Life's a Beach | Expat Life in Playa del Carmen : Akumal, Volunteering

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - Society of Akumal´s Vital Ecology A.C. (SAVE)

Rob Kinnon — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 11:18:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

This beloved traditional holiday song is the inspiration for our Holiday Giving blog series, "12 Days/12 Ways", a promotional effort of goodwill we started last year to draw attention to 12 not-for-profit groups or charitable organizations in Playa del Carmen and along the Riviera Maya. So many people from around the world travel to the Riviera Maya during the holiday season. Many reach out to us via regional message boards and Facebook looking for a way to give back to the less fortunate residents in our local communities. 12 Days/12 Ways was started to help these generous, kind-hearted visitors find legitimate and worthy charitable organizations to support, addressing their particular needs for this holiday season.

For each of the 12 days of Christmas, the BuyPlaya Blog, better known as "Life's a Beach", will spotlight a charitable organization or giving opportunity. Some may already be familiar to locals and frequent travelers to this area. Others, perhaps those most in need of recognition and support, may be new to our readers. It is our hope to do this every year, with updated information and wish lists.

The "12 Day/12 Ways" list has not yet been completed for 2012. If you have a favorite charity that you feel belongs on this list, collect all of the information you can and I will be happy to consider your group for inclusion.

__________________________________________________________________

The Society of Akumal´s Vital Ecology (SAVE) is a grass roots not-for-profit organization created in 1998 to protect the fragile and most valuable natural resources in central Quintana Roo, Mexico. Akumal, in particular, offers to the world a delicate and unique interconnected ecosystem, containing a fresh water filled cave systems gently flowing to the sea, a thriving coastal mangrove, the sandy beach bluff, and most important of all, the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest reef system in the world.

Mangrove damage, reduction, and degradation due to rapid tourism growth have occurred in the Riviera Maya. SAVE's mission is to keep this unique and fragile ecology safe from the dangers of unsustainable development, for our children’s futures, and their children´s children. Today, SAVE is proving that with determination, changes can be made.

SAVE is currently involved in the following programs and activities:

Aguas Con Los Cenotes:
The Yucatan Peninsula, particularly the Caribbean coast has witnessed rapid tourism development over the past forty years. Unfortunately this development has not been met with sufficient policy or planning to ensure it has a minimal impact on the Peninsula’s fragile environment. Like the Maya thousands of years earlier, developments rely on the underground aquifer for their potable water resources. Yet because these rivers lie underground little is witnessed of the damage that poorly planned developments have caused to the aquifer. Large developments destroy the caves systems beneath disrupting necessary hydrological flows, while sewerage waste is frequently flows underground, joining the water that is drawn for drinking. Protection of these tremendous underground water ways needs to be established to ensure that cenotes and the connecting fresh water systems are protected, so that they can be visited and enjoyed by future generations. The livelihoods of all people on the Peninsula, both tourists and locals, require a healthy and safe aquifer.

Mangrove Protection:
In the past 20 years, the State of Quintana Roo, has lost over 100,000 hectares of mangroves (1 hectare = 2.5 acres) to hotel rooms. This is 1/3 of all mangroves in the entire country of Mexico. The mangroves also filter out what is needed and not needed for the corals, which comprises the paralleling Mesoamerican Reef. The mangrove traps and cycles various organic materials, chemical elements, and important nutrients. Mangrove roots act not only as physical traps but provide attachment surfaces for various marine organisms. Many of these attached organisms filter water through their bodies and, in turn, trap and cycle nutrients also. The relationship between mangroves and their associated marine life cannot be overemphasized. Mangroves provide protected nursery areas for fishes, crustaceans, and shellfish. They also provide food for a multitude of marine species such as snook, snapper, tarpon, jack, sheepshead, red drum, oyster, shrimp and lobsters. Mexico’s important recreational and commercial fisheries will drastically decline without healthy mangrove forests acting as filters and nurseries. Mangroves also help to prevent erosion and sand loss by stabilizing shorelines with their specialized root systems. Mangroves filter water and maintain water quality and clarity. These mangroves take out of our atmosphere and store 50% of our carbon dioxide, the oceans 30% and the trees and forests 20%. Thus, mangroves are the lungs of our earth. The laws that protect the environment MUST be followed and enforced.

