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New Members' PackageNew Members' Package(This is the plain text version of the New Members' Pack with all the formatting and graphics eliminated. An MSWord version of this document is available at YahooGroups or here.) The Al Ain chapter of the Emirates Natural History Group, established in 1981, is affiliated with the Abu Dhabi and Dubai natural history groups. The activities can be summarized as to observe, to enjoy, to report and to publish observations of the natural history of the UAE and Oman. We maintain relations with similar historical, archaeological and nature organizations in Bahrain, Qatar and Oman. In the UAE, the Chapter is affiliated with the Emirates Environment Group (EEG), the Abu Dhabi Island Archaeological Survey (ADIAS) and the Environment Agency -- Abu Dhabi (formerly known as the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency [ERWDA]). We have a total annual membership of more than 100 families (approx 200 individuals) but the numbers and composition constantly change as new families arrive in the city and others leave. The core values of the group include:
Meetings take place at the Al Ain Intercontinental Resort Hotel twice each month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 pm. New members are always welcome. A program of speakers is organized with the lectures covering a variety of subjects. Some popular topics in past years have included Experiences of 40 years in Al Ain, Falconry, Three Gorges in China, The Spiny-Tailed Lizard, The Bio-Saline Research Laboratory in Dubai. Interactive meetings are also held, for example Desert Survival with tips on communications, equipment, driving skills and first aid. In addition to the lecture program, the chapter maintains a lending library for members. There is also a stock of equipment such as splints and a stretcher, GPS device, portable generator, and motion cameras, any which may be borrowed upon request. (A complete list is available on the website and on the home page of the chapter’s Yahoo Groups site.) The library collection and other assets are kept at the chapter’s resouce room located at the Al Ain English Speaking School. The resource room is open at various times and may be opened by a Committee member upon request. With such a large membership where members have a diverse range of interests, it is important for the chapter to organize a variety of events so that the maximum number of individuals are involved. Individuals who have volunteered to organize events and activities for members have a diverse range of interests including photography, plants, cultural history, archaeology, geology, astronomy, mammals, arthropods, cartography, reptiles and birds. The Al Ain chapter offers regular field trips to several local sites. While our trip leaders make an effort to provide background information regarding each site, it is recommended that members make use of available resources to discover details of sites. Members may wish to invest in a series of off-road books that contain maps and useful tips, including safety in the desert. Websites with background information of interest to members are listed at the chapter’s website. The Al Ain Museum, located near the Al Ain Oasis and animal market, is also an excellent place for new members to gain an overview of the history of the region. On a typical weekend field trip, members will meet at one location, sign the convoy list, and meet the trip leader. The trip leader will remind the participants about the importance of following the convoy guidelines. After arriving at the site, the trip leader will begin with an introduction of the the site, outlining things to observe and note. Members are then free to tour the site on their own or with others, observing the obvious courtesies, especially for field trips in area villages. Before leaving the site, we usually gather to compare notes and discuss highlights of the trip. If possible, a brief summary of the trip (notes and photographs) will be posted on the website and passed on to the Newsletter editor. In a typical week, members could choose to join a moonlight photography shoot, a dawn walk in an oasis to observe birds, and a trip to catch bugs in a wadi. The group also offers at least three mountain climbing expeditions for those seeking a challenging hike in the mountains. Those who complete the three ascents receive the Ibrahim Zakhour Triple Crescent Award. Periodically the chapter organizes weekend events to, for example, Ras al Khaimah, Nizwa, east coast or Liwa. All members are welcome at every event; the Committee makes every effort to avoid events where places may be limited. Annual membership fees are Dhs100 for families and Dhs60 for individuals. Non-member guests to a lecture are asked to pay a nominal fee of Dhs10. The chapter also provides:
Committee 2006-2007The business of the Al Ain chapter is conducted by the Committee at its regular meetings at on the first Tuesday of each month at the chapter’s resource room located at the Al Ain English Speaking School. Meetings, which begin at 7:30 pm, are open to all members and are conducted informally. The members of the Committee are elected at the chapter’s Annual General Meeting, normally held in November of each year. During the year, the Committee may, from time to time, recruit and appoint additional members. There is no remuneration or special privilege for serving as a Committee member. The chapter maintains a bank account at a local bank. Finances are supervised by the Treasurer and a financial statement is available at the Annual General Meeting. Information on the financial status of the chapter is available to any member.
