News, Publications, and Reports

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AlTo sends out three newsletters per year and electronic updates on alternate months. 

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ALTO’S CURRENT NEWS

Newsletter April 2024:

  • The Preserve Grows: Land purchase expands protected area in Panganian
  • Monjagai Tompotika Rangers: A new corps of community rangers to protect Tompotika’s forests and wildlife
  • Community Benefits: Free Reading Glasses
  • Restoration: Trees for Tangkuladi’s Bats
  • The Faces of AlTo – Ardi Managkari: Farmer, Dammar Collector, Forest Protector

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Update February 2024:

The Neighing of Horses

When the Alliance for Tompotika Conservation (“Al-To”) was formed, we picked a venerable namesake. At 1600m tall (5200 ft), Mount Tompotika is the hub and centerpiece of the 2500 km2 (c. 1000 mi2) peninsula where AlTo works; geographically and culturally, the whole peninsula turns on Tompotika. At its summit, Mt. Tompotika is noted for three distinct peaks, and the three separate ethnic groups native to this region—the Saluan, Balantak, and Banggai peoples—all honor…

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Newsletter November 2023:

  • A New Forest Preserve: AlTo-village partnership proposes a new protected area in Tompotika
  • Learning the Birds
  • AlTo’s Tompotikan Staff Visit the USA
  • Her Name is Athena, and She’s Calling You!
  • It’s Here! Sulawesi Giant Civet
  • WPA Does Maleo – and More!
  • More vegetables, more variety
  • In Memoriam: Steve Sears
  • The Faces of AlTo: Laurie Gano

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Update October 2023:

A Death in the Rainforest

AlTo is on a mission to gain official protection for as much of the Tompotika peninsula’s interior forest as possible. To that end, starting last year, the AlTo team began a series of expeditions into the so-called Heart of Tompotika Forest in the center of the peninsula. The purpose of these journeys is to explore and document the biodiversity that calls these 83,000 hectares (320 mi2) home…

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RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

Degree of egg‑taking by humans determines the fate of maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) nesting grounds across Sulawesi                                 

Summers, M., et al.

2023 – Biodiversity and Conservation

 Full Article Here 

“Someday we will all learn anew through hands that love us”: Protecting a key insular population of the Sulawesi Fruit Bat Acerodon celebensis

Summers, M., Bunsung, R., & Manasai, W.

2021 – Conservation Science and Practice

 Full Article Here

Maleo Macrocephalon maleo population recovery at two Sulawesi nesting grounds after community engagement to prevent egg poaching

Tasirin, J., et al.

2021 – Global Ecology and Conservation

Full Article Here

NEWS ARCHIVES

UPDATES

NEWSLETTERS

AlTo Update October 2022: Mandiodo: Money, Mud, and Misery

AlTo Update September 2022: A Maleo named Amirudin

AlTo Update July 2022: Palm Oil Part 2

AlTo Update June 2022: Palm Oil Part 1

AlTo Update March 2022: Forests. YES.

AlTo Update December 2021: You Did It!

AlTo Update September 2021: This is how it grows

AlTo Update July 2021: The Bat Defender

AlTo Update August 2020: One primate family

AlTo Update June 2020: A bright star

AlTo Update March 2020: As if the whole world depended on it

AlTo Update February 2020: A tale of two poachers

AlTo Update October 2019: For want of a shovel

AlTo Update May 2019: Life amongst the dead

AlTo Update October 2018: Earthquake. Tsunami. Trees.

AlTo Update May 2018: Waging Peace for a Third Thing

AlTo Update February 2018: True Wealth

AlTo Update September 2017: Upang and the Maleo Worms

AlTo Update February 2017: Experience Conversion

AlTo Update May 2016: Recovery Happens

AlTo Update March 2016: Beyond Elections

AlTo Update January 2016: Sharing Stuff

AlTo Update October 2015: Dawn Chorus, Sulawesi Style

AlTo Update September 2015: Spitting on Forest Fires

AlTo Update May 2015: Happy Endangered Species Day!

AlTo Update February 2015: Preparing for Wonderful Things

AlTo Update August 2014: Art Has Changed Things

AlTo Update May 2014: Listening Hard

AlTo Update August 2013: The Bat Man of Batu Bassi

AlTo Update April 2013: Small is Beautiful

AlTo Update January 2013: Conservation = Reclaiming Our Identity

AlTo Update December 2012: Thanks for gifts you have already given

AlTo Update September 2012: This is the Frontier

AlTo Update August 2012: In Praise of Guano

AlTo Update April 2012: Give BIG like the Maleo!

AlTo Update January 2012: Elegy and Celebration

AlTo Update December 2011: All Creatures Great and Small

AlTo Update September 2011: Mt. Tompotika: The View from the Top

AlTo Update June 2011: Ideas for building the future

AlTo Update January 2011: The Ghost of Tompotika

AlTo Update December 2010: The Giving Tree

AlTo Update September 201o: What About Big Blood-thirsty Man-eaters?