Marine Turtle Protection:
The State of Quintana Roo, has 14 areas legally protected by state or federal legislation. Two areas belong to the continental zone and the other 12 to the coastal zone, in which are found important sea turtles nesting sites. Yum-balam, Isla Contoy and Sian Kaán Biosphere reserve are hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate) nesting sites. Green (Chelonia Mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) nest at these sites as well as on the eastern part of Isla Cozumel and Tulum National Park. Studies have been conducted that determined that the beaches with the greatest density of turtle nests in the area are: Chemuyil, X’cacel and Aventuras DIF; in addition they recommended legal actions to be taken for their protection due to their biological characteristics, their bio-geographic importance, their state of conservation, and the threat that prevails within the tourist corridor Cancún – Tulum, the Riviera Maya. Both Green and Loggerhead sea turtles are considered under protection by the Mexican laws and by international conventions. But both species are in danger of extinction, due to damage of their beach nesting grounds. SAVE recommends an overhaul of the environmental impact studies, laws that are followed, and a permanent monitoring of development in these areas. SAVE is pursuing Federal Sanctuary Status for Playa Xcacel/Xcacelito. This area is vital to sea turtle reproduction and needs to be protected in a meaningful way.

How Can YOU help?

Become a SAVE Akumal Member!

Depending on your annual contribution you will be given a SAVE Membership status as follows:

$25 Jungle: Membership Card, Aguas Con Los Cenote Sticker.
$50 Mangrove: Membership Card, Aguas Con Los Cenote Sticker, T-shirt.
$100 Reef: Membership Card, Aguas Con Los Cenote Sticker, Aguas Con Los Cenote Poster.
$250 Ocean: Membership Card, Aguas Con Los Cenote Sticker, T-shirt & Poster.
$500 Sea Turtle: Membership Card, Aguas Con Los Cenote Sticker, Website Listing, T-shirt & Poster.
$1,000 Cenote: Membership Card, Aguas Con Los Cenote Sticker, Website Listing, “Cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula” by Steve Gerrard.

You may make a donation of any size or make an annual membership contribution through Paypal with your credit card or Paypal account.

Spread the Word!

Follow SAVE Akumal on Facebook and share their efforts with your friends!

Be Alert and Ready!

Be a SAVE activist! If you ever see anyone damaging the ecosystem or causing harm to its inhabitants, help us by taking photographs and/or videos. Just send in all the pertinent information you can (i.e. what happened, how it happened, where it happened, and with who it happened) and SAVE will do the rest. Please email your information and photo/video content to cenotes@prodigy.net.mx and SAVE will make the proper letter of accusation, known as a "denuncia", to the relevant Mexican governmental office. Activities to be aware of may include:

Destruction or poisoning of the mangrove
Taking of fish, birds, reptiles or other wildlife
Destruction of turtle nests or the taking of eggs by unauthorized groups
Snorkel groups touching marine turtles or other marine life
Illegal shark fishing
Dumping of trash and debris on the beach or in the jungle

For more information:

+52 (984) 87 59204 land line
+52 (984) 87 59021 land line
+52 (998) 845-4528 mobile
Skype ID: savemaya
Email: cenotes@prodigy.net.mx
Website : http://www.saverivieramaya.org

I moved to Mexico with my family in 2004 with the hope of offering our children a more global education and world view. Since then, we have traveled through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, gathering friends and life experiences and learning a lot about ourselves along the way. When we are not out and about exploring, Rob and I own and operate BuyPlaya, a Playa del Carmen real estate company and FurnitureMex. "Life's a Beach" is a catch-all blog where you may find anything from restaurant reviews, to recipes, gardening tips, commentary about expat daily life, local events, information about moving to Mexico and educating children in Playa del Carmen. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - CEA Centro Ecologico Akumal

Rob Kinnon — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:31:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

This beloved traditional holiday song is the inspiration for our seasonal blog series, "12 Days/12 Ways", a promotional effort of goodwill we started last year to draw attention to 12 not-for-profit groups or charitable organizations in Playa del Carmen and along the Riviera Maya. So many people from around the world travel to the Riviera Maya during the holiday season. Many reach out to us via regional message boards and Facebook looking for a way to give back to the less fortunate residents in our local communities. 12 Days/12 Ways was started to help these generous, kind-hearted visitors find legitimate and worthy charitable organizations to support, addressing their particular needs for this holiday season.

