Ecologists Without Borders ( EcoWB )

Managing the Mangroves of Jiquilisco Bay: Science, Collaboration, and Community

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 18:43:38 GMT

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.

Supporting Those in Need During Uncertain Times

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 21:06:04 GMT

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.

EcoWB Welcomes Biljana Aljinovic as Program Manager

Sat, 24 May 2025 13:20:45 GMT

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 Ian Hendy Helps Capture the Hidden Beauty of Kelp Forests

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 17:13:44 GMT

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

A Game-Changer for EcoWB: $150k Grant Strengthens Our Future

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:05:29 GMT

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!

EcoWB ChatGPT model

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 13:26:03 GMT

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.

Spotlight on the Mulegé Sustainable Fisheries Project

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 12:27:01 GMT

“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.

EcoWB Board Member, Dr. Sylvia Rivera Valle, Recognized by French Senate for Sustainable Development Contributions

sarah@sarahbrolsmawhitfield.com (Sarah Whitfield) — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 20:16:35 GMT

Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB) is pleased to congratulate Board Member Dr. Sylvia Rivera Valle, who was recently awarded the Medal of the French Senate. The prestigious award was presented to Dr. Rivera by Mr. Gérard Larcher, President of the Senate, at Luxembourg Palace on May 30th, 2024, for her work in sustainable development.

For over 25 years, Dr. Rivera has shared her expertise in sustainable development as a consultant to public sector agencies, non-governmental and non-profit organizations, international bodies, and private sector corporations. She is currently an expert auditor in fisheries management responsible for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, and she teaches at both Excelia Group, a higher education business and tourism school in France, and at EIGSI La Rochelle, one of the country’s four major private engineering schools. A dual citizen of Costa Rica and France, Dr. Rivera obtained her PhD in Management Science from La Rochelle University in France, following the award of a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Costa Rica.

The recent award of the Medal of the French Senate recognizes the immense body of work and admirable contributions of Dr. Rivera to the field of sustainable development, the human right of access to water and sanitation, sustainable fisheries management, and public policies for coastal areas. The award also recognizes her commitment to rural and indigenous Costa Rican territories and the linking of students with Costa Rican organizations and companies, promoting professional and cultural exchange.

Dr. Rivera was presented with the award as part of France’s Latin American and Caribbean Weeks, which recognized the work of Latin Americans to unite France and the different countries of the region under the theme: “Together Facing Contemporary Challenges.”

Congratulations to Dr. Sylvia Rivera Valle for this great recognition of her work and the contributions she continues to make to improve the environment and the lives of the people and communities touched by her work.

To learn more about Dr. Rivera’s work, visit our Board of Directors page . To learn more about EcoWB and our mission to empower environmentally vulnerable communities worldwide, visit https://www.ecowb.org

ECOWB 2023 Annual Report

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:14:00 GMT

The 2023 ECOWB Annual Report is now available. Download the report in PDF format below.

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 22:05:00 GMT

EcoWB receives $50,000 operational grant

Ecologists Without Borders is a proud recipient of a grant from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation to build organizational capacity. Since our founding, a small collective of volunteers have led the organization, supporting project makers and communities with our expertise and time. We are honored by the generous support from Paul M. Angel Family Foundation to enhance our mission by hiring our first part time development director, and broadening collaboration with academic and professional ecology organizations globally. With this funding we know we aim to dramatically expand our impact, taking a big leap forward to ensuring the future sustainability of organization. We thank all of our volunteers for making EcoWB a success!

Successful Cleanup Event

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 13:52:00 GMT

ETCO Delivers for Kibera with another successful clean up event

On November 20, 2023, ETCO led community discussions on the effects and opportunities brought about by poor drainage and waste management. Afterwards a clean-up event took place, orchestrated through collaborative efforts with Power Engineers and Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB). This event was a testament to the impactful teamwork between these organizations, the German Embassy Ambassador via UN-Habitat, government bodies such as the Nairobi Rivers Commission (NRC), local community groups, and dedicated individuals. Notably, the active participation of the Nairobi Governor's 'Green Army' significantly magnified the event's positive impact.
ETCO extends their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who actively participated and contributed to the success of this event. The collaboration and support from our partners were instrumental in achieving the event's objectives. Moving forward, we eagerly anticipate further collaborations on upcoming events and activities aimed at fostering a cleaner and healthier environment for all.
For more information on our initiatives and upcoming events, please visit our website: www.etco-kenya.org

Your continued support is invaluable to us as we strive to make a positive difference in our community and beyond.

EcoWB Publishes 2024-2028 Strategic Plan

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 13:44:00 GMT

We are delighted to announce and share our Ecologists Without Borders strategic plan for the next five years, a period we see as pivotal in addressing global environmental challenges. Please take a few moments to read the plan to learn more about our commitment to empowering local communities and preserving ecosystems in an increasingly changing world.

Our focus for the next five years will be three key areas:

Strengthening Organizational Effectiveness: Building a robust operational framework to support our growing team and projects.
Enhancing Volunteer Engagement: Expanding our network to include over 1000 active volunteers, deeply involved in our initiatives.
Project Development: Launching accessible and impactful programs that are responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.

By 2028, we aim to have a solid track record of successful projects and a vibrant volunteer network. Our vision extends to 2030, where EcoWB will be known as a global leader in community-driven environmental conservation.

We invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Your participation, be it as a volunteer, partner, or donor, will make a significant difference. Please see our Get Involved page (https://www.ecowb.org/get-involved) to learn more.

Together, let's create a future of flourishing ecosystems and empowered communities.

Let the Rivers Flow Event

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 11:08:00 GMT

Below are photos from the "Let the Rivers Flow" event in Kibera. Collince reports that they listened to speeches, planted bamboo along the river banks, and did some clean-up activities. In a last-minute scramble Collince pulled together 60 people to participate on behalf of ETCO, EcoWB and Power Engineers, outfitted them with t-shirts, a banner, shovels, rakes, gloves, and water, and transported them to and from the event. Pretty remarkable. Our participation was much appreciated by the sponsor agencies (Nairobi Rivers Commission and Water Resource Authority) and they have now sanctioned ETCO's work in the Nairobi Reservoir area. Thanks to Power Engineers for your contribution to the success of this effort!

