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Posts Tagged ‘Gary Kaasa’

Gary Kaasa

White-faced monkeys sighted at the RIESTER Reserve.

Written on October 4th, 2011 | Posted by Gary Kaasa

white faced mIn July, RIESTER Foundation board member Mike Hopkins and I visited the RIESTER Reserve located near Islita, Costa Rica. One morning Mike looked up at a nearby tree and said, “Gary, there’s a monkey. No, it can’t be a monkey because it is white.” We got up to take a closer look. Mike was right the first time. It was a monkey, not a howler monkey that typically populates the Reserve, but a white-faced capuchin monkey previously unknown to the area (at least to us).

There were six or seven monkeys in the troop and they were working their way across the Reserve jumping from tree top to tree top, from limb to limb. The alpha male of the group kept an eye on Mike and me while we kept an eye on the troop. The monkeys were as big as a large domestic cat and barked like a small dog. It was one of the most amazing animal sightings on the Reserve. We talked to Jose Sanchez, the Reserve caretaker, and he said that the monkeys had been in and around the Reserve for about one month. Jose has lived near the Reserve for decades and this was the first time he had ever seen white-faced monkeys in the area.

The white-headed capuchin is important to rainforest ecology for its role in dispersing seeds and pollen. We are assuming they are attracted to the RIESTER Reserve because of the reforestation efforts of the Foundation.

The white-headed capuchin is intelligent. It is mostly black, but with a pink face and white on much of the front part of the body. As a new world monkey it has a prehensile tail that is often carried coiled up and used to help support the monkey when it is feeding beneath a branch.

In the wild, the white-faced capuchin is versatile, living in many different types of forest, and eating many different types of food, including fruit and other plant material. It lives in troops that can exceed 20 animals and include both males and females.

Of all the animals seen on the Reserve, including Howler Monkeys, armadillos, coatis, blue morphos butterflies, parrots and mott motts, the sighting of the white-faced troop is one of the most memorable.

Learn more about the RIESTER Foundation.

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Gary Kaasa

The RIESTER Foundation reports: Good conservation news.

Written on July 6th, 2010 | Posted by Gary Kaasa

I am happy to report some good conservation news at a time when steady reports from the Gulf of Mexico have begun to numb many of us concerned with preserving and restoring natural ecosystems.

In our last update, this past December, Tim Riester and Jeff Kutz discussed the ongoing work of the RIESTER Foundation in Costa Rica to protect sea turtles from poachers.

In some regards the situation remains the same. Already endangered as a result of overfishing, the black market trade in turtle eggs could easily further endanger this sea life in Central America where poaching rates on unprotected beaches are very harmful.   The Olive Ridley turtle is the most prevalent species of turtle where we are working.

The Olive Ridley turtle has an average life span of 50 years and will grow to 100 pounds.  These turtles have lived on Earth for millions of years and are well worth protecting.

Like the canary in the coal mine, the turtles represent the overall health of the ecosystems in which we all live.

What is most exciting this year is the conservation outreach to children in the nearby town of Corozolito–where I saw turtle eggs for sale in a local bar–changing attitudes for future generations.

Conservation work takes commitment and optimism.  It’s rewarding to see progress, especially now.

Gary Kaasa
President
RIESTER Foundation

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Gary Kaasa

A message from RIESTER Foundation President Gary Kaasa on Haiti.

Written on January 25th, 2010 | Posted by Gary Kaasa
One of the girls at Hope photogaphed in December of 2009, before the earthquake.

One of the girls at Hope photographed in December of 2009, before the earthquake.

The mission of the RIESTER Foundation is to preserve, conserve and protect our planet. We are active both locally and internationally with projects in Arizona, California, Guatemala, and Costa Rica.

Due to the extreme situation in Haiti after the January 12 earthquake, we made a quick decision to do our part to help in Haiti where the human suffering is hard to comprehend. Toby Banks, a very good friend of Tim Riester’s, runs an orphanage in Haiti: The Hope Center for Orphaned Girls. The RIESTER Foundation is working to raise money to support this orphanage at this time of great need.

Our foundation has no paid staff. Because we are matching donations this means that 200% of what you donate will go directly to support the orphanage in Haiti. Your donation of $10, $20, $100 or more will have twice the impact.

As I watch the news coverage I realize how fragile life can be and that we should all be willing to step up to help the less fortunate.  The girls at the Hope orphanage have no shelter as a result of the earthquake and our donations will make an immediate difference in their lives. Toby Banks and her husband Tim are trying to find a way to evacuate the girls temporarily, but their home is in Haiti and funds are needed to help them rebuild.

Please send a check to:

RIESTER Foundation
802 North 3rd Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85003

Write “Haiti” in the memo line of the check.

From the entire RIESTER Foundation Board thank you for considering this worthy cause.

Gary Kaasa
President, RIESTER Foundation

Please use the following URL for all updates from RIESTER on Haiti: http://www.riester.com/haiti

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Gary Kaasa

The RIESTER Foundation, activists for turtles in Costa Rica.

Written on November 18th, 2009 | Posted by Gary Kaasa

The RIESTER Foundation, an independent non-profit, funds projects in California, Arizona, Costa Rica and Guatemala. The projects are tied to our mission of helping to preserve habitat and protect native species.  One of our programs is on Corozilito Beach, Costa Rica where we are partnered with the Costa Rican conservation organization PRETOMA in a project to protect sea turtles that nest on the beach.

