UC Davis Alumni Awards

On Friday October 8th, Paso Pacifico's founder and director Sarah Otterstrom was awarded "Outstanding Alumni" at the UC Davis College of Agriculture and Environmental Science's 22nd annual college celebration. Otterstrom was chosen for her innovative work in bringing together landowners, citizens, and community leaders in conserving wildlife and native plant species in Nicaragua.

The college celebration acknowledged other alumnus and friends of the college whose contributions to communities around the globe enlarge the solid image of UC Davis College of Agriculture and Environmental Science.

“I have taught at UC Davis for 38 years and have known many graduate students. I can say in all honesty that none of them has impressed me so as a person like Sarah has. From our very first contact she was almost overwhelming in her eagerness, her drive, her thirst for knowledge and her desire to serve.” — Arthur M. Shapiro, professor of evolution and ecology

Focus on Flora

To fill the gaps in knowledge used to determine conservation status, says Eimear Lic Lughadha in the October 1st issue of Science, "plants may be more representative of what's happening to the whole of biodiversity." The reliance of so many species on various plants has led to a new technique called the Sampled Red List Index, using statistical sampling for estimating the risk of extinction within a particular geographic location. This method confirms patterns already observed in conservation science; like the fact that birds are less likely to go extinct than mammals and amphibians.

Further evidence that wings are advantageous underscores the importance of migratory corridors. Birds are not as reliant on connectivity as other wildlife, so they are able to survive better when their habitat is fragmented. As we conduct our biodiversity monitoring and reforestation projects, we'll keep the Sampled Red List Index in mind. In the meantime, we'll maintain our commitment to working with various stakeholders to ensure maximum connectivity for our umbrella species, the endangered (and arboreal) black-handed Spider monkey, and for other Nicaraguan wildlife.

Climate War Goes to Australia

In light of the global warming, which some today feel is just a myth, the reality is coming home sooner to others in a more radical way. In Australia, one of the most treasured environmental icons, the Great Barrier Reef is under siege.

Read more from our friend Greg Reitman: http://www.the-environmentalist.org/2010/09/climate-war-comes-home-to-australia.html

Spotlight on Biodiversity

From the AAAS Science Roundup:

In October 2010, scientists, nongovernmental organizations, and politicians will meet at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to assess the current condition of global biodiversity and to agree on priorities for its future conservation. In the 10 Sep 2010 Science, a Review article and special News Focus section discussed the issues at stake. Rands et al. reviewed recent patterns of biodiversity conservation, highlighting successes, as well as current and future threats. They argue that biodiversity should be treated as a public good -- with responsibility for its conservation integrated across sectors of society and government -- rather than be confined to the business of environmental agencies. 

We agree, which is why we work with local landowners and businesses, municipal governments, and other NGOs, to restore and protect biodiversity and wildlife habitat in Nicaragua.

International Coastal Cleanup

Paso Pacifico is reaching out to communities across Nicaragua to celebrate the International Coastal Cleanup on September 25th. This year's event is promising to be the largest ever in Nicaragua with approximately 364,000 meters of beaches and riverways across 168 registered sites. Along five world famous surfing beaches in the Rivas province, professional Nicaraguan surfers will be leading groups of volunteers. Many private sector sponsors have joined with Paso Pacifico, MARENA, and COSUDE to support the event. These include the Nicaraguan Recyclers Association, Swiss Cooperation, CLARO, and the Fuente Pura. We are expecting thousands of volunteers to turn out and to play a improving Nicaragua's unique and precious.

Join us in Nicaragua or visit the Ocean Conservancy website to clean-up a beach near you!

Arribada en playa La Flor

De nuestros amigos de Parque Maritimo el Coco:

Nos es grato informarles que la madrugada del miercoles 1ro de Septiembre del 2010 inicio la primera arribada masiva de tortugas marinas de la variedad Paslama en playa La Flor. Por ser la primera arribada esperada desde el mes de Julio se estima que sera de entre 3,000 a 7,000 tortugas en un periodo de 4 a 5 noches.  

Las tortugas solamente salen por la noche cuando la temperatura de la arena es baja. Ellas caminan sobre la arena unos 30 a 40 metros e inician a cavar un hoyo donde después depositaran sus huevos. Una vez puesto los huevos, entre 90 a 100, cierran el hoyo o nido y lo apelmazan, luego regresan al mar. Todo el proceso dura aproximadamente 1 hora. No se permite el uso de luz blanca de ningun tipo de intensidad porque esto perturba a las tortugas. Solamente se permite luz roja y de ser posible solo una luz por grupo. La tortuga no debe ser tocada desde que sale de la playa hasta que inicia a depositar sus huevos. Cuando esta depositando puede ser tocada pero una persona a la ves y con aprobación de personal del MARENA que administra el refugio. Tampoco hay que colocarse frente a la tortuga en ningun momento del proceso, ya sea cuando sale del agua, pone los huevos o regresa al agua. Esto perturba a la tortuga y puede que no ponga los huevos o se pierda en su camino de regreso. 

Los huevos eclosionan entre 45 a 55 días después de ser puestos. Las tortugas pequeñas salen por la fuerza de la arena y se dirigen al mar inmediatamente. 

Esperamos puedan visitarnos en estos días ya que la arribada posiblemente termine entre el sabado y domingo por la noche.

Spill Science

New from Science:

The Deepwater Horizon blowout in the Gulf of Mexico is the largest offshore oil spill in history. Both the depth and magnitude of the event pose challenges to assessing the biological effects and the expected fate of the spilled oil. The first peer-reviewed studies of the spill -- published online, ahead-of-print in Science Express this month -- now offer some details about the scope of the subsurface oil plume and its impact on marine microbes.

Their digest of the oil spill situation is here: www.sciencemag.org//hottopics/oilspill/