Field TripsThe Al Ain chapter is an active group with frequent field trips and expeditions that are announced by e-mail, at meetings, in the Newsletter and on the website. If you decide to join us for such an activity, please be mindful of the following points: A. Dress Code
B. Essential Provisions
C. General Fitness
D. Preparation
Map of Al AinDetailed online maps of Al Ain are available at http://www.maporama.com. Select the United Arab Emirates from the country list and enter “Al Ain” for the city. Garmin’s City Navigator Middle East is available at Carrefour (telephone counter). While these maps are designed for downloading to a Garmin GPS, they can be used on a Windows computer to provide automatic routes between points in the UAE. The maps include house numbers on streets as well as many points of interest such as petrol stations, hotels, restaurants and other business. RecyclingIn 2005, the Al Ain chapter of ENHG, in cooperation with Professional Investment Consultants (PIC), the Al Ain English Speaking School, and the Emirates Environment Group, set up collection bins at the School. There are two bins, one for metal items and one for paper and card. (At present, there is no market for plastic or glass as the local suppliers have a ready supply of material.) AAESS provided the site and PIC provided the funds to purchase the bins and to have the sign fabricated and installed. Materials collected are trucked to Dubai where they are sold to local recyclers. The funds from the sale go to the EEG. In return, the EEG awards prizes (computers and computer equipment) to schools and uses the funds for other EEG projects and programs. All metal items are acceptable. All paper products are acceptable with the exception of envelopes with plastic ‘windows’. Please do not include plastic bags (apart from those used for the cans, as above) in your deposited materials. Access to the bins is available most days. Individuals are asked to not leave items outside the school perimeter fence or otherwise litter the site. We are grateful for the enthusiastic support of PIC and the School. Water useThough water conservation is not new to the local populace, the UAE in recent years has also been considering the issue more seriously, and initiating a number of successful projects to explore alternate avenues. According to United Nations estimates, as many as 1.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and 2.4 billion have no access to adequate sanitation. Each year, more than two million children die from water-borne diseases. Traditionally, water conservation is woven into UAE local culture and their attempt to survive in a harsh dry landscape bereft of water. But, what's unique about the UAE is that they have very easily blended the traditional water conservation methods with the new and the modern techniques during the last two decades. More and more new water management methods are being adopted. Being the world's third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada, UAE is now the world's second largest producer of desalinated water after Saudi Arabia. In the recent years, UAE has increased its investment in water conservation by building more desalination and wastewater treatment plants in the country. The initiatives also include restoration of traditional 'falaj' systems (underground water channels), exploration, construction of delay and recharge dams, well drilling and aquifer testing and exploration. These initiatives are more important for a country like the UAE. Traditionally, the country has depended on its sparse and intermediate rainfalls for both domestic and agricultural water consumption. A wet year may experience above 150 millimeters of rainfall, whereas as little as 2mm (recorded in 2001) may be recorded in a dry year. Realizing the country's geographical features and location, water conservation has always been given the top priority in policy making under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. During the last three decades, coupled with traditional methods, new water technologies, such as desalination and treatment, have been utilized in the country to help conserve its natural water resources. Traditional systemThe country has maintained its traditional water utilisation and conservation along with new management methods, which include desalination plants, construction of dams, restoration of traditional underground water channels (falaj system), well drilling and aquifer testing and exploration. Elaborating on management, Mike Brook, Manager, Water Resources Department at Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA), said, historically, all the UAE's water requirements were met solely from groundwater obtained from shallow hand dug wells and the traditional falaj system, comprising man-made channels used to collect groundwater, spring water and surface water and transport it, by