ECOWB 2022 Annual Report

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 00:39:00 GMT

The 2022 ECOWB Annual Report is now available. Download the report in PDF format below.

Nairobi Reservoir Rehabilitation Project Photo Essay

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 11:49:00 GMT

In September 2021, Patrick Odhiambo and Ben Buhl of Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB) toured the Nairobi Reservoir and Dam in Nairobi, the world-class capital of the Republic of Kenya in Africa. What Patrick, a seasoned environmental remediation specialist, and Ben, a widely traveled and accomplished photojournalist, observed was disturbing; trash including discarded plastic and other solid waste was being transported by wind and water to the reservoir where it has engulfed large areas adjacent to the surrounding informal settlement of Kibera. Home to over 350,000 people, Kibera is one of the largest such settlements in the world. With no land to spare, people have built homes and planted gardens around the entire perimeter of Nairobi Reservoir, trusting that they won’t be washed away by periodic flooding of the Nairobi River and its tributaries. 

Severely polluted and overgrown by the pernicious and seemingly un-eradicable water hyacinth, a non-native aquatic weed originally found in the Amazon Basin, Nairobi Reservoir poses serious health risks to nearby residents. It is no longer suitable for agricultural, domestic, or recreational use. Left untreated, the ongoing inputs of municipal and industrial waste risk bringing disease, and further environmental degradation to the Kibera community. Something must be done soon to avoid further environmental and societal impacts to the residents of Kibera.

EcoWB is working with Empower the Community (ETCO), a youth-focused Community Based Organization (CBO), founded and headquartered in Kibera, and has reached out to other CBOs) and governmental entities to launch a large-scale project to restore the environmental integrity and associated beneficial uses of the of Nairobi Reservoir to their former condition. 

During their visit in September 2021, Ben and Patrick, escorted by ETCO founder and Chairman Collince Onyango, met with officials at the Nairobi West Prison, located near the dam, and later, with the Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) and New Nairobi Dam Community group (NNDC), both long-active and influential CBOs based in Kibera. Together with ETCO, EcoWB has begun to formulate a vision and plan to engage sponsors and residents of Kibera in the rehabilitation of Nairobi Reservoir. Our first planned activity is modest but very symbolic; EcoWB and ETCO are partnering on a series of one-day community clean-up events. With the goal of removing trash, planting trees, and restoring the natural features of sections of reservoir and tributary shorelines, this initial partnership aims to engage local residents and instill civic pride through the restoration of clean and usable open spaces and associated environmental amenities. 

So that you may help us address the many challenges faced by the Kibera community, we invite you to join us as a financial sponsor of the Nairobi Reservoir Restoration Project (NRRP). To familiarize yourself with the conditions that currently exist, and to help us develop a strategic plan to restore the reservoir to a semblance of its former state, please take time to view the following photo and video essay. We believe that by bearing witness to the problem, you will feel compelled to support this critical effort. If you would like to be notified of future volunteer opportunities related to this project, please register as a volunteer on our website at  https://www.ecowb.org/ecowb-volunteers .

To support the project with a financial contribution, please visit our donation page  and select “Project: Nairobi Reservoir Rehabilitation Project” from the drop-down menu. We appreciate your support.

Outlet from the earthen dam with flow to nearby Mbagathi River.

Dense growth of vegetation in what was previously open water of the Nairobi Reservoir.

With over 250,000 residents, Kibera is the largest slum in Africa, and the fourth largest in the world. Large quantities of waste, including discarded trash, human feces and other hazardous substances, are conveyed via ditches and natural waterways into Nairobi Reservoir.

EcoWB’s Patrick Odhiambo and ETCO’s Collince Onyango survey a section of the Motoine/Ngong River that flows through Kibera. This river segment lies approximately 200 meters west of Nairobi Reservoir, and is the site of a future clean-up event being planned by EcoWB, Nairobi Metropolitan Services, ETCO, and other local organizations.

EcoWB Releases Official Statements on Environmental Ethics and Equity

Sat, 18 Sep 2021 13:46:00 GMT

Ten Years of EcoWB: A Conversation with the Founders

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 01:33:00 GMT

Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB) was founded in 2011 by three scientists from the U.S. Pacific Northwest: Larry Dominguez, Eric Knudsen, and Cleve Steward. Current EcoWB President Danielle Reich spoke with the founders about their perspectives on the past, present, and future of EcoWB.

Where did the idea for EcoWB come from?

Larry: When you have an experience like Peace Corps early in your life as I did, it never leaves you. After seeing the worst of poverty firsthand in several countries, you think about it all the time. One night I saw a Doctors Without Borders donor solicitation. I said to my wife, “I know what I want to do! I want to create an organization like this for environmental scientists. There are too many smart and caring people out there to ignore the poverty and environmental devastation that’s going on.” I was also interested in the Judeo-Christian ethic and obligation of land stewardship and, early on, considered whether EcoWB should be a secular or faith-based organization. Ultimately, my conviction was that the organization could be a major force for good and should be open to all—it couldn’t be exclusive, self-serving, or have an agenda. That is how the idea for EcoWB was initially conceived.

How did you go about getting the organization started?

Larry: The founding and forming of an organization are really two different processes. An idea can be conceived and formed, but then it has to be established. Cleve and Eric helped give substance to my ideas and vision. I also want to acknowledge the pivotal support of two other colleagues, Chuck Meacham and Bill Dunning. I initially asked them, “Hey am I crazy? Is this possible?” I might not have continued with the idea if they hadn’t strongly encouraged me to go forward.

Eric: There was a night when the three of us met and we had a very lively conversation about how it could work. I was very enthusiastic about how it was developing and I felt like I was with two of the most productive brainstormers I had ever met. We were just feeding off of each other and developing the ideas and the vision. It was a wonderful experience to be involved in that initial energy.

Cleve: We were all very alike in our shared interests, values, and excitement, and we were fertile ground in which to plant the seed of the organization. We have similar scientific backgrounds and we also have the common experience of seeing large-scale environmental problems firsthand. It’s a very challenging endeavor to maintain the ecological integrity of our systems, but that’s what we took on. All of us were motivated to create an organization to deal with problems that we knew weren’t just limited to our local circumstances. These issues transcended place and basically were connected through ecological processes and interdependencies. We all realized that in both scientific and visceral ways.