AlTo Update May 2010: World Turtle Day May 23

AlTo Update April 2010: Salutary Stories from Tompotika

AlTo Update March 2010: Portrait of a Predator, Converted

AlTo Update January 2010: This is for you.

AlTo Update December 2009: What happens when the world opens

April 2023

Festival Returns!; What we need most; The Panganian Preserve expands; Jackoustic; Festival: Changing young lives; The Season for Giving; The Faces of AlTo

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November 2022

A New World Record; The Gift of Clear Vision; Bats Are Thriving in Tompotika; Protect the Forest; World Maleo Day – Nov 21; The Season for Giving; The Faces of AlTo

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May 2022

The Beloved Maleo: The good, the bad, and the beautiful;  Tompotika Forests: Stepping up our protection effots in the face of new mining pressures; The first mining casualties: Teku sea turtles; A mine in our village: What are the effects?; The Faces of AlTo: Bryony Angell: Birder, Writer, and Parent

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November 2021

AlTo Apprenticeship: How to build a conservation professional; AlTo Research Published: Two articles document AlTo conservation success in peer-reviewed scientific journals; News Briefs: Mining activity increasing in Tompotika, Covid-19 in Tompotika; New Preserve: Maleo restoration
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May 2021

We speak for the trees: First case of illegal logging prosecuted in the region; The bat book: The origins of the pandemic explained; Who is Athena and what is her Circle?; The faces of AlTo: Galen Priest, Senior Science Advisor and Outreach Specialist
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November 2020

Partnership: AlTo’s collaborative approach is key to conservation success; COVID-19: Community-based means COVID-resilient conservation; Portrait of a partner: Yudil Dilao, Hunter-turned guardian; Outreach: AlTo goes home; The Faces of AlTo: Ichsan Tobing: Advisor, Ally, Advocate     
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May 2020

Festival: What kind of world do we want?; COVID-19 in Tompotika: Protecting the vulnerable, facilitating long-term change; Jackoustick! Music for conservation contest bigger than ever; The faces of AlTo: Focus on women and girls
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November 2019

For its own sake: Villagers renew and deepen their commitment to maleo conservation; Saving Bat Island: Tangkuladi Island lease renewal protects bats, sea turtles-and rainforests-for another ten years; Law enforcement – No longer just talk; “We got an upgrade!”: AlTo staff give presentations at conferences; The faces of AlTo; The Bear Cuscus: Mystery, Gravitas, and… Cuteness
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July 2019

We bought the beach! Land purchase creates brand-new wildlife preserve for maleos and sea turtles; Ibu-Ibu: Field trips for women introduce them to their maleo neighbors; Field update: Maleo survey nearly complete; Wish list: Your old binoculars; The IPBES Global Assessment: What we need to do to save the world?; The faces of AlTo: Kathryn and Jackoustik: a gift of love made manifest
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April 2019

Two for two: Kaumosongi confirmed as AlTo’s second maleo recovery site; Healing nature, helping people: AlTo helps aid victims of the Palu earthquake and tsunami; Annual fund 2019: Terima Kasih!; Not just another pretty endangered face: The maleo as a conservation ambassador for all; The faces of AlTo: Wiranto Abas, AlTo Conservation Officer.
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November 2018

The Great Maleo Comeback: What does it look like when an endangered species recovers?; Securing the land: Government action formalizes maleo habitat protection; New faces at AlTo: Sukendra Mahalaya; New faces at AlTo: Virginia James; Measuring Success: How effective are AlTo’s Outreach efforts?
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July 2018

Protect and Restore: When damage is done, Nature gets help in healing; How Are They Doing: Assessing Maleo’s status across their full range; Kaumosongi Maleos: Protect and Restore; Restoring Tangkuladi Bat Island; The Faces of AlTo: Keven Schafer, Photographer and U.S. Board V-P.
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April 2018

Building Conservation Professionals: NGO staff gather to create a “Culture of Care”; Festival 2018: Drama and music delight and inspire Tompotika villagers; Faye Wilkinson: Still making a difference; Jackoustick: Contest sparks new original music for conservation by Tompotika artists; The Faces of AlTo: The Cooking Ladies of Tanah Merah.
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November 2017

Our Actions Matter: Outreach in remote villages spotlights deep jungles and their wildlife; Of Hunters and Hunting: How and why Tompotikans hunt endangered wildlife; New research turns up little-known bat species; Sea Turtle Hatchlings: More healthy babies this year; The Faces of AlTo: Simon Purser, AlTo’s New Program Director.
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July 2017

