SEACOLOGY E-NEWS UPDATE

Project Updates

SAMOA, Satapuala Village, Upolu Island
Construction of a community hall for school and village functions, and upgrading the village water supply in exchange for the establishment of a 1,600-acre marine conservation area (240 acres no-take) for a minimum duration of 15 years

The villagers of Satapuala, Samoa, recently celebrated the completion of their new community hall (pictured below), which will be used as a schoolhouse and for village functions. With Seacology’s financial assistance, the villagers joined together to construct the building, with local families contributing unskilled labor, supplies of sand and rocks, and food for the workers. Families also donated food for the opening ceremony of the community hall, which was held this October.

In exchange for Seacology’s support, the villagers have allocated a 1,600-acre marine reserve area, which was officially created at Satapuala’s village council meeting in August. The villagers will be working together to monitor the area for any illegal fishing methods. They also hope to receive training from the national Division of Fisheries on appropriate monitoring of fish harvests.

Full Project Description

PHILIPPINES, Municipality of Murcia, Negros Occidental
Hydraulic ram pump water system in support of the protection of 4,942 acres of forest

Although the northern region of Negros Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines has been a nominally protected area since the government enacted the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act in 1992, until recently there has been scant enforcement of the designation. With Seacology’s support, three communities in the Murcia municipality now recognize 4,942 acres of watershed forest area adjacent to their villages. The villagers now have their own "Forest Guards" to ensure the protection of the designated areas, and the no-take zone is being strictly enforced.

In exchange for their commitment to the protected area, Seacology agreed to fund a hydraulic ram pump water system to provide water to the communities. The Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, a local nonprofit, installed these innovative pumps, which successfully transport water uphill using no electricity and only two moving parts. Seacology’s field representative Ferdie Marcelo recently visited Murica and was given a tour of the pumps, which are highly successful. Just a year ago, villagers had to walk long distances to obtain water, which was then strictly rationed and used only for drinking and food preparation. With the new pumps, they now have plentiful water for hygiene and other purposes. And the women and children who formerly spent hours every day collecting water now have time to care for their families and work on their studies.

Full Project Description

INDONESIA, Pulau Banyak Islands, North Sumatra
Soccer fields for Teluk Nibung Village and Ujung Sialit Village, community meeting hall for Pulau Balai Village, and storm gutters for Suka Makmur Village in exchange for a total of 1,924 acres of protected land and marine habits for a duration of 10 years

For Seacology’s project in the Pulau Banyak region off the northern coast of Sumatra, four separate villages agreed to create no-take areas in their respective jurisdictions. The zones have now been established, and villagers are forming community watch groups to enforce the boundaries. They have solicited and received equipment from Indonesia’s Fisheries Department to support their work.

In exchange for their enforcement of the no-take areas, Seacology has agreed to fund projects in each of the four villages. Land has just been purchased for the construction of soccer fields in Ujung Sialit and in nearby Teluk Nibung. Once those negotiations are finalized, the next phase of the projects will begin, which will include the construction of the soccer fields, as well as the renovation of the community meeting hall in Pulau Balai, and storm gutters in Suka Makmur.

Full Project Description

Expedition to French Polynesia and Moorea Island

Duane Silverstein, Seacology’s Executive Director, just returned from an interesting and exciting trip to French Polynesia, where he was an island expert lecturer on a Zegrahm Expedition cruise. Duane was on board to attend the official opening of Seacology’s latest project on the island of Moorea. One of the world’s most breathtaking islands, some say Moorea is the inspiration for James Michener’s Bali Ha’i, which he depicted in Tales of the South Pacific. On Moorea, Seacology provided funding for the Atitia Center (pictured), which will preserve the traditional culture and customs of French Polynesia. The center is built in the traditional fare or house style, including the distinctive thatched roof. This project has received support from Te Pu Atitia, a local nonprofit, and the neighboring Gump Research Station of the University of California at Berkeley. In exchange for Seacology’s support, Te Pu Atitia and the local community agreed to educate the community about the need to protect 2,394 acres of already established - but not always respected - marine reserves, and to establish a conservatory of native medicinal plants. While on Moorea, Duane celebrated the opening of the center at a party thrown by Te Pu Atitia, and was attended by the Mayor of Moorea, the national environmental minister, and French Polynesian President Oscar Temaru. The party included traditional Polynesian food and dancing along with hakas, or chants. To read more about Duane’s trip, check out his blog entry.

Introducing Seacology UK

Seacology is excited to introduce its newest international affiliate, Seacology UK. Under the enthusiastic direction of long-time Seacology supporters Scott Wilson and Lucy Cummings, Seacology UK has become a reality, joining Seacology Germany and Seacology Japan in our list of international affiliates. Scott and Lucy were inspired to start Seacology UK after joining Seacology’s Executive Director Duane Silverstein and our Development Director Susan Racanelli, as well as other Seacology supporters, on an expedition to Madagascar in May 2008. The Charity Commission of the United Kingdom recently granted Seacology UK status as an official registered charity. We are happy to welcome Seacology UK into the Seacology family, and look forward to its important contribution to island conservation.