Eric: We were juggling a lot in the beginning because the three of us were all very involved in the American Fisheries Society (AFS) 2011 Annual Meeting in Seattle. I was the Fundraising Chair for the meeting and we made a proposal to AFS to use part of the funds raised to help establish EcoWB, as a lot of our fisheries colleagues were interested in the organization and we felt it would be a benefit to AFS. Things came together really well, we raised a lot of money for AFS, and received sufficient resources to found and organize EcoWB. These funds allowed us to hire Larry as our first Executive Director and also funded some of our initial travels to go places to start projects, etc.

Cleve: It’s amazing in hindsight to see how things came together. AFS deserves credit and you too, Eric, for your superhuman work in raising funds for that meeting, and for obtaining funds for EcoWB. I also have to acknowledge the support of the companies that I worked for at the time. They were extremely generous in allowing me the time to devote to planning the AFS meeting and getting EcoWB going. Of course, everyone who put up with us during this period deserve our thanks and acknowledgement. The fact is, we got off to a pretty good start. We were able to identify initial projects and recruit volunteers, including board members and others who provided invaluable help during this critical stage.

What was the first official EcoWB project?

Larry: I think it was the Fiji project because it was where we first pursued and obtained project funding. I was part of a project in Fiji starting in 2005, and it led to an EcoWB aquaculture project. I’d traveled there on a few different trips to visit a center called Homes of Hope, which provides various training opportunities for women rescued from sexually-exploitive situations. This helped shape our conviction that the organization should promote projects that benefitted people, not just the environment.

What was the hardest part of the first few years?

Cleve: I think it was to establish the processes and the conditions necessary for growth. We are still in a growth phase, but for a while, it was like riding a bike while you’re building it. We were trying to realize our goals, start projects, and get volunteers involved, but at the same time we were also establishing ourselves as a functioning organization, meeting all the requirements of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, etc.

Eric: I second that. I think there were some years where we were basically struggling to stay alive and keep it going. Over the past few years, we’ve made remarkable progress. I feel like we now have a lot of good momentum that we didn’t have in the middle of that 10-year period.

Larry: One early and ongoing challenge is international project development and finding good on-the-ground people. The amount of effort that we put into developing an early project in Cambodia project is a good example. Cleve went on a trip to the area, we had good government contacts, we did site surveys, had another organization partner with us, and did all we could to start something and promote a project, but communications stopped. Building trust and long-term relationships is a challenge. Another challenge was interpersonally—I wanted to tell the world that this was going to be the greatest organization ever created for mankind. [laughs]. Cleve is a good ballast for me and brings me back down to reality. And Eric is the peacemaker between the realists and the dreamers. This is probably why the organization has developed the way it has—from the balance we had between this triad of people. We might have had some discussions that were colorful at times, but it’s what happens when you make sausage and it tastes great in the end!

How has EcoWB evolved since its founding? Are we where you’d thought we’d be at the 10-year mark?

Cleve: No. [laughs] I remember when we went through the application process for our tax-exempt status determination. It was a lengthy process that included a 5-year projection of what we thought our annual gross income would be. I think we put down $500,000 by Year 5—we didn’t come close to that, and we still haven’t come close. Where we have been remarkably successful is in attracting attention and raising our profile within our professional community and among other like-missioned organizations. I think people are also finding a place for themselves within EcoWB where they might not have previously. Volunteers can now contribute directly to the organization, serve on committees, take on projects, etc. Another challenge has been meeting our fundraising goals, both for building organizational capacity and for implementing large-scale projects. We have a few examples of projects that have been funded over the long term, and they are good examples of where we’ve engaged the local community not just on environmental problems, but also on social and economic problems. We’ve learned that we can’t just go in as ecologists and deal with the ecology; an essential part of what we do is to empower the local community and ensure they have the resources to effect change.

Larry: In the early days, I would look at huge international nonprofits like Conservation International, World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, etc., and think, “How is EcoWB ever going to get to be like that?” I defaulted to thinking that that we would never be a large stand-alone environmental organization. I looked at all these big organizations as tiles of a mosaic and imagined EcoWB as the grout between them. I thought we would be the ones to deploy and fill in when other organizations’ contracts run out, or they need to finish out a project, or they need follow-up assistance, etc. But as EcoWB is growing, I see the potential for us to be leaders. We have a strong network and the capability to lead projects at that level. EcoWB is now leading and developing large projects and building trust from other organizations. That’s one of the changes I see in the growth.

Eric: The other change to add to those is how our Board of Directors has evolved. We’ve attracted a lot of really good people. Larry, Cleve, and I are not on the Board as full voting members anymore and there are all new people with fresher ideas and their own vision. It’s really contributed to our recent growth and success. I want to acknowledge our gratitude for past and current board members and all of our volunteers of all different walks of life and skills. We are so grateful for everyone who has put their time and energy into this organization.

What are the organization’s biggest challenges going forward?

Cleve: It’s our ability to adapt to changing circumstances. For example, we couldn’t predict the COVID-19 pandemic, and it directly affected us and our partners and the work we do with them. As an organization, we have to be resilient and adapt in order to be able to continue to provide our services. I want to make sure that we maintain the capacity to evolve and respond to changing circumstances.

Eric: Another challenge as an organization is our effectiveness. This includes things like fundraising and building an organizational structure that facilitates projects and getting volunteers involved in the projects. We have a lot of volunteers in our network and we haven’t had the capacity to fully implement their volunteerism. Also, we can’t do all of this with volunteers alone. Our most effective projects have been those where we had the funds to support one individual to be on-site to coordinate and monitor the project. That person is really important because they’re the ones who interact with the local community and stakeholders. When consistent, local interaction happens, the project becomes very effective. This is the kind of thing we need to develop further.

Larry: There are lot of other organizations that make it easy to volunteer and are funded heavily. We need to somehow provide an incentive for volunteers, especially younger people. We need to be open, clear, and realistic about the experiences we can provide, and figure out how to market ourselves as not just a volunteer organization.

