UNESCO's world heritage sites
In its care for precious places, the UN cultural agency is torn between its own principles and its members’ wishes; the principles are losing ground

WHEN an archipelago famed for its flora and fauna is deemed to have escaped from environmental peril, that might sound like good news for anyone with an interest in the fate of life on Earth. But UNESCO’s recent clean bill of health for the Galapagos islands was greeted with dismay by many of the people who care passionately about the place.
The decision to remove the islands from the list of “world heritage sites in danger”—taken at a meeting in Brasília that concluded on August 3rd—was only one of several signs that the UN agency is bending its own rules under pressure from member states. And since UNESCO is supposed to be an unprejudiced protector of the whole world’s built and natural environment, such slipping standards are not merely of concern in remote Pacific islands.
But take the Galapagos case first. Since 1978, the 19 islands (each with its own idiosyncratic ecosystem) have been recognised as a place of “outstanding universal value” to humanity, and therefore placed on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites, which now number 911. The government of Ecuador is proud of the site’s inclusion and sensitive to any suggestion of poor stewardship. When, in 2007, UNESCO expressed concern about the islands, President Rafael Correa declared a state of environmental emergency and said he was ready to curb tourism. It was, and remains, clear why action was needed: the islands’ iguanas (see picture), tortoises and exotic birds are under threat from a noxious species known as homo sapiens, as well as creatures, from rodents to flies, which follow in its wake. Apart from an ever-rising influx of tourists, the islands’ resident population has grown in the past half-century from about 2,000 to more than 30,000, many of them illegal squatters.
Mr Correa’s move failed to pre-empt action by the Paris-based UN agency, which later that year put the archipelago on its danger list—one of the strongest signals it can send that the integrity of a place which matters to the world either has been, or could soon be, compromised. Depending on the circumstances, putting a site on that list can be seen as an act of solidarity with a country, or else as a scolding.
Ecuador felt that to stay on the list was a slight and lobbied to get the islands removed; by this year, when ministers (from a rotating group of 21 member states) convened for a world heritage meeting, it was clear that the Brazilian hosts had been won over. After a secret, contested vote, the islands were deemed out of danger.
All over the world, NGOs devoted to the Galapagos conveyed a similar message: yes, the government in Quito had done some helpful things, but it would be a disaster if UNESCO’s move suggested all was well. “I am concerned that [UNESCO’s] announcement is premature and may give the impression that the natural wonders of the Galapagos are no longer threatened,” said Toni Darton of the London-based Galapagos Conservation Trust.
Not all the decisions taken at UNESCO’s meeting in Brasília disappointed environmentalists. After another secret vote, a forest in Madagascar, where rosewood is being felled illegally, was declared in danger—despite the awkward fact that China is a big market for the timber, which takes a century to grow. And America, in a widely praised move, got the Everglades Forest in Florida reinserted on the danger list; it had been removed in 2007.
By declaring the alligator-infested wetlands in peril once again (because less water and more pollutants were flowing in), the federal government was giving itself an extra card in its dealings with other parties, from the local authorities to companies. Other cases where countries declared their own sites in danger have included war-ravaged lands like Croatia and Cambodia: in the port of Dubrovnik and the palaces of Angkor, a danger-listing attracted support for repair and conservation. “It’s a pity so many countries see the danger list as a slap in the face,” says Kishore Rao, acting head of UNESCO’s world heritage centre. “It can also mobilise help.”
But the hard fact is that danger listings, as well as inscribing sites in the first place, are getting infected by politics. At the Brasília shindig, some 21 new sites were added to the heritage list—even though the expert advice suggested only ten were eligible. Some countries, it seems, will not take no for an answer. China, for example, successfully nominated some wilderness in the south of the country, with subtropical forests and spectacular cliffs. The Swiss-based International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)—on which UNESCO relies for advice on natural sites—had opined that the bid was premature: not enough had been done to define the area and plan for its protection. But given that China had invested funds and prestige in the bid, a rejection would have been awkward, say people who went to the Brasília meeting. At least two other proposals for world heritage sites were so tied up with national pride that it would have been hard to turn them down: a village north of Riyadh where the Saudi royals originated, and an imperial palace in Vietnam where a millennium celebration is being held this year.
For man-made sites, UNESCO relies on advice from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), a conscientious fraternity of conservation professionals. Its head, Gustavo Araoz, says that “we respect the UNESCO committee’s right to reject our views.” But as far as it can, his institution tells the UN body to ponder not just whether a site is nice or interesting, but whether it has been cared for, and will be in future. “We urge a renewed emphasis on conservation,” he sighs.
