Environment Society of Oman Sponsorship Opportunities for 2016

An overview The Environment Society of Oman (ESO) was founded in March 2004 by Omanis representing different regions and many different professional backgrounds . The Society is the first of its kind in Oman, and hopes to have a positive influence on Oman’s future development by promoting conservation and environmental awareness in all sectors of society. In February 2009, ESO was accepted as a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and represents environmental organizations of west Asia at the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). ESO has been continuing pioneering marine and terrestrial research to enable practical and necessary conservation efforts and actively engages young Omanis, volunteers and the public in our projects . In 2012, ESO won The Best Civil Society Institution Award granted by Riyada4 GCC - Civil Society Leaders Dialogue and Awards .

Our aims Publication and dissemination of educational and awareness-raising media for the general public; Organization of participatory events to allow the public to become actively involved in

environmental and conservation activities; Capacity building of young Omanis in the field of environmental conservation; Fostering cooperation between scientific, educational, public and government organizations to

promote conservation of both marine and terrestrial habitats in Oman ; Active research about many aspects of Oman’s environment to help provide the necessary

information for conservation and education initiatives.

ESO Sponsorship Opportunities

Capacity Building

Capacity Building for Omanis in the Field of Environmental

Conservation

Awareness

Earth Hour

Ramadan Quiz

Education

5th Inter College Environmental Public Speaking Competition

Research

Whale and Dolphin Research and Conservation

Sea Turtle Research and Conservation

Sea Turtle Conservation and Sustainability Fishing

Fundraising Events

ESO Ball

Eco Bowl

Capacity Building for Omanis in the field of Environmental

Conservation

ESO has been steadily growing over the last 10 years. In 2010, due to a

lack of Omanis in the field of environment within the country, it was

agreed by the Board that a central part of ESO’s mandate would be to

train Omani graduates in conservation strategies and NGO and

community involvement giving them an opportunity to pursue a

career with ESO or join the public or private sector.

Over the last 4 years ESO has hired and trained 11 Omanis in the areas

of Community Outreach, Volunteer Management, Project

Management, and Field Research.

These staff members are training in areas that they would not be able

to receive through training institutes or in the public or private sector.

The program has been running for 4 years and is highly successful. ESO

is asking for amount of RO 80,000 per year and a 2 year commitment

to become ESO’s Capacity Building Partner and train 7 young Omanis

in the field of environment conservation.

Sponsorship OMR 80,000 per year for 2 Years

Capacity Building

Awareness Projects

Earth Hour 2016 2016 will be the 7th year that ESO joins the global initiative of Earth Hour to demonstrate concerns about the future of our planet by doing something simple, yet remarkable – turning off lights for one hour. This year Earth Hour Global is celebrating its 10th year and the campaign will focus on three elements: People, Climate, and Social. The event will be held on Saturday 19th March 2016 at 8:30pm. In 2015 ESO hosted an Earth Hour public family event which was extremely successful with over 300 people attending. Additionally, there was a large awareness media campaign leading up to the event . Sponsorship Gold OMR 7000, Silver OMR 5000, Bronze OMR 3000

Ramadan Quiz Every year ESO holds an environmental quiz open to the public. Sponsorship goes towards prizes, F&B and a venue. This is a great way to be involved in an educational but fun event in Ramadan.

Sponsorship OMR 800

Educational Projects

5th Inter College Environmental Public Speaking Competition This annual competition invites college and university students across Oman to participate in a National Speaking Competition on various environmental subjects. The competition gives over 200 students the participants an opportunity to develop and present strong cases on different contemporary issues and questions relating to the environment. The aim is to enhance the presentation, research and public speaking capabilities of young Omanis and is the perfect opportunity to showcase sponsorship of Omani youth competing at a regional level as winning teams then participate in the Regional Competition in Dubai, held by The Emirates Environmental Group. Sponsorship Gold OMR 6000, Silver OMR 4000, Bronze OMR 2000

Research Projects

Whale and Dolphin Research and Conservation The Whale & Dolphin Research and Conservation project aims to conserve the habitats of these species and collect information and evidence on their distribution and ecology in Oman for conservation purposes. The project has a special emphasis on the Arabian Sea Humpback Whales. Three satellite tagging expeditions were successfully organized in 2014 and 2015, fitting 6 humpbacks with tags around Dhofar and the Gulf of Masirah. A significant database on this endangered population has been established over the past 10 years of continuous research, where its habitat are facing emerging coastal industrialization and intensified human activities. It is imperative to keep the research going on this fragile species, and to advocate for conservation management plans with government stakeholders and for mitigation strategies with industry. Project activities will include a fourth round of satellite tagging (with a total of 10 tags) to consolidate available information on whale movement. Other activities will also include field data management and analysis, community outreach and advocacy.

