Q & A with Seacology's New Director, Duane Silverstein
Q: Being director of one of the world's leading environmental foundations must have been a great job. Why leave?
A: Yes, it was a terrific job. To work side by side with so many inspirational and dedicated Goldman Prize recipients and Goldman Fund grantees has been a tremendously rewarding and fulfilling experience. But after 18 years, I felt it was time for a new challenge, and I have always had a special place in my heart for island cultures and environments. So as much as I loved my time with the Goldman Fund, I am thrilled to follow my passion for islands and join Seacology as its new director.
Q: How did your love of islands first come about?
A: Perhaps it was because I was born and raised on an island, Long Island, New York, whose ecosystem has been degraded by overdevelopment. Then in 1975, through Columbia Law School, I received a pro bono internship with an environmental organization in Hawaii called Life of the Land. I was not only exposed to the beauty of the islands but to the beauty of island cultures as well. I was so moved by my experience that I dropped out of law school and devoted my life to preserving our precious natural heritage for future generations.
Q: How did you first hear about Seacology?
A: In 1997 Paul Cox, along with the late Samoan Chief Fuiono Senio, won the Goldman Environmental Prize for outstanding achievement in the Island Nations category. Cox and Fuiono worked together to raise funds and build a school in exchange for the village of Falealupo protecting 30,000 acres of primary rainforest from logging. This was Seacology's first project.
Q: What attracted you to Seacology?
A: First, it is the only true nonprofit, nongovernmental organization working exclusively and solely to protect island environments and cultures throughout the world. Second, the philosophy of working with indigenous island cultures and not approaching them from a paternalistic point of view. We have much to learn from island cultures and Seacology recognizes this and acts accordingly. Third, I have little patience for bureaucracy and red tape. Islands need help now, and I would rather be spending time working with islands and islanders than filling out forms and writing reports that no one will read. This action-oriented philosophy is clearly embraced by Seacology's board of directors.
Q: Seacology is going to be launching many more projects in the coming years. Will Seacology have a large staff?
A: Seacology will indeed be launching many new projects on islands throughout the world. I anticipate that Seacology will be viewed as a very major positive force on the international environmental scene. As has been my experience with the Goldman Foundation, this can and will be accomplished without a large staff. We are now in the process of forming the world's most comprehensive island advisory board made up of environmentalists from islands throughout the globe. They will assist us in identifying, screening and monitoring critical projects on islands throughout the world. With a small staff, donors can always be assured that their money is not being directed toward unnecessary overhead.
Q: Tell us more about Seacology's fundraising plans.
A: First of all, it is important to note that 100 percent of all contributions raised to date will go toward island projects. Individual contributors will always have the option of allowing a small percentage of their donation to be applied toward our modest, necessary administrative expenses. For the first time Seacology is seeking support from the foundation community. In fact, in the last month alone we have already raised $160,000 from foundations.
Q: What are some of your most memorable island experiences?
A: Certainly high on the list is being honored with a traditional Kava ceremony in the village of Falealupo, Samoa, and visiting Bouma Falls in Taveuni, Fiji. Attending the Cook Islands Constitution Day dance performances with my wife and children each of the past seven years, scuba diving in the Galapagos and visiting Goldman Prize recipients Noah Idechong in Palau, Atherton Martin in Dominica, Andrew Simmons in St. Vincent and John Sinclair on Australia's Frasier Island were also incredible experiences.
Q: Any final comments?
A: It is hard to believe that Seacology is the only true nonprofit organization in the world working exclusively on island environmental and cultural issues throughout the globe. When I tell people about Seacology's mission, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. This is true not only with the environmental community but with the general public as well. Five minutes ago I was on the phone with someone from Hawaii explaining that Seacology wants to preserve the environments and cultures of islands throughout the world. He said, "Wow, that's awesome!" I couldn't have expressed it better myself.