__________________________________________________________________

Centro Ecologico Akumal is a non-profit conservation organization working on the Mexican Caribbean to monitor the impact of development on the regional ecosystems and culture; to report findings and their significance to the public through education; and, through education, to influence public policy. CEA is celebrating 15 years of research, education and advocacy in Akumal, working to understand better the natural elements that make this place so beautiful, to raise awareness about how to protect it and to invite others to participate in these efforts.

Centro Ecologico Akumal has a number of ongoing programs:

Marine and Coastal Program and Reef Monitoring and Research subprogram were established to promote the protection and conservation of the coastal ecosystems. With a focus on an integrated coastal system, the Marine Ecosystems Program collects comprehensive data on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in the region of Akumal and promotes the implementation of a management policy based on the understanding and study of the marine ecosystem and its services.

Sea Turtle Program is charged with the protection, conservation, research and management of sea turtles. During the nesting season CEA turtle staff and volunteers patrol the beaches of Akumal in search of nesting female turtles, turtle nests, and recent hatchlings. Their duties include protecting and tagging females, collecting scientific data, relocating eggs (in extremely cases) to more favorable locations on the beach, and releasing hatchlings to the sea. The data that the turtle team collects are then used to determine turtle hatching success, behavior, distribution, and abundance. Raising awareness among tourist and residents on sea turtle biology and conservation issues is of the utmost importance. CEA holds "Turtle Talks" to give information to the people who visit the Riviera Maya. This year CEA documented a record year for turtle nests and hatchlings. By the end of the 2012 season, CEA recorded 200 Loggerhead nests producing 14,856 hatchlings and 596 Green Turtle nests with 43,397 hatchlings. Amazing!

Sustainable Development Program aims to influence development and lessen its impact on the local environment. Sustainable development is development that satisfies present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their own needs. By maintaining constant consideration of the environmental benefits that the ecosystems of the region offer and understanding the interconnections among the environment, the economy and society

Water Quality Program works to reduce pollution of our watershed; promoting between the sector public and private the good managing of the solid and liquid tailing; as well as the utilization of technological alternatives that promote a sustainable development in the zone. This is achieved by monitoring the bays, lagoons and Akumal's artificial wetlands, training and application of technological alternatives for sustainable development (solar power, rain water catch, artificial wetlands, composting toilets and waste management) and coordinating activities with the program of Environmental Education to promote the care and managing of the water within the populations of Akumal and Chemuyil.

Environmental Education is an ongoing educational program to teach both visitors and local people to preserve and respect our environment. Focusing primarily on local children, CEA organizers, volunteers and social service students visit the schools in the Pueblo of Akumal to teach the children how Mother Nature works and how to protect their local ecosystem. The CEA Information Center has been providing this education for the past fifteen years and recently, the tourist and community sectors of the Environmental Education Program have been expanded to include hotels, restaurants and dive shops outside Akumal.

CEA Communications strives to influence public opinion, shape public policy and to help preserve our coastal environment with compelling graphic and informational program. This program focuses its efforts with tourists, residents and hotels to help accomplish CEA’s mission by visually displaying and distributing the research findings and information. CEA has publications and presentations designed to inform CEA visitors about the research programs, problems and solutions at Akumal. There are displays, visually explaining the various research studies in which CEA is involved.

How can YOU help?

Become a CEA Member!
Memberships and donations charged through the CEA website are processed via Paypal by CEA's U.S. fiscal sponsor, the Yucatan Environmental Foundation (YEF), and are tax deductible in the U.S. You will first receive an order confirmation and then, when your order is processed, a YEF receipt, which you should print out for your tax records. CEA sponsorship levels are available from $50 usd to $5000 usd. With your contribution of $50 or more, you will receive a card allowing a 10% discount at many Akumal businesses. If you live in the Akumal area, with a donation of $125 US or more, you can receive a parking pass, good for one year, to use in the Plaza Ukana lot.

If you would prefer to pay by check, rather than by credit card, please make your payment to:

YEF
c/o Alex Bradley
PO Box 1813
Port Townsend, WA
98368-0219.

Please note what level of CEA Membership you are requesting. Please include your e-mail address. Your tax receipt will be sent to you electronically.