Cleve: As ecologists, we think of the functions and components of large-scale, complex systems, but funding opportunities tend to be narrowly focused on certain issues. Funded projects are typically of a defined type, in a defined area, and involve a specific local community or group of stakeholders. All of that is well and good, but are we only interested in the goals and outcomes associated with a particular project? Or are we thinking in the long term about how our actions can be replicated over larger scales of time and space so that we see benefits expressed on an ecosystem or even global level? How do we go from the local and specific to the universal and general so that benefits are maximized? That is something that not just we, but anyone concerned with these types of problems, are challenged by.

What is your vision for the next 10 years at EcoWB? Where would you like to see us in 10 years’ time?

Larry: The first five years of an organization is typically either the grave, or it will grow. When we went past 5 years, even though we didn’t have a lot going on, there was still substance and I felt good about that. Now we’re at the 10-year mark, and look at what’s happened! There is an amazing number of people involved in and interested in EcoWB. In the future, I envision much more cooperation and more recognition from partners.

Eric: There are a lot of things in my vision for the future. One thing I would like to see is for us to have hundreds of volunteers deployed around the world to help people in their local communities to improve their environmental situation, which leads to economic improvement, community improvement, and so many other things. The details are tricky, but the vision is clear. That’s what we’re trying to accomplish, and I want to see us get there.

Cleve: We all believe there is tremendous potential for EcoWB to be successful because the need for an organization like ours will only increase. Ten years from now I would expect a high-level of public awareness of who we are and what we do, and a desire among other organizations to interact with us and integrate their mission and activities with ours. I think more and more organizations working on humanitarian causes like health care, education, etc. will begin to acknowledge the influence of ecological processes in meeting their goals. We feel that the well-being of humans and the environment are inextricably intertwined, and that EcoWB can bring value as a partner to those organizations. Finally, I would like to see more engagement with donors—I mean that in a broad sense because, in a way, we’re all donors. EcoWB is a way for people to give their time, talents, and financial resources if they have a desire to, and it’s not just about performance or work or recognition. It’s about supporting the organizations and communities that we work with. I think all of us have experienced the pleasure of not only contributing ourselves, but seeing others get caught up in this, and taking on added responsibilities.

Larry: I grew up looking at National Geographic magazines, and I would imagine myself going places and wanting to do things to help. With EcoWB, if somebody, like a biologist or environmental scientist, sees a problem, they can do something about it. They don’t have to go get a job at a big non-profit, it’s on them to take action. EcoWB is that mechanism. We might be one of the only organizations where you can create and develop your own project. Many other organizations have a volunteer system where you can participate in things like established projects and eco-volunteer journeys, which is great. But EcoWB is where you can create something that is a passion for you. That is our distinction.

Cleve, Eric, and Larry continue to play pivotal roles in the organization. Cleve currently serves as EcoWB’s Executive Director, Eric is a Director-Emeritus, and Larry serves as an EcoWB Ambassador.

EcoWB Joins Global Partnership on Marine Litter

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 18:25:00 GMT

In March 2021, EcoWB became a member organization of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML) which came out of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012, bringing together those engaged in preventing marine litter to protect the marine environment, human well-being, and fauna. This stakeholder network provides a platform for learning, sharing, and research, as well as development of policies and regional efforts and agreements.

With a mission of supporting communities to not only address environmental issues, but also human health and ecology, this is an opportunity for EcoWB to learn more about this topic through their mailing list and webinars and weave this component into the projects that we support. We are currently exploring the possibility of engaging in projects that address marine litter.

What is Marine Debris Litter?

Marine litter is an issue affecting waterways around the world, with approximately 80 percent coming from land-based sources (e.g., manufacturing, litter, poor solid waste management, etc.) and 20 percent from water-based sources (e.g., aquaculture, fishing, and shipping). This is not only an environmental issue; it also has economic and human health costs that need to be addressed.

The marine litter problem is only increasing, and there is concern that there may be more plastic in the oceans than fish by the year 2050. There are floating islands of plastic at the ocean’s surface, and it also is making its way to the depths of the oceans, fragmenting into smaller pieces that are found in substrate and beaches, as well as into seabirds, fish, turtles, and whales. Impacted fish and shellfish are now in our food supply. Animals are becoming entangled in ghost nets and plastic 6-pack rings. Corals are being broken and smothered. Ship propellers are catching nets and fishing lines. River banks, estuaries, and beaches are polluted and require continuous cleanup. And tourism is being affected by the aesthetics of this waste.

Developing Project Concepts

Two of our partners on the Mulegé Sustainable Fisheries Project—La Fundación Hagamos Mas por Santa Rosalía (FHMSR) and the Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Mulegé (ITESME)—have expressed interest in collaborating with EcoWB on a marine debris education and abatement project in the Gulf of California, where massive amounts of litter, including various forms of plastic, has accumulated. EcoWB is looking for volunteers to work with FHMSR, ITESME, and local fishermen to develop a plan to clean up local beaches, educate local residents, and reduce the amount of “throw-away” items that end up in the Gulf of California. The project would initially take place in Santa Rosalia and surrounding communities and, if successful, be replicated in other areas. The long-term goal is to work with other communities and NGOs throughout the region to promote a “litter-free” Gulf.

We are also currently developing a collaboration with 4P Shore and Seas, a French NGO, to assess microplastic pollution on beaches. 4P Shore and Seas has conducted some work in France utilizing participative research protocols, including beach transects and cleanups to raise awareness and engage citizens, and hopes to expand their activities in collaboration with EcoWB. We look forward to sharing details in the near future.

For more information

If you are interested in this general topic, or have specific marine litter projects or ideas that EcoWB can help you implement, please contact EcoWB’s volunteer GPML point person Rebekah Padgett at rpadgett7@gmail.com . Details about the GPML can be found at https://www.unenvironment.org/explore-topics/oceans-seas/what-we-do/addressing-land-based-pollution/global-partnership-marine .

EcoWB Program Spotlight: GIS

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 13:59:00 GMT

EcoWB Program Spotlight: GIS

Maps are one of humanity’s most important tools. They allow us to navigate in unfamiliar areas and visualize geographic features across the landscape. Modern maps are typically created in GIS (Geographic Information System) software packages by technicians and analysts with specialized training. In the modern era, map making and spatial analyses are also supported by remote sensing, typically in the form of satellite or aerial imagery.

