News & Events
Meet Dune Ives, EcoWB’s new Executive Director . Since stepping into the role earlier this summer, Dune has been getting to know the people, partners and projects that make EcoWB what it is – and thinking about what’s possible as we look to the future. Dune brings more than 25 years of experience turning ambitious environmental ideas into action. Her work has included the Green Sports Alliance and NextWave Plastics, developing with TOM FORD the first impact investment fund and awards program to replace thin-film plastic, and leading work recognized with the inaugural UN SDG Impact Award. We sat down with Dune to hear what drew her to EcoWB, what has surprised her in her first couple of months as Executive Director, and what excites her most about where the organization is heading. From the extraordinary people who built EcoWB to the potential of its global volunteer community, Dune reflects on what makes this organization special – and what she hopes will come next. What first attracted you to Ecologists Without Borders? When I first became aware of Ecologists Without Borders, I was struck by its unique offer to the world. Throughout my career, I’ve held the belief that creating a healthy, liveable planet is everyone’s job – and that is what I saw reflected in EcoWB’s model.. There are many organizations doing environmental conservation and restoration work – whatever name you put to it. But what felt unique to me is the way that Ecologists Without Borders has harnessed the zeitgeist of a service economy, bringing together experts from around the world: scientists, biologists, ecologists, marketing professionals, and everything in between. As humans, we are hard-wired to rush to the aid of other humans, but we can feel hopeless and rudderless in the face of environmental degradation, especially when it happens in faraway places. What I love about EcoWB is that it gives people a way to help. It enables communities to complete the work they know needs to happen to create healthy environments in which their communities can thrive. No other organization does this. I wanted to be part of this effort: to harness the power of volunteers who have passion, drive, commitment, and something to give beyond themselves and their day-to-day lives, and to put that power to work for communities all over the world. And what an exciting way to give back to the environment and to know – not just feel, but know – that you are making a difference every day. What surprised you most when you joined the organization? When I first got under the hood of the organization, what surprised me was that it had been volunteer-led for nearly its entire existence. I knew that I was the first staff Executive Director. I didn’t realize at the time that this organization, which began in 2011, had been developed, overseen, managed, and implemented by a group of some of the most passionate – and nicest – humans I have ever met. When you step into the role of Executive Director in a primarily volunteer-led organization, it is important to recognize that you are carrying all of their hopes and dreams, as well as those of the people who came before them, who established the organization and continued to propel it forward. That is an important reminder of my role as Executive Director, and of the history and culture I am helping to carry forward. What makes EcoWB’s volunteer model so powerful? What is powerful about EcoWB’s model is that there is a place for everyone in this story. There are so many environmental, conservation and restoration needs around the world. A project in one part of the world might require someone who is excellent at youth education and leading eco-tours. Another might need somebody who has just completed a master’s programme, has a speciality in GIS mapping, and wants to put that expertise to work. Another might need someone who really understands what a wetland could look like when it is fully restored. There is a place for everybody at Ecologists Without Borders, and that is what I think is so powerful about this model. What do you want the volunteer experience at EcoWB to feel like? I want volunteering with EcoWB to feel meaningful. When you come here, I want you to know that your talents, your time, your experience, and your expertise are not only valued – they are honoured. We believe deeply in our model and in the way we engage with communities, but we’re also learning. As EcoWB grows, we want to keep learning – from our partners, from the projects themselves, and from the volunteers who bring their experience and expertise to this work. Where do you hope EcoWB will be a year from now? A year from now, I hope we will be talking about how our volunteer base has quadrupled, and how the number of communities we have served has increased tenfold – if not more. When we do this right, we will be able to match volunteers with communities that don’t currently have access to the technical expertise or funding they need. We will be able to grow our collective impact in every corner of the world. And now is the right time to do it. Communities are not waiting – and can’t wait – for the large NGOs to solve all of their environmental challenges, and we should not wait either. We need to match the pace and scale of what these communities are asking for. What would you say to someone considering getting involved? I hope you’ll join us, and I’m really excited to see what we are going to build together.
