Marcos inspects a Melipona beecheii worker captured at a flowering bush on the property of a beekeeper. It is dry season in Paso del Istmo, with trade winds wicking moisture from the Pacific slope forests causing upwelling of nutrient-rich water offshore. Deciduous tree species are dropping their leaves and tree crowns full of yellow or purple blooms dot the landscape. The dry season blossoms bring increased bee activity and with...
In October of last year I had the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua to learn more about Paso Pacifico and its work in the Paso del Istmo. The trip was a crash course in all things Paso Pacifico. In just five short days we patrolled beaches with the Sea Turtle Rangers, climbed trees looking for endangered Yellow-naped parrots, met the Junior Rangers at the Karen Warren & Susan White...
Primates in Fragments: Complexity and Resilience Primate Populations in Fragmented Tropical Dry Forest Landscapes in Southwestern Nicaragua The lack of information on how primates respond to habitat fragmentation across a variety of ecosystems and regions hampers conservation efforts in the fragmented landscapes where populations are most threatened. We investigated the status of primates in the highly fragmented forests of southwestern Nicaragua, a region containing some of Central America’s few remaining...
Limpieza Internacional de Costas, este 21 de Septiembre. Ayudanos a limpiar las costas.Estaremos en: Casares San Juan del Sur Corinto Paso Caballo Ostional Brasilon Playa Escondida Jiquiliste La Flor Rio Ostayo Rio La flor Laguna de Asososca y otras playas No te quedes en casa e inscribete o inscribe una playa. Te esperamos este 21 de septiembre.
In case you missed it, the August Edition of our Connections Newsletter is online. Read about: Paso del Istmo Reforestation Partnership Conservation & Sustainable Tourism Program (CSTP) CSTP Coverage in La Prensa CHICABRAVA all girls surf camp Surf Industry & ESPN Coverage of the Waterman's Ball Entomological Museum of León, Nicaragua Butterfly Surveys Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Initative Billion Baby Turtles T-shirts
PuruKai's Billion Baby Turtle t-shirt sales support sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica. Our friends at SEETurtles and WIDECAST will save five baby sea turtles for every shirt sold. Most of our friends know that the Billion Baby Turtles project supports sea turtle conservation efforts like ours. Billion Baby Turtles funds, at work all over Central America, go towards paying local residents to patrol important turtle nesting beaches, protecting...
This week, Sarah Otterstrom, our Executive Director, and Julie Martinez, our Environmental Education Coordinator are at the 5th International Partners in Flight Conference and Conservation Workshop. We have made a 40-year commitment to bird research and conservation in the Paso del Istmo Biological Corridor. Our integrated approach includes mapping habitat areas, characterizing land cover, reforestation, education, and community outreach. Visit our Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Initiative project profile to learn...
In 2002, a surfer named Chad Nelsen enlisted an economist at Duke University to help put a price tag on a popular surfing spot on Puerto Rico’s northwest coast. Nelsen’s idea was novel: to prove that the waves breaking on the beach constituted a multimillion-dollar asset and persuade the local town to take pains to preserve it. source: Washington Post Building on advances in natural resource economics, the new field...
"For the surf industry, last weekend was prom." For the fourth year in a row, we were pleased to attend the Waterman's Ball, the surf industry's annual environmental fundraising event, hosted by SIMA: “Do what you love and help along the way,” a statement from Special Recognition Award recipient Jon Rose, was an overarching theme of this year’s Waterman’s Weekend as the surf industry gathered to raise money for the...
Are you going to the Waterman's Ball this weekend? If so, look for the Nicaraguan Eco-Surf Adventure package donated by our amigas at CHICABRAVA, which includes the following: a one-week CHICABRAVA surf camp in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua CHICABRAVA water bottle, tank, and reusable shopping bag Entre Lago y Mar DVD highlighting the natural beauty and environmental conservation efforts in the region guided trip to a sea turtle...
Coordinador del Proyecto PROYECTO EMPRENDIMIENTO Y LIDERAZGO AMBIENTAL PARA EL GEOTURISMO/FOMIN ATN/ME -13732-NI Paso Pacífico, con el apoyo del FOMIN/BID requiere seleccionar y contratar consultor para ocupar el cargo de coordinador de proyecto. El objetivo de este cargo es el de garantizar la coordinación operativa y estratégica que requiere la ejecución y alcance del propósito del proyecto, así como coordinar la Unidad Ejecutora para la obtención de los resultados deseables. ...
Día Mundial de la Ranger Día Mundial de la Ranger es un día para recordar a los guardaparques que han sido heridos o muertos en acto de servicio, en particular durante el año anterior. Desde julio de 2012, más de 80 guardaparques han perdido sus vidas en el cumplimiento del deber. Forest Rangers :: GuardabosquesOur forest rangers foster saplings in tree nurseries, monitor growth in our reforestation areas, and...
