Development in Akumal: Paradise Lost or Paradise Regained?
CEA is working with the municipal and state authorities to try to change the way Akumal will be developed, but we need your help. We would like to know about your wishes and concerns for Akumal and the surrounding area. Not only is this issue important for Akumal, but it represents a choice for how development will take place along the entire coast of Quintana Roo. We still have a choice in determining what kind of development is best for society, the environment and the economy—the three fundamentals of sustainable development. Please review the information provided here and express your concerns by responding to our survey and signing the Declaration. It’s not too late to save the beauty and essence of the Riviera Maya—its nature. Click here to read background information.

The Declaration of Concerned Scientists
The Declaration of Concerned Scientists is a statement of the results from 10 years of study on the coast of Quintana Roo, carried out by some of the world’s leading reef scientists. Please click here to read the Declaration and to add your signature to the list of concerned citizens.

Summertime is Upon Us
by Mauricio Bautista
The project United Community, which works in the production of art with recyclables and in the separation of inorganic wastes in the schools, has closed for the vacation period. Activities will begin again August 12, with discussions about the sensibility of adequate management of our natural resources, along with visits to the study areas so that we will have a better understanding of what is seen. The project will continue with recycled art and separation of recyclables, with the goal to establish these practices with the teachers, children, and their families.

The Environmental Education Program has been given the responsibility to share information about CEA’s programs to a children’s club named “Club H20” in Playa del Carmen, which is organized by the state Water Commision (CAPA). They have been taught about the management of wastes that are generated, and how they can help solve the problem, and also in the protection of the marine turtle which is one of the most susceptible species in our time. The dynamic that has been utilized to convey the message to the participants has consisted of a presentation of the theatre Guiñol, of memory games that address these themes, and of the adoption of learning techniques to ground the information and obtain a higher learning.

Click here to learn more about what our Environmental Education Program has done this past year.

In addition we would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who contributed so generously to our 2003-2004 Scholarship. Click here to read Scholarship Recipients Report Appreciation by Mauricio Bautista, translated by Ann Griffiths.

Time to Band Together
by Lydia Linton Pontius
We all know that Playa del Carmen, a half-hour north of Akumal, is the fastest growing city in Latin America. It has been that way for years. Many of us also know that the Riviera Maya is the fastest growing resort destination in the world. We hear these facts and think little or nothing about them as we go about our lives, whether we live in Akumal or vacation there. But the fact of the matter is this growth is coming closer—a major development for up to 250,000 people is in the works and it will be directly across the highway! We all have choices; we can hide our heads in the sand and say it will go away. We can squabble amongst ourselves trying to decide what the right solution is. We can throw our hands in the air and say there is nothing we can do.

What can we do? Click here to read what CEA is proposing.

Orchids Bloom at CEA
by Kate Riley
When the ancient orchid opens up, you realize that such beauty is rare but also all around, waiting for the rains and right time to come. Orchids are the world’s largest and perhaps most advanced plant family—over 25,000 species and many more varieties. The Yucatán Peninsula boasts 140 species of orchids, mainly found growing in the decomposing humus of the local jungle and mangroves. Many are epiphytic and live on tree branches and obtain their food from the air.

Orchids have adapted to diverse ecosystems, with extraordinary mechanisms for drought resistance, nutrient conservation, pollination, and reproduction that are still not fully understood. We can only hope, that with its delicate perseverance and our consciousness, the orchid will also adapt to the encroachment of humans.

To See the Sea
by Ivan Caballero
First and second graders from Tixcacalcupul, Yucatán came by bus to Akumal in June, to see the ocean for the first time. Mauricio Bautista of CEA helped organize activities for the children. They spent the day on the beach, enjoying the water, riding in the glass bottom boat and playing games designed to teach a bit of ecology. CEA would like to thank Ms. Laura Bush for providing a few beach palapas and especially a great lunch at Lol Ha restaurant. We hope the children enjoyed their first time at the sea and welcome them back always.

Turtle Disease Studies
by Ivan Caballero
Currently Dr. Fernando Muñoz of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico City and Dr. Thierry Work of the U.S Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center of Hawaii, in conjunction with CEA’s Marine Turtle Program, are working in Akumal on a study to determine the presence of fibropapillomas in marine turtles in Akumal Bay, Half Moon Bay and Yal-kú Lagoon. Click here to learn more about fibropapillomas.

Nesting Updates
by Ivan Caballero
There are currently 50 nests in Akumal, 20 of which have been relocated to the nursery for their protection. The rest of the nests are distributed along Akumal’s beaches. We take this opportunity to say good-bye to Carol Stickrod, Melissa Landry and Marie Michaud, who have, with much enthusiasm and dedication, helped out as volunteers for the turtle program for the month of June. Please see our Web site for more information on the turtle season, especially for tips on helping mother turtles nest.

Upcoming Events
Turtle Walks Monday–Saturday nights. You may now make your reservations on-line.

July 11 at 8 p.m. a free screening of the travel DVD "Akumal: Paradise in Mexico" will be held at the CEA Center.

July 13 at 6 p.m. Dr. Janet Foley will discuss her research on yellow band coral disease at the CEA Center.

July 22–31 is the Maya Riviera Sea Turtle Expedition. Contact Heather to make reservations.

Sensory Theatre at Akumal
Come experience Sensorama—and walk guided by your own higher self and the earth’s natural elements. You will be blindfolded, but will see much more. CEA is co-sponsoring what is described as a sensory theatre, an artistic exposition, a meditation, a therapy. Sensorama is a guided experience that has been internationally developed over the last nine years. Its purpose is to develop the sensual and emotional intelligence, through a dynamic experimentation of our selves with the elements of earth, water, fire and air.

Please join us in front of the CEA Center each Thursday at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Wear comfortable clothing. The cost is $20 U.S., 20% of which goes to CEA.

Your Help Is Greatly Appreciated
In order for CEA to spread the word about the impending development, we need to raise funds. In addition to traditional fundraising, it is important that our staff travel between the U.S. and México, as well as within México. If you are a Frequent Flyer and have extra miles, please consider donating them to CEA. Special thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Thomas McPhail for donating Frequent Flyer Miles. All donations made to us through the Yucatan Environmental Foundation are tax-deductible. Thank you to those who have been telling your friends about the organization. We have now made it easier to Tell A Friend online. Many CEA Members joined after being referred to CEA. If you have questions about how you can become more involved, please contact us.

Thank you for your continued support of CEA. We list our CEA Members and Contributors on our CEA Friends page. Please take a moment and make sure we have you listed. If you have a story or comment you would like added, please e-mail it to us.

Thanks to Ulanji's latest technology we are now able to do more interactive things on our Web site such as surveys for you to answer and declarations for you to sign. Please help us by taking a moment to read and participate. We also made it easier for you to Tell A Friend about CEA.

If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, or simply need to contact CEA, please click here.