Forwarded with permission. Dear Ferret Enthusiast: Thank you for the work that you accomplish on behalf of ferrets and ferret owners. Because of your active involvement with ferrets, I think you will be interested in an exciting project involving the black-footed ferret. Black-footed ferrets, one of North America's most endangered species, will be reintroduced into the wild this fall on the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation. The 221,646-acre Lower Brule Sioux Reservation lies on the western bank of the Missouri River in central South Dakota. The area has historically been home to an abundance of wildlife. The Lower Brule Sioux people have also been part of this rich web of life for generations. However, during the last two centuries the people and the environment of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe have endured many hardships brought on by ill-conceived government programs, un-kept promises, and broken treaties. The people of the Reservation are now negatively impacted from this greatly degraded environment. However, the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Department of Wildlife, Fish and Recreation has already begun restoring ecological balance on the Reservation. Through the Department's programs, several indigenous species have been restored; these include buffalo, elk, wild turkey, sweet grass, and numerous native trees and shrubs. This fall the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Department of Wildlife, Fish and Recreation will conduct the first of several releases of black- footed ferrets into habitat where they were extirpated over thirty years ago. This reintroduction is a significant step that is the culmination of much planning. The re-establishment of a viable, self-sustaining black-footed ferret population is expected to be a four to six year endeavor. Projects like the reintroduction of the black-footed ferrets help more than just restore the balance of the ecosystem. This work also generates jobs, creating revenue within the reservation where poverty and high unemployment are major social problems. The Maka Foundation is raising the financial resources required to make this black-footed ferret reintroduction successful. Will you assist us in getting the message out about this project? Potential ways to assist include: - Posting a link to our website (www.makafoundation.org) on your website. - Inserting our brochure about the ferret program (a copy can be mailed to your review) in your newsletter mailing. - Including an article about this project in your newsletter. Perhaps you have other ideas as well. I would certainly appreciate any advice or counsel that you have to offer. Please contact me at 605-473-8016 or at my email address: [log in to unmask] Thank you for considering this request. Sincerely, Rod Vaughn Executive Director Maka Foundation P.O. Box 807 Lower Brule, SD 57548 605-473-8016 [log in to unmask] www.makafoundation.org [Posted in FML issue 5297]