SEACOLOGY E-NEWS UPDATE Project Updates INDIA, Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep archipelago
Construction of a natural and cultural heritage museum and two guard posts in exchange for the establishment of a 2,471-acre marine and mangrove protected area Samit Sawhny, Seacology’s Indian Ocean Field Representative, recently sent an update and the very descriptive map pictured below. In red is the new 2,471-acre marine and mangrove no-take protected area. In the yellow areas, only bait-fishing will be allowed. 
Full Project Description Construction Begins in Palau and the Seychelles  New projects are underway as construction in Palau and the Seychelles began last month. On Balbedaob Island in Palau, Seacology is providing a welcome center and improved walking trails to the Ngarmeskang Nature Reserve (old trails shown at right). This site is home to fifteen of Palau’s sixteen restricted range or endemic birds. We are particularly grateful to Seacology Japan and Farallon Island Foundation for their support of this project. On Cousin Island in the Seychelles, we are building composting toilets and new signage at the Cousin Island Special Reserve. We will visit this project in June, and spaces are still available for the expedition. Scroll down for details!
Get Your Tickets for Opening Night of Spamalot! Join us on Wednesday, May 27 for Opening Night of Monty Python’s Spamalot, the Tony® Award-winning Best Musical of 2005. Guests will enjoy prime seats at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco and a private post-performance reception at Jardinière. Eric Idle, original Monty Python Member and author/composer of Spamalot. as well as other cast members, will be attending the reception.  Spamalot is a musical comedy starring John O’Hurley that tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Sunday Times says Monty Python’s Spamalot "raises silliness to an art form," and The New Yorker raves it’s "a no-holds barred smash hit."
The Opening Night show begins at 8pm on May 27 at the Golden Gate Theatre (corner of Taylor Street and Golden Gate Avenue at Market and 6th Streets). The post-performance cocktail reception will be at Jardinière (300 Grove Street). Tickets for this exclusive event are $750 ($615 is a tax-deductible donation to Seacology). Seats assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Emily (510-559-3505 or emily@seacology.org) to reserve your seats today!
Update from Seacology Japan Seacology Executive Director Duane Silverstein and Development Director, Susan Racanelli recently flew to Tokyo to visit board members and supporters of Seacology Japan. At a Seacology Japan board meeting, ideas were exchanged about potential Seacology Japan funded projects. Duane and Susan then presented the Seacology Japan board with a copy of Seacology’s eight minute intro video translated into Japanese. Following the board meeting Duane and Susan made a presentation about Seacology’s progress to 40 Seacology Japan fellows. According to Duane "We were thrilled to hear of the progress made by Seacology Japan which is at the forefront of the nascent Japanese environmental movement. The enthusiasm of the board members and fellows of Seacology Japan is remarkable and is a major reason for their early success." 
Above left to right: (back row) Sam Onodera, Mitsuko Nose, Akemi Chiba, Michie Sekiguchi and Masakatsu Yasakawa; (front row) Akemi Yoshida, Duane Silverstein, Susan Racanelli and Takemi Sekiguchi.
2008 Annual Report  We are pleased to announce that Seacology’s 2008 Annual Report is now available. In order to reduce our impact on the environment, this and all future annual reports will be available only electronically. Check out all our activities during 2008 - 19 new island projects, the 2008 Seacology Prize winner Ómar Ragnarsson, an update on our three international affiliates, our finances for the year, and a special note from Seacology’s Co-Founder and Board Chairman Paul Cox. Thank you for making 2008 a success!
Seacology is one of the Best!  Seacology is pleased to announce that we have been rated as a Best of America charity, as certified by the Independent Charities of America. Only those charities that meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness are awarded this seal. According to the Independent Charities of America, “of the 1,000,000 charities operating in the United States today, it is estimated that fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or exceed these standards, and, of those, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded this Seal.”
Upcoming Seacology Travel & NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS! The Seychelles ~ June 7-14, 2009
Seacology will be visiting the Seychelles, a stunning island group off the eastern coast of Africa. National Geographic Traveler has listed this trip as one of “50 Unforgettable Tours of a Lifetime.”
 Our travels take us to the Seychelles where we’ll visit charming Cousins Island, among others. Snorkeling opportunities will abound, but there will be only limited scuba diving opportunities. More information about the Seychelles trip French Polynesia ~ October 18-November 1, 2009
***BREAKING NEWS: Zegrahm Expeditions has a new offer for trip participants – 25% of trip costs will go directly to Seacology. Sign up today to cruise French Polynesia and support Seacology at the same time!***
 Seacology will take part in Zegrahm Expeditions “Pearls of Polynesia” cruise to French Polynesia. We will be visiting legendary exotic, picturesque and romantic islands such as the Marquesas, Bora Bora, and Moorea. This voyage will take place aboard the 110-passenger, luxury adventure cruise ship, the Clipper Odyssey. This is the first ship-based excursion Seacology has ever offered that is equally suitable for divers and non-divers alike. There will be frequent opportunities to dive in such world-famous spots as Rangiroa and Fakarava, but be aware that aboard the Clipper Odyssey, diving is strictly limited to the first 16 people who sign up, so divers are well-advised to register for this trip as soon as possible. Non-divers will also enjoy the hiking, birding, snorkeling, zodiac trips, and other fun activities. On beautiful Cook’s Bay in Moorea we will be honored guests at the opening of the new Seacology-funded cultural center. This promises to be one of the biggest and most authentic Polynesian ceremonies in Moorea’s recent history. More information about the French Polynesia trip
Please join us for a Special Reception in Austin, Texas April 28 Please join us for a special Austin-style wine reception to learn more about Seacology. Through slides and stories, Development Director Susan Racanelli will take guests on an amazing odyssey to some of the world’s most remote and spectacular islands, while sharing Seacology’s important environmental work. A world traveler who speaks several languages, Susan has special expertise and interest in endangered island species. When: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: The Irons Austin - Downtown Austin, TX Please RSVP to Ellen Kamoe at ellen@seacology.org or 510-559-3505.
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