We’re excited to share our 2025 Annual Report—a snapshot of a year where EcoWB continued to grow, respond, and deepen our work alongside communities around the world. Inside, you’ll see what this community has made possible—from supporting the establishment of a Community Forest in Cameroon to advancing projects across fisheries, wetlands, and restoration in Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and beyond. You’ll also get a closer look at some of the volunteers behind the work, and how their time and expertise are helping turn complex challenges into practical action. EcoWB 2025 Annual Report Importantly, this momentum is carrying forward. New projects are already underway in 2026, more are taking shape, and we’re continuing to respond as communities reach out for support. We’re proud of what’s been achieved—and even more excited about what’s ahead. Click HERE to download the full report.
Over the past few months, EcoWB shared an urgent call to help protect an important forest habitat in northern Cameroon that’s home to a population of endangered Nigeria–Cameroon chimpanzees. The Nancy Carroll Draper Charitable Foundation generously offered a $33,000 match challenge—pledging to fund half of the $66,000 needed to secure the forest land lease if EcoWB could raise the remaining half from other sources. Today, we’re thrilled to share that—together—we did it! Thanks to an extraordinary collective effort and the generosity of our community of supporters, we reached the finish line and the full match was met. In the final stretch, the Bruce G. Geary Foundation stepped forward to close the remaining gap, unlocking the full $66,000 needed to secure the forest lease. We are deeply grateful to them, the Leiter Foundation, and every individual donor and supporter who helped carry this over the line. In the weeks leading up to the deadline, we heard from our partners at Community Based Biosynergy Management (CBBM) that logging activity had begun just 20 km away—a stark reminder of how narrow the window for action had become. That urgency makes this outcome all the more significant. With this funding in place, the process to establish the forest as a legally recognized Community Forest can move forward. This means long-term stewardship will sit with the community itself—supported by the technical input, GIS mapping, and conservation planning work contributed by EcoWB volunteers. This is a powerful example of what can happen when communities, local organizations, volunteer expertise, and generous funders and supporters come together—connecting the right skills and resources at the right time to help secure landscapes that matter, both for people and for wildlife. "This is a big moment for us. Thank you to EcoWB for standing with CBBM to make it happen. Securing the lease on this forest is something we’ve been working toward for a long time, and we couldn’t have done it alone. It means a lot to the community of Somié to know that there are people around the world who care about what happens to their forest and are willing to give their time, resources, and expertise to help protect it. Thank you.” Denis Ndeloh, Founder and President of CBBM Read more about this project HERE .
Since 2023 EcoWB has been contributing its technical expertise to a multi-phase restoration initiative led by Asociación Mangle and the Mangrove Action Project in El Salvador’s Jiquilisco Bay, one of Central America’s largest and most diverse mangrove ecosystems. Together, these organizations and our technical collaborators aim to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage this globally significant ecosystem that supports biodiversity and local livelihoods. Its mangroves are globally important in sequestering carbon to mitigate the effects of climate change. Jiquilisco Bay, located on the Pacific coast of southeastern El Salvador, is a place of exceptional natural richness and ecological importance. Recognized as both a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, it is home to one of Central America’s largest and most diverse mangrove forests, covering more than 20,000 hectares. These mangroves form the heart of the Jiquilisco Bay Biosphere Reserve, which spans around 400 km². It includes a mosaic of bays, channels, sandy beaches, islands, freshwater lagoons, and coastal forests. The reserve stretches along 50 kilometers of coastline between the Lempa River and the Jucuarán mountain range. The mangroves of Jiquilisco Bay—dominated by red, black, white, and buttonwood mangrove species—play a vital role in keeping the coast alive and protected. They reduce erosion, lessen storm impacts, and filter pollutants, acting as natural shields for coastal communities. Beneath their tangled roots, they are habitat for an astonishing variety of life, including fish, crabs, and sea turtles, such as the hawksbill, green, olive