Our July newsletter is online. Read about our contributions to the Conservation & Sustainable Tourism Program to empower individuals and communities, improve natural resource management, and foster the creation of employment opportunities in and around national parks, private reserves, and other ecologically significant areas. We appreciate the support of FHI360 and the assistance from the U.S. Government and the American people. Catch up with our Guardaparques Junior from Tola, pictured...
Sabes que? "La tortuga marina de la especie carey ha cambiado su hábitat tradicional que consistía de arrecifes de corales o rocosos por estuarios de manglar, para poder sortear las amenazas a su existencia." La Prensa, Septiembre 2011 Trabajamos con Iniciativa Carey del Pacifico Oriental (ICAPO). Juntos con los otros miembros, trabajamos para promover la recuperación de la tortuga carey (Eretmochelys imbricata) en el Pacífico Oriental. Restaurar y proteger los...
documental con oscarizado actor Jeremy Irons y la música impactante de Vangelis "Este es un viaje de investigación minucioso y valiente que lleva a Irons (y a nosotros) del escepticismo a la tristeza y del horror a la esperanza." - Cinema Planeta Paso Pacifico te invita al Documental Trashed viernes 26 de Julio viernes 2 de Agosto en horario de 10 am a 12 del medio dia en la Sala...
I had another exciting week in San Juan del Sur that began with a ladies surf trip to Playa Maderas. It was my first time surfing at Maderas since arriving in San Juan del Sur, and we had a great time! I also headed back to Remanso a few times to surf with some new friends. Later in the week, my roommate Madison and I explored Playa Hermosa. Although the...
Luke Johnson (R) & Francisco Manera, forest ranger Meet Luke Johnson, a fish researcher working with us for six months to understand the biology of juvenile Atlantic Tarpon in freshwater streams. After a few years spent touring salmon streams gathering data for fisheries studies in the Pacific Northwest, Luke is exploring the riverbanks, streams, and shores of Lake Nicaragua and the Rio San Juan. The project Luke set out to...
We are stoked to partner with Project WOO for beach clean ups at this week's ISA World Juniors Surfing Champsionship. WOO is an NGO in Gigante, Nicaragua working to make sure that traveling surfers have a positive impact on the coastal communities they visit. Thanks to WOO's Bo Fox and the many community volunteers and surfing voluntourists he's rallying every single day, we're convinced Playa Jiquiliste is the cleanest beach...
Check out the video highlights from Day 5 of 2013 DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, featuring our surf ambassador and our Guardaparques Junior (junior park rangers) from Tola:
We're pleased to introduce the newest member of our team, Amelia Dotzenrod. She'll be blogging for us from San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, where she's leading our coastal conservation efforts in the surfing community. First up, her bio: "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” Jacques Cousteau My first connection to the wonder and power that the ocean inspires. I learned to...
Estamos encantados de unirnos a la comunidad surfera en la organización de eventos con su larga tradición de la conciencia ambiental y el respeto por el océano. ISA y equipos de todo el mundo se reúnen en Nicaragua 08 de junio para el Campeonato Mundial Juvenil de Surf. Lea más acerca de nuestros embajadores de surf y únete a nosotros. Ayude a proteger la costa de Nicaragua y mantener nuestras playas...
Today our friends at the International Surf Association shared 10 things you need to know about the 2013 DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Presented by Billabong. The 11th? We'll be there to minimize the event's footprint, keeping the beaches clean, sharing our knowledge of the local ecology, and protecting wildlife. Hoy nuestros amigos de ISA compartieron las diez cosas que debes saber sobre el DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing...
We Storified the day in turtle tweets. World Turtle Day 2013 The day in turtle tweets. Proud to find my son chose to make sea turtle for first grade pottery project! Thanks @pasopacifico for influence! pic.twitter.com/jl4d2pjfwn SARAH OTTERSTROM@OTTERMARIE · 2 DAYS AGO REPLYRETWEETFAVORITE Okay, we'll admit the first two were tweeted before World Turtle Day, but we couldn't resist including them. Elizabeth Leonard@lizrauhleonard Excited to see Leatherback, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley sea...
De nuestros amigos en Tortugas Nicas: Queridos amigos y amigas por acá les dejamos el link donde pueden bajar y consultar el calendario de posibles arribadas para la temporada de anidación de tortugas paslama en las playas de La Flor y Chacocente. Our friends at Tortugas Nicas have put together a calendar of the best times to watch for an arribada (mass turtle nesting) of Olive Ridley sea turtles (Paslamas...
De nuestros amigos en Tortugas Nicas: Queridos amigos y amigas por acá les dejamos el link donde pueden bajar y consultar el calendario de posibles arribadas para la temporada de anidación de tortugas paslama en las playas de La Flor y Chacocente. Calendario de Arribadas Our friends at Tortugas Nicas have put together a calendar of the best times to watch for an arribada (mass turtle nesting) of Olive Ridley...