Why would it matter if UNESCO’s currency were debased? Well, it would be tough for countries who take the care of sites seriously, and for worthy Japanese who try to visit as many as possible. But as Tim Badman of the IUCN points out, graver matters are at stake. His agency talks a lot to mining firms who are keen to avoid sullying their name by harming places of cultural or ecological value. If the gold standard of a UNESCO listing is adulterated, such discussions lose their edge.
Meanwhile, UNESCO’s private competitors see the travails of the heritage list as symptomatic of wider problems. The New York-based World Monuments Fund has a “watch list”, and a programme of practical help with conservation, that carries no stigma, says a spokesman. Any individual in the world can propose a place for the watch list, so the process is not seen as a beauty contest, or a dunces’ parade, involving governments. And Jeff Morgan, of the California-based Global Heritage Fund—which provides intensive, long-term help at a limited number of sites—says UNESCO lacks the resources to monitor its ever-growing list of places, especially if they are vast bits of wilderness. Satellite technology has made monitoring (of forests, say) possible, but the Paris agency lacks the ability to use it. “If a firm had so little knowledge of the assets in its care, it would go out of business,” he said.
Imbued, even in its better moments, with old-world cultural pride, UNESCO is not about to become a corporation. But it could do one thing to enhance the credibility of its choice of sites and danger listings: its annual world-heritage meetings, including votes and the expert testimony, should be thrown open to the public.
The Galapagos Islands remain under threat
Unesco was wrong to remove the Galapagos Islands from the danger list, believes Toni Darton.
Starbucks Reserve Premium Single-Origin Coffee Line Launches in Select U.S. Markets This Fall
Unique flavors from exotic destinations like the Galapagos Islands will be available for coffee connoisseurs to experience in-store or brew at home.
Starbucks announced the launch of Starbucks Reserve(TM), a line of ultra-premium, single-origin coffees available in select U.S. stores this fall. Chosen by Starbucks coffee buyers for their unique flavors and rarity, Starbucks Reserve(TM) coffees will be offered in limited quantities and while supplies last in select stores within metropolitan markets including New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Boston, Seattle, Portland, Ore., Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Miami.
The first offering, Galapagos San Cristobal, originated on San Cristobal, one of the oldest geological locations within the Galapagos Islands. The subtropical region's intense microclimate, rich volcanic soil and equatorial sun create ideal conditions for extraordinary coffee. Influenced by these environmental characteristics, Galapagos San Cristobal is a medium-bodied coffee that features fresh flavors and highlights of green herbs balanced by soft cocoa and spice.
"For nearly 40 years, our coffee buyers have traveled the world discovering the most exquisite tastes to appear in a coffee cup," said Dub Hay, senior vice president of coffee and global procurement, Starbucks Coffee Company. "Only three percent of all the coffee grown around the world is good enough to make it into a bag of Starbucks(R) Coffee. Sometimes we encounter a truly rare and special coffee and we can only purchase a small quantity. Starbucks Reserve(TM) represents our heritage as a purveyor of the world's finest coffees, and we're thrilled to offer our customers passage on this journey of discovery."
Galapagos San Cristobal, and all other Starbucks Reserve(TM) coffees, will be available for sale as whole bean half-pound packages, and in select markets they will be available brewed by the cup through either the Clover(R) brewing machine or Pour Over Brewing method. Clover(R) brewing machines are currently featured in more than 60 stores in the U.S., and Starbucks will continue expanding the presence of Clover(R) in additional Starbucks stores through the end of the year. Both the Clover(R) brewing machine and Pour Over Brewing method are ideal methods to showcase flavor and highlight subtle nuances of Starbucks Reserve(TM) coffees.
Beginning August 31, Galapagos San Cristobal will be available for sale as whole bean or hand-crafted by the cup in select markets, while supplies last. The suggested retail price for a half-pound of whole bean starts at $12.50 and a tall (12 fl. oz.) cup of Galapagos San Cristobal brewed by the cup coffee starts at $2.95.
For customers looking to secure the first Starbucks Reserve(TM) coffee before the August 31 store debut, Galapagos San Cristobal will be available for purchase on www.starbucksstore.com starting August 17. And beginning August 21, participating stores will reserve half-pound bags of whole bean coffee to be picked up on August 31.
As a special preview to My Starbucks Rewards Gold level customers, an exclusive preview sale of Galapagos San Cristobal was hosted on Gilt Groupe on August 3. The coffee sold out in less than 12 hours as Starbucks most loyal customers recognized the distinctiveness of this coffee.
"Curating a private sale featuring Galapagos San Cristobal was a special opportunity to work with Starbucks to showcase this rare coffee and help them recognize loyal My Starbucks Rewards Gold level members," said Stefan Pepe, general manager, Gilt Home. "The fact that this coffee sold out in less than a day shows that the most discerning of Starbucks customers recognized the rarity and special attributes of the coffee and appreciated the exclusiveness of the Gilt.com sale."