ridley, and leatherback, which are at risk of extinction. Above the water line they are vital for birds and other terrestrial animals. Beyond their ecological value, these mangroves are deeply connected to local communities, supporting fisheries, providing food and materials, and sustaining livelihoods. The project’s first phase focused on understanding trends in mangrove distribution and some of the factors influencing their health. Using Landsat satellite data and advanced machine learning techniques, EcoWB helped develop high-resolution maps of mangrove cover spanning three decades. This analysis identified key influences on mangrove viability, such as proximity to agriculture, urban expansion, elevation, soil conditions, and temperature. Building on that foundation, EcoWB supported a detailed assessment of mangrove cover changes and corresponding health and analysis of canopy height and aboveground biomass during a ten-year period (2016–2025) using Sentinel satellite and LiDAR data. The height and biomass (plant material) can be related to health, age, species composition, and site characteristics. The study underscored the need for continued protection, hydrological restoration, and community stewardship to strengthen ecosystem resilience. EcoWB is now helping translate that information into action through the creation of an open-source, interactive web platform. This tool will enable Asociación Mangle, the Mangrove Action Project, NGOs, government agencies, and local communities to visualize mangrove health trends and help identify priority conservation and restoration areas. Through knowledge transfer, EcoWB and its partners aim to empower local communities to make informed, science-based decisions for the long-term management of Jiquilisco Bay. This initiative demonstrates how collaboration, innovation, and community leadership can come together to safeguard one of Central America’s most vital coastal ecosystems. By combining cutting-edge science with local knowledge, EcoWB and its partners are helping ensure that Jiquilisco Bay’s mangroves—and the communities that depend on them—continue to thrive for generations to come.
As a volunteer-supported ecological assistance organization, EcoWB contributes to the vital work of the international aid community—supporting humanitarian and conservation efforts where ecological expertise can make a meaningful difference. In recent months, critical funding and staffing for international aid once provided through U.S. government programs have been withdrawn. The effects are already visible: environmental and humanitarian programs paused, local teams let go, and progress at risk of stalling. Among the efforts most affected are those tackling biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, water pollution, and climate change—areas where EcoWB has long provided professional expertise and hands-on project support. In response, we’re actively looking for opportunities to support projects that need ecological guidance or technical capacity to keep going. With our global network of skilled volunteers, we’re well placed to step in where others no longer can. If you know of places, partners, or organizations where environmental needs are going unmet—or if you're looking to make a meaningful impact— we’d love to hear from you . We also encourage those with the means to do so to take a moment: research the organizations struggling on the frontlines, see where funding may have been cut, and consider offering your support. Now more than ever, action matters—whether it’s donating, volunteering, or simply amplifying the work that still needs doing.
We are delighted to announce that Biljana Aljinovic has joined Ecologists Without Borders as our new Program Manager. Biljana brings over 15 years of experience in international conservation, having led projects across Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Her work spans both marine and terrestrial ecosystems and covers a wide range of areas, including sustainable fisheries, climate adaptation, marine regeneration, and environmental policy. She holds an MSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Padua, Italy. Raised on Mljet, a biodiverse island in the Croatian Adriatic, Biljana developed a deep connection to nature early in life. This connection has fueled her commitment to conservation and her focus on long-term impact and collaboration with local communities. In her role at EcoWB, Biljana will oversee our expanding portfolio of environmental projects, support the development of new initiatives in collaboration with partner organizations and communities worldwide, and help strengthen our internal systems to ensure we can respond swiftly and effectively to emerging needs. We’re excited to welcome Biljana to the EcoWB staff team and look forward to the expertise and energy she brings to this important role.
