Edition: August 2011
Conservation in ACTION

Javier, a student from the fishing villiage of Ostional, shows us a big smile as the Nicaraguan muralist Lezamón paints a stunning landscape on the wall of the local elementary school. The artwork depicts the distinctive forests, coastline and volcanoes of Nicaragua and includes wildlife unique to the Paso del Istmo, such as the yellow-naped parrot, the two-toed slot and various species of sea turtles. You may VIEW images of the mural here.

This mural is a project of the RageJax Foundation and Paso Pacífico that aims to bring about activism through art. It's creation was possible with support from Nicaraguan Ministry of the Environment (MARENA) and the Ministry of Education (MINED). With this gift to the community, we hope to inspire local children to take pride in the native wildlife and forests in their own backyards.

The mural is already a big hit among the 80 children who attend Ostional's elementary school. The community also loves the mural! Paso Pacífico and the RageJax Foundation hope to continue to support cultural innovation at schools across the Paso del Istmo Biological Corridor.
Paso Pacífico in the News

Shark finning is a destructive practice, especially along the Coast of Central America where fishing vessels from across the Pacific are killing thousands of sharks by cutting off the fin and then discarding the dying animal in the ocean.

After a wave of public outcry over this ecologically devastating practice, shark finning is now illegal at public ports in Costa Rica. This leap forward has sadly pushed shark finning to Nicaragua.

Please help efforts to halt the landing of shark fins in Nicaragua by signing this petition organized by our partner, Costa Rican NGO Pretoma. We have seen positive action in Costa Rica, and now YOU can help us to stop this activity in Nicaragua and stop damage to the ocean's ecosystems.
Partnerships make it possible

The Danish International Cooperation Agency (DANIDA) has made it possible for us to launch a new project called COASTAL-MARINE RESEARCH: Ensuring the scientific and educational bases for the protection and management of sea turtles near the La Flor and Río Escalante-Chacocente protected areas.

Launched this past month, the project's goal is to increase scientific knowledge surrounding sea turtles near key protected areas and to assess the interactions of sea turtles with fisheries as well as other coastal resources such as coral reefs and solitary nesting beaches. This research will provide powerful tools for conservation management and will give field training to young marine scientists.

Public outreach and education is important to sustaining the gains made through sea turtle protection efforts. Therefore, this DANIDA-funded project also supports the "Yo No Como Huevos" campaign led by our partners at Fauna and Flor International. The project involves other important partners including the UNAN-Leon, PRETOMA, and the University of Costa Rica - CIMAR.

Coastal and marine conservation along the Paso del Istmo Biological Corridor is key to integrating the forest landscape with the seascapes. We are grateful to DANIDA for making this connection possible. Look for more news on this exciting project in the months to come!
 

Team member spotlight

The Paso Pacífico team would like to recognize Don Meyer, our driver in Nicaragua. Always careful, conscientious and on time, Meyer does not only help us reach our destination, but also ensures the safety and effectiveness of our staff. He never stops lending a helping hand, and in fact, on many occasions has served as an impromptu field biologist during bird and bats surveys in the forest.

Thanks Meyer, Paso Pacífico wouldn't make it far without you!


Individuals like you are the driving force behind conservation. Without leaving home, you can directly support Paso Pacífico's efforts to inspire Nicaragua's next generation to become environmental stewards.

Please take this opportunity to DONATE now and play a part in the future of Central America.

In June, Paso Pacifico Board Members Rodolfo Dirzo and Ricardo Rueda, alongside staff members Sarah Ottersrom and Kim Williams-Guillen, instructed a course entitled Foundations in Conservation Biology. This event was a collaboration between the UNAN-Leon, Paso Pacífico and Stanford University with support from USAID. Sixteen Nicaraguan students participated in the five-day course, which included field surveys in tropical dry forests, a study of bats at the Jardin Botánico Ambiental and intensive lectures. The students came out of the course eager to put conservation science to practice.

Thank you, Rodolfo and Ricardo, for your dedication to conservation in and out of the classroom!

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© 2006 Paso Pacífico
USA Address: PO Box 1244 • Ventura, CA 93002-1244 • Phone: 1-805-643-7044
Nicaragua Address:Carretera a Masaya Km 12.4 , Residencial Villas del Prado, Casa No. 7
Managua, Nicaragua • Phone: +505-2279-8423