2019 Annual Report Why islands? Seacology is dedicated to protecting island environments around the world. eacology focuses only on islands Our approach tackles both environmental because in the last 500 years, more threats and humanitarian challenges. Sthan half of all animal extinctions Our projects create marine and terrestrial have occurred on islands. They are crucial reserves on islands while improving the to preserving the Earth’s biodiversity. quality of life for local people. From coral reefs to mangrove forests, We start by asking islanders what the world’s islands house a multitude of land or sea area they want to protect. unique habitats. Then they identify a communal need Seacology can provide, such as a school But island communities are under or a freshwater delivery system. It’s a increasing pressure to boost economic win for the environment and for the development, even at the cost of people who depend on it. environmental damage. Message from the Chair ............ 3 Saving Sri Lanka’s mangroves .... 9 Travel ................................... 28 Who we are ............................. 4 Project highlights ................... 14 Seacology Prize ..................... 29 Finances ................................. 7 New projects ......................... 23 Where we work ........................ 8 Seacology in the news ............ 27 2 A conservation force multiplier eacology is unique among the not-for-profit community in instead, provided micro-hydro generators to the villages which focusing on preserving island ecosystems and cultures. With over allowed the rivers to continue flowing while generating electricity for S320 schools, medical clinics, solar electrification schemes and village needs. Peter Kallang’s leadership, in partnership with hundreds other community-based projects in 62 countries, Seacology has been of villagers, functioned as a force multiplier. able to protect 609,000 acres of terrestrial island habitats and over 780,000 acres of marine island habitats. Together with our indigenous In the Philippines, Gina Lopez two years ago was awarded the island partners, all of this has been accomplished with a small staff and Seacology Prize for her leadership in stopping open-pit mining a deeply devoted set of directors, Fellows, donors, and corporate and that destroyed watersheds and threatened the health of people foundation supporters. Seacology works directly with village leaders in throughout the Philippines. Even though she encountered fierce a “win-win” setting, where a community project is constructed in return political opposition up until her death in 2019, the conservation for a village covenant to protect precious island habitats. policies she left in place continue to protect the terrestrial and marine environments of the Philippines. This approach to hands-on conservation is robust and has been accepted throughout the world. Most recently, we have stepped Every dollar gifted to Seacology achieves a disproportionately forward to engage entire island nations in such conservation initiatives. high level of impact, with 82 cents of every dollar going directly In Sri Lanka our agreement with the national government resulted in a to conservation expenses. Since inception, Seacology has enjoyed complete protection of mangroves across the entire country, in return flawless audits. Seacology continuously receives the highest possible for a pioneering microgrant program for over 10,000 impoverished ratings from Charity Navigator and other not-for-profit rating agencies. coastal women. We are now seeking to establish a similar mangrove If you believe as passionately as we do in protecting the protection initiative in the Dominican Republic, but in this case we world’s islands in partnership with indigenous people, we will build ecotourism infrastructure and a broad public education invite you to join us. Although conserving fragile island initiative as our contribution. Seacology projects are not cookie- ecosystems appears to be a daunting endeavor, we cutter but are tailored specifically for each island village and nation. promise that your contributions will be of enormous Since we view villagers as equal partners in these initiatives, we listen benefit to both the island habitats and peoples. And you carefully to their wishes and aspirations. Because of these partnerships, will take satisfaction in the impact your gift has on the Seacology and indigenous peoples work together as force multipliers, world. As French philosopher Albert Camus wrote, “The allowing us to have extraordinary leverage for each donor dollar. As a struggle itself towards the heights is enough to result, although Seacology resembles a highly effective humanitarian fill a man’s heart.” organization, we achieve conservation outcomes unsurpassed by other not-for-profit