EcoWB’s Technical Advisor, Dr. Ian Hendy, has helped bring the mysteries of the UK’s underwater forests to life in a stunning new documentary, Forests Beneath the Waves. Commissioned by Natural England and produced by a team of filmmakers led by Dr. Hendy from the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS), the film offers a rare and breathtaking look at the kelp forests surrounding the Isle of Wight, Devon, and Cornwall. Kelp forests are some of the most productive habitats on the planet, supporting a vast array of marine life and playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change. The documentary, now available on YouTube, highlights the importance of these ecosystems and the threats they face. “When Natural England approached me to make this exciting film, I was thrilled. I immediately realized the significance and impact this could have for policy, protection, and outreach,” said Dr. Hendy. “We encountered everything from beautiful sharks, stunning juvenile rays, mesmerizing cuttlefish, and even tuna fish! The vibrant life in our UK kelp forests rivals that of tropical coral reefs.” The film captures a hidden world beneath the waves, showing undulate rays and gobies sheltering from predators, a nursehound shark securing her egg, and a seal hunting for food. These forests provide essential nursery grounds and shelter for marine species, while also buffering coastlines from storms, increasing oxygen levels, and absorbing carbon dioxide. Despite their resilience, kelp forests are under serious threat from warming oceans, pollution, coastal development, and overfishing. Their decline is already being observed in the UK, making conservation efforts—and awareness—more urgent than ever. “Climate change is a big factor,” said Marina Rees, Marine Higher Officer at Natural England. “I have witnessed the increase of bleached kelp during heat waves, and escalating storms destroying entire parts of kelp forests. In the film, we even captured the crystal jellyfish—normally found in the Pacific—now appearing in UK waters due to rising temperatures.” With its stunning visuals and powerful message, Forests Beneath the Waves showcases why protecting these ecosystems matters—not just for marine life, but for the planet as a whole. Watch the full documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iOQSjtVsLs
We are thrilled to announce that the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation has awarded Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB) a $150,000 capacity-building grant to be distributed over the next two years. This incredible support follows a $50,000 grant from the Foundation last year, which helped us make significant strides in strengthening our organization. This renewed and increased commitment is more than just financial backing—it’s a profound vote of confidence in the work we do. It shows that the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation believes in the impact EcoWB has made so far and sees the potential for us to grow and evolve. While volunteers will always be at the heart of everything we do, this grant helps us build the dedicated team of staff we need to meet the growing demands for our work and make an even greater impact. What Does This Grant Mean for EcoWB? This funding will help us build a strong foundation for EcoWB’s future, allowing us to plan thoughtfully and grow in a sustainable, meaningful way. Here’s how: • Laying a Solid Foundation The grant will enable us to build strength behind the scenes, refining the systems and securing the expertise needed to keep EcoWB running smoothly. By bolstering our internal capacity, we can deliver more for the communities that rely on us. • Answering the Call With the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation’s support, we can respond faster and more effectively to urgent environmental challenges. From fundraising and coordinating volunteers to managing complex projects, this funding will ensure we’re ready to act when we’re needed most. • Growing Sustainably This investment isn’t just about today—it’s about tomorrow. By focusing on long-term growth, we’re ensuring EcoWB remains a trusted, reliable partner for communities working to protect their environment for generations to come. Reflecting on Last Year’s Success The $50,000 grant we received last year laid the groundwork for the exciting progress we’re making today. With the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation’s support, we were able to bring on a Development Director, who helped shape a clear strategy for fundraising, introduced systems to better manage our relationships with donors and volunteers, and launched our first-ever year-end fundraising campaign. We also worked to refine EcoWB’s public profile, updating our messaging and website to better reflect the impact of our work and connect with our growing community. This progress would not have been possible without the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation’s belief in our potential, and their continued support builds on the success of their initial grant, allowing us to achieve even greater impact. A Bright Future Ahead The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation grant signals an exciting new phase for EcoWB. It demonstrates not only the Foundation’s belief in our work but also the value of collaborative, community-driven approaches to environmental challenges. As we look to the future, we see a stronger, more connected EcoWB—one that can rise to meet the growing ecological needs of communities around the world. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation for their generosity and trust. Together, we’re proving that when communities and ecologists come together, we can create solutions that truly make a difference. Stay tuned for updates on how this transformative funding shapes EcoWB’s next chapter!
