Sundarbans

Bangladesh, India

The Sundarbans delta, at the mouth of the Ganges river, is the largest mangrove forest in the world, spreading across parts of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. The Sundarbans features a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests. The area is known for its wide range of fauna, with the Royal Bengal tiger being the most famous, but also including many birds, spotted deer, crocodiles and snakes.

Ambassador praises PPUR at UN HQ in New York

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JULY 15, 2011 IN PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER

The headquarters of the United Nations is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking New York's East River.

The Philippines Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan, has urged support for the campaign to name the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of the New7Wonders of Nature.

“The Puerto Princesa Underground River is truly a marvel of nature and deserves to be included in this list of new seven wonders of nature,” Ambassador Cabactulan said.

He continued: “We urge Filipinos and the many friends of the Philippines around the world to support the campaign for the Puerto Princesa Underground River. With this vital support, we can help ensure that the Puerto Princesa Underground River is indeed duly recognized for the marvel that it truly is.”

The Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations has provided a link on its website as part of its support for the campaign.

Tourist arrivals triple thanks to N7W PPUR promotion

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JULY 26, 2011 IN PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines.

Traffic into and out of Puerto Princesa Airport has increased so dramatically that public representatives in the island province of Palawan in the Philippines are calling for an urgent upgrade of the facility. Tourist arrivals have tripled due to the promotion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign, according to an article in the Manila Bulletin.

Puerto Princesa International Airport (Filipino: Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Puerto Princesa) serves Puerto Princesa City. It is classified as an international airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. The cost of the proposed expansion and upgrade project of the terminal is estimated at US$97.78 writes the Manila Bulletin:

“This will involve the construction of new landside facilities in the north western side of the existing runway such as passenger terminal building, control tower, administration & operation building, cargo terminal building, rescue & fire fighting building and other support facilities, the construction of new apron and connecting taxiways, upgrading of the existing 2.6-kilometer runway and its strip, and the provision of new navigational and traffic control equipment.”

PP Underground River

Philippines

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The underground river is reputed to be the world's longest. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.

Mud volcanoes come to school in Baku

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON APRIL 15, 2011 IN MUD VOLCANOES

The wonderful world of volcanic mud in Azerbaijan

According to the Azerbaijani business information portal ABC.AZ, the Institute of Geology of National Science Academy of Azerbaijan held an open day on Tuesday for pupils of Baku school No.160 during which the students familiarized themselves with mud volcanoes and how they are created.

Among the institute’s core competencies is the study of the mud volcanism phenomenon.

At the event, the Director of the Geology Institute Akif Alizadeh told the pupils about the peculiarities of geology and science, as well as the history of the institute’s development. “Within the event the pupils visited different departments and labs of the institute, got familiar with the institute’s information base on mud volcanoes, earthquake zones as well as compute forecasting of movement changes and other processes in the earth crust,” reported ABZ.AZ.

Azerbaijan and its Caspian coastline are home to nearly 400 mud volcanoes. In 2001, one mud volcano, 15 kilometres from Baku, made world headlines when it began spitting flames 15 metres high.

Mud Volcanoes

Azerbaijan

The term mud volcano or mud dome is used to refer to formations created by geo-excreted liquids and gases, although there are several different processes which may cause such activity. It is estimated that 300 of the planet's estimated 700 mud volcanoes are found in Gobustan, Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea. In Azerbaijan, eruptions are driven from a deep mud reservoir which is connected to the surface even during dormant periods, when seeping water still shows a deep origin. Seeps have temperatures up to 2–3 °C above the ambient temperature. In 2001, one mud volcano 15 kilometers from Baku made world headlines when it suddenly started spewing flames 15 m high.

Azerbaijan

The term mud volcano or mud dome is used to refer to formations created by geo-excreted liquids and gases, although there are several different processes which may cause such activity. It is estimated that 300 of the planet's estimated 700 mud volcanoes are found in Gobustan, Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea. In Azerbaijan, eruptions are driven from a deep mud reservoir which is connected to the surface even during dormant periods, when seeping water still shows a deep origin. Seeps have temperatures up to 2–3 °C above the ambient temperature. In 2001, one mud volcano 15 kilometers from Baku made world headlines when it suddenly started spewing flames 15 m high.

Hobbit and rugby this year in New Zealand

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JANUARY 10, 2011 IN MILFORD SOUND

The magical, mystical landscape and seascape of Milford Sound

The “Holiday destinations for 2011” picked by the Telegraph range from “the glories of New Zealand’s Middle Earth to the medieval charms of Tallinn”. What does New Zealand have to offer this year?

“Filming for the highly anticipated two-part adaptation of The Hobbit, the forerunner to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, begins this year. After much legal wrangling, New Zealand’s glorious natural landscapes will once again serve as the backdrop to Middle Earth, providing further inspiration to explore such unspoilt sites as Milford Sound and the Tongariro National Park. The country will also be hosting the Rugby World Cup in September and October.”

The Telegraph links to the specialist travel company Exodus, which offers a 19-day adventure tour of New Zealand, visiting all the major cities and attractions, including Milford Sound.

Manukura reminds us how special nature is

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON MAY 29, 2011 IN MILFORD SOUND

Manukura

A rare white kiwi chick that was born at New Zealand’s Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre on 1 May, weighing 250 grams, has been named Manukura by elders from the Rangitane o Wairarapa iwi. Manukura means “of chiefly status”.
Rangitane chief executive Jason Kerehi said tribal elders saw the white chick as a “tohu” or “sign” of new beginnings. “Every now and then something extraordinary comes along to remind you of how special nature is,” Kerehi told the New Zealand Herald.