Sponsorship OMR 70,000 per year for 2 years *

*This is an estimated budget

Sea Turtle Research and Conservation The Environment Society of Oman started its first Loggerhead sea turtle monitoring project in 2008 on Masirah Island. The aim is to collect data on key ecological features and to understand the status of the population useful for conservation management. In 2013, the review of 2008-2012 data revealed the first indication of a dramatic decline in the nesting Loggerhead population of Masirah Island, with a reduction by approximately two thirds from the pre-1980 estimates. These results led to the categorization of the North West Indian Loggerhead subpopulation as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. These results highlight both the importance of continuous rigorous surveys to provide robust and defendable data for trend assessment, and the urgent need for an appropriate response plan to the decline. Project activities will include continued monitoring from February 2017 onwards of Loggerheads, and monitoring of Olive Ridleys and Hawksbills nesting beaches started in 2012, as well as beach use and stranding surveys. The project will also support the salaries of three locally hired field assistants, responsible for field work and monitoring, and will contribute to the re-initiation of Masirah Festival (started in 2010) as part of community outreach activities on Masirah Island.

Sponsorship OMR 70,000 per year for 2 years *

*This is an estimated budget

Sea Turtle Conservation and Sustainable Fishing Fisheries bycatch (marine species caught unintentionally while catching certain target species) is a global threat to sea turtles, which suffer the highest bycatch impact of all marine species. Bycatch in fisheries activities has been considered a high threat on Masirah Island, and have been stated in the recent reports of the Indian Ocean South-East Asian Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding (IOSEA MoU). In response to that, the Environment Society of Oman initiated a scoping study on Masirah Island to understand the extent and gravity of the problem. Results from interviews and observations with local communities, and analysis of survey data revealed that fisheries bycatch has indeed a high contribution to marine turtle mortality in Oman and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Validation of results is following suit in early 2016 with the deployment of vessel tracking devices in skiffs and dhows fishing boats along with a rigorous observer scheme to better quantify the extent of the problem. In 2017, the project will greatly benefit from deepening the collaboration with fishermen. Project activities will include the development of community-based participatory approaches to bycatch, including basic training in removal of nets, resuscitation and disposal of waste from vessels. Other activities will also include data collection on spatial distribution of fisheries and important foraging habitats of all five marine species. Parallel community outreach and awareness activities will be mostly developed with fishermen and local communities.

Sponsorship OMR 70,000 per year for 2 years*

*This is an estimated budget

Fundraising Events

ESO Annual Ball The ESO fundraising ball, is a once a year event that has grown in popularity. Invitees include ESO friends and high-level CEOs and directors of various companies. The ball is well-known for being one of the most fun and exclusive events of the year. Each year the proceeds provide much needed funds used to administer our projects and activities. The Annual ESO ball is a unique occasion for corporates to sponsor an exclusive event. The Gold and Silver categories provide sponsors a valuable opportunity to showcase their organizations environmental initiatives to an audience filled with leading business decision makers and VIPs . This year the ESO Fundraising Ball will be taking place on 21 April 2016 and includes dinner and entertainment inviting an exclusive guest list of over 200 people.

Sponsorship Gold OMR 15,000, Silver OMR 10,000, Bronze OMR 5000

Eco Bowl This is a fun filled evening giving your company a chance to have fun, work as a team, compete and network with other participating companies all for a good cause. Last year’s Eco Bowl saw Port of Salalah in 1st place, HSBC in 2nd and Ooredoo in 3rd place. All funds raised at this event go towards community outreach and recruiting ambassadors within higher education institutions. We are also working very hard on building the capacity of young Omanis in the field of environmental conservation. We would like to invite your company to join us and support the environment by entering a team of four in ECO BOWL 2016. Registration per team OMR 2000

Sponsorship Summary

Category Project Sponsorship Cost (OMR)

General Capacity Building 80,000 per year (2 year project)

Awareness Earth Hour Gold 7000 Silver 5000

Bronze 3000

Ramadan Quiz 800

Education 5th Inter College Environmental Public Speaking Competition

Gold 6000 Silver 4000

Bronze 2000

Research Whale and Dolphin Research and Conservation

70,000* per year (2 year project)

Sea Turtle Research and Conservation 70,000* per year (2 year project)

Sea Turtle Conservation and Sustainable Fishing

70,000* per year (2 year project)

Fundraising Events ESO Annual Ball Gold 15,000 Silver 10,000 Bronze 5000

Eco Bowl 2000 per team

*This is an estimated budget

If you are interested in any of the projects and would like further information kindly contact Jenan Alasfoor, Communications Coordinator, on:

Email: jenan.asfoor@eso.org.om

Tel: +968 24790945 Ext 116

www.eso.org.om

With your Support we can make a difference