Additionally, Starbucks invites customers to participate in a special preview tasting of the unique coffee on August 28 at participating Starbucks Reserve(TM) stores. Customers can visit their local store for times of each tasting event.
While Galapagos San Cristobal is the first offering within the Starbucks Reserve(TM) line, beginning in October up to four exclusive Starbucks Reserve(TM) coffees will be available for a limited time in Starbucks stores. The first coffees available for a limited time will include Aged Sulawesi Kalosi, El Salvador Montecarlos Estate Pacamara, Nicaragua Corcasan Fair Trade Certified and Brazil Sul de Minas Peaberry. A list of stores carrying Starbucks Reserve(TM) coffees can be found through our online store locator.
Wildlife of the Galapagos Islands
By Kira StannGalapagos Island Wildlife
The Galapagos Islands are world renown for their untarnished natural beauty and plethora of wildlife. The creatures found on these islands are like nowhere else on earth. They are uninhibited and fearless of humans. The range of various wildlife species that inhabit the islands is simply amazing, and some of the species are indigenous only to the Galapagos Islands.
Marine Life
Galapagos Fur Seals are the smallest of the seal species and can only be found on the Galapagos Islands. Sealers nearly obliterated the species in the past and they have only marginally recovered. Galapagos Sea Lions live in the same area as the Fur Seals and it is difficult to tell the difference between the two species.
Twelve species of sharks, sixteen species of whales and seven species of dolphins can be seen cavorting in the crystalline waters of the island. Eighteen different species of moray eels can be found along with several types of rays. Over three hundred species of fish live in these waters.
Pacific Green Sea Turtles are an endangered species that call Galapagos Island home. The males never venture on land and the females come onshore only to lay their eggs. The Galapagos provides the stable temperatures they need to continue their species, though various birds and marine life frequently prey upon the young if they make it to sea. Galapagos Marine Iguanas are indigenous to Galapagos Islands and swim out to sea to eat seaweed. The rest of their time is spent sunning themselves on the hot black island volcanic rock.
Birds
Galapagos Islands have both cold weather and warm weather birds living side by side due to its position on the Equator and the influx of both cold and warm water. Approximately two thousand Galapagos Penguins inhabit two of the thirteen islands. Pink flamingos, Darwin’s Finch, Boobies, Frigate birds and Waved Albatross are among the many species of birds that can be found on these islands.
Reptiles
The Giant Tortoise was hunted almost to extinction before conservation efforts and are still ongoing today. The Galapagos Islands were named after these famous tortoises. There are two different types within the species, those that live near the coast have a more saddle shaped shell, and those that dwell inland and have a dome shaped shell and ingest mostly grasses.
The Galapagos Islands are home to an incredible array of smaller creatures and reptiles because there are virtually no natural mammalian predators to keep the populations under control. Some of the species to be observed are Pink Iguanas, Land Iguanas, Lava Lizards and the Sally Lightfoot Crab. With such a rich, diverse array of marine, bird and land animals, Galapagos Islands host some of the worlds most unusual species of animals found anywhere on earth.
Ecuador's untapped oil
The value of 846 million barrels of oil left in the ground: priceless.
LA TimesWhat is a barrel of oil worth? Generally, the answer depends on a number of factors, including the mood of the commodities markets, the grade of the oil and demand at the gas pump. The basic assumption, however, is that the oil has a value because it eventually will be available for use.
But in a historic move, Ecuador is asking the world to put a dollar figure on oil that will not be used — oil it intends to protect from excavation. On Tuesday, Ecuador and the United Nations Development Programme began soliciting donations for a trust fund that would remunerate the country if it forgoes drilling in a pristine portion of its Amazon rain forest for 10 years. The deal is this: In return for leaving 846 million barrels of proven reserves undisturbed in three major oilfields in the Yasuni National Park, Ecuador would be paid $3.6 billion — about half of the expected value of the oil if it were extracted. By leaving the land untouched, Ecuador also keeps 410 million metric tons of carbon dioxide trapped underground, leaves a jungle that is a biological treasure intact and preserves the way of life of three indigenous tribes.
It may be unorthodox, but countries are signing on. Germany has pledged $50 million over 13 years, and according to news reports, Spain is expected to contribute $250 million. France, Sweden, Belgium and Switzerland said they will add to the fund. So far, promises come to about half of what Ecuador says it needs if it is going to refrain from drilling. And donations are not restricted to countries: Corporations, nonprofits and individual citizens are welcome to give. Ecuador notes, however, that the main contributors are the Ecuadorian people, 40% of whom live in poverty, but who collectively will sacrifice billions they otherwise would reap.