Eyewitness to Recovery: AlTo field trips give Tompotika kids a rare direct view of endangered maleos; Going Wider and Deeper: AlTo catalyzes Sulawesi-wide outreach campaign for endangered forest mammals; The benefits of conservation: Scholarships for rural students; The Faces of AlTo: The Babirusa: Not what you might think.
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March 2017

Festival! AlTo’s 2nd Tompotika International maleo and Sea Turtle celebration wows villagers; Jackoustick: Contest sparks the creation of new music for conservation; More Kids’ books delivered through the Tompotika Children’s Library Project; New research program to address never-before-studied maleo questions; The Faces of AlTo: Looking closely reveals hidden faces.
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April 2016

Bring in the Light! New Children’s Library Established in Tompotika; Climate Change in Tompotika: Fires, Floods, and Failed Crops; Maleo program stronger than ever; On the Tarsier Trail: Survey finds tarsiers of Tompotika are abundant and distinctive; The Faces of AlTo: Sheila Eckman – AlTo’s Program Assistant.
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November 2015

Climate Change: in Tompotika: Fires, Floods, and Failed Crops; Standing our Ground: helping government move to avert a maleo disaster; In Memoriam: Dr. Jack Barbash, Consummate Conservationist; Kids’ Books Project: Just in time for the holidays!; The Faces of AlTo: Dilawati Manjong, future AlTo staff member.
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August 2015

Raising Awareness: Spreading the conservation message in Tompotika; On the Tarsier Trail: Volunteer with Tompotika’s first scientific tarsier survey; Shameless Advertising; More Research Needed…; The Faces of AlTo: The Anoa, buffalo of the jungle.
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March 2015

Festival! Celebrating conservation at the first Tompotika International Maleo and Sea Turtle Festival; Tompotika Schools get Involved: Creativity for conservation; Tompotika Tarsiers 2016: Join AlTo for a scientific expedition; The Faces of AlTo: Nick Fury, clowning for conservation.
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November 2014

Maleos: How Bright the Future!; A New Era: Bat Island receives official government protected status; Teku Sea Turtle Program Keeps On Growing!; Festival 2015: Maleos and Sea Turtles Scale it Up!; The Faces of AlTo: Dr. John Tasirin, Sulawesi’s Native Son.
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June 2014

Maleos Safe Again!…and returning to nesting ground in record numbers; Youth Drama Festival: Tompotika youth take maleo and sea turtle show on the road; What’s that on the scan?; Gates not open wide; The long arm of the law gets longer; New face at AlTo’s US Office, Sheila Eckman; Indonesian Government: Conserving maleo and sea turtle habitat is essential!; The Faces of AlTo: Sandra Noel, Volunteer Extraordinaire.
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February 2014

Still Out There: New maleo nesting sites discovered in Tompotika; Youth Drama Festival: Endangered wildlife to be celebrated in Tompotika youth production; Community-Based Conservation: Community division means a setback for maleos; We’re Coming to America; The Faces of AlTo: Alfred Russel Wallace.
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October 2013

Pulau Tangkuladi: New island sanctuary for bats and sea turtles; Essential Ecosystems: Government declares Taima a new national conservation area; Clean water for Taima; New Maleo projects; Tompotika Bird Guide Delayed; The Law is on Our Side: Officials take a stand for maleos and sea turtles; The Faces of AlTo: Roma of Taima, Conservation Hero.
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July 2013

Where is Tompotika Anyway? And why should we care about it?; Tompotika.org Redesigned: AlTo’s website gets a facelift and new content; Water for Taima: New possibilities; Reconnaissance in Tompotika: Where are the best bats?; Law Enforcement Program Gathers Steam; The Faces of AlTo: Laura Bienen, AlTo Donor.
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February 2013

The Pride of Tompotika: Conservation villages celebrate their wildlife in two beautiful new mural paintings; No Bats, No Durian: AlTo’s new Bat Awareness Campaign is off and flying; Enforcing Wildlife Law: Progress in planning – and action; Keeping Maleos Connected: AlTo launches new effort to protect critical forest corridor; The Faces of AlTo: I Ketut Sukraba, Cacao Farmer.
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October 2012

Maleos and Turtles: Not for Sale!; A Field Guide to the Birds of Tompotika: AlTo’s guide will be a first for Tompotika and Sulawesi; Six Years of Maleo Recovery: a Progress Report; Giving Baby Sea Turtles a Chance; The Faces of AlTo: Tompotika’s Conservation Professionals.
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June 2012

Not Just Charming: Bats are essential for forests and fruits; AlTo Launches New law Enforcement Outreach Program; Training Local Professionals; New MoU with BKSDA; Maleo Numbers Continue to Grow; No taste for maleo Eggs; AlTo on Indonesian National TV; Do Your Part to Save Maleos and Sea Turtles – In Person; Keeping you informed, and AlTo fed; The Faces of AlTo: Sea Turtle Hatchlings.
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March 2012