Kiwi are flightless birds found only in New Zealand. The kiwi is a national symbol of the country and the term “Kiwi” is used all over the world as the colloquial nickname for New Zealanders. Milford Sound represents New Zealand in the New7Wonders of Nature

Milford Sound

New Zealand


Milford Sound, located in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, is located within the Fiordland National Park.
It runs 15 km inland from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1200 m or more on either side.
Among its most striking features are Mitre Peak, rising 1,692 m above the sound, the Elephant at 1,517 m and resembling an elephant’s's head, and Lion Mountain, 1,302 m, in the shape of a crouching lion.
Lush rain forests cling precariously to these cliffs, while seals, penguins and dolphins populate the water.

Matterhorn/Cervino

Italy, Switzerland

The Matterhorn/Cervino is perhaps the most familiar mountain in the European Alps. On the border between

Switzerland and Italy, it towers over the Swiss village of Zermatt and the Italian village Breuil-Cervinia in the

Val Tournanche. The mountain has four faces, facing the four compass points, respectively, with the north
and south faces meeting to form a short east-west summit ridge. The faces are steep, and only small patches
 of snow and ice cling to them; regular avalanches send the snow down to accumulate on the glaciers at the base of each face

Masurian Lake District

The Masurian Lake District or Masurian Lakeland  is a lake district in northeastern Poland containing more than 2,000 lakes. It extends roughly 290 km eastwards from the lower Vistula River to the Poland-Lithuania border and occupies an area of roughly 52,000 square kilometers. The lake district was shaped by the Pleistocene ice age. Many of its hills are parts of moraines and many of its lakes are moraine-dammed lakes.

All of Maldives buzz about New7Wonders of Nature campaign

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON NOVEMBER 30, 2009 IN MALDIVES

The magnificent Maldives

Zurich/Switzerland — In this serene island country, famed for its white beaches and diverse underwater ecosystem, New7Wonders has captivated the population!

As part of the campaign to make the Maldives one of the Official New7Wonders of Nature, the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board conducted a survey in mid-November to determine the level of awareness and interest amongst the Maldivian people. An amazing 94.9% said that they are aware of the global election, and more than eight out of ten respondents said that they have voted for the Maldives.

“Seeing so many Maldivians express their pride at being one of the elite 28 Official New7Wonders of Nature Finalists is terrific. This national awareness will be a huge asset as people spread the word to family, friends and visitors, and it brings the country together. Such excitement at home is a perfect base for a successful global campaign,” notes Tia B. Viering, Head of Communications for New7Wonders.

Recently, another creative initiative that also called attention to the New7Wonders Finalist status was President Mohamed Nasheed’s underwater cabinet meeting, held in October to underscore the archipelago’s fragility.

Islands of the Maldives

The Maldive Islands make up an island nation consisting of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean. They are located south of India’s Lakshadweep islands, about 700 kilometers south-west of Sri Lanka. The Maldives encompass 1,192 small islands, roughly two hundred of which are inhabited.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Komodo National Park includes the three larger islands Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller ones, for a total area of 1,817 square kilometers (603 square kilometers of it land). The national park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon. Later, it was also dedicated to protecting other species, including marine animals. The islands of the national park are of volcanic origin.
Jusuf Kalla was the 10th Vice President of Indonesia from 2004 to 2009 and Chairman of the Golkar Party

Former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla and a group of more than 70 businessmen, public figures and journalists are visiting Komodo Island today to support its candidacy in the New7Wonders of Nature.

“If Komodo Island becomes a New Seven Wonder, it will be a great boost for the island and will improve the welfare of local people,” Kalla, who has recently been appointed an ambassador for the island, told The Jakarta Post. “More and more tourists will visit the island and it will show a good image of Indonesia.”

Jusuf Kalla believes that the New7Wonders of Nature campaign is bringing “substantial benefits to the nation and lift the name of the Indonesian people.” Increasing the popularity of Komodo can only have positive impact on tourism and economy of Indonesia, especially East Nusa Tenggara, he says, adding: “And most importantly this is a good moment to bring together the spirit of the Indonesian people to victory with by sealing the wonder island of Komodo in the international community as one of the New7Wonders of the Nature.”

Indonesians simply need to type KOMODO and send it to 9818 via Telkomsel, XL and Indosat to cast their vote.

The Komodo dragon, Varanus komodoensis, is found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Gili Dasami. A member of the monitor lizard family (Varanidae), it is the largest living species of lizard, growing to a maximum of length three metres and weighing up to around 70 kilograms.


The Komodo dragon is found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Gili Dasami.

Komodo

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Komodo National Park includes the three larger islands Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller ones, for a total area of 1,817 square kilometers (603 square kilometers of it land). The national park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon. Later, it was also dedicated to protecting other species, including marine animals. The islands of the national park are of volcanic origin.

Kilimanjaro

Tanzania

Snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most famous and highest freestanding mountains in the world, rising from the north-eastern part of Tanzania. Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 metres (19,336 feet) high above sea level. Kilimanjaro comprises 3 volcanoes of which the most famous (and the most recent), snow-capped dormant Kibo stands at 5,895 m (19,455 ft). The mountain is situated in the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania. The trek crosses five distinct vegetation zones, namely lower slopes, rainforest, heath and moorland, alpine and desert and the glaciers/summit. Within each zone there is an association between altitude, rainfall, temperature, plants and animals. The name Kilimanjaro, is thought to be a combination of the Swahili word Kilima, meaning “mountain,” and the Kichagga vernacular language word ’Njaro’, translated as “whiteness,” giving the name White Mountain itself.