Ecologists Without Borders has a specialized GIS program that supports our global projects with mapping and remote sensing expertise. Our GIS volunteer roster includes nearly 50 people whose experience level ranges from beginner to expert, allowing us to provide training opportunities for students and early-career professionals while also meeting the needs of more complex mapping and analytical projects.

The EcoWB GIS program is currently supporting the Amazon Megafish project in partnership with Juniata College. Volunteers on this project are developing a spatial database of environmental parameters to help solve the riddle of largetooth sawfish migrations, with help from multispectral satellites such as Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2. Recent work by the GIS program also includes mapping invasive water hyacinth coverage in Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria using Sentinel 1 radar imagery and habitat mapping for a scallop fishery improvement project in Sechura Bay, Perú (see figure below).

The EcoWB GIS program welcomes additional volunteers, whether they are beginners or experts. We are also looking for more opportunities to expand our impact through additional projects. Please feel free to reach out to our GIS Program Manager, James Cash ( james.cash@ecowb.org ), to volunteer, propose a new project, or seek GIS assistance on a current project.

Amazon Megafish Project GIS and Remote Sensing Plan

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 16:30:00 GMT

The EcoWB GIS Program is assisting Dr. Jens Hegg of the University of Idaho on a project investigating the migration patterns of Largetooth Sawfish ( Pristis pristis ). Dr. Hegg’s project utilizes chemical analyses of bony structures (including rostral teeth) from specimens accidently killed as fishing bycatch to assess habitat affinities across different life stages, with the goal of reconstructing movement patterns to better understand and conserve this critically endangered species. The EcoWB GIS Program is assisting this project by assembling a GIS database that includes water depth, temperature, and salinity within the study area (Fig 1).

Study area used to create the GIS model.

Figure 1. The study area includes riverine and shallow coastal areas within the shaded box.

Depth data will be provided by the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) database, with possible supplementation with digital navigation charts provided by the Brazilian Navy. Water surface temperature data will be generated through analysis of Landsat 8 Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) imagery, based on the methods outlined by Vanhellemont (2020). Work is ongoing to identify an adequate method of collecting high-resolution salinity data. To account for seasonal and yearly variation in temperature and salinity, separate maps will be produced for the wet and dry seasons for each variable, based on 5 years of averaged data (with at least 2 records per season per year). These data, when combined with Dr. Hegg’s chemical isotope analyses, will shed important light on the movements and critical habitats of this endangered and little-known species.

References:

Vanhellemont, Q. 2020. Automated water surface temperature retrieval from Landsat 8/TIRS. Remote Sensing of the Environment 237: 111518

Amazon Megafish Migration Project & International Sawfish Day

Sat, 17 Oct 2020 16:13:00 GMT

The Amazon region, both within the Amazon River and along coast north and south of the river, is home to numerous large, migratory fishes. One of these fishes, the largetooth sawfish, has been the recent focus of the EcoWB Amazon Megafish Migration project. And, with International Sawfish Day on October 17 ^th , and World Fish Migration Day on October 24 ^th , now is the perfect time to highlight the work being done by the Megafish team.

Largetooth sawfish are a critically endangered species worldwide, listed on the IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species. They are also fascinating, both because of their unique body plan and because they are somewhat of a scientific mystery. Sawfish are a type of ray, though their body shape, with prominent dorsal fins and tail fins, means they are often mistaken for sharks. Their rostrum bordered by sharp rostral teeth is a unique adaptation that they use to both sense and hunt prey.

From left: Dr. Patricia Charvet, Dr. Jens Hegg, Mariana Moro in Curitiba, Brazil holding sawfish rostrum samples from the Amazon region.

Largetooth sawfish are a euryhaline species, able to tolerate a range of salinities. They are sometimes known as Freshwater Sawfish because they are often found in rivers as well as in brackish environments. However, most of the current data on largetooth sawfish comes from Australia where their numbers are still somewhat plentiful. The Amazon region is thought to be one of the last refuges for the species in the Americas, but we know very little about their numbers or their behavior and ecology in this part of the world.

The EcoWB team is working to better understand largetooth sawfish in the Amazon region using chemistry. Partnering with researchers in Brazil including Dr. Patricia Charvet, Dr. Tommaso Giarrizzo, and Dr. Jorge Nunes, Dr. Jens Hegg has identified and collected over 100 sawfish rostral teeth. Because the teeth grow throughout the life of the fish we have discovered that they record chemistry, particularly chemical records of salinity, which might allow us to better understand their distribution and behavior. The preliminary findings are currently in review and a pre-print of this work can be found on BioRxive.

Study area used to create the GIS model.

The Megafish team has been hard at work this year collaborating with the EcoWB GIS Program to support this work. In order to reconstruct the chemistry within our sawfish samples it is important to understand the spatial variation of chemistry across the area being studied. This helps to narrow down the likely locations where sawfish may have travelled throughout their life, and better understand how these movements across fresh and brackish water relate to other important parts of their life-history. All of this, eventually, can help us understand more about the behavior and distribution of largetooth sawfish in the Amazon river and along the Brazilian Amazon coast.

To this end the EcoWB GIS Program has helped to identify temperature, depth, and salinity datasets which can be used to characterize the potential habitats of largetooth sawfish in the Amazon region. In the coming months the team will be building these datasets into a GIS model that can be used to inform the chemistry we find in the sawfish rostral tooth samples we are working to import and analyze.

From left: Dr. Tommaso Giarrizzo, Dr. Jens Hegg, PhD Student Leonardo Feitosa, Dr. Jorge Nunes collecting donated rostral tooth samples near São Luis, Brazil.

Marismas Project in Marismas Nacionales

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 15:39:00 GMT

The Marismas Nacionales (MN) is located on the Pacific coast of Mexico south of Mazatlan and north of Puerto Vallarta in the states of Sinaloa and Nayarit. It extends 240 km from north to south encompassing 513,000 ha, including 113,000 ha of mangroves. It is the largest single expanse of mangroves on the Pacific coast of Mexico and all of the Americas and accounts for 20% of the mangrove area in Mexico. The highly productive MN provides a myriad of ecosystem services, including nursery and spawning habitat for numerous species of fish and shellfish that support a valuable fishery; important overwintering habitat for migratory birds; and food, material, and income for people that live in the area.