Tripods in the Mud: Documenting Tompotika’s Natural Riches in Pictures; The Results Are In: Organic farming techniques dramatically improve soil and crops; Still Growing: Tompotika Forest Protection Receives a New Boost; Tompotika Mural Painting Trip: Rescheduled for 2012. The Faces of AlTo: The AlTo Team Grows by Two.
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October 2011

Turtle Evolution: Hatchings by the thousands from re-vamped program; Organic Farming for Healthy Forests: The training comes home; The Benefits of Conservation; Clean water for Taima village; The Faces of AlTo: The Tarsier, Miniature marvel.
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June 2011

More New Species in Tompotika! Survey discovers 2-3 shrew species brand new to science; AlTo is Five Years Old!; Conservation through Carbon Storage: Will REDD save forests and wildlife?; Why Art for Conservation; Seat Turtle Nesting Season 2011: AlTo and villages revamp our programs; The Faces of AlTo: Five-Year Allies.
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February 2011

For the Love of Birds: New Birding Skills Come to Tompotika; Art for Conservation Travel: Join us to create Tompotika’s first community murals; Trash Awareness Campaign: Tackling the litter problem school by school; Taima Village Declares New Sanctuary for Bats!; It’s All About Relationships: Maleo Disaster Averted; The Faces of AlTo: Meet our U.S. Board.
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October 2010

Putting Trash in its Place: New Awareness, New Habits in Tompotika; The Biodiversity Crisis: We all have a part to play; The Next Five Years in Taima: Healthy Maleos, happy People; Proper Disposal: Why Incinerate?; The Bats are Back!; The Faces of AlTo: Captive turtles and their release.
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June 2010

Food, Farms, and Forests: How organic farming is saving Tompotika’s rainforests; Recognizing Success: AlTo’s partner Taima wins the Maleo Award – Maleo numbers have tripled; The Faces of AlTo: A Scientist and His Discoveries.
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February 2010

The endangered Maleo, up from the grave: See what recovery looks like!; Be part of the Solution: Join AlTo’s 2010 Eco-Service Tour & Tompotika Trash Jamboree; Protecting the Whole, Protecting the Parts: Bat & Turtle Island; AlTo’s Conservation Awareness Campaign: Recruiting Nature Lovers for Tomorrow.
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October 2009

AlTo Survey Team Discovers Three Brand-New Species!; New Tompotika Forest Preserve: Now Ten Times Original Size; Tompotika’s First-Ever Butterfly Survey: We come bearing nets; Meet AlTo’s Splendid Staff; Tompotika Youth Calendar Project: High School Artists Celebrate Tompotika’s Wildlife.
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June 2009

Sea Turtles: How Do We Know It’s Working?; New Tompotika Rainforest Preserve Moving Forward; Art For Conservation: The Tompotika Youth Calendar Project; Meet our Indonesian Board; The Maleo: an evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered treasure.
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December 2008

New Tompotika Forest Preserve – from now to forever; First Sea Turtle Season: A Fourth Species!; Summer 2009: Tompotika Ecotour and Butterfly Survey.
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May 2008

AlTo Launches new Sea Turtle Conservation Program; Teku: Unearthing a hidden treasure in Tompotika; Be Aware or Be Square.
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November 2007

Year 1: 1300 Maleo Eggs; Art Birds: Conservation from the Heart; Have Maleos, Will Travel.
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May 2007

Maleo moratorium: A “Win-Win” for Everybody; Art Exchange to Promote Conservation Awareness; Come to Tompotika; AlTo’s new Logo by Gargoyle Design.
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December 2006

Moratorium Bears Fruit: First maleo Chicks Hatch!; Indonesia’s New Conservation Professionals; Dates set for next Tompotika Trip; AlTo’s own 501(c)3 Status Approved.
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REPORTS

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Annual Report 2023

Full summary of AlTo’s 2023 activities and financials.

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Annual Report 2022

Full summary of AlTo’s 2022 activities and financials.

READ FULL REPORT

AlTo logo

Annual Report 2021

Full summary of AlTo’s 2021 activities and financials.

READ FULL REPORT

AlTo logo

Annual Report 2020

Full summary of AlTo’s 2020 activities and financials.

READ FULL REPORT

ALTO IN THE NEWS

Associated Press News, December 6, 2023: Indonesian maleo conservation faced setbacks due to development and plans for a new capitol city

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San Diego Union Tribune, December 10, 2023: Bird conservation efforts face setbacks because of development

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Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, September 2021: Recent study highlights local group’s conservation successes

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Mongabay, August 9, 2021: Article: Maleos bounce back in Sulawesi after villagers resolve to protect their eggs

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New Scientist, July 30, 2021: Article: Endangered Maleo bird of Indonesia bouncing back from the brink

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Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber: April, 2021: Article: Shifting the Baseline Back Toward Truth

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