Jeju Island

Korea (south)

Jejudo is a volcanic island, 130 km from the southern coast of Korea. The largest island and smallest province in Korea, the island has a surface area of 1,846 sqkm. A central feature of Jeju is Hallasan, the tallest mountain in South Korea and a dormant volcano, which rises 1,950 m above sea level. 360 satellite volcanoes are around the main volcano.

Beautiful Nature

Divers at the entrance of the newly-discovered underwater cave at Jeita Grotto. Photo: Dr.-Eng. Nasir

Lebanon thrilled by new discovery at Jeita Grotto

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2011 IN JEITA GROTTO


The discovery of a new underwater cave at Jeita Grotto is being hailed in Lebanon as a major speleological breakthrough. The entrance was first detected in early 2004, and a team of volunteer divers has since been working to clear access to the room. Joe Khoury, Joseph Sharbine and Habib Haddad have used the latest technology to investigate the cave, and create a 3D map of its waterway.

Dr. Nabil Haddad, general manager at Jeita, feels that the discovery will help Lebanon’s campaign in the New7Wonders of Nature. “It’s a wonder of nature every time you find something new,” he told the Daily Star. He believes that in the future there will be even more discoveries, and hopes that the research team will attempt to find out more about the underground network beneath the Nahr al-Kalb Valley, an important source of drinking water in Lebanon.

Haddad thinks that Jeita Grotto is well placed to become one of the New7Wonders of Nature. “We hope we have a good chance, as we are one of the 28 finalists,” he said. “But we still need a lot of support from Lebanese, both inside the country and across the diaspora, as it’s such small country.”

Jeita Grotto

Jeita Grotto is a compound of crystallized caves in Lebanon located 20 km north of Beirut in the Valley of Nahr al-Kalb (Dog River). This grotto is made up of two limestone caves, upper galleries and a lower cave through which a 6230 m long river runs. Geologically, the caves provide a tunnel or escape route for the underground river. In this cave and galleries, the action of water in the limestone has created cathedral-like vaults full of various sizes, colors and shapes of stalactites and stalagmites, majestic curtains and fantastic rock formations. The total length of the cave is more than 9000 m and there is one among the biggest stalactites in the world hanging 8,20 m. The grotto accommodates a huge hall with a distance of 108 m from the ceiling till the water level.

Iguazu Falls

Argentina, Brazil
Iguazu Falls, in Iguazu River, are one of the world's largest waterfalls. They extend over 2,700 m (nearly 2 miles)  in a semi-circular shape.  Of the 275 falls that collectively make up Iguassu Falls, "Devil's Throat" is the tallest at 80 m in height. Iguazu Falls are on the border between the Brazilian state of Paraná and the Argentine province of Misiones, and are surrounded by two National Parks (BR/ARG). Both are subtropical rainforests that are host to hundreds of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.

Asian Pride: Korea and Vietnam co-operate for votes

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON MAY 13, 2011 IN HALONG BAY, JEJU ISLAND

"Promote our Asian Pride! Jeju Island, Ha Long Bay!"

“Promote our Asian Pride! Jeju Island, Ha Long Bay!” That’s the joint slogan of two of the 28 Official Finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign. It’s also the motto of an interactive, international platform that Korea’s Jeju Island and Vietnam’s Halong Bay have created to energize voters in both countries and around the world in the run up to 11 November, when the names of the seven winners will be announced.

With its English, Korean and Vietnamese interfaces, the tri-lingual website — “Promote our Asian Pride! Jeju Island, Ha Long Bay!” — encourages users to vote for the two candidates and highlights the respective beauty of each. After voting, participants can print the confirmation e-mail that will allow them to get free entrance tickets to the main sites in Jeju Island and Halong Bay.

Jeju is a volcanic island, 130 km off the southern coast of Korea. Its central feature is Mount Hallasan, the tallest peak in South Korea and a dormant volcano, which rises 1,950 m above sea level.

Halong Bay contains thousands of limestone islands of various sizes and shapes. Several of them are hollow, some with enormous caves, others with tiny enclosed lakes.

Vietnam and the Philippines united by nature

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 IN HALONG BAY, PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER

Vietnam's Halong Bay consists of more than 3,000 limestone islands rising spectacularly from the ocean

The Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to support each other in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign. The decision was reached at the East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Forum (Eatof) standing committee meeting yesterday in Cebu City.

The commitment to support the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in the Philippines and Vietnam’s Halong Bay was part of the joint declaration of the Eatof, which was presented at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, who presided over the meeting, said it does not matter how the two destinations will be ranked, provided they gain enough support to be included in the New7Wonders of Nature.

Eatof seeks to promote tourism in 12 Asian provinces, including Cebu and Quang Ninh Province in Vietnam, where Halong Bay is located. Vu Thi Thu Thuy, vice chairperson of the Provincial People’s Committee in Vietnam, said there is no contest between Halong and the Subterranean River as Eatof will support both.

“It’s a win-win game for the strength of Eatof,” Thuy said.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River winds through a cave before flowing into the South China Sea

delegation visits Vietnam

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON OCTOBER 1, 2011 IN HALONG BAY

New7Wonders Founder and President Bernard Weber speaks to journalists in Vietnam during his recent visit

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is represented in the New7Wonders of Nature by Halong Bay, which was recently the scene of an official visit by New7Wonders President Bernard Weber and Director Jean Paul De la Fuente.