Despite its ecological importance and designation as a RAMSAR site and UNESCO biosphere reserve, the MN has lacked specific conservation strategies. Large tracts of the MN mangrove ecosystems have been eliminated or altered by development for agriculture, conversion to shrimp farms, construction of the Cuautla channel, and deforestation for construction and firewood. In a study of changes in mangrove extent in Mexico, the southern half of the MN in Nayarit lost more than 10,000 ha alone between 1970 and 2005, the largest loss of mangroves in northwestern Mexico. The opening of the estuary created by the Cuautla channel in the early 1970s greatly increased saltwater intrusion. That coupled with dam construction and flow reductions of the freshwater tributaries have resulted in hypersalinity and mangrove mortality.

EcoWB with partners in Mexico (Pronatura Noroeste and Environmental Resources Management Corp. [ ERM ]) and with funding from the ERM Foundation are involved in efforts to restore and protect the mangrove forests in the MN.

The overall project comprises two related objectives:

Successful accomplishment of both of these objectives requires a sound ecological and social basis. Without an understanding of the natural processes and anthropogenic factors influencing the health of the MN, it is exceedingly difficult to determine which actions should be implemented to prevent further degradation and promote ecosystem recovery. Current work is focused on preparing a proposal for a bio-physical-social assessment of the MN to provide that basis.

Fisheries Improvement Project Steering Committee Seeking New Members

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 15:09:00 GMT

Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB) is seeking experienced volunteers with a background in fisheries and/or marine aquaculture management, research, sales, and production to join the EcoWB Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) Steering committee. Our committee is a dedicated team of professionals from various countries and backgrounds who collaborate to initiate and support on-going FIP projects. As an organization EcoWB currently manage two projects, in Baja California, Mexico and Piura, Perú. We have experience working with the World Wildlife Foundation, The Marine Sustainability Council, Fair Trade USA, Fish Choice, Sustainable Fisheries Partnerships and more.

As a member of our committee you will help us identify new opportunities for FIPs, particularly in artisanal fisheries and impoverished regions, and evaluate and improve FIP and mariculture project proposals we receive. You may also be given opportunity to train to be an auditor of the MSC, ASC, and/or Fair Trade Standard (funding permitted).

This is a great opportunity to network with motivated professionals in your field and help EcoWB build a robust program that provides low-cost and pro-bono technical support to fisheries and mariculturists seeking to become more sustainable. We meet once monthly for general meetings and maintain contact throughout the month regarding our respective activities and projects. We expect a minimal time commitment of 10 hours per month, unless we are on break. Additional time is welcome as we collaborate to find meaningful ways to increase our positive impact in the FIP space.

Required Qualifications and Skills

Additional Qualifications (desirable, but not required):

To Apply

Please email your resume/CV and a brief written statement about why you would like to join our committee and why you would be a good fit to the Committee Co-Chairs: Trevor Eakes and Mark Soboil trevor.eakes@ecowb.org , mark.soboil@ecowb.org . This announcement will expire and applications will close on August 31, 2020.

EcoWB’s Approach to Invasive Water Hyacinth Intervention

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 14:44:00 GMT

Water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes , WH)—a free floating, perennial aquatic weed native to the Amazon Basin—is aggressively spreading around the globe, with dire ecological, economic, and social consequences. Once established, WH reproduces rapidly and commonly forms large, dense mats that obstruct navigation, block access to safe drinking water, drastically alter freshwater habitats and species communities, decimate traditional fisheries and economies, and promote the spread of water-borne diseases. The impacts of WH are particularly acute in lower-income countries where social and economic well-being is closely tied to environmental conditions, and the cost of appropriate control and remediation measures is prohibitive.

In East Africa, communities that have been affected by WH are experiencing drastic economic losses; increased rates of malaria, schistosomiasis, and cholera; devastating food insecurity; and an erosion of community culture and way of life. Along Winam Gulf, an embayment in the northeast portion of Lake Victoria in Kenya, WH has caused devastating consequences for the local small-scale fisheries and the communities that depend on them, as fishermen find it nearly impossible to navigate and fish in the dense mats of WH. WH has affected these fishing communities so deeply that women in many communities have turned to prostitution to support their families when fishing no longer can. In turn, HIV rates in Kenyan fishing communities around Lake Victoria are over 5 times higher than the national average. The impacts of WH are profound—almost inconceivable—at every level of society.

Together with its project partners, EcoWB is currently working to address the impacts of WH in the Winam Gulf area and elsewhere around the globe. EcoWB’s approach to the problem is unique and addresses WH issues within a socio-ecological system framework. Ecological systems and social systems are intimately intertwined, and poverty, public health, economic opportunity, and environmental issues must all be addressed together. EcoWB believes that this framework offers a path forward for affected communities and has developed a 5-phase model of intervention for alleviating the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of water hyacinth in low- and middle-income countries.

Phase 1: Feasibility . The first step in our intervention model is to establish relationships with the community, stakeholders, and local partners; evaluate the historical occurrence and impact of WH; and predict future trends in abundance and distribution. The project team determines the technical and economic feasibility of utilizing WH as a matrix for various products that can be locally manufactured; determines which WH harvesting techniques are best suited for local conditions; and identifies ecological, economic, political, social, and/or cultural constraints that might influence the success of the project. Additionally, team members conduct site assessments of waterbody topography, access, processing locations, etc.; assess scaling potential; and evaluate other feasibility concerns relevant to the specific location.

Phase 2: Demonstration . If Phase 1 efforts indicate that the project is feasible and likely to be successful, the next phase consists of conducting pilot/demonstration studies of WH removal techniques to confirm the feasibility of harvesting large quantities of WH and transporting it to processing sites. These techniques may include manual removal, shore-based mechanical removal, or ship-based mechanical removal, depending on equipment availability, infrastructure, physical characteristics of the waterbody and access points, or other constraints.

Phase 3: Implementation . During the initial implementation of the project, EcoWB and its partners will begin to train and assist community members in WH harvesting and processing, production of WH products, and marketing and sales techniques. The goal is to establish several small-to-medium sized businesses that use WH to produce compost, biogas, charcoal briquettes, and other commodities that can be sold for profit. Restoration efforts associated with this phase will focus on conducting outreach to educate community residents on the causes of non-point source pollution and best practices to abate them (e.g., riparian restoration, erosion prevention, conversion of organic waste into compost).

