Centro Ecologico Akumal needs your help.

CEA’s New Camera Fund Raiser

WHO: Centro Ecologico Akumal, CEA is a Non Governmental Organization located in Akumal, Mexico. Their mission is 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. Their motto is Ecologia, Investigacion Y Cultura. CEA was founded in July 1993 and since then has established numerous programs such as an Artist-In-Residence Program that has brought many artists to Akumal to share their talents with the local Mayan children. Their Turtle Watch Program and Adopt-A-Turtle Program protect the sea turtles and their habitats and support research into their nesting ecology and biology. Many more research programs include Hydrological and Geological Studies programs, Water Quality Monitoring Program, Bay Monitoring Program and Maya Culture Studies Programs. CEA’s Outreach Programs include Recycling Programs, Alternative Waste Water Treatment Program, Environmental Education Program, and more. The CEA Information and Cultural Center located on Akumal Bay has displays, visiting lecturers, visitor tour programs, a research library and numerous special events.

WHAT: For those of you who would like to help in a simple yet practical way and have the peace of mind of knowing exactly where your contribution is going - here is your opportunity to do just that. CEA desperately needs a Digital Video Camera. They have identified the Sony PC5 as the best camera to meet their needs. The Sony PC5 is a small, easy to operate digital video camera that also takes still photos, has a built in editing system and night shot capability. The PC5 has an underwater housing available, which means that they can use it both on land and under water. CEA’s Media Producer, Lydia Pontius, is located in the US and is working to develop CEA’s new high tech, interactive web site and a series of educational environmental videos. Lydia has the PC5 camera, by having one in Akumal assures continuity and ease of editing shots from both sources and locations.

WHY: Here are just a few of the ways CEA would utilize this camera - if only you would help!

  • Charles Shaw, PhD, CEA geologist, is working with divers to try and map the underground water systems that lead to Yal-Ku Lagoon. In doing so they can see the impact of what happens on the surface around Akumal to the ground water and ultimately the bays and coral reef. This small camera with night shot capability and underwater housing could play an important role in this project.
  • Charles Shaw, PhD, is involved with many programs that require filming the coral reef from Akumal Bay and all along the Maya Riviera, Costa Maya, Belize, Guatemala and as far south as Honduras. He is a key player in the formation an alliance with other environmental groups. This camera would be used to document their studies and enable them to share pictures and research results used to monitor the Meso American Coral Reef.
  • Kate Robinhawk heads up CEA’s recycling and waste management program. She is working extremely hard throughout the area in educating people on the importance of recycling and waste management. One of her projects is the constructed wetlands program. She is trying to acquire the quarry across the highway to develop a living example of how waste water management can efficiently work and not only provide clean water but grow beautiful gardens and fish farms that the local Maya can harvest - providing food, jobs and a solution to the ugly quarry. This camera would provide her with the means to document this project
  • Kate Robinhawk is a key player in CEA’s Artist-in-Resident Program. This program brings artists from all over to Akumal. They teach their art form to the children around Akumal. Kate and Lydia recently filmed the children’s recital and art show at CEA’s center as well as at their school in Akumal Pueblo. The children composed their own songs about recycling and through the video can share their messages and talent with others.
  • CEA’s possibly most popular programs are the Turtle Watch and Adopt-A-Turtle programs. The camera, with its night shot capability, will be useful in furthering the research and information being gathered about the turtle nesting in the Akumal area.
  • CEA together with Bill-In-Tulsa.com will be establishing a scholarship program to enable all Akumal children to continue their education past the 6th grade. Many now must drop out after the 6th grade because they can not afford to pay for their education. This camera will play an important role in promoting this new program.

These are just a few programs that would benefit if CEA had this camera. Together lets raise the money and provide this tool for CEA. It is just one small way we can support their efforts and say thank you for all their hard work and dedication.

HOW: Please mail your check donation to Centro Ecologico Akumal, P.O. Box 2116, Madison, WI 53701-2116. Note that you would like your money to go towards CEA’s New Camera. 100% of these donations will go directly to the purchase of the camera and accessories. You can make the donation anonymously or we will be glad to add you to our list of supporters. Look at Bill-in-Tulsa’s message board for updates on how we are doing. There are no contributions too small! All contributions of $100.00 or more will include a CEA membership. CEA needs this camera as soon as possible our goal is to raise enough money by June 30 (but we will continue to accept donations after this time frame) so please send your donations today.

Please forward this anyone you think would be interested in helping.

For more information on CEA check out www.ceakumal.org and keep visiting cause we have a new and improved interactive website in the works. The camera would also play an important role in the pictures and videos clips that will be available on the new site.

 

Contact:
Kate Robinhawk
Charles Shaw, PhD..
Bill in Tulsa
Lynn Johnson
Lydia Pontius
Ed Blume