Dear Members,
In the last newsletter, I discussed the extensive outdoor planting at the DWA due to an unusually cold 2010-2011 winter. Little did I know that we would experience the opposite extreme – a very warm, dry summer with 70 days over 100 degrees. With full intentions of opening the new Birds of El Triunfo exhibit during the summer months, the extreme summer temperatures delayed these plans. Although the acceptable temperature range may vary for many species of birds, Birds of Prey in particular, receive the bulk of their hydration from their food. In extreme heat, it is difficult to support their large size with their daily diet. With the cooler weather, the birds will gradually be introduced over the next few weeks.
With the flora and fauna in place for the new exhibit, the exhibit is progressing well. We have had a Conservation partnership with the El 
Triunfo Reserve in Chiapas, Mexico for several years. The Reserve is home to approximately 381 species of birds and the new exhibit will allow us to showcase some of the more interesting ones. We enjoyed a recent visit from the Executive Director of the El Triunfo Conservation Fund, Anna Valerie Mandri. In 2004, Ana was given a full scholarship to Oxford University where she completed a Master’s degree in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management. She returned to her home country of Mexico to become the Executive Director of the El Triunfo Conservation Fund. While in Dallas she not only was able to see our new exhibit first-hand, but also participated in some of our Recent Conversation Activities at the DWA.
Although The Big Green Bus did not need any of our vegetable oil to power their bus while in Dallas, they were impressed by our Little Green Frog Car, which they thought would look good behind their bus. As stated on their website, they were pleased to see the extent of our involvement in the recycling of our computers – “we saw a computer technician with a cart full of obsolete computers being wheeled off to a computer-recycling center. They open them up to remove the old hardware, update it, and then sell the new computers in old casings at a very discounted price. Way to keep them out of landfills!”
Over the past several years The DWA and the DFWMAS have met as part of the local ongoing effort to increase awareness about the need for sustainable practices within the aquarium hobby and to promote best practices in aquarium husbandry. The meetings allow for the sharing of knowledge, while enjoying food and refreshments provided by the DWA.
Thanks for your continued support and during your next visit, be sure to stop by the Gift Shop to see the Originals by Muneca and Touro, the
latest artists at the DWA. As part of their behavioral enrichment and training, it is interesting to note their different styles. Living Flames in the aquarium describes the colorful, eye-catching firefish now on display in the Solomon Islands micro exhibit.
Daryl Richardson
Director