Phase 4: Expansion . This phase builds on and expands the activities initiated in Phase 3. This would entail larger-scale WH harvesting and processing operations, potentially including multiple harvesting methods and more equipment-intensive harvesting techniques. Processing and production of WH products would also increase in scope and scale, with additional effort placed on the marketing, distribution, and sale of products. Restoration efforts associated with this phase would include additional trainings, working with communities to further reduce pollution and open waste disposal, native tree plantings in riparian areas, erosion control measures, and encouraging the use of biodigesters instead of the traditional pit latrines. Expanded restoration efforts would include activities to improve the sustainability of wild capture fisheries and other region- or community-specific interventions where appropriate

Phase 5: Replication . The final phase is to replicate the removal, production, and restoration efforts of Phases 3-4 to other communities bordering the same waterbody.

IN PURSUIT OF SUSTAINABLE FISHING IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF CALIFORNIA: AN UPDATE

Sun, 28 Jun 2020 22:25:00 GMT

The municipality of Mulegé in Baja California Sur, Mexico, is the largest municipality in the country, has coastline along both in the Pacific Ocean and the central Gulf from California (Sea of Cortez). On the central Gulf of California side of the peninsula, fishing in the Santa Rosalía-Mulegé Corridor had a great boom during the times of the giant squid ( Dosidicus gigas ) fishery, but this fishery has collapsed due mainly to oceanographic changes in the area, and fishing and the economic development of the region has declined. The majority of the squid processing plants have closed permanently and many fishing cooperatives fragmented into family cooperatives. Additionally, private fishing permit holders (“permisionarios”) reduced their fleet or declared bankruptcy. These factors have resulted in increasing unemployment, insecurity, and a loss of prestige in the fishing sector. Currently, approximately half of the fishermen in the Santa Rosalía – Mulegé corridor belong to a fishing cooperative and may or may not have fishing permits. The rest of the fisherman work as a free (unregulated) fisherman or under the protection of one or more local “permisionarios” who feed them to go fishing in exchange for the exclusive sale of the catch.

The collapse of the giant squid fishery also generated changes in the importance and value of local fisheries, prompting traditional fishermen who remained active to focus their activity on catching mainly different species of finfish, octopus, sharks, and rays, which were previously seen as secondary or alternative fisheries to that of the giant squid. Now that these species have become the main fisheries in the area, they are faced with increased fishing pressure and other problems caused by the collapse of the giant squid fishery. This diversification has also limited the collection of data related to the fishing effort, types of fishing gear used, catch composition, and catch sizes, which hinders the design and implementation of effective management measures.

Since 2014, Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB) has been collaborating with local partners such as the Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Muelgé (ITESME) and La fundación Hagamos Más Por Santa Rosalía (HMPSR) to implement the Mulegé Sustainable Fisheries Project (MSFP). Fishermen of the Santa Rosalía – Mulegé Corridor, have recently organized into a group called the “Alliance for Responsible Fishing in Mulegé,” and are collaborating with EcoWB and the MSFP in the design and implementation of a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP), for the marine finfish fishery (i.e., California yellowtail , snappers, and groupers ). This FIP uses the criteria of the MSC sustainable fishing standard as a guide to improving the sustainability of the fishery, with the benefit of access to preferential markets that are interested in sustainable products.

As one of the first steps, a pre-assessment was carried out against the MSC standard to identify challenges and barriers to sustainability of the fishery. Based on the results of the pre-assessment, the FIP work team designed a work plan to specifically address the challenges identified. This work plan will be reviewed and validated by all interested parties that make up the FIP. However, these efforts have been delayed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely affected fishermen in Mexico, including fishermen along the Santa Rosalía – Mulegé corridor. As of this writing, the pandemic is still active with increasing cases, and although infection rates among fishermen and their families do not appear to be disproportionately high, the economic consequences have been devastating. The demand for fish and the price of the products has decreased by around 50%, due to the closure of restaurants, hotels, travel restrictions, and interruptions in the supply chain. Based on the activity of the fishing boats in the Mulegé ports, we estimate that less than half of the small-scale fishing fleet is currently operating and applying mitigations that allow them to reduce risk and keep operating expenses to a minimum.

In an effort to alleviate the economic impact of the pandemic, EcoWB has teamed up with HMSR to raise funds to buy and distribute food to families in need. If you would like to donate to the Fisheries Aid Fund, please contact EcoWB’s Project Manager Bernardo Sánchez at bernardo.sanchez@ecowb.org . EcoWB continues to move forward with analyzing data and preparing a sustainable fisheries work plan that will be implemented as the fishery recovers.

Without a doubt, this new reality will bring a number of changes for the Mexican fishing sector. EcoWB and its partners are committed to promoting sustainability and equity among stakeholders throughout these changes.

New Grant from RLF for Peruvian Scallop FIP

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 19:32:00 GMT

Giving Tuesday Donation Match

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 22:02:00 GMT

EcoWB at Latin American CoP FIP Workshop

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 03:34:00 GMT

EcoWB Volunteers Trevor Eakes and Board Emeritus, Eric Knudsen, traveled to Lima, Perú to attend the 2019 Latin American Fisheries Improvement Project Community of Practice (FIP CoP) where EcoWB was able to gain fresh insights on best practices for FIP management. At the conference we spoke with NGOs engaged in truly exciting work across Latin America including Conservation International, World Wildlife Fund, Environmental Defense Fund, ProNatura, SmartFish, COBI and many many more. We are so grateful to the organizers for putting on the event and providing EcoWB with the opportunity to share about our organization and learn more about the FIP process. The results of this workshop will be invaluable for the development of the Santa Rosalia, Mexico , and Sechura Bay, Perú fisheries Improvement Projects which we are currently assisting. Read more about EcoWB’s FIP program.

New Fisheries Project in Peru

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 03:11:00 GMT

EcoWB is collaborating with local fishermen and regional government to help evaluate the sustainability of the Bahia de Sechura concha de abanico (fan scallop) fishery, a relatively large fishery that exports to Europe, North America, and Peruvian cities. We are assisting by undertaking an MSC-based Pre-Assessment of the fishery’s sustainability. Read More…

EcoWB Receives Grant from ERM Foundation for Mexican Mangroves

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 21:21:00 GMT

Support EcoWB via Amazon Smile

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 04:03:00 GMT

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the value of eligible items to EcoWB. When you use Amazon, be sure to log in at smile.amazon.com (instead of their regular web site) using your normal Amazon ID and password – works for both regular and Prime accounts. Select “ecologists without borders” under their “Supporting” tab. Then shop as usual. You’ll see all the same products at Amazon Smile. Thanks for helping EcoWB via Amazon Smile.