The delegation was welcomed by HE The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Hoang Tuan Anh, in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and the visit included a helicopter trip to Halong Bay, as well as ceremonies during an overnight cruise of the bay itself.

HE Pham Minh Chinh, Communist Party Committee Secretary of the Province of Quáng Ninh, home of Halong Bay, hosted a reception, followed by a working session with provincial leaders as well as members of the Halong Bay N7W Official Supporting Committee.

“This is a very special place,” Bernard Weber told the Vietnamese press. “The beauty of Halong Bay is unique and quite unlike anything else the in the world.”

“The official national and provincial authorities are committed to enabling the people of Vietnam to vote in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign, including via a nationwide SMS service” the Vietnamese government said. It added that it will continue its investment in the tourism infrastructure while at the same time taking measures to protect the environment of Halong Bay.

In addition to various meetings and cultural celebrations hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the New7Wonders delegation visited the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and conducted a Q&A exchange with students from the Hanoi University of Culture.

Halong Bay

Halong Bay is located in Quáng Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. The bay has a 120 kilometre long coastline and is approximately 1,553 square kilometres in size with 1969 islets. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves, other support floating villages of fishermen, who ply the shallow waters for 200 species of fish and 450 different kinds of mollusks. Another specific feature of Halong Bay is the abundance of lakes inside the limestone islands, for example, Dau Be island has six enclosed lakes. All these island lakes occupy drowned dolines within fengcong karst.

The romance of the Great Barrier Reef

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JANUARY 12, 2011 IN GREAT BARRIER REEF

The beautiful Great Barrier Reef

Looking for that special honeymoon place? How about a luxury hotel that comes with its own view of the Great Barrier Reef? According to boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith, there’s a place on Hamilton Island that’s just perfect for lovers young and old. And, best of all, this pocket of paradise is within easy reach of the Australian mainland.

It’s called Qualia . By the way, the word is ancient Greek for a deep multi-sensory experience. The hotel was built by Australian wine and yachting dynasty, the Oatley family, and they spared no expense in creating this exclusive resort.

For nature lovers, there’s the additional attraction of snorkelling off Pebble Beach. For those who prefer to be above the water, there are regular sailing lessons, and for sun worshippers, Whitehaven Beach is rated as one of the most beautiful in the world. Afterwards, the happy couples can dine on fabulous fresh-caught fish and wash the lot down excellent local wine.

Humpback whales approaching the Great Barrier Reef

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON MAY 30, 2011 IN GREAT BARRIER REEF
Humpback whales have been sighted near Australia’s Great Barrier Reef weeks earlier than the huge mammals typically arrive there. The whales make an annual trip to the Great Barrier Reef, which is one of the 28 Finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature, to breed and recover from the harshness of the frozen Antarctic waters, where they spend much of the year. Last week, a tourist boat spotted a pod of humpbacks about 40 kilometres off the coast of Queensland, the Cairns Post reported.

Humpback whales travel widely across the Earth’s oceans — they even spend time near New York City. Although they were nearly wiped out by whaling in the early 20th century, the species has made a comeback and numbers appear to be growing.

“It’s a bit over a 10 percent increase each year, which means we’ll possibly have close to another 1,500 whales born this year,” Peter Harrison, director of the Southern Cross University Whale Research Center, told the Cairns Post.

The Great Barrier Reef’s most famous Cetacean visitor, an unusual white humpback named Migaloo, hasn’t been so far, however.

Facebook app for Australian New7Wonders of Nature Finalists

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JUNE 16, 2011 IN GREAT BARRIER REEF, ULURU

Down Under is filled with uniquely Australian nature that can be shared by all the family.

The Australian government agency responsible for marketing the country as a travel destination, Tourism Australia, has launched a Facebook application to generate support for Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef Finalists in the New7Wonder of Nature campaign. The app invites fans of the SeeAustralia Facebook page to upload images and stories about Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef and share these with friends encouraging them to cast their votes too.

“We are asking our Facebook fans to share their stories and images about Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef with their friends to encourage them to cast their vote for our finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign,” Andrew McEvoy, Managing Director, Tourism Australia, said. “With the support of our huge Facebook following and their friends I’m sure we can get both Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef over the line as two of the final New7Wonders of Nature.”

“Tourism Australia is to be congratulated for leveraging the power of Facebook to create a greater awareness of its amazing landscapes, while at the same time getting lots of people excited about the New7Wonders of Nature campaign,” said Eamonn Fitzgerald, Head of Communication at New7Wonders.

Australia, Papua New Guinea

The Great Barrier Reef is the planet’s largest coral reef system, with some 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2,600 km over an area of approximately 344,400 square km. It is the biggest single structure made by living creatures and can be seen from outer space.

Santa Claus visiting New7Wonders of Nature finalist Grand Canyon

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON DECEMBER 18, 2009 IN GRAND CANYON
Zurich/Switzerland — While many famous faces have supported the New7Wonders campaigns over the years, Santa Claus visiting the Grand Canyon right before Christmas is a special tribute to this Official Finalist. Having moved from the North Pole to an authentic wickiup, or Native American one-room home, in the Arizona heat, Santa is listening to wishes of children from around the world. His sleigh and reindeer are parked right outside his wickiup.


To celebrate Santa’s visit, local Hualapai Indians performed traditional dances

Santa will be making his final preparations for Christmas in warmth this year, staying at the Grand Canyon until Dec. 24. To celebrate Santa’s visit, local Hualapai Indians are performing traditional dances and showing Santa Claus and visitors around the Native American village representing the Hualapai, Hopi, Navajo and Plains Indian cultures. Santa is also taking advantage of his stay in the Wild West to enjoy a bonfire and hot chocolate with some local cowboys at Hualapai Ranch, an authentic Old West town. Cowboys will let St. Nick (and perhaps even Rudolph?) participate in cowboy games and then temporarily trade in his sleigh bells for a horse-drawn wagon ride along the Western Rim.