Adopt a Turtle!
You can sponsor your very own Akumal turtle! There are three levels of sponsorship to fit any budget. Included in your "turtle adoption" will be an official, personalized Certificate of Adoption, mailed from the U.S. Please send us the name you want on the certificate, and the address you would like it mailed to, if different than your own. The tax-deductible proceeds help support the CEA Turtle Program.

Make a Donation in kind!

CEA's Environmental Education Program has started its activities for the year. They are working with a total of 95 students in the Akumal Pueblo. We take this opportunity to ask for your help in donating materials for the different activities with the students. Your input and support is important for activity development. CEA's Environmental Education Program will cover topics related to the different ecosystems found in Quintana Roo such as general characteristics, their biodiversity and ways to protect them. There will also be recreation activities, handicrafts and other crafts made with recycled material. The schools CEA has been working with are preschool Malintzin, Montessori Primary Otoch Paal, and Telesecundaria José Vasconcelos.

Things you can donate:

Digital camera with rechargeable battery
Scissors
Construction paper (different colors)
Hard- and soft-bristle brushes
Adhesive tape (clear, brown, gaffer, fragile, masking tape, parcel posting tape, etc.)
Sharpie markers
Acrylic paint (different colors)
Plastic palettes
Watercolors
Plastic tool set for clay
Rattail cord
Chinese knotting cord
Opaline sheets
Plastic beads
Tool box (to transport things)
Fabric
School glue
2" brushes

Please refer to CEA's online wishlist for a complete listing of items and supplies needed throughout the year.

Volunteer!
Each of the CEA programs is dependent on volunteers for its success. There is a recuperation cost for the basic expenses related with your stay, such as the kitchen, cleaning, water, gas, internet, electric, repairs and maintenance. The volunteer fees for the Marine Ecosystems Program are $200 usd/month and $1,500 usd for the Reef Monitoring Subprogram (Grants are available for Mexican Citizens). The monthly fee for other programs is $200 usd (Foreigners) and $100 usd (Mexican citizens). These fees are not tax deductible.

Participate in a Beach Clean Up day!
CEA has been actively cleaning up Akumal's beaches for over 18 years. In 2012, CEA organized three successful beach clean up days! All the trash collected is counted and weighed and the data sent to the Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup providing a country-by-country, state-by-state, item-by-item accounting of marine trash. Subscribe to the CEA newsletter to receive updates about Beach Clean Ups in 2013 to see if one of these events coincides with your visit to the Riviera Maya!

For further information:
info@ceakumal.org
984-875-9095

12 Days/12 Ways 2012 - Hekab Be Library in Akumal

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:01:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

__________________________________________________________________

Hekab Be Library promotes literacy and learning opportunities among children and adults in Quintana Roo, Mexico, in order to meet their educational goals. Serving as a tool for educational, social and economic progress, we provide individuals and families with resources for scholastic advancement, helping improve people’s language and literacy skills, while promoting cultural preservation and awakening the desire to understand other customs and ways of thinking.

The Hekab Be Library, started in 1995, acquaints young children with books, provides learning resources for school children and offers literacy and writing classes for adults. In addition, the library offers after-school activities and tutoring, reading and math programs, arts & crafts workshops and yoga classes for children. Adults can participate in classes in English, Spanish and Maya. The library also presents parenting and health seminars and hosts local AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings and secondhand clothing bazaars.

This year, Hekab Be said goodbye to beloved librarian Carlos Canul and "Hola" to new library director, Mariana Galindo Lando. Mariana, originally from Veracruz, has called Akumal home for the past six years. Mariana has a B.A. in primary education and is a certified elementary teacher. She has worked as a teacher at various schools in Veracruz and in the Riviera Maya, most recently as a teacher at Instituto Vittorio Monteverdi in Tulúm.

As the new library director, Mariana has many goals, the foremost being to create an educational atmosphere that is welcoming to people of all ages. She will be implementing new programs including classes in music, dance, and other arts and it is her desire to see HB become not just a center for education, but also a cultural hub for the Akumal community.

How can YOU help?