Or, you can click below to shop on Amazon Smile and support EcoWB with your purchases!

Seeking EcoWB Volunteers

Wed, 09 Jan 2019 19:03:00 GMT

Current Openings

EcoWB fisheries experts certified as sustainability techncial consultants by Marine Stewardship Council

Wed, 10 May 2017 23:29:00 GMT

Santa Rosalia, BCS, Mexico FIP

improving fisheries sustainability

EcoWB Advances on Fisheries Improvement Projects

Sun, 12 Mar 2017 20:45:00 GMT

Five EcoWB volunteer fisheries Ecological Service Providers (ESPs) have now participated in the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) training session called “Working towards MSC certification: Capacity Building Workshop”. The workshop was hosted by MSC’s Developing World Program so aligns well with EcoWB’s interest in assisting with Fisheries Improvement Projects (FIPs) in developing countries. EcoWB volunteers are now ready to assist local fisheries stakeholders in FIP Pre Assessments, Action Plans, and technical preparations in cases where MSC certification will be sought.

If you are interested in learning more about EcoWB’s FIP capabilities or becoming a volunteer to assist on FIPs, please go to our fisheries volunteer page for more information and then contact us through the Volunteer page .

EcoWB Partners with FisheryProgress.org

Fri, 28 Oct 2016 05:49:00 GMT

Ecologists Without Borders is excited to announce the launch of FisheryProgress.org, a one-stop shop for information on the progress of global fishery improvement projects (FIPs). FisheryProgress.org makes tracking progress more efficient, consistent, and reliable for businesses that support FIPs. The website will make it easier for FIPs to showcase their progress to potential buyers and for businesses to find FIPs that meet their sustainable seafood commitments.

This site, a collaboration between the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions and FishChoice , is a great step forward in creating a central place to find information about FIPs and a common yardstick for measuring their progress.

In the coming months, Ecologists Without Borders will be working to take advantage of the site’s features and finding ways to help it advance our work on FIPs. We hope that you’ll visit FisheryProgress.org and learn more about how this site can help you streamline your work. If you’re interested in learning more, you can RSVP for an overview webinar on Thursday, Nov. 3 from 2-3pm ET/11am-12pm PT by emailing Liz Kieffer ( liz@springboard.partners ).

To learn more about EcoWB’s work on FIPs, please see our Fisheries Improvement Projects page.

EcoWB Welcomes Two New Board Members

Fri, 09 Sep 2016 21:08:00 GMT

We are very pleased to announce that two very respected and experienced colleagues have agreed to serve on the EcoWB Board of Directors. Dr. Shubha Pandit brings a diverse background of ecological and statistical experience. His primary EcoWB interests are helping to enhance ecosystem integrity as well as improving the quality of human life.

Pat Livingston has many years of experience in the ecosystems approach to marine fisheries management and related ecological modeling. She is actively participating in EcoWB’s growing Fisheries Improvement Project activities. To learn more about these new Board members, please see our Leadership page .

EcoWB Advances on Fisheries Improvement Projects

Thu, 12 May 2016 23:32:00 GMT

EcoWB has assembled a Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) Advisory Group, experts in fisheries science, to guide its new FIP program. With their support, we are now moving into assisting on FIPs. Read more about EcoWB FIPs here .

Also, EcoWB is engaging in the initial steps of its first FIP with the Santa Rosalia Multi-Species FIP . The goal is to assist local fishermen in the central Gulf of California to improve the sustainability and productivity of their fishery thereby increasing their livelihoods into the future.

Amazon MegaFish Project is Big Winner

Wed, 04 May 2016 20:52:00 GMT

EcoWB Convenes Workshop on Mexican Mangrove Restoration

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:04:00 GMT

Seeking Volunteer Coordinators

Mon, 28 Mar 2016 01:56:00 GMT

call for Volunteer Coordinators

EcoWB wants Volunteer Fisheries Scientists and Biologists

Mon, 28 Mar 2016 01:11:00 GMT

Please read more here

EcoWB Activities at AFS 2015

Fri, 14 Aug 2015 23:32:00 GMT

EcoWB will be fully engaged in AFS 2015 August 16-20 at the Portland Oregon Convention Center. Please come join us at:

Please come see us at AFS in Portland!!

EcoWB Enters MOU with Pronatura to Conserve Mexican Mangroves

Sat, 21 Mar 2015 16:52:00 GMT

Pronatura Noroeste AC

Sinaloa

Nayarit

EcoWB Mexican mangrove and fisheries restoration project

Dr David Fornander joins EcoWB Board

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 18:56:00 GMT

Organization and Leadership

EcoWB joins the Washington State Combined Fund Drive

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 05:39:00 GMT

their website

EcoWB Session on Small-Scale Fisheries Updated

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:20:00 GMT

projects page.

EcoWB Assisting on Mexican Mangrove and Fisheries Research

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:19:00 GMT

Mangrove and Fisheries Project Page

EcoWB Organizing Symposium at Upcoming 6th World Fisheries Congress

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:20:00 GMT

6th World Fisheries Congress

Enabling small-scale fisheries and aquaculture to achieve sustainability through the transfer of technology and knowledge

EcoWB Co-Founders featured in Fisheries.

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:19:00 GMT

Eric Knudsen, Cleve Steward, and Larry Dominguez were invited by AFS Executive Director Gus Rassam to write the Guest Directors Line in the February 2012 issue of Fisheries magazine. We’ll post the link once the article has been published.

EcoWB at the AFS Annual Meeting

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:09:00 GMT

EcoWB organized and led a special symposium entitled Far-Reaching Technologies: International Technical Programs for the Conservation and Improvement of Aquatic Ecosystems at the 141st Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society in Seattle, Washington, in September 2011. A reception afterwards attracted 37 people representing 7 countries to discuss EcoWB’s goals and recent activities. EcoWB directors solicited ideas for […]