Santa Claus, one of the early believers in worldwide action, encourages all good boys and girls around the world to vote for their favorite Finalists in the Official New7Wonders of Nature campaign. The campaign’s motto is right up Santa’s alley – “If you want to save something, you first have to really appreciate it.”

Preserving Grand Canyon National Park

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JANUARY 7, 2011 IN GRAND CANYON

Grand Canyon National Park Fiscal Year 2009/2010 Accomplishment Report

From restoration work and trail improvements to additional visitor facilities, a lot has been done at Grand Canyon National Park during the past two years.
“The genesis of these accomplishments starts in 2007 with a series of goals set for the park by the National Park Service Intermountain Region and Washington Offices and the Grand Canyon management team,” outgoing Grand Canyon Superintendent Steve Martin told National Parks Traveller.

With more than four million visitors a year, the park faces by many difficult issues when it comes to handling those visitors while also preserving the region’s natural, cultural and historic resources. A 44-page booklet just released by the park provides “snapshots” of many of the projects undertaken in the park during the past two years.

New theory about the origins of the Grand Canyon

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON APRIL 29, 2011 IN GRAND CANYON

The Grand Canyon is 277 miles/446 km long, up to 18 miles/29 km wide and attains a depth of over 6,000 feet/1,800 metres.

How exactly was the Grand Canyon formed? The question has been hotly debated by canyon geologists in Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico for more than a century.

Now, according to the LiveScience website, new research suggests that the gigantic canyon’s origins might be more recent than originally thought. And the Grand Canyon might have been caused by volcanic activity instead of water erosion. The discovery of an unusual structure beneath the Colorado Plateau implies that at one point it rose up, was filled with magma, and then eroded into the deep valleys that produced the world-famous canyon.

Up until now, scientists have generally believed that the canyon was formed by the Colorado River, which was thought to have slowly cut through layers of rock over millennia. The new data indicates a more recent formation — in the last six to seven million years.

“Anyone who goes to the Grand Canyon and looks down should think, ‘What is it that made it this way?’ The most immediate answer is water, that a river cut this canyon, but what is it that made the rock it lies in, the earth, move up?” Alan Levander, a structural seismologist at Rice University, told LiveScience.

In the lithosphere — the Earth’s crust and upper mantle beneath the oceans and the continents — under the Grand Canyon and much of the western half of the Colorado Plateau, scientists found an anomalously cold region more than 120 miles (200 km) deep sinking into the Earth. The theory now is that this might  have been responsible for the remarkable geological history of what became the Grand Canyon.

The ‘JetMan’ plans to fly through the Grand Canyon

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON APRIL 29, 2011 IN GRAND CANYON

Swiss aviator Yves Rossy is The Jetman. Next week, he'll fly through the Grand Canyon.

Swiss aviator Yves Rossy has chosen the Grand Canyon, one of the New7Wonders of Nature Finalists, as the location of his first US flight using jet-powered wings that are attached to his back. The “JetMan”, who is famous for his successful flights across Lake Geneva and the English Channel, will make his historic US flight on Friday, 6 May at 10 a.m.

According to his official biography, “Rossy devotes all his free time to flying in the purest sense, living that childhood dream of soaring like a bird — with minimal instruments, using only his body to steer his way through the skies.”

Because of his passion for birds, and given the significance of the Golden Eagle and the Bald Eagle to the Hualapai people, whose traditional territory is a 100-mile (160km) stretch along the southern side of the Grand Canyon, Rossy began to think about flying through the iconic American site.

After seeing the natural rock formation depicting an eagle at Grand Canyon West’s “Eagle Point” (home of the Skywalk), Rossy made up his mind to do it. The depth of the chasm at Grand Canyon West will allow the “JetMan” to fly past observers at nearly eye level along the sides of the canyon, a perspective that has never been witnessed before.

Jetman flies over the Grand Canyon

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON MAY 11, 2011 IN GRAND CANYON


In his custom-built jet suit, Swiss adventurer Yves Rossy completed a dramatic flight over the Grand Canyon, one of the 28 Finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign. The flight lasted some eight minutes, reaching heights of 70 metres above the canyon rim, before the “Jetman” parachuted to the ground.

The daredevil pilot said that the flight over the western end of the Grand Canyon owned by the Hualapai Indian Reservation was one of the most memorable experiences of his entire life.

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon, created by the Colorado River over a period of 6 million years, is 446 km long, ranges in width from 6 to 29 km and attains a depth of more than 1.6 km. During prehistory, the area was inhabited by Native Americans who built settlements within the canyon and its many caves.

It’s a big year for the Galapagos

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON APRIL 14, 2011 IN GALAPAGOS

The pink iguana lives exclusively on the Wolf Volcano, the highest on the Galapagos.

