Recent news for visitors

The Living Rainforest has received a shipment of illegally imported butterfly pupae from the Philippines, which was intercepted by HM Customs at Heathrow. Read more...

Frog fans will leap into a number of amphibious activities at The Living Rainforest, this half term, to launch the Year of the Frog.

Events kick off with a chance to meet Edward Kelsey, voice of Danger Mouse’s terrible toad Baron Greenback and current Archers favourite, Joe Grundy, at a special event on Saturday 16th February. Visitors will each receive a complimentary copy of the booklet ‘Threatened Frogs of Madagascar’, which co-author, Mike Bungard, will sign with Edward from 1.30-3.00pm.

The Year of the Frog campaign is supported by The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and Sir David Attenborough, who are urging zoos and animal centres to consider new ways to make breeding facilities for amphibians more successful. Mike said, “It’s frightening to think that some of the world’s rarest and most beautiful frogs could disappear in a matter of years if we don’t address the issues of habitat loss, climate change and pollution. The booklet is intended to make people aware of the situation facing frogs around the world and will hopefully support efforts to conserve their habitats and secure their future.”

Among the froggie goings on, visitors will also have a chance to glimpse The Living Rainforest’s collection of frogs, including the Golden Poison Dart Frog - possibly the most poisonous vertebrate in the world! To find out more, visit www.livingrainforest.org

Not one to turn down a challenge, extreme local runner and founder member of Tadley Running Club, Steve Bienkowski, has made a New Year’s resolution to run the 2008 London Marathon in aid of The Living Rainforest’s ‘Year of the Frog’ amphibian conservation and education work.

Steve is aiming to raise £10,000 in sponsorship, which would pay for two post-graduate students to carry out frog conservation research work in Madagascar and for education and awareness materials about their research to be produced, highlighting amphibian conservation activities in both the UK and Madagascar. Any additional funds raised will help pay for the ongoing conservation and education work of The Living Rainforest.

Steve began his pursuit of long-distance running in 1984, and has since completed over 150 marathons and 250 half marathons. His stamina has also led him to complete a number of ‘ultra’ runs, including the 80m World Trail Race, the Ghurkas 100k Challenge and the Karrimor 2 day mountain marathon, which involved 2 days in the hills with only the use of map and compass to determine his route and overnight camping out in the wild to test his endurance. However, 2008 will be the first time Steve has run in costume – naturally dressed as a frog! If you’d like to sponsor Steve or to find out about his fundraising activities please contact The Living Rainforest on 01635 202444 or email lisam@livingrainforest.org In the meantime, if you want to dip your toes into the ‘Year of the Frog’ you can take the ‘Amphibian Trail’ at The Living Rainforest from this weekend. Read more...

The European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) has declared its 2008 conservation campaign as ‘The Year of the Frog’.

The Living Rainforest is centrally placed within this campaign, due to publication of the booklet ‘Threatened Frogs of Madagascar’. Distributed throughout Madagascar and Europe, this booklet is co-authored by The Living Rainforest’s Zoological Curator, Mike Bungard. Read more...

‘Voices for the Forest’ Imagine spine tingling harmonies, story telling and lanterns beside a tropical rainforest. Benefit Culture and The Living Rainforest make it real!

Benefit Culture and The Living Rainforest have teamed up to deliver a family event that will welcome the longer evenings with music and lanterns in the wonder of the rainforest.

Voices for the Forest is a special event to celebrate the ‘turning of the clocks’ powered by the amazing voices of Juliet Russell and Vocal Explosion, the poetic storytelling of Daniel Clark and the lyrical acrobatics of Mr Finn. It promises to be a feast for the ears and a magical evening.

Starting in the afternoon there will be lantern-making workshops where children and adults alike can build lanterns using the traditional method of withies and paper. It’s great fun and the lanterns and their owners will be invited to help celebrate the turning of the clocks at the evening performance.

As an added treat Juliet Russell will lead an afternoon voice workshop introducing participants to her trademark spine tingling harmonies in her friendly accessible style. Not to be missed!

The event has an important message and an equally important mission. All of the proceeds from Voices for the Forest will go to two great causes, The Living Rainforest charity and The Cambodia Trust. The Living Rainforest visitor centre, in Berkshire, offers a unique rainforest experience demonstrating how the future of tropical rainforests is closely connected to human lives and lifestyles, and assists a variety of conservation work. The Cambodia Trust works throughout S.E. Asia to help alleviate the suffering of those disabled by diseases like polio, and landmine injuries often caused by conflict fuelled by forest plunder. Say’s co-founder of the Cambodia Trust Dr Peter Carey "We work in countries where the average income is less than 50p a day. Disabled people are the poorest of the poor. Discriminated against at every level of society, they are seen as ‘useless’, a burden on the family and the community. By simply buying a ticket for Voices for the Forest you're helping to change lives. It’s a beautiful thing!”

‘Conservation of the world’s rainforests requires effort on all of our parts’ explains Lisa Mather, Communications Officer at The Living Rainforest. ‘The Living Rainforest educates and inspires people to make a difference, provides funding for overseas conservation projects and demonstrates sustainable practices and building techniques to help people make choices that will benefit the planet. We hope that Voices for the Forest will give all involved the desire and confidence to change something about their lives, no matter how small.’ Read more...