In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

It is March and, as the saying goes, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. That same simile might be a great way to describe some of CEA’s approaches to battling pollution. The pollutants attack the area with the force of a lion but with waste treatment systems such as constructed wetlands, the effect on the environment can be as gentle as a lamb, protecting this ecosystem and reversing the damage already done.

We have just finished our last phase of the CEA Wetland Retrofit, funded in part by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Click on the following links to read more about CEA Wetland Retrofit Project: Constructed Wetland Planting Guide, also available in Spanish; and Manual for Operations and Maintenance of Constructed Wetlands, also available in Spanish.

Marine Turtles Conference
From February 17-29, CEA participated in the Latin American Convention on Marine Turtles, which took place in San José, Costa Rica. Besides helping CEA become recognized internationally for its turtle conservation work, we were also able to create links with institutions from numerous countries that work on marine turtle research and conservation.

Back at home in Akumal, turtle nesting season will soon begin, along with summer vacation. CEA will provide you with useful tips in our next newsletter on how to make sure your stay along the Mexican Caribbean coast is enjoyable for both you and the many mama turtles that will be laying their eggs in nests along the beaches over the coming months. Together we can help guarantee the survival of this incredible and ancient species. Click here to read more about the conference

Cooperativa Orgánica
Last month Cooperativa Orgánica collected over 4,000 kilos of fresh organics from the participating restaurants, condominiums, hotels and homes in Akumal. That is great participation and a lot of material for José Torres Lopez and Elimelec Hernández to bike around town. It is good they are able to compost on-site for most of their clients and they will have only the finished product to move.

In addition, the campaign to sign up participants in the R-bag project is picking up speed. Vista del Mar has become the newest participant.

We are still hoping that all residents and businesses of Akumal begin to participate in the composting project.

For more information on this exciting CEA Action Project, please click here.

Coral Reef Surveying Program
Centro Ecológico Akumal recently began its first coral reef surveying program in order to monitor the health of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef off Akumal Bay. While researchers and students from Cornell University have observed coral community structure in the Akumal area, a long-term reef-monitoring program has never been initiated. It is important to examine the health of the coral and the reef in general, over extended spatial and temporal scales, in order to have a better idea of how the increasing development in the area is affecting the reef. We may also be working with several organizations that monitor reef health in order to identify fish populations living in the bay and monitor their diversity and abundance over the years. This is important as it is thought that Akumal´s reef fish are under intense overfishing pressure. Our goal is to create a database from which we can detect a potential difference in the abundance and diversity of coral and fish on the reef. This information could then be used to influence future policy decisions regarding the extent to which the Quintana Roo coast will be developed for tourism, thus potentially extending the lifetime of the beautiful and fragile Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Visit the following websites to learn more about reefs. Click here to visit the REEF.org site. Click here to visit Reef Check.

Environmental Education News
Lots of exciting things are happening this month in the environmental program of CEA. For example the other day, Mauricio and Nadia went to Puerto Aventuras School, because they are very interested in having their own recycling program. Nadia asked how many of them had been to the reef with a mask and fins to see all the animals that live there? Only three of them raised their hands!!! We almost had a heart attack, because we did not know that they hadn’t seen the reef that is just off the shore. We assumed that they swam near the reef every weekend! So we have had to restructure the whole educational program. Click here to learn more about the changes made, as well as more news about the Environmental Education program.

Getting Involved
CEA depends on its Members and Supporters to get involved. Wondering how you can help? Get more involved by stopping by The CEA Center next time you are in Akumal and meet some of the staff. If there is a program or project that you feel strongly about, please make a donation. You can also make donations on-line using your credit card. If you are a Frequent Flier and you have extra miles, donate them to CEA. But most importantly, tell a friend about the organization. Most CEA Members join because of word of mouth from other members. If you have questions about how you can become more involved, please contact us.

Upcoming Events
March 2-9 CEA is hosting a Solar Workshop.
July 22-July 31 is the Maya Riviera Sea Turtle Expedition.

In other news, CEA is helping to organize Earth Day Activities in the Akumal area. Please get involved in your own communities on April 22. Our Earth needs you. Stay tuned to our website for details and, if you plan to be in Akumal during April, stop by The CEA Center to see how you may participate.

Thank you for your continued support of CEA and remember our on-line store is a great way to purchase items, become a member or make a contribution to the program of you choice; click here to visit. We now list our CEA Members and Contributors on our CEA Friends page. Please take a moment and make sure we have you listed.

If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, or simply need to contact CEA, please click here.