In the year that may yet see the Galapagos Islands named one of the New7Wonders of Nature, the Galapagos Conservancy is moving ahead with its plans to preserve and restore the Galapagos’ extraordinary biological wealth and diversity. With the help of scientists and staff at the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park, it has an ambitious agenda of field projects lined up this year.
Although the UNESCO World Heritage Committee voted to remove the Galapagos from its list of Sites in Danger, a decision that reflects well on the conservation progress by the Ecuadorian government, a lot remains to be done. For example:

More than 40 Galapagos species are still critically endangered — including the Floreana mockingbird that helped inspire Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Introduced plant species now outnumber native species by 800 to 550.
Urban areas on the islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Isabela, and Floreana continue to struggle with water, sanitation and energy demands as a result of rapid population growth.
For 25 years now, the Galapagos Conservancy has been building partnerships with island communities and providing grants, resources and training. Its Project Floreana is set to become one of the most far-reaching conservation campaigns ever conducted in the Galapagos, while the conservancy’s efforts to restore the giant tortoise populations on the islands of Pinta and Española are regarded as especially significant.

El Yunque film wins an Emmy

The 27-minute film “El Yunque: Journey to a Tropical Rainforest” made by GeoAmbiente del Caribe won an Emmy in the Health Science and Environment category at the 34th Suncoast Emmy Awards in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 4 December. The Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards (for film), Grammy Awards (for music) and Tony Awards (for theatre).

El Yunque Rain Forest is Puerto Rico’s finalist in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign.

The state of the world’s tropical forests

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JUNE 9, 2011 IN AMAZON, EL YUNQUE, SUNDARBANS
First, the good news: The world’s tropical forests are being better managed today than five years ago. That’s according to a report by the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), a pro-sustainable use group whose 60 member countries account for 90 percent of the global timber trade.

The “Status of Tropical Forest Management 2011” report analysed data from 33 important forest countries, including three key players in tropical forest exploitation, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia.

“The top line is that the area under sustainable forest management has gone up from 36 to 53 million hectares in five years,” Duncan Poore, one of the report’s authors, told the BBC. “That’s a substantial improvement, but there’s still a long way to go.” Countries that have taken big steps in protecting their forests include Bolivia, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Peru and Venezuela says the ITTO.


The top line is that the area under sustainable forest management has gone up from 36 to 53 million hectares in five years.

Now, the bad news: Satellite images recently revealed a worrying acceleration in deforestation in Brazil. And the ITTO report states that pressures leading to forest clearance are continuing to rise, with the growth of the world’s population, increasing use of wood and rising demand for land on which to settle and grow food.

However, there is hope on the horizon as the hope now is that rich countries may soon start funding poorer ones to protect forests in the interests of absorbing carbon dioxide, curbing climate change and preserving the planet’s natural heritage. New7Wonders is proud of the fact that the tropical forests of the Amazon, the Sundarbans and El Yunque are among the 28 Official Finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature.

El Yunque

El Yunque National Forest, formerly known as the Caribbean National Forest, is located on the island of Puerto Rico. It is also the name of the second highest mountain peak in the Forest. El Yunque is the only tropical rain forest in the United States National Forest System

Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is a salt lake between Palestine and Israel to the west and Jordan to the east. At 420 metres below sea level, its shores are the lowest point on Earth that are on dry land. With 30 percent salinity, it is 8.6 times saltier than the ocean.

Lord of the Dance at the Cliffs of Moher

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON FEBRUARY 21, 2011 IN CLIFFS OF MOHER

Lord of the Dance is a foot-tapping extravaganza.

Tickets for what is being called “The Edge of The World Experience” have just gone on sale in Ireland. The show represents the first open air performances of the world-famous “Lord of the Dance” extravaganza and it is expected to attract 10,000 people to the Cliffs of Moher on 1 and 2 September. The performances coincide with the campaign to have the iconic cliffs selected as one of the New7Wonders of Nature.

The show features 40 dancers acting out the mythical Irish folk story of a battle between Don Dorcha, the Lord of Darkness, and the Lord of Light, also known as the Lord of the Dance. But before he dances at the Cliffs of Moher, Michael Flatley, the so-called Lord of the Dance and the creator of the show, is looking forward to seeing himself dancing in 3-D when the “Lord of the Dance in 3D” hits cinemas worldwide next month in time for Ireland’s national holiday, St. Patrick’s Day.

“For years, people have been asking us to do a movie,” Flatley told the Wall Street Journal. “And right now dance is red-hot and 3D is new and important, so it just seemed perfectly suited.” Is he worried that his film will have to compete with Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never”, which is also coming to cinemas in 3-D? “We’re totally different worlds,” Flatley said. “We have an enormous global fan base. We’re as big in South Africa as we are in Holland or Russia or Taiwan. I know Justin is big in America, but our show is for ages 5 to 95 with no barriers.”

Text mad Irish can now SMS their love for the Cliffs of Moher in N7W final phase

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JULY 5, 2011 IN CLIFFS OF MOHER

The Cliffs of Moher consist of Namurian shale and sandstone dating back 300 million years.

Ireland joins the list of countries that offer nation-wide SMS/text voting in the Official New7Wonders of Nature. Voting for the Irish Finalist, the Cliffs of Moher, is as simple as sending MOHER by SMS to 53131. Each text costs €0.30 per vote and standard network charges may apply.

“In the Republic of Ireland, a total of 1.5 billion messages are sent every quarter, on average 114 messages per person per month,” said Eamonn Fitzgerald, Head of Communication at New7Wonders. “Clearly, Irish people love texting and now we’re making it possible for them to combine their passion for communication with their love of nature by enabling texting for the magnificent Cliffs of Moher.”

Within in Ireland, people can also vote for all 28

Astérix and Obélix on the Cliffs of Moher

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JULY 28, 2011 IN CLIFFS OF MOHER

The Cliffs of Moher will act as the backdrop for Astérix and Obélix in God Save Britannia

Scenes from the fourth instalment of the Astérix and Obélix series, God Save Britannia, will be shot in Ireland in early September. The film will feature a battle between opposing Roman and Norman armies fought against the backdrop of the Cliffs of Moher, one of the 28 Finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature.