Since President Rafael Correa officially proposed the idea at the U.N. in September 2007, many obstacles have emerged, and again and again the project was pronounced either dying or dead. The fund's creation this week is a testament to the Andean nation's determination to be a world leader on environmental issues. This is, after all, the country that amended its constitution to assert nature's right to "exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution."
Whether the world community will step up to meet the fund's goal, only time will tell. But if Ecuador succeeds in raising billions of dollars to keep oil underground and rain forests unblemished, then the value of a barrel of oil is going to have a whole new meaning.
A new wind farm in Ecuador will have 20 wind turbines of 1.5 MW
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Projections indicate that Ecuador will reach 200 MW of wind power in 2015. In October 2007, was opened so far is the only wind farm in the country, located in the Galapagos, San Cristobal Island, with an installed wind power of 2.4 MW and an estimated annual production of 3.2 GWh.
The wind energy project was funded by 80% by international firms, the G8 and the United Nations agenda couple Development Program (UNDP), and 20% by Elecgalapagos and the municipality of San Cristobal.
Today two wind farms are under development. In the province of Loja, in a place with an average wind speed of 12 m/s, is developing Villonaco Wind Power Project of 15 MW.
This wind farm will be operational this year. The wind farm Huascachaca Mines, shall consist of 20 1.5 MW wind turbines located 84 kilometers southwest of the city of Cuenca, in an area that extends through the provinces of Azuay and Loja.
The average wind speed is 5.9 m / s, while higher speeds are recorded between July and September. The project area is about 1,100 meters above sea level.
For eco-friendly surfboard shapers, more kelp in the lineup
Surfboards have a toxic history, but a San Clemente shaper hopes to improve their 'eco cred' with greener materials.
Joey Santley collects surfboard foam dust at the Lost
Surfboards factory in San Clemente. The founder of Green Foam Blanks
uses his proprietary formula to recycle the waste dust to make new
surfboard blanks. "This is like a perfect powder day," Santley said.Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands: The perfect equation for a South American break
By Simon WorthWater fights belong to my schooldays - or so I thought. Because there were my guide and I sheltering under the ornate balconies of one of South America's most beautiful colonial cities, Cuenca, as a gang of giggling children did their best to drench us with their arsenal of waterbombs.
Independence Day: The Plaza de la Independencia sits at the heart of Quito, Ecuador's charming capital
We had left our flank unguarded, and I felt a damp 'splat', followed by a whoop of triumph. another pair of damp trousers.
Fortunately, Ecuador's children do not normally run riot, and nor are they waging a vendetta against English tourists. I'd walked into a countrywide ambush, also known as Carnival, the four-day pre-Lent holiday during which children here have carte blanche to douse grown-ups.
Leo, my guide and a fahttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1210470/More-Machu-Picchu-Condorther himself, had warned me to wind up my window whenever we drove past a ten-year-old, but he couldn't protect me from the odd soaking.It proved an unforgettably intimate introduction to this Latin American country. Though the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth has focused attention on the Galapagos Islands whose unique wildlife inspired his revolutionary ideas. But as extraordinary a destination as they undoubtedly are, tiny Ecuador, which owns the archipelago, is far more than just a stop on the way.
It is also truly a journey to the centre of the earth - for Ecuador means 'equator' in Spanish. Finding the actual spot where north becomes south is not as easy as you might think.
My search started off well enough - an imposing 100ft stone monument topped with a five-ton globe proclaimed I had reached the equator, the centre of an entertainingly kitsch theme park called Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World). this was where an 18th-century French expedition first pinpointed the spot - the parallel ranks of Andean peaks were supposedly vital for calibrating their instruments.
Here, demonstrations suggest water does indeed swirl down a plughole in opposite directions depending which side of the equator you're on. And you can have your picture taken with a foot in either hemisphere. But then a bombshell - satellite technology has demonstrated that the French team got it wrong by about 800ft. So, with impressively entrepreneurial spirit, rival spots have sprung up.
Brooding: Ecuador is a country dotted with volcanoes, notably the huge - and active - Tungurahua
For a more intriguing - not to mention calmer - place to contemplate the earth, we headed for Quitsato, 40 miles north of Quito. Ringed by imposing volcanoes, a giant sundial has been constructed with a 30ft orange cylinder as its pointer, on a spot confirmed by GPS to be exactly 0 degrees latitude. There is next to no development here, only a guide who explained how archaeological finds suggest the Incas worked out where the equator ran several centuries before we managed to.
The enthusiasm of Ecuadorians to share their unique place in the world is infectious. Street vendors selling beautiful scarves and blankets congregate wherever there are tourists. But for a true Ecuadorian shopping experience, I headed to Otavalo market, a short drive beyond Quitsato. An entire square of the pretty town was thronged with all manner of stalls selling bright textiles, leather-work, Andean musical instruments and ornaments.
