A Game-Changer for EcoWB: $150k Grant Strengthens Our Future
November 25, 2024

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!

 

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

November 5, 2025
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

By Becky Muston • June 4, 2025
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.