gravity, to the demand area. Over the last two decades, rapid, economic development, coupled with sharp population increases and a strive for agricultural development to achieve self-sufficiency in food supplies has placed ever increasing pressure on the UAE's precious natural water resources. According to ERWDA, irrigation for agriculture now uses more than 65 per cent of all water supplies and has meant an increasing reliance on unconventional water resources, such as desalination, and also the development of alternative conventional water supply measures, such as recharge dams, storage dams, recharge wells, interception of groundwater losses, re-use of wastewater and water transfers. ERWDA statistics put the UAE water availability in 2000 at: groundwater 53 per cent; surface water three per cent; recycled water nine per cent; and desalination 35 per cent. The figures also show total of 2.2 billion cubic metres water consumption with the following break up: agriculture and forestry 67 per cent; domestic and drinking 24 per cent: and industry and commerce nine per cent. According to the agency, which is Abu Dhabi's prime environmental organization, water consumption is expected to increase by 44 per cent to 3.2 billion cubic metres by 2025. With water use now being significantly greater than the renewable water resources of the Emirates, there is an urgent requirement to coordinate the current activities of multiple organisations in the fields of water supply and use so as to achieve sustainable development. The UAE's ever-increasing demands are being met from a large programme of desalination. Despite its over-abstraction, often leading to dry wells and increasing salinity of groundwater due to reduced water levels near aquifer base elevations, groundwater in 2000 still accounted for over 50 per cent of available water supply in the UAE, followed by desalination (35 per cent), treated sewage effluent (nine per cent) and ephemeral surface water (three per cent). The most important of the unconventional water sources, and one which contributes most in helping to redress the imbalance between supply and demand, is desalination. According to ERWDA, the desalinated water now accounts for over one third of all the UAE's water sources. In the UAE, water conservation measures have had to be taken to help mitigate the adverse effects of over-abstraction of precious groundwater resources. Presently, both national and emirate-level strategies for water resources management are being developed. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has constructed over 130 recharge and storage dams to utilize an estimated 150 million cubic metre per year "wadi" (seasonal river) flow from 15 main catchment areas; nine major recharge dams, have a capacity of 47 million cubic metre per year, the remainder have a capacity of about 60 million cubic metres per year. Pitfalls: Future challenges on resourcesThe ERWDA identifies the following as the main issues of water resources in the UAE.
NewsletterThe Al Ain chapter of the ENHG has been producing a Newsletter for members from the chapter’s inception more than 20 years ago. Initially, the Newsletter was produced monthly and printed (photocopied) for members. For some time, Newsletters were individually labelled. With the development of the Internet and email services, the function of the Newsletter has evolved. The Newsletter has been and will continue to be the official means of distributing news and information to members. However, it now exists in partnership with the chapter’s website and its email service. The Newsletter editor is grateful for support from all members. The email address for the Newsletter editor is noted on the website and in this package (see list of Committee members). The Newsletter continues to be produced monthly but is no longer printed though a few copies of the Newsletter may be available at general meetings. Instead, the Newsletter is posted to the website where members may, if they wish, download a copy suitable for printing. All back issues of the Newsletter are available for members at the Resource Center at the Al Ain English Speaking School. LibraryThe Al Ain chapter of the ENHG maintains a modest library at its Resource Center at the Al Ain English Speaking School. The library resources include books, periodicals, videotapes and miscellaneous items on the chapter’s computer. The majority of items are in English; there are a few resources available in Arabic. The library also includes a collection of maps obtained over the years. The hard copies of the maps are complemented by numerous maps available electronically on the chapter’s computer. The resource room is also equipped with a printer and scanner for the use by members. The library is open and available to members on the first and third Tuesday of each month. You may also arrange to visit the library by contacting