December 2003

“What is truly special may disappear in an instant. Guard well that which is precious.”
Anonymous

Dear Fellow Visitors, Friends, and Supporters of Centro Ecológico Akumal,

My name is Kate Neuschaefer and I am writing to you, my fellow visitors, friends, and supporters of CEA, to urge you to open up your hearts (and wallets) for the good of our dynamic and creatively-hardworking organization. We believe after you hear what we have been involved in this year, you will agree that the time and cause are right for your help.

Before we get to the “good stuff,” please allow us to share an important problem all nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have had to face this past year. Most of the foundations on which CEA and other NGOs depend for funding closed their doors to new grant proposals right after 9/11 due to the disastrous stock market crash that followed. Funding for 2002 had already been received before these tragic events, but fiscal year 2003 has been difficult. Because grants are applied for up to one year in advance, we suffered the brunt of the major foundations’ inabilities to provide grant monies in 2003. We were able to carry on thanks to the cooperation of funders like the Summit Foundation, which allowed us to defer some planned activities and “stretch” the money, and with the generous support of our members. During the latter part of 2003, CEA even was able to fill some of the urgent staff positions that had been deferred. Happily, a number of new proposals are in the pipeline for 2004.

Unfortunately, two of the most important grants will not be acted upon until June. In order to cover salaries and operating costs for our outreach programs until then, CEA needs to raise $35,000. If you become a member of CEA, we’ll put your membership together with our renewing members. Then, that warm breeze from the south that you feel will be the collective sigh of relief from CEA staff upon knowing that they will be able to continue their important work of saving the Great Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

While I was in Akumal in November, I learned about some geological work carried out by CEA Director Charles Shaw. His studies have revealed that a massive tsunami wiped out huge portions of the Great Mesoamerican Barrier Reef along the Mexican coast about 1600 years ago. The way back for the reef has taken a long time. This made me think how sad it is that today there is a human tsunami descending on our bit of paradise. The process is a bit slower, but just as devastating for our reef and the creatures that inhabit it. Major efforts are necessary to stem the devastation that the modern environmental tsunami has created by the increased flow of nutrients and pathogenic pollution that come with development. Without a dramatic reversal, our reef could be gone within 10 to 20 years. CEA has a plan to halt this destruction. Simply put, we will stop the contamination by using composting toilets and constructed wetlands to treat sewage and keep the pollutants on land and stored where they can do no harm, in the tissues of plants. And we will seek ways to stem the effects of overfishing. CEA will also work with local communities, government and businesses to improve water and land management in the area.

Briefly, I would like to share with you the expanded programs and new staff positions that have been created to carry out this critical work.

We now have a professional person on staff for Public and Government Relations. His name is Emilio Talancón. A person of Emilio’s business experience and perceptive intelligence is necessary for us to succeed in bringing government on to the side of the environment and convincing the business community that a sound environment is in their best interest. Recently, Emilio was able to successfully petition the government for our CeMIR Project, which, as you recall, is an enormous wetland system and solid waste recycling program for the Akumal region. We need to keep Emilio working at these important tasks and with your help we can do that.

Kate Robinhawk has initiated a new program called Cooperativa Orgánica. The goal is to remove organic materials from the waste stream. José Torres Lopez and Elimelec Hernández, the Organicsmen, may be seen everyday as they peddle the blue Cooperativa tricycle through the streets of Akumal, collecting organic waste for composting. The rich soil that results will be sold to help support the program. But the exciting part is that by removing the organic component from the waste, the nutrients they release are kept from infiltrating the soil and entering the groundwater. Also, the total amount of waste in the waste stream is reduced in volume by about 50 percent and the remainder is clean paper, plastic and metals. No odors, no insects or animals; all ready for recycling. The Organicsmen need support for salaries until the volume of soil created is sufficient to generate their income.

The CEA supervisor for the Turtle Protection Program in 2004 will be veterinarian Ivan Caballero. Ivan’s salary is funded through donations and income from guided turtle walks during nesting season. Before turtle season starts in May, there are no resources for his salary. If they could talk, I am sure that the more than 13,000 baby turtles released last season would thank you for your support in 2003 and ask that you help their younger siblings that will be born in the coming season.

CEA now has a fulltime microbiologist. David Nuñez holds two Master’s degrees: one from the University of Chicago in genetics and one from Harvard in public health. David manages the CEA water quality lab with support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through December and from the Oak Foundation, starting in January. While some funds are available to upgrade the laboratory equipment, there are important gaps. An adequately-equipped lab would allow him the effectiveness of which he is capable. This facility is essential to maintaining the scientific credibility for our Wetlands Projects and to document contamination levels on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

One last item. It is important that we, the visitors, friends, and supporters of CEA, realize that project funding from grants does not allow administrative costs, nor can funds awarded for a particular project―the laboratory, for example―be used to pay clerical salaries. CEA depends on our membership to provide the means for these essential positions.

Please, I know you share the CEA vision, so take a moment to wish CEA well with a membership and contribution that will keep CEA’s hardworking staff protecting the reef. Like the anonymous sage quoted at the top of this letter, our gifts will make us all proud that we are helping “guard well that which is precious.” We are grateful for whatever you can do. Gracias!

Most Sincerely, Kate Neuschaefer
Member, CEA

P.S. Please make your tax-deductible contribution payable to The Yucatan Environmental Foundation, CEA’s U.S.-based 501(c)(3) support foundation. Send it to CEA, c/o Ed Blume, P.O. Box 2116, Madison, WI 53701-2116. Even easier, you may charge your contribution on our Web site: www.ceakumal.org. Follow “Want to Help” to “CEA Store” and choose your desired category.