By Heidi Trautmann

On September 30 the new Cyprus Nature Library on the second floor of the Vakiflar Building behind the Colony Hotel was opened to the public. Barbara Rossmüller, the representative of SAVE, a project group in Cyprus supported by USAID, was welcomed by Martin Marancos, the head of Kuşkor, and many supporters and friends of the organization. A small grant by SAVE had helped to establish the library. The person responsible for the establishment, organization, equipment and getting started is young and lovely Andrea Barden. It is a marvelous idea and very welcome to all who want to know more about our fauna and flora and how to participate in nature projects.

On the shelves of two rooms nature books for visitors of Cyprus are lined up next to scientific papers for researchers and students as well as educational material for children of all ages. Books may be read in situ or they may be borrowed for a short time.

Beautiful photos of animals at home in Cyprus are adding to the very friendly atmosphere of the place. Some tables invite to sit down and study, also children are very welcome to colour all kind of animal pictures. Ken Hearne who is very much interested in nature and does lovely paintings of birds and flowers has created something very special in all details as a three dimensional installation, the one is the greatly enlarged egg of the Large White or Cabbage White, and the other are the eggs of a chamaeleon we often meet in the trees of our garden or the fangs of our cats.

Kuşkor was established in 1989 and since then has been active in organising several environmental education campaigns, bird watching sessions, volunteering events and other activities which contribute to the protection of birds, wildlife and habitats of Cyprus.

 If you want to know more about Kuskor, then please click here:

http://www.kuskor.org/home.php?page=home

It is a most creative and well established website, very informative and easy to read.

Andrea Barden, the young lady responsible for the library, gave me the opening times of the library: Monday: 9 – 12 am; Wednesday 2 – 5 pm; Thursday 2 – 5 pm; but, as she is still working to bring in new books and material, it is better to phone her under 0542 873 2859 until further notice.

It is a lovely and very important project and I support it with all my heart. As we say: You protect what you love and you love only what you know.

There are 7 Kuskor Committee Members.

Martin Marancos is a Kuskor member for 16 years and he teaches Academic English at The Middle East Technical University in Kalkanli.

Dr Wayne Fuller, Phd in Zoology and Lecturer at the Agricultural Sciences Faculty of Lefke European University, an honourary member, is Vice Chairman,

Mr.Erol Zia, a Cypriot with a strong British background who has also done extensive work investigating illegal bird trapping activity in the south.

Dr Özge Öden, Phd in Biology and Lecturer at the Agricultural Sciences Faculty of Lefke European University, wife of Dr. Fuller, is the European Project treasurer and also treasurer for the Cyprus Nature Library.

Ms Monika Boyer, tourism expert.

and last but not least two young students from The Middle East Technical University in Kalkanli, Ms Ayten Kara and Mr Erdi Somuncioğlu, who is Kuskor treasurer.

Ms Damla Beton, a Phd student in biology at The Middle East Technical University in Ankara, and Mr Robin Snape a candidate Phd  Student ( Zoology) from England are full time employees of Kuskor.

Ms Andrea Barden, also a candidate Phd Student from England, is a volunteer with Kuskor and is responsible for The Cyprus Nature Library.

Until recently, Dr Havva Dinç, Phd Biology, METU Ankara was also a vounteer with Kuskor.

A very well qualified Committee, staff and volunteers.