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SPRING 2005 - Berkeley, Calif. Seacology, the world's premier nonprofit, nongovernmental organization (NGO) with the sole and unique purpose of preserving the environments and cultures of islands worldwide, has confirmed funding for ten new island projects during the first half of 2005. Simultaneously, Seacology's aid to Tsunami stricken areas will continue to focus efforts on four villages where Seacology has existing community projects in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Andaman Islands, and the Maldives.
2005 Seacology projects are selected on their low cost/high impact ability to preserve threatened island environments while at the same time improving the quality of life for local islanders.
"Our 'win-win' situations not only protect the local environment, but also provide tangible benefits to the islanders," stated Duane Silverstein, Seacology Executive Director. "Importantly, Seacology projects are successful because they are locally managed."
"We maintain that every donor should know exactly where his or her dollars go to provide aid," continued Silverstein. "Seacology's no-overhead, no-bureaucracy method of working directly with islanders is the best way to ensure that donated dollars provide island communities with the help they really need to maintain their livelihood, culture and local environment."
Seacology's recent work in Tsunami stricken areas has enabled a full one hundred percent of donations to directly help islanders purchase necessary items such as fishing nets, and goats and chickens to rebuild local economies and infrastructures.
2005 PROJECTS:
CHUUK, MICRONESIA, Ununo, Fongen, and Onongoch villages, Fefen Island - Upgrading and improvement of primary water systems in exchange for the establishment of the Oroor Forest Reserve.
FIJI, Vuna Village, Taveuni Island - Construction of a kindergarten in exchange for the establishment of a 4,752-acre forest preserve and two marine protected areas totaling 3,100 acres.
INDONESIA, Arborek Village, Gam Island, Papua - Village-wide solar power in exchange for the establishment of¬¬ 46,080 acres of no-take reef and rainforests.
INDONESIA, Kaibolafin Village, Kola Island, Maluku - Upgrading village rainwater collection system and school reconstruction in exchange for the establishment of a 500-acre no-take forest reserve.
INDONESIA, Popo Village, North Sulawesi - Village-scale fresh well water system in exchange for the establishment of a 500-acre no-take forest reserve.
INDONESIA, Teling Village, North Sulawesi - Upgrading and repairing an existing fresh water system in exchange for the establishment of a 250-acre no-take forest reserve.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Island - Re-roofing of buildings housing a local community marine conservation NGO in exchange for the expansion of a network of Locally Managed Marine Areas.
POHNPEI, Kahlap Village, Mwoakilloa Atoll - Cement water catchments, two kayaks for monitoring turtle nesting areas, and new batteries for solar power units in exchange for the establishment of three protected turtle nesting sites and surrounding marine protected areas.
SOLOMON ISLANDS, Mbili Village, Mijanga Island - School in exchange for the protection of one entire island and nine acres of marine reserve.
VANUATU, Espiritu Santo - Construction of a community center in exchange for protection of a 6,735-acre forest reserve.
PROTECTING ISLANDS - Islands are the Earth's great repositories of biological diversity. Thanks to their favorable climates and historic isolation, islands are home to thousands of species that do not exist elsewhere. But island ecosystems and cultures are threatened as never before. They have a disproportionately high number of endangered species. On a global basis, over 50% of all recent animal extinctions have occurred on islands. In the U.S., 72% of all plant and animal extinctions recorded in U.S. history have occurred in Hawaii alone. Coral reefs are so endangered that 70% will cease to function as healthy ecosystems in the next 50 years unless remedial action is taken immediately. 50% of the world's mangrove forests have already been destroyed. Because of their low sea levels, islands are particularly susceptible to the ill effects of global warming. Yet due to their typically small populations and limited economies, most islands are not able to resist pressures from outside development.
ABOUT SEACOLOGY - Founded in 1992, and fully staffed since 2000, Seacology is based in Berkeley, California. Seacology's critical work to preserve the environments and cultures of islands throughout the world depends on the generosity of its donors. To date, Seacology has protected 78,653 acres of island terrestrial habitat, 1,726,589 acres of coral reef and other marine habitat, has provided 59 schools, community centers, water delivery systems and other critically needed facilities, and awarded 22 scholarship programs, vital medical services, supplies and support for island communities.
Please visit http://www.seacology.org/ to learn more about Seacology and how you can help save the world's islands.