According to the Irish Times, some 800 people queued up in County Clare hoping for a chance to be cast as extras in the €50 million movie starring Gérard Depardieu, Catherine Deneuve, Edouard Baer, Fabrice Luchini and Charlotte Lebon.

Cliffs of Moher

Located in county Clare, the Cliffs of Moher are amongst the most impressive places to see in Ireland. The cliffs consist mainly of beds of Namurian shale and sandstone, with the oldest rocks being found at the bottom of the cliffs. One can see 300 million year old river channels cutting through the base of the cliffs.There are many animals living on the cliffs, most of them birds.

Mona Al Mansouri is making waves with her clothes

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JULY 15, 2011 IN BU TINAH ISLAND

Mona Al Mansouri's bridal gown with its motifs of marine life was as a representation of Bu Tinah Island. Now it will be exhibited as a landmark at Abu Dhabi airport.

In February this year, designer Mona Al Mansouri made international news with one of her gowns at the Bride Show in Abu Dhabi. Its motifs of marine life were intended as a representation of Bu Tinah Island, one of the 28 Finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature. Such was the reaction that the decision has been made to exhibit the dress at Abu Dhabi airport as a landmark.

Mona Al Mansouri is a self-taught designer who gave up her engineering and geology studies to become a dedicated follower and creator of fashion. Her career choice paid off when this year when she was named the “most influential designer in the Middle East” by the United Arab Emirates version of the French fashion magazine L’Officiel.

With her 20-strong team of Filipino, Indian and Pakistani tailors she produces a range of haute couture designs, but she also regards fashion as a potential vehicle for making statements about everything from the environment to Middle East politics. “I know now that fashion is cultural,” she told The National. “It is cultural for the people, so I said, ‘Why not use this catwalk to make messages for the world about many things?’”

Flamingo back in Abu Dhabi after ten-year absence

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON JULY 21, 2011 IN BU TINAH ISLAND

Flamingos: Copyright EAD-Suaad Al Harthi. The Greater Flamingo is the largest of the species.

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) says that the Greater Flamingo is once again breeding in the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve. Bu Tinah Island, off the coast of Abu Dhabi and one of the 28 Official Finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature, is also home to hundreds of flamingos.

“The breeding by flamingos in this Reserve is further evidence that protecting such areas is crucial in the preservation of our biodiversity,” said H.E Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, the EAD Secretary General. “Our tracking programme allows us to observe their migration patterns and enables us to see what is needed to support a healthy habitat for these important birds,” she added.

The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the largest of the species and its habitats range from the western Mediterranean Basin to Sri Lanka in the north and South Africa in the south. It is a frequent visitor to the United Arab Emirates and can be seen all year round in lagoons, artificial wetlands and even close to human settlements such as suburban homes and industrial areas.

The wonderful world wide mangrove

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON AUGUST 4, 2011 IN BU TINAH ISLAND, SUNDARBANS

Is there anything that the humble mangrove cannot do? Along with being an important source of food and fuel, mangrove forests provide wood for building houses and ships because of its firmness and resistance to rot. Mangrove forests also make a significant contribution to the preservation of the environment by preventing coastline erosion caused by waves and currents.

But there’s more. Mangrove forests absorb carbon dioxide and keep it locked away in the soil, and they offer a natural habitat for crabs, shrimps and waterbirds.

From Africa to Asia to Oceania to the Americas to the Middle East, you’ll find mangroves. And two of the 28 Official Finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature place considerable emphasis on their mangrove forests: The Sundarbans and Bu Tinah Island.

The Mangrove Action Project — a non-governmental organization run by a global network with the goal of saving mangroves — works to raise awareness of the trees and their benefits. Part of its mission is to point out that the mangrove is increasingly threatened by coastal development.

Mindful of the role of the mangrove, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is promoting the tree as a buffer against extreme weather events and as a nursery to the emirate’s fish stocks. Its most recent mangrove project took place in February this year, when it planted 800,000 trees. Thabit Al Abdessalaam, Director of Biodiversity Management Sector at EAD, said: “The mangrove plays an integral role in the marine ecosystem, providing a habitat for aquatic and terrestrial fauna and flora, as well as offsetting carbon emissions which help reduce the effects of climate change. It is essential that each one of us assume responsibility for the conservation of this species, as it is a treasured part of our natural heritage.”

Bu Tinah Island at ADIHEX 2011

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is promoting Bu Tinah Island, a Finalist in the New7Wonders of Nature, at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) this week.

The island of Bu Tinah lies in the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, and is home to unique coral reefs, mangroves, endangered Hawksbill turtles, dugongs, dolphins, Ospreys and Socotra cormorants. Along with urging UAE residents to support the New7Wonders campaign, EAD’s team of experts will also showcase Abu Dhabi’s desert wildlife at ADIHEX, including some of the emirate’s biologically important species like Zarudny’s Worm Lizard (the only amphibian found in the UAE) and the Arabian Horned Viper, which is best known for the trails it leaves after gliding down sand dunes.

As well, EAD will highlight the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme, which aims to release Saker and Peregrine falcons back into the wild as part of an ambitious research programme to understand the rehabilitation potential of falcons used for falconry.

“We are very excited to be a part of ADIHEX to further educate people in Abu Dhabi about our emirate’s natural heritage and to foster greater understanding and appreciation of the need to protect our unique and fragile environment,” H.E Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General, EAD said. “One of EAD’s priorities is to engage with the public and our stakeholders to raise awareness on the need to protect our biodiversity and live sustainably,” she added.

