March 2021
Looking out from the new boardwalk along the coast of the Philippine village of Bogtong, one can take in unrivaled views of the expansive, shallow bay. Endangered coral reefs thrive in the clear waters, and the occasional dugong grazes peacefully beneath the surface. To the north, dense, deep-green mangrove trees reach from the water to […]
March 2021
On March 16, 2020, along with millions of our neighbors in northern California, Seacology’s staff entered a new reality when health officials issued a stay-at-home order. We quickly packed up computers, files, and personal items in our modest Berkeley office and moved daily operations into our homes. None of us expected that we wouldn’t be […]
February 2021
Much of our recent work has focused on mangrove trees or bees, so it was only a matter of time before they joined forces in a project – and in addition to ecological benefits, produced some delicious mangrove honey! In the Dominican Republic, Seacology will support a sustainable beekeeping operation and invest in ecotourism. These […]
February 2021
Last month, we were surprised and excited to learn Parlez (“par-LAY”), an English clothing company, had directed a portion of its 2020 profits to Seacology through 1% for the Planet. Parlez, which specializes in menswear inspired by sailing traditions, has made a commitment not only to its own sustainability but also to leveraging its success […]
January 2021
As powerful Cyclone Yasa barreled toward Fiji just before Christmas, we waited nervously for news. Seacology has 27 projects in Fiji, and many were directly in the storm’s path. As news reports began to trickle in, we were relieved to learn that although some of our partner communities were hard-hit, the people there were safe. […]
January 2021
When the COVID-19 pandemic made indoor gatherings unsafe, getting outdoors became more important than ever. With the appropriate precautions, hiking, kayaking, birding, and other exploration of the natural world offer a COVID-friendly escape from the mind-numbing isolation of shelter-in-place orders, travel restrictions, and rules against large group activities. For many islanders, they also provide an […]
December 2020
How do you get electricity to remote villages in the mountains of Borneo, miles from paved roads and even farther from power plants? The problem has stumped governments for years–leaving villagers to rely on loud, dirty, and expensive diesel generators for electricity. Seacology’s first project in Malaysian Borneo successfully tackled this problem in the village […]
December 2020
Eelgrass might be the most important habitat you’ve never heard of. And it’s disappearing at a frightening rate — but experienced biologists, conservation professionals, and eager students are teaming up to bring back this crucial, endangered marine habitat in the Pacific Northwest. The San Juan Islands, the secluded archipelago of hundreds of small islands near […]
November 2020
It’s the season of giving–and I want to start by giving thanks for the things I am grateful for at Seacology. First and foremost, I want to thank you for your support and encouragement. Seacology could not be successful in its mission of protecting island environments and cultures without the generous gifts of many donors. […]
November 2020
Parrotfish, brightly colored inhabitants of coral reefs named for their beaklike mouths, are essential for a healthy reef. The fish use their namesake beaks to scrape vegetation from the coral, removing algae that would otherwise smother and kill coral polyps. Unfortunately, the slow-moving fish are an easy target for spearfishers.They have been in decline in […]