SEACOLOGY E-NEWS UPDATE

Project Updates

KENYA, Wasini Island
Rehabilitation and construction of water collection and storage tanks in exchange for the protection of 1,236 acres of mangrove forests for a minimum of 10 years

Wasini Island is located approximately 53 miles south of Mombasa City. The main challenge facing the local communities on Wasini Island is the lack of clean, accessible and reliable fresh water. Seacology funded the rehabilitation of three concrete water collection and storage tanks, as well as the construction of two additional tanks with supporting infrastructure. A portion of the funding was also used to repair the Wasini Women’s Eco-Tourism Boardwalk. Development director Susan Racanelli conducted a site visit in June 2009 (pictured with women from the Wasini community) and reported that the repair to the three water storage tanks has been completed and construction of the two additional tanks has begun. Rehabilitation of the Wasini Women’s Eco-Tourism Boardwalk is complete and the women use income generated by the boardwalk to purchase medical and school supplies for the whole community. The mangrove forest remains protected and various meetings have been held in the village by the Assistant Chief to inform villagers that no harvesting or cutting of the mangroves is allowed.

Full Project Description

TANZANIA, Pemba Island
Infrastructure and trail development, information and marketing materials, and ecotourism initiatives for community conservation of the Pemba flying fox

The island of Pemba is part of the Zanzibar archipelago and lies 30 miles off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean. The island is famous for its verdant fertile terrain and the Pemba Flying Fox, which faces rapid decline and is now endangered due to hunting and rapid loss of habitat from agriculture. In June 2007 Seacology initiated a project on Pemba to support infrastructure development such as construction of visitor centers, toilets and water systems, trail development and interpretive materials, training for handicrafts, and provide marketing materials for ecotourism. Susan Racanelli visited the project in June 2009 with Seacology field representative Dishon Murage. A women’s group has received training in basketry, bead-making and pottery as alternative income generating activities (pictured right), with the finished products being sold at the newly constructed flying fox visitor’s center. Since the project began, there has been a noticeable increase in the flying fox population. Under the stewardship of the community and the local Pemba Flying Fox Associations of Ole Mjini and Kojani, Seacology’s support is providing a safeguard for this endangered species.

Full Project Description

TUVALU, Nanumea Atoll
Refurbishment of a handicraft center in exchange for the planting of 1,000 mangrove seedlings along a one kilometer (.62 mile) coastline and the establishment of a two-acre lagoon-based mangrove nursery/reserve for a duration of 10 years

The small island nation of Tuvalu is located in the South Pacific Ocean and is comprised of nine atolls having a total land area of over 25 square kilometers and rising just 5 meters above sea level. Tuvalu has been making headlines recently for being the world’s first country to set a goal of 100% clean energy by 2020. The small island nation fears that rising sea levels could literally wipe it off the map. Sea level rise caused by climate change is a major contributor to land degradation and loss of biodiversity and mangrove habitats, which provide protection from tidal and storm surges. With Seacology’s help, the Nanumea Women Community Mangrove and Fetau Project has collected more than 1,000 mangrove seedlings that were used to establish a mangrove nursery and planting beds adjacent to the shore (pictured right). In addition, they have also conducted workshops on pig and duck rearing and home gardening, with more than fifty women and some primary school pupils participating. Construction of the extension to the women's handicraft center is now also underway.

Full Project Description

Seacology Welcomes New Field Representative

Seacology would like to welcome our new field representative in Grenada, Tyrone Buckmire. Tyrone has extensive experience working in Grenada, consisting of almost 20 years of advocacy for children’s rights, rural community development and environmental protection. He has received training in management of regional and international projects through internships in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Europe, and has also served on various youth panels within UN-Specialized agencies and Planned Parenthood. More recently, Tyrone served as the manager of Rare Enterprises, where he successfully organized community-based ecotourism, linking Grenada’s tourism industry to its natural environment. Additionally, he is the secretary and executive officer of the Grenada Fund for Conservation. Tyrone is married with three children, and enjoys reading and creative writing.

Thank You to Underwater Photographers for Supporting Seacology

Each year, DivePhotoGuide.com and Wetpixel.com host one of the largest underwater photography competitions in the world. The competition is jointly hosted by the two leading underwater photo/video websites in association with two consumer dive expos on opposite sides of the world – Our World Underwater (Chicago) and DEEP Indonesia (Jakarta). After the completion of each competition, they give 15% of the proceeds to marine conservation efforts. Eric Cheng (Wetpixel) and Jason Heller (DivePhotoGuide) are enthusiastic about Seacology’s work, and have donated over $4,000 of this year’s contest proceeds to support island habitats and cultures around the world.

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 to expand our vital conservation programs. We are pleased to spotlight the following fellows.

Michael Hofman and Janet Moyer – Michael and Janet first heard about Seacology through an article in the San Francisco Chronicle in 2002 and have been Seacology fellows ever since. Because Michael is an avid scuba diver and Janet enjoys snorkeling, both were immediately drawn to Seacology’s work. They have visited many of the islands where Seacology has projects, such as Belize, Fiji, Honduras, Kosrae, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pohnpei, Tonga, Vanuatu and Yap, among many others. Last year, they attended Seacology’s benefit with Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. Michael and Janet are keen about the benefits of protecting our natural resources due to their experience as owners of a design/build/maintain landscaping company which employs sustainable practices (www.jmoyerlandscaping.com).

Report from the MLB All-Star Game

In our July e-newsletter, we featured an article regarding executive director Duane Silverstein being selected to represent the Oakland A’s at the MLB All-Star game in St. Louis on July 14th. Duane and 29 other "All-Stars Among Us" attended the pre-game festivities, which included a reception with People Magazine and MLB players, the All-Star game press conference and All-Star gala and red carpet parade. The "All-Stars Among Us" were ushered onto the field for the opening of the game (pictured above). All 44,000 fans in attendance gave them a tumultuous and prolonged standing ovation. Albert Pujols, Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki, Joe Mauer and many other players came to the field to thank Duane and the 29 other everyday heroes who are making a difference in their communities. For more information about the event, read Duane’s blog about his All-Star experience.

Upcoming Seacology Travel

FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ October 18-November 1, 2009

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. Additionally, 25% of trip costs will go to support Seacology projects.

More information about the French Polynesia trip

INDIA ~ January 30 – February 13, 2010

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 incomparable Taj Mahal. 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 just about 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