secsun has been the most critical of our project, he explained he was worried as to out motives. Dowroong explained that our only interests are to keep Yonok for the local inhabitants, to stop hunting and keep Yonok safe in the hands of all people. we will do our utmost to protect Yonok for the future of all.

Khun Secsun will support this project, he is the last link in a chain of events that will save Yonok North and make this an amazing wetland "model project".

It has taken Dowroong and Myself just nine months to secure a very bright future for Yonok. On the 28th of February there is what is termed a 'stake holder meeting" of interest groups in Yonok.

The 'stake holder meeting" is a direct result of "our work and publicity of Yonok" over the past nine months and studies since 2001. We welcome all interest in Yonok. please remember to credit us for our work hard work, after all; Dowroong and I are the reason you are here.

Yonok we hope will always be managed by the local villagers and we hope to remain part of that for many years.

Donations Viang Yonok Hotel - Ian & Vanassa Smith. Thanks again to Ian for supporting Yonok Wetlands. Ian has given us a new GPS receiver and a Camera. This will help us enormously in a battle against trapping Khun Deang & friend have Donated T- Shirts for supports of Yonok Wetlands. Ian & Vassana Smith, Mick, Dowroong, Khun Deang & friends (photo L-R) Viang Yonok - Hotel

Wat Pa Mak No - Woman's Group Dowroong in in the process of forming a woman's group. She hopes this will benefit the community by Khun May has Donated 800 Bird Guides to Yonok Project. May is an excellent Thai birder and has also given much of his time in showing children birds.

Evening Candlemas at Wat Pa Mak No - Yonok (21 2 2008) - A quiet celebration - Pra Casin Ariyawong (P.A. (P)

Attending, Dowroong Khum Jansee and her daughter Gitiya. A celebration of Buddha, the traditional walk of three times around the Wat

Bird Conservation Society of Thailand; grants support for Yonok Wetlands Project

19th Pa Mak No; We today welcomed Khun Kritsana from the BCST, Kritsana and Dowroong are now working closely together to determine the best strategy to protecting Yonok. I am most grateful to Phil Round and Dr Mong for arranging her visit here and the support of the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand.

Mick meets with the principle at Wat - . The temple has 120 student monks form hill tribe villages and we hope to teach here and promote the message of the love of all creatures and preserve all for the future.

John Furse and Mick, John kindly donated a pair of binoculars to Yonok. Mick and Dr Mong with the Lanna bird group on Doi Pha Hom Pok, Dowroong has found a dark-breasted Rosefinch and there is great excitement at the arrival of this rare visitor, not seen for 20 years.

Dowroong and the Teachers and students from the school at the base of Doi Lang. The teachers are very worried that a Sun Bear was shot locally. They have asked Dowroong to talk at the school on the subject of conservation and how we can change attitudes.

Back Home at Pa Mak No - not our dogs but as always happy to see us.

Mr Churn from the buffalo camp stops by to say hello

Xmas Yonok Christmas Night Pa Mak No Hopeful Reunion Next Year

Merry Christmas - To My Family in England - Mick and Dowroong

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