2020 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. than half of all animal extinctions Our projects create marine and terrestrial have occurred on islands. They are crucial reserves on islands while improving the Sto 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 Finances ................................. 9 Travel ................................... 26 Who we are ............................. 4 Project highlights ................... 10 Seacology Prize ..................... 27 Where we work ........................ 5 New projects ......................... 21 Our supporters......................... 6 Seacology in the news ............ 25 2 Progress in uncertain times emarkably, 2020 was a year of progress in Seacology’s mission to protect precious terrestrial and marine habitats on islands by partnering with indigenous peoples. As a small not-for-profit organization headquartered in Berkeley, California, Seacology has had Ra disproportionately large impact on island conservation throughout the world. Residents of Setāfaō Saipipi, Consider Kangaroo Island, southwest of the city of Adelaide in South Samoa, lay the Australia. Wildfires raged uncontrollably across this 4,400-kilometer2 foundation for a Seacology-funded island, nearly half of which remains in primary vegetation because community center. of its isolation from mainland Australia. While global sentiment was properly focused on the unique mammals there, including kangaroos and koalas, at Seacology we sought to identify keystone species— species that hold the entire ecosystem together—and became deeply concerned about the endemic green carpenter bees, which are major pollinators. Since the 2020 bushfires destroyed most of the trees that the bees nest in, we joined forces with the Wheen Bee Foundation to construct artificial nests for were recognized by the visit of the Cook Island Prime Minister to the these unusual bees, providing nesting space Seacology offices in Berkeley. sufficient for four years during the crucial fire recovery period for the vegetation. That way From Madagascar to the Philippines to the Dominican Republic, the bees can continue to pollinate the plants the generous gifts of people like you have allowed us to extend our that provide the basis of the ecosystem and all conservation efforts to islands in 65 different countries. Our message other species on the island. of win-win solutions in which indigenous peoples covenant to protect precious island habitats in return for schools, medical clinics, solar In the South Pacific, Seacology has provided electrification and other needed community improvements has been major funding in support of the largest well received. I invite you to explore Seacology’s successes in this marine reserve in the world, Marae annual report, and to consider joining us as we continue to conserve Moana, in the Cook Islands. Here, some of the most fragile and important ecosystems in the world. the indigenous Cook Islanders play a key role in making this reserve Cordially, a reality. Seacology is partnering with the Cook Island Voyaging Society, which takes traditional sailing craft throughout the islands to teach schoolchildren the conservation wisdom of Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D. their elders. Seacology’s efforts Chair, Seacology Board of Directors 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 Marcos Terete Guatemala Michael Ward Crystal Vance Guerra Honduras Marsha Garces Williams Scott Wilson Europe Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna, center, visits Seacology’s office to meet with our staff, Marilen Enseñat Spain board members, and Fellows in January 2020. Indian Ocean Staff Vineeta Hoon India and Bangladesh Duane Silverstein Executive Director Erik Patel Madagascar Kevin Claassen Accounting Manager Leela Padmini Batuwitage Sri Lanka Joseph Clerici Communications Associate Erin Coyne Institutional Giving Officer Pacific Ocean Amanda Kirkhart Program Assistant Tuaine Tuara Cook Islands Karen Peterson Senior Manager of Pettine Simpson Fiji Special Initiatives Simon Ellis Micronesia Mary