Developments in AI are already changing all aspects of digital work and EcoWB is no exception. As a remote organization led by volunteers, we are often struggling to find the time to help new and active members understand our organization and how to get involved. Aryan Sahai, a high school junior from Seattle with a passion for using technology to make a difference understood this experience and was able to create an innovative solution for volunteer training with AI. Aryan has harnessed the power of artificial intelligence (AI) by developing a Chat GPT-based app that active volunteers can talk to learn more about all things EcoWB. The app was trained on EcoWB core documents and hosted on a user friendly cloud based platform that will allow us to continue it’s development. Aryan worked with EcoWB Vice President, Trevor Eakes, over multiple iterations that improved user friendliness and security. His innovation will get volunteers up to speed more quickly and efficiently, a constant need for our fast growing teams. As a student at Skyline High School, Aryan is modeling how talented young people can be transformative in the wider environmental movement. His contributions to Ecologists Without Borders reflect his broader passion for science and technology. Alongside his work with us, Aryan has participated in a range of research projects, including developing AI models for pneumonia detection, promoting cybersecurity awareness, and even taking part in NASA’s Artemis ROADS challenge. We are very grateful for Aryan's contributions and happy to count him as an EcoWB volunteer. Thank you, Aryan, for your dedication and innovation! We look forward to seeing all that you continue to accomplish. Stay tuned to learn more about our volunteers and how they are helping to support environmental conservation efforts around the world.
“Canelo” Rogelio Silva is an artisanal fisherman from Santa Rosalia, Mexico – a French-steeped “Pueblo Magico” situated on the Gulf of California halfway down the Baja peninsula. The wiry 59-year-old, nicknamed for his cinnamon-red hair, is easy to converse with but doesn’t hold back when it comes voicing opinions about his work, his colleagues, and the state of the world in general. During our conversation, Canelo expressed his displeasure about the current status of the artisanal fishery he participates in. “What is wrong”, he tells us, “are the commercial sardine boats that run their nets too close to shore, sweeping up other fish in the process. And the buyers” – his voice filled with disdain – “We fish long days and although we clean and sell our fish to them as soon as we get to the marina, there is no competition, so we have to accept their prices. Where the fish go, we don’t know. Maybe China, maybe the United States. They pay a lot to eat the fish we catch, but we hardly make enough for our families. ¿Qué se puede hacer?” Canelo is typical of the rugged individuals who make a living fishing from pangas, the sturdy fiberglass boats favored by Baja fishermen. Unlike the lobster and abalone fishermen from Punta Abreojos, which juts out into the Pacific Ocean to the west of Santa Rosalia, Gulf fishermen like Canelo must travel long distances to find fish, including the migratory jurel (yellowtail) and dorado (mahi-mahi), the fast-swimming schools of pargo (snapper), and the bottom dwelling cabrilla (grouper). The Gulf is unpredictable and always changing. Fishing is a hard and dangerous profession, but local fishermen much prefer it to working at Mineria y Metalurgica El Boleo (MMB), the copper mine located to the north of town that is the region’s main employer. Canelo is one of many artisanal fishermen in the Municipality of Mulegé we’ve come to know. We have learned a lot from them. They, in turn, are trusting us to help them find ways to fish more sustainably, to catch enough fish to support themselves and their families, but to do it safely, with less effort, and without causing local stocks to crash. “Always leave enough for the children,” they tell us. It’s a remarkable partnership. Here’s how it came to be, and where things stand today. In 2013, Ecologists Without Borders was invited by MMB – yes, the copper mine – to undertake a project that would protect the environment and improve the lives of local fishermen. With a modest grant from MMB, EcoWB teamed up with researchers from CICIMAR-IPN [1] and faculty and students from ITESME [2] to survey local fishermen and compile a record of the number and kinds of fish were being caught by local fishermen over the course of the year. This was important information because the fishery had recently