Support the Hekab Be "Library Angels" Program!
The Hekab Be library is 100% donation driven. In 2011 Hekab Be inaugurated their "Library Angels" program to encourage people to become monthly sponsors of the library. The goal is to generate a steady, dependable monthly income to be supplemented by fundraising efforts. The money donated is used for the library's programs, supplies and teachers salaries which make up about 75% of the library's operating expenses. The amount given each month is entirely up to the sponsor and can be automatically deducted from the sponsor's account with the new "Subscription" button via Paypal. Those who use Bill Pay through their can also set up automatic donations. Email akumallibrary@gmail.com for the correct setup information. USD donations are tax deductible!

Each quarter, Library Updates will be sent out directly to all of the Library Angels so that they can be kept informed on the activities and goings on at the library. To make a one time donation or to become a "Library Angel", please visit the Hekab Be Blog and choose to either DONATE or SUBSCRIBE!

Buy a Hekab Be T-shirt:
Show your support of Hekab Be by buying and proudly wearing a t-shirt from the new Cafe Press Hekab Be T-shirt Store! T-shirts are available in men's and women's sizes. Cool tote bags are also available, perfect for hauling your beach reads and sunscreen! A variety of colorful and whimsical designs are offered.

Donate books and library supplies:

Books - All reading levels in SPANISH
A durable digital camera/memory card
Chess sets
Packs of solid colored craft foam sheets, used for arts and crafts projects
Double sided tape
Flat head thumbtacks
Colored pencils
Liquid white glue such as Elmer's
Water based/washable liquid paints such as Crayola kids paint (liter size or larger)
Construction paper
Laminating sheets, various sizes, but especially letter size
Child safe scissors with rounded points
3 ring binders
Letter size clear plastic sleeves that can be used in a 3 ring binder
Thick or jumbo crayons
Play Doh (or generic brand)-- small size cans keep longer in this climate
Bead sets for making bracelets and necklaces
Popsicle sticks
White-out or any brand of liquid corrector
Poster board, white or any color. Sam's and City Club in Playa del Carmen sell this in packs of 100-200 sheets
Various kinds of paper to use in art projects: tissue paper, crepe paper & shiny/foil paper in assorted colors
Blank white paper (8-1/2 x 11) such as copy paper or any standard paper sold in bulk

Photo from the Akumalian

Here is a list of gifts that children who frequent the library said they would like to receive for Christmas this year. These are the gifts most requested, and of course, the library welcomes any kind of toy donations and assistance to give these special children a very Merry Christmas!

Hot wheels race tracks
Back packs & messenger bags
Dolls, baby dolls & accessories
Doll houses
Skateboards or other thing with wheels you can ride
Toy cell phones
Soccer balls
Diaries that lock with a key
Wrist watches
"Connect 4" game
Roller skates
Stuffed animals
Barbies
Remote control cars
Toy train sets
Max Steel action figures
Dinosaur figures
Toy instruments such as guitars, drums

If you are in Akumal, your donations can be left at the library during business hours Monday - Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm (closed from 1pm-2:30pm for lunch) and on Saturdays 9am - 1pm. Spanish language books for all reading levels are always welcomed! If you are not going to be in Akumal in time for Christmas but would like to send us some toys or books, email the library and they may be able to find someone who can bring it down: akumallibrary@gmail.com.

Your support is needed and appreciated in helping give the kids a Happy Holiday Party every year! If you would like to share in the joy of giving, please come to the Annual Hekab Be Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 19 at 3:00 pm. There will be singing by the kids, a pinata, food and of course, Santa will be on hand handing out the gifts! Please come if you are in town! For updates, you can also follow Hekab Be on Facebook!

CEA Needs Volunteers!

Rob Kinnon — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 01:29:00 GMT

We have an update from our friends at CEA, Centro Ecologico Akumal, regarding their ongoing sea turtle program in Akumal. CEA is one of our favorite local non-profit environmental groups and one we have been pleased to feature for our annual "12 Day/12 Ways" Holiday Giving series.

_____________________________________________________________

Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA) has had government authorization to run a program for protection, conservation, research and management of sea turtles on four local beaches since 1993. (SEMARNAT. S.G.P.A./ D.G.V.S. 02652 07). During turtle season, CEA staff and volunteers patrol the beaches nightly to identify and protect nesting females, nests, and hatchlings.

