Equator Prize Database

Our friends at the Equator Initiative have launched a cool Case Study Database to share the work of  their Equator Prize winners. This is a great resource for everyone interested in community-based environmental conservation.

Protecting Nicaragua's Coastline

The pioneers of the surfing industry have also been pioneers in ocean mapping, climate tracking, and ocean conservation. Naturally, surfers were the first group of tourists to venture into Nicaragua, putting its beautiful, undeveloped beaches on the map for ocean lovers worldwide. In the past 20 years, tourism in Nicaragua has increased nearly tenfold, bringing much needed economic development. In the same period, Central America's most impoverished nation – home to mangroves, turtle nesting beaches, coral reefs, and endless waves – has suffered the effects of climate change more than all but two countries in the world (per the Global 2013 Climate Risk Index).

Surfing has driven much of the tourism and economic growth along the Pacific coast, but a low cost of living has also made Nicaragua a popular destination for retirees who do not surf and for developers who threaten to close surf breaks. The surfing community is uniquely positioned to help the people of Nicaragua protect their raw coastline from the twin threats of overdevelopment and climate change. Firmly rooted in Nicaragua, Paso Pacífico's work to strengthen ecological and economic resiliency is protecting coastal communities and the coastlines themselves from the extreme weather that comes with climate change. As Nicaragua simultaneously experiences the cultural change that comes with rapid development, Paso Pacífico is also uniquely positioned to help empower surfers locally and illustrate the surfing community's commitment to ocean conservation internationally.

Economic development and the growth of Nicaragua's surfing culture are not slowing down. This is why we work with the international surfing community as well as Nicaragua's local surfers to advocate environmental conservation from ridge to reef. We use the principles of geotourism – combining destination stewardship with cultural exchange – to guide our programs, designed to protect Nicaragua's natural beauty and biodiversity, strengthen coastal communities, and help international visitors get the most out of their experience.

Protecting Nicaragua's Coastline: Ocean Conservation Education & Action 
Paso Pacífico conducts scientific surveys to assess marine health, employs rangers to protect marine wildlife, engages thousands of people in beach clean-ups, educates children about coastal ecology, and supports a grassroots ocean conservation movement growing along Nicaragua's coastline.

Promoting Surfing's Commitment to Ocean Conservation: Surf Ambassadors 
Our education and leadership programs strengthen the capacity of surfers and environmental advocates locally and help them champion the surfing community's commitment to ocean conservation internationally. Building the capacity of local leaders, we are increasing the sustainability of our own ocean conservation programs and gaining the momentum required to ensure a sustainable future for watermen and the marine creatures who share the waves with them. Eager to see young Nicaraguans share the global spotlight with their fellow surfers as ISA returns for the World Juniors and continues its Olympic bid, we are strengthening our focus on local leadership development and international networking. We aim to help the next generation of surf champions share the surfing community's inspiring stories of cooperation and conservation.

Underwater Robots to Monitor Climate Change

Over at TreeHugger:

Underwater robots, otherwise known as autonomous underwater vehicles, or AUVs, have been exploring the ocean floor for years, documenting species and habitats and monitoring changes to the seabed, but there are spots in the ocean that are too hazardous even for robots. Deep ravines, steeply dropping canyons and other major obstacles have so far been too much for AUVs to navigate, but thanks to a new software system, that's all about to change.
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They expect to be running missions with the new system by next year, including monitoring the sea floor for effects of bottom trawling and climate change. They also plan on adapting the system to monitor movement and change in icebergs, where the AUV would not only take photos but samples of the iceberg for study. In general, Houts and her team hope the technology leads to even smarter vehicles for scientific research.

Parrots Get A Second Chance

We're featured in the November/December issue of the Humane Society's All Animals magazine:

Down the Pacific coast almost to the Costa Rica border, a non- profit called Paso Pacifico, using money from the Loro Parque Foundation and Parrots International, pays landowners to protect parrot nests from poachers, who are usually unemployed trespassers well-known in local communities for breaking the law. Lezama, the ornithologist, has recruited two former poachers to locate nests. Participants get $10 per nest protected and $40 for each fledgling who is hatched—about the same amount a baby yellow- naped parrot would bring in the wildlife trade. It’s important income for rural residents: One woman used it to pay off her tab at the local store and set up an emergency medical fund for a daughter who has epilepsy. Across the six sites where the program is being tried out, poaching rates have dropped to 30 percent from around 90 percent

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