Turtles, iguanas, and frogs! Oh my! Committed to biodiversity conservation, Paso Pacífico conducts a wide range of research to identify and understand the flora and fauna of the Paso del Istmo. We consider different elements of wildlife across the landscape: birds, bats, bugs, and herps (amphibians and reptiles). We're currently studying the Robber frog, the Painted Wood turtle, and the Five-keeled Spiny-tailed Iguana. Herp partners include the Turtle Conservancy, the...
Broad-eared Bat (Nyctinomops laticaudata) photo by Jose Gabriel Martinez Somoto Canyon in Northern Nicaragua photo by Jose Gabriel Martinez Last week, biologists Marlon Chavez and Jose Gabriel Martinez, documented the presence of a new bat species in Nicaragua. Our team netted the Broad-eared Bat (Nyctinomops laticaudata) in the Somoto Canyon in Northern Nicaragua. The IUCN Red List has more information about this species and its habitat range. Our bat conservation initiative,...
As Andrew Revkin points out at the Dot Earth blog: The documentary chronicles how communities that once depended on sea turtle poaching and other activities depleting the region’s rich natural resources are now testing a new economic model, one built around fishing with turtle conservation in mind and tourism focused on the area’s extraordinary marine life. Following the lead of the fishermen who work Grupo Tortuguero and working with fishermen in...
Saturday, April 21st, in cooperation with partner organizations FONARE, Recicla Nica, and Comite Ballena Azul, and with assistance from the Nicaraguan army, we set out to clean up 2500 feet of shore along Laguna de Tiscapa. A volcanic lagoon in Nicaragua's capital city, Laguna de Tiscapa has ecological, historical, and sentimental significance for many Managuans. Thirty years ago, you could see families relaxing in the lagoon and...
Parrots require tall trees for nesting or large, mature trees which form natural cavities, where the parrots like to lay their eggs. Without suitable nesting sites, parrots don't nest. Look closely and you'll see one of two nesting Yellow-naped parrots guarding a nest opening. And the two newly hatched chicks he's protecting. This is one of twenty nests being protected by members of our incentive program. Yellow-naped parrots only have two eggs...
El sabado 21 de abril en cooperacion con el ejercito y otras organizaciones ambientalistas asi como ciudadanos volutarios nos dispusimos a realizar una limpieza en la Laguna de Tiscapa. La limpieza de 2,500 metros lineales de andenes y la recolección de 18 metros cúbicos de desechos sólidos fue el resultado del trabajo realizado por esta jornada ecologica. La laguna de Tiscapa en uno de los mantos acuiferos que embellece la...
Anyone who has spent time in Central America undoubtedly knows what howler monkeys sound like, but it can be difficult to spot them among the branches of the trees where they roost. Thanks to our camera traps, we "caught" this howler on one of the private reserves where we cooperate with the landowner to ensure forest connectivity. Howler monkeys are also known to be an arboreal species, meaning they spend...
Over at One World One Ocean's blog, The Water Column, Sarah Bedolfe tells a story from Indonesia which will sound very familiar to Paso Pacífico's friends and followers: For generations, the island residents of Runduma, Indonesia have been harvesting sea turtle eggs. The egg harvest was a tradition... eggs were eaten as well as sold for about 1,000 rupiah (9 cents) each and used for community expenses–fixing a new water filtration system,...
Our partners at the Turtle Conservancy have been selected as a featured charity partner on CharitySub.org. They are raising money from their community of online donors in April to help support biodiversity. With over 800 species forced into extinction in the past 500 years, they are working hard to protect the most endangered turtles and tortoises and their habitats worldwide. Vote to support their project.
photo of the crater at Masaya (this is NOT smoke from the current fire) We're watching the fire burn through the tropical dry forests near Volcano Masaya, where we work closely with park rangers to help visitors understand and appreciate Masaya's unique ecology. The fire in Masaya has burned through 1200 acres of woodlands and is still flaming, threatening the very ecosystems we're working to protect. Forest regeneration and restoration will...
Working in Nicaragua’s Paso del Istmo for nearly a decade, we have seen firsthand the effects of climate change on the wildlife, landscape, and people of this incredibly biodiverse terrain spanning volcanoes, dry mountain forest, mangroves, and coral reefs. From deforestation and devastating storms to longer dry seasons, climate change means greater habitat loss for the endangered species we protect, as well as the loss of homes and livelihoods...
Miguel Ordeñana, the big cat specialist who leads our Jaguar Conservation Initiative, is now at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, where he continues his great work expanding citizen science and local biodiversity programs. Among his projects is an urban wildlife mapping effort through www.iNaturalist.org that will connect people of all backgrounds with nature of the Los Angeles area and encourage citizen science with projects like the Lost Lizards of LA and...
