Wildlife Conservation Insights | Paso Pacifico Blog

International Women’s Day

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...

Conservation Connections: Bats Are Beneficial

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...

Pitching Nicaragua as the Next Paradise

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...

Bats of Nicaragua

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...

January Newsletter Now Online

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...

Los Murciélagos son Beneficiosos

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.

Life On Fire: Phoenix Temple

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...

Perking Up: Coffee Is Nicaragua’s #1 Export

Nicaragua Dispatch yesterday: Coffee reclaimed its former position at the top of Nicaragua’s export list in 2012, accounting for $519 million in sales last year. In 2011, coffee ranked second to beef, which last year slipped to third place. Gold came in second place last year, netting $431 million in sales in 2012, according to CETREX. If you want to sample, Nicaragua's #1 export, check out our Corridor Coffee, a...

‘Life on Fire’: Living with Volcanoes

The Seattle Times reports that the new PBS documentary series, "Life on Fire," will examine "how humans and animals alike adapt to living near volcanoes," and include an episode on Nicaragua's Volcano Masaya, where we work studying bats and educating park rangers, schoolchildren, and members of the general public about the local ecology. We'll be watching!

Equator Prize Database

Our friends at the Equator Initiative have launched a cool Case Study Database to share the work of their Equator Prize winners. This is a great resource for everyone interested in community-based environmental conservation.

Paso Pacífico Blog