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December 22, 2009
Alcoa broadens community fellowship
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Up to 12 community representatives will have the chance to work as field assistants on critical research expeditions and directly contribute to a more sustainable future.
Once again Alcoa is partnering with Earthwatch to support people around the world in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.
In 2010, Alcoa Foundation is expanding the Alcoa Earthwatch Fellowship Program to include local community members in addition to employees.
Kwinana Refinery Manager, Jose Pulpeiro, said it was an ideal way for local community members to contribute to solutions on environmental issues of shared importance to Alcoa and the communities where operations are centred.
“Our 2010 projects are linked to global issues that are of local importance in Alcoa communities: climate change, global water supply, and sustainability,” he said.
“Those lucky enough to be awarded fellowships will learn how to conduct biological transects of a study area, and practice the latest techniques in observing and recording scientific data. At the same time, participants will be making a difference to endangered animals and ecosystems.
Fellowships cover all on-site expedition expenses including the costs of participating in the research, food, accommodation, and on-site travel. The Alcoa Earthwatch Fellowship also provides a partial reimbursement up to $1,000 to support the cost of travel.
Since 2003, 94 Alcoans have undertaken fellowships, contributing over 6,800 research hours to solving some of the biggest sustainability challenges of our time. In 2009, two Kwinana Refinery workers participated in the program. Research Chemist, Bronwyn Larner, travelled to the tidal forests of Gazi Bay in Kenya while Emergency Response Supervisor, Will Roche, focused his efforts on the mountain waters of the Jizera Mountains in the Czech Republic.
Bronwyn lived and worked with local villagers to help conduct plantation experiments and rehabilitate degraded mangroves. In addition to planting mangrove seedlings, she also helped monitor the effects of these plantations on rates of beach erosion and on the wildlife that depend on them.
Will collected water samples from more than 30 streams and reservoirs and measured temperature, pH, conductivity, and oxygen readings. He caught and examined reintroduced fish and aquatic organisms, and evaluated tree vitality, collected soil and vegetation samples, and studied erosion and plant succession.
Applications close on 18th January 2010. Electronic application forms are available by calling Kwinana Refinery’s Community Relations Officer, Rod Mapstone, on 0404 800 403.
Earthwatch is the world's largest environmental volunteer not-for-profit organization. Its mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education in order to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Last year it supported 130 research projects in more than 40 countries.
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