the chapter’s librarian or another committee member. Volunteers are welcome. The resource room also contains maps, fossils, pottery, preserved specimens, the ENHG computer with access to maps, and other materials and items available for members. Projects (sponsors)From time to time, the Al Ain chapter considers requests for financial or other assistance to support research or other activities regarding any aspect of the natural history of the UAE and/or Oman. In the past, we have supported research of the spiny-tailed lizard (Arabic: dhub). This work was conducted by Peter Cunningham, the group’s former recording officer. He was studying the behavior of the dhub population at a location known locally as Dhub Valley. The chapter has also provided modest financial support for DNA research organized by the chapter’s former vice-chair Laurence Garey. With the support and cooperation of various archaeological teams working in the UAE, Laurence obtained bone material from which DNA material was successfully extracted. The research was an effort to identify the original location of ancient peoples of the UAE and Oman. Laurence also organized research of the brain of the Arabian camel. Inspired by a talk given by a veterinarian from Dubai, Laurence obtained several specimens and began an investigation of the brains, the study yielding some interesting results (posted on our website). Bob Reimer has volunteered his time to collect and organize an extensive set of maps now stored on the group’s computer in the work room. The maps would be of special interest for any members interested in cartography and the use of GPS devices. The chapter has contributed some funds to purchase atlases and specialty books, including the impressive Wadis of Oman, Satellite Image Atlas, for use by members. Phil Iddison, who studied the cultural history of several Gulf States, published a series of articles which were reproduced as booklets. Many of Phil’s articles are available on the website. A prolific photographer, Phil also contributed hundreds of images of sites in the UAE and Oman. Mike Gillett, who serves on the editorial board of Tribulus magazine, has been, for many years, one of the leading entomologists in the Gulf. For several years, he contributed a regular column to the chapter’s Newsletter (available via the website). Mike also made a priceless contribution to the chapter when he donated many specimens from his collection. The chapter is currently in the process of purchasing proper museum-quality storage facilities for this collection of butterflies, moths, beetles and other insects. Currently, Brien Holmes, is reviewing archival material of the Abu Dhabi chapter of the ENHG. This material covers the formation and activities of this chapter since it’s inception in 1981. What we do from week to week . . .For more than 20 seasons, the Al Ain chapter of the ENHG has been organizing activities for its members. It has also supported the efforts of individual researchers. Underlining almost all ENHG activities, whether meetings or field trips, is the intent to ‘observe, record and report’ on the natural history of the UAE and northern Oman. Initially, the group held two general meetings each month and two field trips. As the membership expanded, it was evident additional field trips were necessary to maintain the interest and enthusiasm of the membership. As time passes, volunteers come and go; as a result, the organization of activities evolves. For example, for 17 seasons, Ibrahim Zakhour organized all field trip activities. Today, individual volunteers organize these events. From time to time, the chapter has organized more ambitious events. The chapter has, for example, organized trips to Egypt, India and Nepal. In more recent years, we have focused on the UAE and northern Oman. Weekend trips may include:
Currently, the chapter maintains a speaking program with two meetings each month (2nd and 4th Tuesdays). There are reconnaissance trips in advance of upcoming field trips. Each weekend there is at least one outing. In recent years, walks have been organized in conjunction with the full moon. The underlying philosophy of the group has been one of ‘inclusion’. Each event is organized so that each member -- young or old, casual or keen naturalist, in reasonable physical condition – will find something of interest during the trip. It is not essential that members have any particular expertise; instead, what the organizers hope members will bring along is a keen sense of interest. Likewise, it is not essential that each member have an off-road vehicle; there is always room for everyone in the vehicles available. Calendar of ActivitiesThere are a number of events that are part of the seasonal program of the Al Ain chapter of the ENHG. These events include:
ENHG Trip Convoy GuidelinesGeneral Items
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