We leave for Malawi for our pioneer Christmas Expedition to the Nyika National Park in just over three weeks. We have three schools in Lincolnshire ready to link up with three schools near the Park in Malawi to improve international understanding and encourage environmental education. We are delighted to have a herpetologist and botanist from Malawi joining our team this year.

We enjoyed the Nyika Vwaza Trust annual event and the Explore 2010 weekend at the Royal Geographical Society, making more useful contacts and continuing our representation at the heart of Nyika Conservation. We are now Patroni naturae of the Nyika Vwaza Trust, which means we have forget closer links to support direct conservation action on the Nyika. Our reports are now accessible by a link through their website and of course through our own Reports secton of the Biosearch Expeditions website. Pictured above are Peter Overton, Sarah Sandon (2009 expedition) Marianne Overton and Dr Dick Brummitt, consultant to Biosearch for many years and also member of 1972 Expedition to Nyika with Peter Overton. Also Quincy Connell on the right who has led several of our expeditions.

COMING TO THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOC IETY ON TUESDAY 9TH NOVEMBER?

Marianne and myself are planning to be there for the annual Nyika-Vwaza Trust evening. Always interesting and a chance to meet others with a Nyika passion.

Please join us if you can.

Doors open at 6pm

The lecture, “Thin on the Ground: Land Resources Survey in Malawi and the Commonwealth”, will be given by Professor Anthony Young.

He tells the story of how the agricultural potential of Malawi has been assessed, as a contribution both to Colonial history and to the history of science.

Those interested in the capacity of Malawi's land to feed its people will want to attend.

Anthony Young was Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia, and subsequently Principal Scientist at the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry, Nairobi. His numerous and wide-ranging publications on the environment, resources and land management include studies of the development problems of Malawi extending over more than 40 years.

The UN has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity, making this a
timely lecture.

There will be a cash bar both before and after the lecture, when Malawian merchandise will be on sale.

All profits will go towards the conservation of the Nyika National Park and the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve.

Just give us a call or email if you can join us; the tickets are £18

We are now organised for our December expedition to the Nyika and have a place for you on our transport if you can make it 12th-29th December. Go for it!

Camp reunion

Fifteen expeditioners, some pictured here, got together for a night in camp on June 12th. After a soggy week the weather cleared to give a fine day but some challenge in getting a good fire going with damp wood. Bill Renwick, our expert fire lighter made light work of it on the Sunday morning. Quincy Connell put up a selection of tents in one of his regular demos. Our December 2010 expedition is underway with some of the team signing up for a Christmas south of the equator enjoying the early Malawian summer.

STOP PRESS

Biosearch runners are entering the Lincoln 10 k charity run on March 28th. You can join us by registering on https://online-services.lincoln.gov.uk/AF3/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?ID=Svf9rJmQJw9&F.Name=p5yuh69Em6F&fs2s=McGYoSTNwkB. Or just look up Lincoln 10 km run on your search engine.

We shall be raising money for cerebral palsy and also to fund the Educational Charity, Malo, set up by Biosearch Expedition team members to support the children of game scouts and others.

Can you join us for the run and for lunch afterwards? Just let us know and we will make arrangements to go as a group.

Last year the laid back group cruised round in 1 hr 15 minutes so it is not too serious, just an appetiser for lunch!

Joining us out in Malawi this year? Plenty of time to get on board and we would love to hear from you. Just give us a call on 01400 273323 to have a chat.

In 2009 we explored the virtually unvisited Mwenembwe Forest on the Nyika eastern escarpment for the first time and Steven Mphamba, seen here found yet more new species for the Millenium Seed Bank collection

Royal Geographical Society Evening

Peter and Marianne Overton photographed here at the Royal Geographical Society on Wednesday 9th December, with Prof Brian Morris, who gave an entertaining lecture on "Animals in Malawian Culture and Beliefs". We were delighted to meet up with past Biosearch team members and get out some invitations for our lunch on January 16th. Don't forget this fun launch to 2010!

Photo left: Biosearch expeditioners Sarah Sandon, Marianne and Peter Overton, with His Excellency, Francis Moto, London University lecturer Mpalive Msiska from Rumphi District and Acting Chairman of the Nyika Vwaza Trust.

COME TO LONDON FOR A NYIKA NIGHT IN EARLY DECEMBER

We invite you to join us at the Royal Geographical Society on Wednesday 9th December to support The Nyika-Vwaza (UK) Trust

A lecture by Professor Brian Morris entitled“Animals, Anthu and Ancestors : Relationships between Malawians and the World of Wildlife”Brian Morris is Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at Goldsmiths College, University of London. He is a lively speaker and his lecture will help to inform non-Malawians about the complex factors that motivate Malawians in their relationships with, and attitudes to, the wildlife around them.

Admission tickets are £15 per person.
Please email nyika@biosearch.org.uk for a ticket or ring 01400 273323

Doors open at 6 pm. The Chairman’s Welcome will be at 6.45 p.m followed by a brief account of work-in-progress and the Lecture.

A cash bar will be available both before and after the lecture. Doors close at 9 p.m.