Project AWARE Funds New Coral Reef Ecosystem Protection Program Photo by David Nuñez CEA recently received funding from Project AWARE. This will help support the development of our new Coral Reef Ecosystem Protection Program, which will monitor the health of local reef, mangrove and seagrass ecosystems and work towards their restoration. The grant funds purchased valuable educational aids and research tools. These materials are being used for coral reef ecology presentations (soon to be offered to the public) along with displays in the center. They will also be used to train future volunteer participants in the reef monitoring efforts, and to support the program’s research. While significant, this is just a small portion of the funds needed to get our reef monitoring program up and running. Hurricane Ivan's Turtle Impacts by Ivan Caballero The day before the hurricane, the tide had risen high enough to cover the nursery and flood the remaining nests with seawater. We could do nothing more than wait and monitor the situation. In the hurricane’s wake, there was visible damage in that the door to the nursery was gone, as were the stakes identifying the nests. In their places we could see plenty of garbage brought in by the waves. A few days later we were pleasantly surprised to witness 108 hatchlings emerge from one of these nests. Only a few infertile eggs were left behind, which could not be blamed on the hurricane. In the last few days we have witnessed the successful hatchings from three more nests. We have 15 more nests in the nursery, and three in situ, and can do no more than continue to monitor them and hope that they survived the flooding as well. I would like to thank all of you that made this season possible: the volunteers who spent long nights on the beach; those who believe in the program and accompanied our turtle walks; and all who made donations to keep us operating. THANK YOU! Weathering the Storm by Kate Robinhawk Hurricane season is a time of year when all Akumalians worry about the weather. From June until October, we constantly check the Internet weather sites for news on anything brewing out in the Atlantic or closer to home in the Caribbean. And the truth is that hurricanes have arrived as late as November. We had a small hurricane in 1988, Keith, on Thanksgiving Day, but that is very unusual. Click here to read more. Protecting Paradise Photo by Cristina Sánchez-Navarro It’s that time of year—many of our member’s annual renewals come due and people start to think about making that year-end, tax-deductible donation to their favorite causes and organizations. Please renew your memberships and join us in our efforts to preserve the natural resources of the Akumal area. Your tax-deductible donations are needed more than ever. Thank you for your support! You may make your donations and renew your memberships conveniently on-line. Diving into Fundraising by Paul Sánchez-Navarro CEA among the pine trees and elk?? CEA found its way to Evergreen, Colorado from 11 to 14 of September, giving presentations at a fundraising dinner and to dive shops in the Denver/Boulder area. Surprisingly, after California and Florida, Colorado has the greatest number of divers who regularly visit tropical areas. Click here, to read more. Environmental Education Program Starts the School Year by Mauricio Bautista CEA’s Environmental Education Program began its visits to local schools on September 8, with activities aimed at training 5th and 6th graders, as well as junior high students in: 1) garbage separation—each classroom received two containers for students to use to separate their trash; 2) recycling—through fun, hands-on activities that transform their garbage into arts and crafts, students are taught that most waste actually has a value. Also, in coordination with the schools and the recycling agency, unused recyclables will be exchanged for food that will be distributed among students in need; and 3) environmental Saturdays—the first week of October will mark the beginning of our weekly environmental program with the students. Through field trips they will be able to appreciate the ecosystems they have learned about in class. International Coastal Cleanup 2004 Marked in Akumal by Mauricio Bautista On September 25 Akumal celebrated The Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup day. Akumal youth along with CEA staff and helpers joined hands to clean up the rocky point north of Akumal Bay. This area does not receive the regular maintenance that the beaches do. Garbage collection began at 9 a.m. and ended at 11 a.m. We thank the community for its support of these activities. We hope that visitors and residents alike will continue to help us keep our beaches clean. Upcoming Events VIDAS veterinary clinics will be in October in Tulum October 5–8, Akumal October 11 & 12, Chemuyil October 13 & 14, and Laguna Bacalar October 16 & 17. Click here to learn more. Check our Web site often to learn more about CEA's programs and upcoming events. What's new at our On-line Store? Copies of "Plants in Akumal, Mexico" are now available; proceeds go directly to CEA. FYI World Habitat Day 4 October 2004 Every year, since 1985, when it was designated by the General Assembly, World Habitat Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in October. This day has been set aside by the United Nations for the world to reflect on the state of human settlements and the basic right to adequate shelter and to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat. World Food Day 16 October 2004 The theme for World Food Day's campaign for 2004 is "Biodiversity for Food Security." It will highlight biodiversity's role in ensuring that people have sustainable access to enough high-quality food to lead active and healthy lives. Special Thanks ... to the Kopacz family for continuing to support Veronica's scholarship, which they began last year. Many thanks to all the people who participated in our Turtle Adoption Program this year! There are many ways you, too, can help and become a CEA Friend. One simple way is to tell your friends about the organization. Many CEA Members joined after being referred to CEA by people like you. If you have questions about how you can become more involved, please contact us. The Yucatan Environmental Foundation is the U.S. 501(c)(3) fiscal agent for CEA. All donations made through YEF for CEA are tax-deductible in the U.S. Thank you for your continued support of CEA. We list our CEA Members and Contributors on our CEA Friends page. Please take a moment and make sure we have you listed. If you have a story or comment you would like to have added, please e-mail it to us. If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, or simply need to contact CEA, please click here.