Corozilito Beach is within walking distance of the RIESTER Foundation Reserve. The beach is in an undeveloped and isolated part of northwestern Costa Rica.   Through the Foundation’s efforts, it was discovered that Corozilito Beach is one of the most significant sea turtle beaches in Central America.  Thousands of turtles lay their eggs on the beach – mostly Olive Ridley turtles but others too, including the huge and endangered Leatherback.

Last November I was fortunate to see some conservation work first hand when fellow RIESTER Foundation board member Mike Hopkins and I visited the beach with the director of PRETOMA’s sea turtle program late one evening. November is a beautiful month in Costa Rica.  The monsoon rains are subsiding and the rainforest at the edge of the beach is at its greenest, lushest growth.  That night the moon was full, the stars were spectacular in the Milky Way, the weather was cool and the tide was out. Because of the moon the beach was bright which is not ideal for turtles laying eggs. They prefer dark nights for protection.

Poachers of turtle eggs are a big problem in Costa Rica as this is a food source which many believe has Viagra-like properties.  That night we were looking for egg-laying sea turtles and poachers. We found neither.

We saw something remarkable instead: seven newly hatched turtles making their way to the ocean.  Their travel from the nest to the ocean was slow. Many dangers are lurking in the form of crabs, birds and other predators.  Mike and I served as guards and they all made it to the ocean.  You cannot tag baby turtles so nobody knows exactly what happens to them once they reach the water. Survival of the fittest plays a major role in who will survive, grow and perhaps someday come back to this beach.

Because of the success of the first year’s efforts the RIESTER Foundation continues to fund PRETOMA. We are the only funders for the Corozilito project.  Currently volunteers from around the world are monitoring the number of turtles that lay eggs nightly, tagging adult turtles for tracking and discouraging poachers on the beach.

Habitat preservation is critical not just for the survival of turtles and other species, but for human survival as well. In order to make our economy and way of life sustainable we must protect other species and preserve wild places. We are all stewards of this planet and our time here is short. The RIESTER Foundation exists to help pass on a healthy planet to the next generation. Protecting turtles and their habitat may seem like a small thing, but it is a vital part of our job as stewards.

A baby turtle heads for the ocean. Corozilito Beach, Costa Rica.

A baby turtle heads for the ocean. Corozilito Beach, Costa Rica.

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RIESTER

RIESTER ANNOUNCES NEW PUBLIC AFFAIRS BUSINESS.

Written on July 5th, 2006 | Posted by RIESTER

Phoenix-based RIESTER today announced the creation of RIESTER Public Affairs, which is merging with Kaasa, Milton & Reithmann (KMR), one of Arizona’s leading political and corporate consulting groups. Joe Yuhas, who is currently deputy director of the Arizona Department of Commerce, will join RIESTER Public Affairs as executive director and partner.

“RIESTER Public Affairs’ merger with the proven talent of Gary Kaasa and Lynda Reithmann, and the addition of someone as politically astute and respected as Joe Yuhas to serve as executive director, will truly transform RIESTER as a full service marketing agency,” said Tim Riester, president and CEO. “Prior to the creation of RIESTER Public Affairs, the agency provided clients with advertising, media buying, brand planning and research, interactive web development and public relations services, but we had to partner with outside firms in order to provide full public affairs support. Now our in-house client service offering is complete.”

The new division, which will begin operations on Aug. 15, 2005, will offer a wide range of client services including: government relations and lobbying; coalition building; initiative, referendum and candidate campaigns; political research; strategic planning; and messaging. KMR’s clients include the United Phoenix Fire Fighters, Sky Harbor International Airport, the Support Sky Harbor Coalition and other highly visible organizations. The firm has been involved in successful campaigns for president, governor, secretary of state, legislative offices, mayors and city councils across the Valley. In addition, KMR has consulted on statewide efforts to fund education, expand Indian gaming and extend the Arizona Lottery.

The firm was instrumental in helping to defeat a statewide medical marijuana initiative and to expand Civic Plaza and build the new Cardinal’s Stadium. It also has supported numerous initiatives and bonds for public safety, neighborhoods, arts, transportation, water, parks and preserves and general plans, including a $1 billion community college bond. Yuhas, who was appointed deputy director of the Arizona Department of Commerce by Governor Janet Napolitano in 2003, was formerly the president and CEO of the Arizona Restaurant and Hospitality Association. He is also a former city councilman, county supervisor and state assemblyman from New Jersey, and the former director of Alumni and Public Affairs at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J.

Yuhas was campaign manager for both the Arizonans for Fair Gaming and Indian Self-Reliance initiative which passed in 2002 and the successful Arizona Wins ballot referendum in 2000, which provided funding for construction of a multi­purpose stadium to serve as home of the Arizona Cardinals and the Fiesta Bowl, facilities for Major League Baseball Spring Training and tourism promotion. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Rider University.

“Leading the RIESTER Public Affairs team is an exciting and challenging opportunity for me,” explained Yuhas. “No other agency in the state will be able to provide clients the breadth of marketing and communications service that we can now offer.” RIESTER has a history of carefully planned growth and acquisitions. Started in Phoenix in 1989, the agency enjoyed steady but slow growth until 2000 when it opened an office in Los Angeles. In 2001, it acquired Salt Lake City-based Harris & Love, the largest independent agency in Utah. RIESTER is the agency of record for multiple regional and national clients including; Gold’s Gym International, McDonalds, Proctor & Gamble pet food brands – Iams and Eukanuba , Veterinary Pet Insurance, the Arizona Lottery, Scottsdale Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Casino Arizona and the California Department of Conservation’s division of recycling.

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