gone through a remarkable change. In the years leading up to 2011, cooler water and nutrient-rich upwelling associated with La Niña atmospheric patterns stimulated the growth of plankton, an abundance of forage fish, and larger species that feed upon them. In the mid-Gulf region, this meant giant squid in particular, which were so plentiful that fishermen targeted them almost exclusively. When surface temperatures eventually decreased due to the warming effects of El Niño, the large-bodied squid disappeared and the once-profitable squid fishery collapsed. Fortunately, populations of finfish rebounded, and fishermen were able to switch to a mix of species available at different times of the year. Enter EcoWB and the Mulegé Sustainable Fisheries Project (MSFP). The first thing we did was to reach out to local fishermen, who allowed us to record and measure their catch when they returned to shore. We conducted a fisheries pre-assessment that focused on fish populations and their habitat, fishing practices, the fisheries supply chain, and government regulations and compliance, with the goal of improving environmental conditions and the socio-economic well-being of fishermen, their families, and associated communities. The second thing we did – which in hindsight was a stroke of good luck – was to enlist the help of Fundación Hagamos Mas Por Santa Rosalía (FHMSR), a small, not-for-profit civil association based in Santa Rosalia. Led by Alma Colorado Betanzos, FHMSR has implemented a wide range of programs that have materially contributed to the environmental, social, cultural, and educational well-being of the community. FHMSR and EcoWB forged a mutually beneficial alliance that continues to this day: we have built solid relationships with local fishermen, fishing cooperatives, businesses, civic leaders, and government entities. Our focus to-date has been primarily on environmental, social, and economic factors that affect local fishermen. We recently conducted in-depth interviews and are currently conducting a social responsibility risk assessment of people in the Mulegé fishery supply chain. The assessment identified several legal, social, and cultural issues that we feel should be addressed within the fishing community. Many workers in the supply chain are vulnerable to unfair treatment and objectionable working conditions. High rates of poverty and illiteracy within the fishing community combined with lax monitoring and enforcement by government authorities contribute to a high incidence of illegal and unreported fishing. Fishermen that lack permits, fish illegally, and do not report their catches to the government harm law-abiding fishermen by competing for limited resources and undercutting prices. Although illegal fishing occurs, there is no indication of particularly egregious practices, such as human trafficking, slavery, or extortion. Mexico has made tremendous progress in educating its youth in recent years, but in rural areas the impact has not always been positive. Despite improvements in the availability and quality of education, or perhaps because of them, increasing numbers of young people from rural regions are moving to metropolitan areas where they have greater access to basic services, well-paying jobs, and additional education opportunities, resulting in a better quality of life. We have observed this trend within the Mulegé fishing community. Over the past decade the number of people who have taken up fishing, including the children of fishermen, is less than the number of fishermen who retire or leave the profession. Fishing is an arduous, dangerous, and not particularly well-paying profession, so why stay? EcoWB and FHMSR are working with local stakeholders to eliminate social inequities and enable artisanal fishermen to fish more sustainably, safely, and profitably. Now in its 11th year, the Mulegé Sustainable Fisheries Project is at an important crossroads. Our efforts over the next few years will help determine whether people like Canelo and the storied small-scale fisheries they are part of are either overwhelmed by the environmental, economic, and social impacts caused by climate change, disease outbreaks, population contraction, emigration, etc., or are able to adapt to changing conditions and flourish as they have in the past. As an organization comprised of technically proficient and socially engaged scientists, EcoWB’s goal in Baja is to promote environmental sustainability and improve societal welfare through collaboration and the transfer and application of ecological knowledge and technology. We encourage you to join us in this effort.