There are seven species of sea turtle in the world, all of which are either threatened or endangered. México is home to six of these species, four of which can be seen off the coast of Quintana Roo. Three species can regularly be found around Akumal. Local beaches are nesting ground for two of these species: the Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta) and the Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas). Year-round you can find juvenile green turtles feeding in our bays and sometimes you can see the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricate) around the reef.

MAIN OBJECTIVE
Raising awareness among tourist and residents on sea turtle biology and conservation issues is the most important thing on this job. Every night volunteers have to participate in our Turtle Talks to give information to the people who visit us.

PROJECTS
During the nesting season CEA turtle staff and volunteers, patrols the beaches of Akumal in search of nesting female turtles, turtle nests, and recent hatchlings. Their duties include protecting and tagging females, collecting scientific data, relocating eggs (in extremely cases) to more favorable locations on the beach, and releasing hatchlings to the sea. The data that the turtle team collects are then used to determine turtle hatching success, behavior, distribution, and abundance. Since 2006, CEA stop using barnyards. The decision was taken to teach tourist and visitors to respect sea turtle nesting beaches, as well as to be aware of the nests and care of them.

Since 2006, Centro Ecológico Akumal started monitoring juvenile turtles at Akumal Bay every two months. This work it's done during day, twice a week (some weeks more). The work consist in capture the turtles (snorkeling) and put them marks, measure, weight, take them samples of blood to look for sickness and do genetics studies. This work provides us data on how tourism and pollution are having impact on turtles' illnesses. This project is coordinate by Dr. Fernando Muñoz from IPN, the biologist Roberto Herrera from ECOSUR and the MVZ Ana Negrete from Parque XCARET.

Although hawksbills (Eretmochelis imbricata) inhabit the reefs just offshore, and juvenile greens feed on the seagrass beds in the bay, these animals have not historically been included in the program's scope of activities since 2006. However, CEA is seeking to strengthen and expand its Sea Turtle Protection, Conservation and Research Program by guaranteeing the position of Program Coordinator year-round, adopting international standards (Research and Management Techniques for the Conservation of Sea Turtles by IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group), implementing internal measures to guarantee continuity in methods and techniques, and expanding its scope of operations to include turtles in the bays and on the reefs, and not just those on shore.

AKUMAL TURTLES

LOGGERHEAD TURTLES - Adults weigh 100-200 kg and grow to 1.15 m in length. Nesting season is between April and July. Females nest 3-7 times every season with approximately 120 round, white eggs in each nest. The eggs hatch in about 60 days. They feed primarily on shellfish such as crabs and snails.

GREEN TURTLES - Adults weigh 100-250 kg and grow to 1.2 m in length. Nesting season is between June and September. Each female, nest 3-7 times a year. Each nest contains 120-150 eggs, which are round and white, and hatch in about 60 days. They feed primarily on sea grasses.

VOLUNTEER
The patrol work is hard. Digging and moving nest is particularly strenuous, and the work day begins at sunset, because that's when the turtles nest and hatch. The turtles don't run on a human calendar; they nest seven days a week. So, this is a job for a night person who can work hard for several days.

Monitoring turtles on the bay is hard too. Snorkel in the bay it's not easy, we required people who are in good health, who are able to swim for long minute's periods, and do not suffer "seasick".

Protecting, monitoring and input on computer all turtles' data is the main purpose of this program, but you will also be asked to help with other aspects of life at CEA, such as giving information and presentations about our work to tourists, as the Turtle Talk (please let us know if you have the interest and the ability to give it), taking local kids to release hatchlings, or helping organize educational events (among a variety of things). So we required volunteers that speak at least two languages.

Although it would be a plus for selection, no previous background in science or marine and turtle biology is required, but you must have a strong interest in wildlife and conservation. We always ask you to look for turtle information before coming; even you would receive training here. Notice: Surprisingly volunteers can have quizzes.

Participants are expected to be enthusiastic, adventurous, be able to work as part of a team, be respectful of the host country's environment and cultures, and have a good sense of humor.