organizations many times our size. Sincerely, The spirit of Seacology’s partnership with indigenous people is exemplified by the annual Seacology Prize, in which we honor indigenous heroes who have protected their island habitats and cultures. Last year’s Seacology Prize winner Peter Kallang protected Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D. hundreds of villagers on the island of Borneo who otherwise would Chair, Seacology Board of Directors have lost their land and their livelihoods to unneeded dams that would have netted millions of dollars for foreign developers. Seacology, 3 Who we are Our team Board of Directors Field Representatives Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D. Chair Africa Donald M. Arntz Dishon Lionel Murage East Africa Scott S. Halsted Douglas Herst President The Americas David Holland Mykl Clovis Fuller Antigua & Shanna Jamieson Treasurer Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Masayuki Kishimoto Kitts Barbara Meyer Claudio Delgado Chile Ken Murdock Vice Chair Leida Buglass Dominican Republic Kimberly Myers Hewlett Vice President Tyrone Buckmire Grenada Peter Read Krishna Desai Jamaica Kristin M. Reed Vice President Marcio Halla Brazil Michael Staffieri Enrique Michaud Peru Sandie N. Tillotson Vice President Marisol Rueda Flores Mexico Sonia M. Toledo Cecilia Suárez Uruguay Jake Walker Michael Ward Europe Marsha Garces Williams Marilen Enseñat Spain Scott Wilson Field Representative for East Africa Dishon Murage, left, visits the Seacology-funded training and Indian Ocean business center in Mchekeni, Zanzibar. Vineeta Hoon India and Bangladesh Staff Erik Patel Madagascar Leela Padmini Batuwitage Sri Lanka Duane Silverstein Executive Director Kevin Claassen Accounting Manager Pacific Ocean Joseph Clerici Communications Associate Tuaine Tuara Cook Islands Erin Coyne Institutional Giving Officer Pettine Simpson Fiji Amanda Kirkhart Program Assistant Simon Ellis Micronesia Karen Peterson Senior Manager of Sam Moko Papua New Guinea Special Initiatives Sione Faka’osi Tonga Mary Randolph Program Manager Michael Scott Individual Philanthropy Manager Southeast Asia Pisit Charnsnoh Thailand Farwiza Farhan Indonesia Scientific Advisory Board Ferdinand Marcelo Philippines Irman Meilandi Indonesia Paul Cox, Ph.D. Christopher Wright Malaysia Jared Diamond, Ph. D. Sylvia Earle, Ph.D. Thomas Elmqvist, Ph.D. Affiliates Robert Jansen, Ph.D. John McCosker, Ph.D. Seacology Japan John Ogden, Ph.D. Seacology Germany Elizabeth Pierson, Ph.D. Seacology UK William E. Rainey, Ph.D. Seacology’s Duane Silverstein and Cecilia Suárez meet with the community of beekeepers we’re Peter H. Raven, Ph.D. working with at Nuevo Berlin, Seacology’s first project in Uruguay. Edward O. Wilson, Ph.D. 4 4 Our supporters CHIEF ULU FELLOWS ISLAND FELLOWS SEACOLOGY FELLOWS ($25,000 or more) $10,000-$24,999 $2,500-$9,999 Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Esmond Harmsworth Buffy Redsecker and Alan Chung Argus Fund Albert Chao Yvonne Adams and Jeremy Green Charitable Foundation Judith Rosenthal Robert Epstein and Amy Roth Robert Dion and Mary O’Malley Carl and Claire Anderson Terri Hearsh Jozef Ruck and Donna Ito Maja Kristin Friedman Family Foundation Larry and Wendy Barels Edward Herbert and May Fung Joe Scalzo Alice and Leslie E. Lancy Foundation Robert and Rosemary Heil Renee Boicourt Thomas and Bonnie Herman Rand and Carol Selig Nadine Tang and Bruce Smith Arthur Kern Iain Boltin Michael Hofman and Janet Moyer Charles and Susan Selvidge Stephen Silberstein Mariposa Fund Pete Boyce Cynthia Hubach Ruth Selvidge and Philippe Moutarlier Newman and Zeneth Ward Family Shari Sant Plummer Michael Burbank Reed Kathrein Kathryn and Charley Selvidge Foundation Eva and William S. Price III Craig and Nana Chiappone Suzanne Keith Gilda and Warren Sprung Anne Symchych Lang and Jean Chou Murray and Jeanie Kilgour Duane Silverstein and Marcia Stewart Paul and Leigh Tischler Dina Cowan John and Janet Kister Judah Slavkovsky Greg and Pat White Virginia and Peter Dimsey Annette Leckie Barbara Sweet Karen and Burt Yarkin Gordon Firestein and Doris Lang David and Valerie London Christine Symchych and James McNulty Kathryn Fox-Winokur Mary Love May and Paul Gabrielson Maria Taft Swanson Robert and Michelle Friend Brian and Caroline Lurie Sonia Toledo BOARD OF DIRECTORS Markus Fromherz and Heike Schmitz Mel McCombie and Harris Friedberg Cherri and Randall Tom In 2019, all Seacology Board members made Theodore and Frances Geballe John McCosker Jake Warner and Toni Ihara generous personal gifts. Board contributions represent a significant portion of George and Kelly Glascock Family Barbara Meyer Todd Werby and Nonie Greene Seacology’s total fundraising. We are most grateful for the generosity and leadership Ian Glascock Mark Murzin* and Kris Knoernschild Wayne