Just as fascinating was the food market, boasting such exotic fruits as tree tomatoes, red bananas, melting custard apples and flowers.
My trip had begun in the capital, Quito, overshadowed by another immense volcano and renowned for having South America's largest colonial-era centre. With its network of narrow streets and beautiful churches, in particular the all-gold interior of the Jesuits' Compania, it was quite dazzling.
Stalls roasting entire pigs poke out from the pavements, while candyfloss-style taffy is squirted directly out of taps. all Ecuadorian life is focused on Quito's Plaza Grande. While we were there, the tall, blonde finalists for this year's Miss Ecuador paraded through the square, just as disgruntled gas workers were politely demonstrating outside the President's palace.
No prizes for guessing who got more attention.
I was travelling with Saga tours, rightly renowned for its friendly, well-informed local guides and selection of high-quality hotels and restaurants.
Lion's roar: The Galapagos Islands are a wildlife wonderland where residents include sea lions
In Quito, the culinary highlight was rincon La ronda, the perfect opportunity to hear the haunting music of panpipes.
Food is one of the unexpected joys of Ecuador - every meal or snack seemed to feature bananas or corn, while fried pork, grilled fish, and, if you're feeling brave, guinea pig cooked on a spit, are all popular delicacies.
From Quito we headed south along the evocatively-named Avenue of the Volcanoes, where snow covers the peaks of those which tower over the 5,000m (16,400ft) mark.
While the area hasn't witnessed a major eruption in living memory, many of these gigantic cones are by no means extinct. One, a mouthful named Tungurahua, put on a show, belching out enormous clouds of ash as I watched from a safe distance. The delightful subtropical spa town of Banos, on the edge of the Amazon basin, is en-route. Also unmissable is Ingapirca, a miniature Machu Picchu built by the Incas as a staging post and now run by the Canari, a people who predate even them.
But Cuenca was the highlight, its restored colonial houses overlooking a tumbling, tree-lined river. Fortunately, Carnival only comes once a year, and otherwise Ecuador is pretty safe - although the roads aren't for the faint-hearted.
Cuenca also has a permanent claim to fame - it is considered to be home to the Panama hat despite its name. The inaccurate title was popularised because the hats first spread to Europe after being worn by workers digging the Panama Canal. After a tour of the factory of Hermanos Ortega, where they bleach, mould and finish the hand-woven hats in traditional fashion, I duly bought my own.
After avoiding the odd watery ambush, it was onwards to the Galapagos - and seldom can there have been a place so guaranteed to exceed your expectations. After an hour-and-a-half flight from the wealthy port city of Guayaquil, I was transferred to my luxury yacht, the 90ft M/C Anahi.
I marvelled at the huge sealions basking in the hot sunshine on the decks of unoccupied neighbouring boats, then it was back onto the island of Santa Cruz, in search of the world-famous giant tortoises. There they were - mountainous, creatures, munching through the lush grass or wallowing in refreshing mud pools.
After an overnight sail, it was on to the lava island of Chinese Hat. The moment we stepped ashore from our dinghy, baby sealions came shuffling up to us, mewing curiously. It was during moments like these that I realised why the islands inspired Darwin so much.
Shell suit: The famous tortoises of the Galapagos were among the animals that enthralled Charles Darwin
Well-managed tourism - my funny, engaging, locally-born guide, Johanna, ensured none of our party got too close - means once-in-a-lifetime experiences can happen almost hourly. Just when we thought we couldn't top snorkelling with Galapagos penguins - tiny, black-and-white torpedoes zipping through shoals of tropical fish - we were astounded again. After getting up at six on our last morning, we were lucky enough to see a female green turtle waddling back to the waves after laying her precious eggs on a magnificent white sand beach. Even as we reluctantly made our way back to the airport, we were treated to the surreal sight of a bus stop where every bench was occupied by a slumbering sealion.
There's no need to leave South America to the backpackers. Ecuador gives you the chance to experience this magical continent in miniature, with one of the world's ultimate destinations as a bonus.
Hopes are high that, within the next four months, the descendants of the most famous giant tortoise will see the light.
Once again, eggs have been found in nests in the corral of giant tortoise Lonesome George.
Caretakers of the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center "Fausto Llerena" found eggs in the corral Lonesome George has been sharing for decades with two Galapagos turtle females from Isabela Island placing hopes high again to save the virtually extinct species of La Pinta tortoises.
In previous occasions eggs have been found in George's corral, but after a few months of scrutiny, scientist had to announce the eggs to be infertile, when they noticed a systematic decline in weigh.
In the early 70s, a snail expert accidentally discovered what today is considered to be the only surviving individual of the Pinta Island tortoise species.