Other general information:

Please note that we do not accept volunteers under the age of 21
According to the number of applicants for the program, a strict selection of the applications will be made.
The minimum length of stay is 2 months.
Program monthly fee is 200 USD (foreigners) 100 USD (Mexicans). Your payment is due one month before the start of the program.
You must have a valid passport and visa or FM3 for the length of your stay. It is your responsibility to have up-to-date migratory documents.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all the recommended vaccinations and take any prescribed or advised medication. Please note that CEA can not give medical advice.
You should have valid insurance for medical services.
The limit application date is at least 1 month before the dates you want start the program.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information:

Sea Turtle Program Coordinator
Armando Lorences Camargo
tortugas@ceakumal.org

Nesting monitoring Coordinator and Turtle Walks
Mariano Suárez Calleros
tortugas1@ceakumal.org

Communication and Volunteer Coordinator
Alma Boada S.
comunicacion@ceakumal.org

12 Days/12 Ways 2011 - Centro Ecologico Akumal (CEA)

Rob Kinnon — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:16:00 GMT

"On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."

The "12 Day/12 Ways" list has not yet been completed for 2011. If you have a favorite charity that you feel belongs on this list, collect all of the information you can and I will be happy to consider your group for inclusion.

__________________________________________________________________

Centro Ecologico Akumal is a non-profit conservation organization working on the Mexican Caribbean to monitor the impact of development on the regional ecosystems and culture; to report findings and their significance to the public through education; and, through education, to influence public policy. CEA is celebrating 15 years of research, education and advocacy in Akumal, working to understand better the natural elements that make this place so beautiful, to raise awareness about how to protect it and to invite others to join us in our efforts.

Centro Ecologico Akumal has a number of ongoing programs:

Sea Turtle Program is charged with the protection, conservation, research and management of sea turtles. During the nesting season CEA turtle staff and volunteers patrol the beaches of Akumal in search of nesting female turtles, turtle nests, and recent hatchlings. Their duties include protecting and tagging females, collecting scientific data, relocating eggs (in extremely cases) to more favorable locations on the beach, and releasing hatchlings to the sea. The data that the turtle team collects are then used to determine turtle hatching success, behavior, distribution, and abundance. Raising awareness among tourist and residents on sea turtle biology and conservation issues is of the utmost importance. CEA holds Turtle Talks to give information to the people who visit the Riviera Maya.

Communications focuses its efforts with tourists, residents and hotels to help accomplish CEA’s mission by visually displaying and distributing the research findings and information. CEA has publications and presentations designed to inform CEA visitors about the research programs, problems and solutions at Akumal. There are displays, visually explaining the various research studies in which CEA is involved. With this compelling graphic and informational program, CEA strives to influence public opinion, shape public policy and to help preserve our coastal environment.

How can YOU help?

Become a CEA Member!
Memberships and donations charged through the CEA website are processed by CEA's U.S. fiscal sponsor, the Yucatan Environmental Foundation (YEF), and are tax deductible in the U.S. You will first receive an order confirmation and then, when your order is processed, a YEF receipt, which you should print out for your tax records.

If you would prefer to pay by check, rather than by credit card, please make your payment to:

YEF
c/o Alex Bradley
PO Box 1813
Port Townsend, WA
98368-0219.

Please note what level of CEA Membership you are requesting. Please include your e-mail address. Your tax receipt will be sent to you electronically.

Adopt a Turtle!
You can sponsor your very own Akumal turtle! Included in your "adoption" will be an official, personalized Certificate of Adoption, mailed from the U.S. Please send us the name you want on the certificate, and the address you would like it mailed to, if different than your own. The tax-deductible proceeds help support the CEA Turtle Program.

Make a Donation in kind!
Please refer to CEA's comprehensive wishlist of needed items and supplies.

Buy a 2012 CEA Calendar!
Centro Ecologico Akumal, with the support of Ah Cacao and DHB Diseno, had produced its second 100% ecological calendar! You can purchase a calendar in CEA's office in Akumal, Ah Cacao stores, and DHB Diseno in Playa del Carmen and Tulum. This is a limited-edition purchase, so buy yours early to be sure to have one!

A small shipment of calendars is being sent to the US to be available to be ordered online through PayPal for $12 usd (shipping included). Click here http://www.ceakumal.org/html_en/want_to_help/donations.php , then the "Donate" button, and enter $12 per calendar under "Donation amount." Please click on the "Message" field to enter any additional information, and be aware that deliveries to Canada take longer than within the U.S. Calendar purchases are not tax deductible.

For further information:
info@ceakumal.org
984-875-9095