Randolph Program Manager Sam Moko Papua New Guinea Michael Scott Individual Philanthropy Manager Sione Faka’osi Tonga Southeast Asia Scientific Advisory Board Pisit Charnsnoh Thailand Ferdinand Marcelo Philippines Paul Cox, Ph.D. Irman Meilandi Indonesia Jared Diamond, Ph. D. Christopher Wright Malaysia Sylvia Earle, Ph.D. Thomas Elmqvist, Ph.D. Robert Jansen, Ph.D. Affiliates John McCosker, Ph.D. John Ogden, Ph.D. Seacology Japan Elizabeth Pierson, Ph.D. Seacology Germany William E. Rainey, Ph.D. Seacology UK Field Representative Chris Wright, second from right, and Program manager Mary Randolph, right, Peter H. Raven, Ph.D. sign a conservation agreement with community representatives in Malaysia. Edward O. Wilson, Ph.D. 4 4 Our global reach in 2020 Iceland 2 Ireland 1 Germany Wales 1 United States Spain Portugal 2 1 Japan 7 China 4 The Bahamas 1 Federated States of Micronesia Mexico 1 Turks & Caicos 21 Cuba 1 6 Dominican Republic 1 Cayman 8 1 Haiti India Egypt 1 Taiwan Marshall Islands Islands 1 1 U.S. Virgin Islands 9 2 Tuvalu 3 1 South Belize 5 2 St. Kitts and Nevis 1 Bangladesh Honduras 4 3 29 Philippines Pacific 3 Antigua Cape Vietnam Islands Verde Thailand Guatemala 1 Nicaragua 1 2 1 Dominica 3 Palau 1 Colombia 8 French Costa Rica 1 5 Grenada Uganda 1 13 Polynesia 1 1 Panama 4 Jamaica 9 Kenya Maldives 6 Malaysia Papua New Guinea Cook 3 1 Sri Lanka Ecuador 49 9 Islands 3 Indonesia 7 8 Seychelles Peru 2 Tanzania 11 Madagascar # Number of projects 1 Australia 4 East Timor 3 American Field representative Chile 7 8 Samoa 6 2 Uruguay Vanuatu Samoa International affiliate 26 5 Fiji Seacology Prize recipient Tonga Seacology headquarters 1 Argentina Solomon 1 Islands 337 projects • 64 countries • eight full-time staff • 24 field representatives 5 Our supporters CHIEF ULU FELLOWS ISLAND FELLOWS SEACOLOGY FELLOWS ($25,000 or more) $10,000-$24,999 $2,500-$9,999 Robert Dion and Mary O’Malley Anonymous Yvonne Adams and Jeremy Green John and Marcia Goldman Judy Rosenthal Robert Epstein and Amy Roth Albert Chao Carl Anderson Freya Hermanson and Kenneth Jozef Ruck Maja Kristin Terri Hearsh Yumi Ando Mahaffey Joseph Scalzo Stephen Silberstein Bob and Rosie Heil Larry Barels Michael Hofman and Janet Moyer Rand and Carol Selig Arthur Kern Renee Boicourt Cynthia Hubach Elizabeth and Noah Silverman Murray and Jeanie Kilgour Iain Boltin Reed Kathrein and Yuliya Wiseman Duane Silverstein and Marcia Stewart Judah Slavkovsky Pete Boyce John and Janet Kister Howard and Ann Sohn Anne Symchych Michael Burbank Kris Knoernschild Greg and Liz Sparks Paul and Leigh Tischler Daniel A. Carroll Annette Leckie Gilda and Warren Sprung Greg and Patti White Craig Chiappone Valerie London Barbara Sweet Karen and Burt Yarkin Yvon and Malinda Chouinard Rabbi Brian and Caroline Fromm Lurie Christine A. Symchych and Virginia Coogler Mary Love May and Paul Gabrielson James P. McNulty Dina Cowan Barbara Meyer Cherri and Randall Tom Virginia and Peter Dimsey Taka Moriuchi/Axe Taka, Inc. Cindy and Richard Troop Cheryl Disque Michael Neidorf Sally and Ron Wackowski Robert and Michelle Friend Dana Nojima and Elaine Lyford-Nojima Jake Warner and Toni Ihara Markus Fromherz and Heike Schmitz Rachel Orman Jacqueline Wender Ed Herbert and May Fung Tom and Jamel Perkins Julissa and Wayne Westerman Theodore Geballe William S. Price III Mary and Harold Zlot The Goldberg Family Buffy Redsecker and Alan Chung Seacology is fortunate to receive many gifts under $2,500 and we deeply appreciate every contribution. Each gift we receive is important to our efforts to protect the world’s islands. CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Anonymous Hellman Foundation Ray and Dagmar Dolby Fund In 2020, all Seacology Board members made generous personal gifts. Board 11th Hour Racing Jamieson Foundation The Eucalyptus Foundation contributions represent a significant portion of Seacology’s total fundraising. We are Argus Fund Mariposa Fund The Margot Marsh Biodiversity most grateful for the generosity and leadership of each Seacology Board member. Arntz Family Foundation Moore Family Foundation Foundation Bernard