2007 Seacology Prize Winner Update

2007 Seacology Prize winner Kokichi Kariya had been valiantly laboring for 40 years to save one of the last stands of beech trees in Japan, high in the mountains of the Fuzawa Prefecture of Honshu Island. His warnings that logging would cause massive flooding went unheeded for decades until finally the deluge rocked the mountainous region northwest of Tokyo. The destruction was comprehensive, which eventually led to the preservation of the ancient hardwood forest.

Mr. Kariya’s struggle was brought to our attention through Seacology Fellow Matsuno Patrick and our hardworking affiliate, Seacology Japan. For his tireless efforts, Kokichi Kariya was awarded the Seacology Prize in 2007 (pictured). International respect brought Mr. Kariya a storm of public recognition in his own country, which has been immensely beneficial to the remote villages in the Fuzawa region. Their economy is strained, and they have been struggling to keep their historic crafts and small tourism trade alive in spite of their isolation.

For years the Fuzawa villages have desperately needed a walkway to connect with each other through the preserved forest, called the Forest of Blessing. With the proceeds of the Seacology Prize, Mr. Kariya was able to fund construction of the walkway. This small effort has united the villages and gives them hope to revive their economy through ecotourism. They are now working together to attract their fellow islanders with educational walks through the ancient forest and displays of traditional life in the quaint mountain communities. This story exemplifies Seacology’s goal to help sustain island communities while preserving a corner of the world’s wild places for the benefit of all.

Seacology Welcomes New Field Representative for Madagascar

Seacology is delighted to welcome our newest field representative, Erik Patel, who will be supporting Seacology’s work in Madagascar. Erik is replacing our previous field representative, Didi Rakotondratsina, after his untimely passing this May. Erik has been working in Madagascar every year since 2000, where he has been studying the behavioral biology and conservation of one of the most critically endangered primates in Madagascar, the silky sifaka (Propithecus candidus). He is currently a PhD candidate at Cornell University and earned his Masters degree from the University of California at Berkeley in Anthropology. His conservation program at Marojejy National Park, part of a newly inaugurated World Heritage Site, works in collaboration with several local communities in activities such as research training, biodiversity monitoring, and conservation education in local schools. The Madagascar Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments (MICET) has facilitated his work at Ranomafana National Park, Ialatsara Private Reserve, and Marojejy National Park for many years.

Spotlight on Seacology's Fellows

The Seacology Fellows Program was created to honor committed donors who contribute $2,000 or more per year. Along with our board members, contributions from fellows fund the ongoing operations of Seacology. The program provides key support to Seacology and allows us to continue expanding our vital conservation programs. We are pleased to spotlight the following fellows.

Susan Gray – A longtime supporter of environmental conservation, Susan Gray learned about Seacology through Executive Director Duane Silverstein, whom she has known for many years. Susan has always had a keen interest in the natural world, and a strong belief that grassroots-style organizations like Seacology are most effective at creating change. Susan admires Seacology’s emphasis on working directly with indigenous villagers and its ability to achieve win-win victories that benefit the environment and its inhabitants.

Susan’s environmental activism extends beyond her role as a Seacology Fellow. Since her retirement from a career in public relations she has enjoyed many volunteer activities, including animal care with the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito and with WildCare in San Rafael. Her work as a docent for the California Academy of Sciences has also allowed her to learn in-depth information about the world’s habitats.

Susan had the pleasure of joining Duane Silverstein and other Seacology supporters on the expedition to Fiji in 2008 (pictured), where she visited two Seacology projects in local villages. She hopes to join Seacology again for a future expedition.

Apply for Seacology's Credit Card and Support Us With Every Purchase

Seacology is pleased to announce a new way to support our island conservation work! By using the new Seacology Visa Platinum credit card, you can help us every time you go shopping. 1% of every purchase made on your Seacology card is automatically donated to our work. On top of that, Capital One will donate an additional $25 after you make your first purchase. To learn more and start the application process, visit Seacology's Donation Page.

Upcoming Seacology Travel

INDIA ~ January 30 – February 13, 2010

***There are ONLY 2 ROOMS remaining for the India trip! Book now to reserve your spot!***

From the Remote Islands of the Arabian Sea to Elephant Back Safaris and the Taj Mahal – A Custom Journey with Special Access to Seacology Project Sites in the Lakdshadweep Islands

This unique journey, specially designed with Seacology, intertwines trips to the rarely visited tropical islands of the Lakshadweep archipelago, game viewing at India’s finest wildlife park, and a trip by train to India’s most iconic monument – the Taj Mahal. The expedition begins with a stay at the private, beachside home of Seacology supporters TJ and Sally Mathew in Southern Kerala. The next day, we will set off to the region of Kerala, an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves, interspersed with a 900-kilometer network of meandering waterways. We then venture out to the remote Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea, which Condé Nast Traveler called “as close as it gets to paradise.” We spend five nights in these idyllic tropical islands, where we have special permission to visit Seacology project sites on islands generally off-limits to the public. After a good look at Delhi, we journey by train to the legendary Taj Mahal, a World Heritage Site. Before returning home, we round out our trip at the incomparable Mahua Kothi Lodge and Bandhavgarh National Park, where daytime tiger sightings are more common than at any other game preserve on the subcontinent.

This trip is being run for Seacology by Geographic Expeditions, one of the world’s most highly respected adventure travel agencies. If you are interested in participating in this trip, please see the full brochure.

Seacology Around the Web

Seacology's Island Environment Blog