This giant Galapagos turtle was taken to the Charles Darwin Research Station in Santa Cruz Island, where he still lives today, sharing his corral with two females from Wolf Volcano from Isabela Island, in an attempt to save his genotype.
Since July 2008, this is the third occasion that eggs have been found in his enclosure.
Giant Galapagos Turtle Habitat
These turtles are very large species which may reach a carapace length of 122 cm (4 feet) and weight of 227 kg (500 lb) on the larger Islands of Galapagos.Males are much larger than females. The different populations exhibit marked differences in size and shape. The populations may be divided roughly into two groups.
Those from the smaller, drier Islands tend to be smaller (females average 27 kg, males 54 kg) and have saddle-back carapaces and longer, thinner limbs.
Conversely those giant Galapagos turtles from the larger, wetter Islands are larger with dome-shaped shells.
The saddle-back would appear to be a modification allowing the giant turtles to reach up and browse on the taller vegetation.
This is particularly important since on the drier Islands with giant turtle populations the Opuntia cactus (a major source of water) has evolved an arborescent form.
Galapagos turtle mating appears to occur at any time of the year although it does have seasonal peaks.
Almost any kind of green vegetation is taken as food, including Hippomane mancinella which is highly poisonous to most creatures.
When possible the Galapagos giant turtle (Geochelone elephantopus) spends long periods of time partially submerged in pools, this may be both a thermo-regulatory response and a protection from mosquitoes and ticks.
At night this species may dig itself into soft ground or vegetation.
Galapagos turtles mature at 20-25 years of age. Compared to most turtles, the birth rate of turtles in Galapagos is extremely low.
Most turtles can lay hundreds of eggs at a time. However, the giant Galapagos turtle only lays between 2 and 16 eggs.
These eggs are laid in a hole dug by the mother. Then they are buried for incubation. The mother leaves, and the eggs hatch 4 to 8 months later.
Lonesome George is by far the most famous giant Galapagos turtle alive today, is of the saddle-back type. The previously most famous turtle named Harriet (who was at the Australia Zoo until her death in 2006), was a domed turtle.
If you enjoy snorkeling in Waikiki and learning about Hawai'i's unique marine life, consider volunteering for Reef Watch Waikiki, a new reef fish monitoring program.
The first reef fish identification class and snorkel survey was held in February, and additional training sessions will be offered in March and April.
During the first session, volunteers gathered at Queen's Surf Beach and, working in teams, donned snorkel gear and surveyed a section of the Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District.
The volunteers saw different species of fish, coral and algae.
"The fish ID training was excellent; it was comprehensive, informative and fun," said volunteer Judith Tarpley. "I chose to participate because I love swimming in the ocean and enjoy identifying everything I see."
Karen Rohter, another volunteer who participated in the first training, said, "It's a chance to learn something new and participate in ocean environmental programs."
Earlier this year, Reef Watch Waikiki, a project of the University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program, became an official REEF Field Station and began teaching fish identification classes and the REEF survey method.
The monitoring program uses a roving survey method developed by the Reef Environmental Education Foundation that can be conducted with minimal training and basic snorkel gear. REEF has volunteer branches around the world, including the Bahamas, Galapagos Islands and several coastal states in the United States.
No experience is necessary to participate, but volunteers wishing to conduct snorkel surveys should be strong swimmers, competent snorkelers, and have their own mask, snorkel and fins
Ecuador effort to protect nature reserve in peril
A drive to protect Yasuni National Park, one of the world's most biodiverse, collapsed amid doubts about whether President Rafael Correa will leave its oil riches untouched. Next step is uncertain.

A worker repairs an oil pipeline near Yasuni National Park in Ecuador. One panel had sought to save YasuniÂ?s rain forest from the ravages of oil development, but Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said he would back responsible exploitation of Yasuni oil reserves. (Alejandra Parra / Bloomberg / October 13, 2009)
Reporting
from Quito, Ecuador - Ecuador is trying to salvage its campaign to
enlist international sponsors to protect a pristine nature reserve in
the Amazon, after an initial drive ended in disarray and doubts about
whether President Rafael Correa would leave the park's oil riches
untouched.
Correa recently appointed former Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda
Espinosa to head a new panel to seek donations from Arab and Asian
countries for the 2.4-million-acre Yasuni National Park, one of the
world's most biodiverse nature reserves.
Members of a previous panel of environmentalists, as well as
Foreign Minister Fander Falconi, resigned last month after Correa
publicly berated the Yasuni proposal they had spent two years
developing, calling them "infantile environmentalists." The panel had
completed a draft proposal and secured tentative commitments from the
governments of Spain, Germany, Belgium and Sweden to contribute $1.7
billion -- about half the amount demanded by Correa.