People attending ADIHEX can show their support for Bu Tinah at a booth set up to allow the exhibition’s visitors to cast their votes for the island. Anyone living in the UAE can also vote for Bu Tinah by sending an SMS message to 3888 with the word ‘BuTinah’ in the text.

The Bu Tinah Experience on the Corniche

BY EAMONN FITZGERALD ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 IN BU TINAH ISLAND


Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency (EAD) is launching the “Bu Tinah Experience” to raise awareness on the region’s biodiversity. Housed in a large white dome on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, the “Bu Tinah Experience” features a lagoon with turtles and a mangrove nursery. The turtles are part of a rehabilitation initiative that rescues injured animals and then releases them back into the areas where they were found.

Bu Tinah Island is the only finalist in the New7Wonders of Nature from the Arabian Gulf.

The “Bu Tinah Experience” opens to the public tomorrow, September 30, and entrance — every day from 10am to 10pm — is free. EAD has also revamped the Vote Bu Tinah website in a final voting push before the New7Wonders of Nature competition ends on 11 November.

Thabit Zahran Al Abdessalaam, Director of Biodiversity Management Sector at EAD, says: “We created the ‘Bu Tinah Experience’ to people the opportunity to see a small part of the natural haven that is Bu Tinah Island. It is our hope that this interactive experience will inspire and motivate UAE residents to support the Vote Bu Tinah campaign. At the very least, we hope that the campaign will have generated awareness about the importance of our natural heritage, inspiring and encouraging people to actively support its conservation.”

Bu Tinah Island, located around 130 km west of Abu Dhabi, is a core area of the UNESCO-designated Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve — the first marine biosphere reserve in the region. It is home to coral reefs, mangroves, Hawksbill turtles, dugongs, dolphins, Ospreys and Socotra cormorants.

United Arab Emirates

Bu Tinah Island



Off the western shores of Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates,  lies a unique natural treasure, wild and undisturbed by human activity: Bu Tinah Island. Bu Tinah’s thriving ecosystem forms a unique living laboratory with key significance for climate change research. An undisturbed paradise, Bu Tinah has much to teach mankind about environmental protection and survival. This distinctive natural habitat has shallow waters, seagrass beds and tall mangroves, set amid extensive coral reefs. It hosts beautiful and endangered marine life. Seabirds, including flamingos and osprey, various species of dolphins and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle live in Bu Tinah. The island’s waters host the world’s second-largest population of dugong, a large marine mammal that is threatened worldwide. Bu Tinah Island, rich in biodiversity, lies within the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve - the region's largest marine reserve. Its protection and survival must be ensured.

Forests more important for German economy than cars

Zurich/Switzerland — A number of recent articles, such as Stern Magazine (issue 48/2009), have cited the Nov. 3, 2009 “German Forestry and Timber Cluster Study:” German forests directly or indirectly employ about 1.3 million people—compared to 750,000 in what many Germans see as their primary industry, cars, and compared to 810,000 in electronics and 465,000 in the chemical industry. It’s time that German industry and politicians wake up and smell the sap!


A walk in the Black Forest

Germany has the highest volume of tree wood (3.4 billion cubic m) of any European country, though Finland, Sweden and Austria may be better known for their woods. This resource is extremely valuable for the environment and precious for many industries, such as tourism and timber. Yet experts warn that the situation is critical and up to 20 percent of all trees in German forests are sick. The past has shown that political and popular action can make a difference—in the 1980s, people reacted strongly to the news that acid rain was killing the Black Forest and drastic action helped the situation dramatically.

2011 is the Year of Forests

The United Nations has declared 2011 the International Year of Forests

Now that the United Nations has declared 2011 the International Year of Forests, many New7Wonders of Nature finalists, such as the Black Forest and the Amazon Rain Forest, will be feeling very pleased with themselves. They  are the most obvious beneficiaries of the UN decision, but the Sundarbans and El Yunque are heavily forested areas, too, and both can expect extra publicity in the New Year because governments and international organizations will be creating awareness of the International Year of Forests.

According to World Bank estimates, more than 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods. The forest industry is a source of economic growth and employment, with the value of global forest products traded internationally reckoned to be some $270 billion. The World Bank also says that forests provide habitats to about two-thirds of all species on earth.

The need for such awareness is great because the Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that every year 130,000 km² of the world’s forests are lost due to deforestation. Unsustainable harvesting of timber, bad land management practices and the establishment of human settlements are the main causes of deforestation.

In the primeval Polish forest where wisents roam

Straddling the border between Poland and Belarus, the 8,000-year-old Bialowieza Forest is a very special place. Here, in Europe’s last primeval forest, it is possible to see one of the world’s rarest animal: the wisent, or European bison. Weighing up to 800kg, the wisent is Europe’s heaviest land mammal.
Ironically, the wisent survived because of the aristocracy. Polish kings and Russian tsars were fond of hunting the animal and maintained a small population over the centuries. But during the First World War, wisents were killed for food to the point of near extinction. Thanks to a conservation program, however, they survived and today 470 of them live in the Bialowieza Forest, which they share with wolves, elks and lynx.

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of trees. New7Wonders supports this goal and it is proud of the fact that many of the 28 Official Finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature are rich in forestry. There’s the Black Forest and the Amazon Rain Forest, to name but two very famous Finalists. The Sundarbans and El Yunque are heavily forested areas as is the Polish Finalist, the Masurian Lake District.

During the the International Year of Forests we should remember what US President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said: “A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.”