The Smithsonian Institute: Rainforest Preservation
The Minimal Critical Size Project is under the direction of Doctor Thomas Lovejoy, the Under Secretary for External Affairs at the Smithsonian, one of the world's foremost experts on tropical rainforests and the former Science Advisor for US Interior Secretary, Bruce Babbit. This is a key scientific demonstration that has documented the necessity of preserving large tracts of rainforest from burning and destruction. Without a minimal size, approximately a quarter of a million acres, species die out. This project funds scientific research in the Amazon rainforest who document species loss, rainforest size, etc. Doctor Lovejoy's project has grown into an effort where he has actually been able to persuade World Banks to forgive debt to Brazil in exchange for dedicating large tracts of rainforests as protected.