"The president has declared his commitment to continue with the
Yasuni initiative," Espinosa told reporters last month. "He has asked
me to coordinate, supervise and organize the work, but who is really
behind this big dream is the president himself."
Ecuador's plan to preserve Yasuni won international plaudits when
it was unveiled in 2007. Foreign governments concerned about global
warming and pollution would in effect pay Ecuador to leave 870 million
barrels of Yasuni oil in the ground, 20% of the country's known
reserves.
The goal was to save Yasuni's rain forest from the ravages of oil
development that has stained other parts of Ecuador, particularly
around Lago Agrio. Oil spills there have created health issues,
including high cancer rates, and blighted the environment, according to
a $27-billion lawsuit filed against Chevron by Ecuadorean
environmentalists.
Chevron denies that it is at fault. The company in 2001 acquired
Texaco, which explored for and extracted oil in Lago Agrio beginning in
1964 in partnership with Ecuador's state oil company, Petroecuador.
The draft proposal by the previous panel, headed by former Quito
Mayor Roque Sevilla, called for the money to go into a trust fund
administered by the United Nations Development Program. The interest
from the fund was to have paid for reforestation, social aid to
indigenous communities and clean-energy projects. The principal would
remain untouched -- unless Ecuador exploited Yasuni's oil, in which
case it was to be returned to donors.
Many environmentalists mourned the collapse of the deal that would
have preserved a rain forest of uniquely concentrated biodiversity at
the meeting place of the Amazon, the Andes mountains and the equator.
The United Nations in 1989 declared the park a "world biosphere
reserve" for its unique "bank" of wildlife and plants. Yasuni is also
home to several indigenous communities, including the Huaorani, that
live in voluntary isolation.
"In one hectare you have more species of trees and shrubs than in
Canada and the U.S. combined," said Quito biologist and Yasuni expert
David Romo Vallejo, a professor at the University of San Francisco of
Quito. "Yasuni has 630 species of birds, or 44% of what's in the Amazon
basin, and 130 amphibian, 80 bat and 90 reptile species."
Members of Sevilla's team pursuing the trust fund concept had
hoped to unveil it at December's Copenhagen climate-change summit,
thinking they had Correa's support. But presidential advisor Alexis
Mera cautioned them to wait, citing legal problems.
In early January, Correa issued harsh criticism of the panel,
prompting the resignation of member and former Environment Minister
Yolanda Kakabadse, who in May was named the president of World Wildlife
Fund. She was not available for comment.
During one of his regular Saturday television programs, Correa
said last month that he wanted a plan that would preserve the
environment but allow for responsible exploitation of Yasuni oil
reserves.
He also said that a trust fund managed by the U.N. would be a
violation of Ecuadorean sovereignty. "We aren't going to let donors set
shameful conditions," Correa told his television audience.
Some observers are pessimistic that foreign sponsors who were once
ready to commit to the trust fund concept will be willing to let the
Ecuadorean government, with its history of instability and fiscal
mismanagement, control billions of their donated dollars.
Nor, observers say, will contributors want to pay for a reserve that in
effect won't be one if Correa decides to drill for Yasuni's oil.
Kraul is a special correspondent.
Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Times
Ecuador expelling Galapagos residents in favor of conservation

Galapagos Giant Tortoise subject to poaching.
The milieu in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is tumultuous this month, as the government there is faced with a serious dilemma, in which there are no winners.
The Galapagos Islands were listed as a World Heritage Site by the UN in 1979, and are known worldwide for inspiring Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. The living laboratory is a pristine look at nature left unspoiled. It's home to many species of endemic animals found no where else on earth, the most famous of which is the giant Galapagos's tortoise. Nonetheless, the UN listed the Galapagos as endangered in 2007. Damage caused by tourism and migration is increasing, causing a Catch-22 for management authorities.

San Cristoban Island, where tourism is growing.
The migrant population in the Galapagos has doubled in the last 50 years, and now 30,000 Ecuadoreans live in the Island chain. Historically, due to the lack of fresh water and fertile soil, the islands were left uninhabited, creating a distinctly unique ecosystem with equally unique flora and fauna. But the recent boom in tourism, followed by development, has caused a mass migration since the fifties, and now an infrastructure exists that is irresistible to mainlanders. Tourism offers new jobs in hotels and restaurants, wages in the islands are 70% higher, there are better schools, and no violent crime. However, the coastal areas are being over-fished, invasive animals like cats, rats, cattle, and fire ants are threatening the fragile ecosystem, and poaching of sharks and tortoises has been on the rise, according to a report by the Council of Hemispheric Affairs.