16-17 de abril 2013 Managua, Nicaragua La radiotelemetría es una herramienta poderosa para el estudio de la ecología espacial de una gran variedad de animales. En este taller, participantes revisarán la historia, teoría, y práctica de la radiotelemetría (16 de abril, Managua), seguido por medio día de práctica en el campo (17 abril, R.S.P . Montibelli) con equipo de telemetría. Cupos limitados. Este taller es gratis, sin embargo no incluye...
From the Rainforest Alliance: As the world’s population grows and natural resources dwindle, the creation of parks and protected natural areas is not enough to solve the problem of forest destruction. The Rainforest Alliance believes that it is possible to safeguard valuable ecosystems while still allowing communities and businesses to extract the forest resources upon which their livelihoods depend. The farms, forests and tourism businesses with which we work not...
Recent findings reported in Science suggest that coral reefs may be more independent and resilient than previously thought. This is good news for our reef rangers as they begin monitoring and conserving a couple miles of reef islands and the surrounding marine environment off the coast of Nicaragua. Read more about the reef regeneration study at Our Amazing Planet.
The Multilateral Investment Fund issued a press release last week about our Environmental Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Geotourism project: The Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, will support the Paso Pacifico Foundation in a project that seeks to position Nicaragua as a competitive ecotourism destination that contributes to the conservation of biodiversity in and around the La Flor Wildlife Refuge in the department...
Our March newsletter is online. We report on our new project supporting Environmental Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Geotourism. This project, supported by the Inter-American Development Bank, is a concerted effort to scale up our efforts to combine community-based sustainable tourism with biodiversity management in the Paso del Istmo. We also talk about our work with Man and Nature, to rebuild connectivity across watersheds and to gather traditional knowledge of local...
A few weeks ago, Paso Pacífico's Abril Perez & Julie Martinez appeared on Nicaragua's Channel 2 morning magazine show Primera Hora, to discuss our campaign to encourage better solid waste and wastewater management. Watch the video (in Spanish) below, or you can watch it on the Canal 2 website. Abril & Julie also appeared on three other morning news shows. We'll share those videos as they become available.
On International Women's Day, these Nicaraguan school girls look toward their future. A featured commitment of the Clinton Global Initiative, our ELLAS Initiative works directly with women, children, and communities to ensure the region’s current and future ability to sustain ecological efforts. ELLAS, the Environmental Learning, Leadership, Adventure, and Stewardship Initiative, is transforming Nicaragua's La Flor coastal and marine protected area into a geotourism destination. By strengthening female enviropreneurs, empowering...
Our February newsletter is online. Thanks to Danielle Gustafson from Bat Conservation International for the great photo of our Junior Rangers learning about a bat they've just netted with bat biologist Luis F. Aguirre. Also in our newsletter: catch up on last month's Turtle Ball learn about our upcoming arts education programs with the Raechel & Jackie Foundation Meet PP staffer Nicole Salazar help us fight forest fires in coastal...
The Wall Street Journal has a new piece on the challenge of transforming Nicaragua from "a country from tourism pariah to hot destination for wealthy travelers," showcasing Nicaragua's first luxury hotel, opening next month. We have long recognized the natural of beauty of the Paso del Istmo and as we have watched the tourism sector grow in Nicaragua, we have educated people about nature tourism's potential to provide economic benefit...
Walking to Volcano Masaya This week we are pleased to be hosting Bat Conservation International's Board of Directors for their annual meeting. We've been working with BCI and their scientists for over a year to study Nicaragua's bats and conduct bat education and community outreach in and around Volcano Masaya, whose caves are home to dozens of species of bats. The bat experts assembled by BCI and Kim Williams-Guillén, Paso...
Conservation in Action In 2012, over 100 children graduated from our brand new Junior Ranger program. Hands-on lessons in local conservation issues culminate with a service project that children lead in their communities.... Paso Pacífico in the News As the Seattle Times reports, "PBS' new documentary series, 'Life on Fire,' examines how humans and animals alike adapt to living near volcanoes," and includes an episode on bats and parakeets living...
Yesterday we unveiled our new interpretive bat display at the Volcano Masaya Visitors Center, which will help educate thousands of visitors each year about the important role bats play in protecting the natural ecosystems of Central America. We were joined by Bat Conservation International's Board of Directors, who helped make this display possible, and are in Nicaragua for their annual meeting.
La vida en el fuego: un documental (en Inglés) sobre la flora y la fauna del Volcán Masaya. Watch Phoenix Temple on PBS. See more from Life on Fire. We work with Volcán Masaya Parque Nacional and Bat Conservation International to educate kids and the public about bats and other wildlife. Trabajamos aquí con MARENA y Bat Conservation International para educar a los niños y al público sobre los murciélagos...
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