The government has done little to discourage migration to the Galapagos, but in response to global and economic pressure, it is now expelling poor migrants and deporting them back to mainland Ecuador. The Ecuadorian government has deported 1000 people so far this year. One of them was the daughter of Maria Marianna de Reina Bustos, who was rounded up in a local slum, "We are being told that a tortoise for a foreigner to photograph is more important than an Ecuadorian citizen", de Reina Bustos said to the New York Times. Another resident who abhores the expulsion, said, "After all, we are Ecuadorians, how can we be illegal in our own country". The campaign by President Correa limits the Galapagos population to people who were born there, people who moved before 1998, and those who have work permits issued by the government. Everyone else is displaced by police patrols that have checkpoints around the major settlements.

Mismanaged tourism threatening endemic species.
On the other hand, the same government offers subsidies for people living in the Galapagos, cheaper gas, and lower airfares. It has also sanctioned new housing developments. Tourism is the mainstay of the Ecuadorian economy, accounting for $200 million annually in revenues. As one of South America's poorest countries, the government needs to keep this industry growing. Scientists and wildlife management officials have criticized the expulsion, suggesting instead that it is mismanaged tourism that is the problem. 150,000 more tourists per year come to the Galapagos than the local administration can handle, according to park officials. Critics say that tourism should be capped and restructured, but Corella has been so far resistant to this approach.
The conservation of the Galapagos is in peril, but the Ecuadorian government is between the hammer and the anvil. Expelling migrants from the islands adversely affects Ecuadorian citizens, but restricting tourism will also. This affray could claim the birthplace of one of science's most important discoveries, but with careful consideration, Ecuador may be able to pioneer a solution that works for everyone, and set an example for other regions where people and preservation come into conflict.
LC talks with Eco Surf while cleaning up the California
Coast
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Eco Surf Volunteers was asked to join Lauren
Conrad, the star of MTV hits, "Laguna Beach," and "The
Hills," to help kick off her new partnership with Kohls
department
store with a day-long beach cleanup along the Santa
Monica Coast. Lauren and Kohls teamed up with
the California Coastal Commission and Whole Foods Market to host the event
that brought out fans of the reality sensation, the media, and beach lovers
such as ourselves. We had the chance to talk with Lauren about
the importance of giving back; a concept that she calls "a big part of the
California lifestyle." Lauren, who was recently introduced to our
organization, loves the ethos of Eco Surf Volunteers and was
impressed with the idea of not only getting involved at a local level but
also with the high set of standards and commitment we hold
to surfing communities around the world.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
TOURISM ON THEIR OWN TERMS
NEED MAGAZINE
Posted by Monique Dubos on July 14th 2009 in NEED MAGAZINE
Sam Bailey was surfing his way up the western coast of Peru last year, taking advantage of the warm waters and hospitality. Crossing into Ecuador, he traveled through beach towns in various stages of development, and arrived in the small town of Canoa on the north coast.
Bailey noticed that in many of the villages, big companies had set up hotels and restaurants without concern for the natural environment or local customs. The fishing village of Canoa, which also catered to surfers, was fairly undeveloped, with most roads still unpaved and electricity that goes out every once in a while. It was obvious to Bailey that tourism was coming to Canoa, but he hoped he could help the villagers build their industry on their own terms.
His idea was to start a camp where college-aged students could learn to surf and take on environmental projects. “Surfing is a solitary sport. Surfers don’t see beyond themselves when they return to the beach,” Bailey says. To change that dynamic, he approached Daniel Velasco, a town leader and fellow surfer who runs a “posada,” or “small hotel,” in Canoa. According to Bailey, Velasco initially feared this was just another way to exploit the village. But Bailey convinced Velasco of his sincerity and assured him the groups would patronize locally-owned hotels and restaurants, spending money in the local economy. Also, each group member would donate money to the local grade school. Velasco agreed to introduce Bailey to the community and helped facilitate what became Eco-Surf Volunteers.

The local grade school, La Escuela los Algarrobos (named after a kind of native tree), includes English as a Second Language and environmental education in its curriculum. Eco-Surf Volunteer participants facilitate arts and crafts sessions to give the students a chance to practice their English. Moya Foley, the school administrative and financial director, a Canadian who has lived in Ecuador for 30 years, says that the financial donation helped complete some construction on two new classrooms, and the volunteers “worked their butts off moving dirt, sanding, painting and generally doing whatever we needed done.” The volunteers’ hard work — about four hours a day — is rewarded with daily surf lessons given by local.
In addition to helping out at the school, the volunteers lead the village children on beach clean-ups. “I think the most important thing the volunteers take back to their countries as an experience, is the cultural immersion they have and the contact with the community,” says Velasco. He was particularly satisfied with the impression the volunteers made on the children. “They are used to seeing tourists partying or laying on the beach reading,” but through Eco-Surf Volunteers, they “see the volunteers working on the school activities, [doing] beach cleanups and collecting garbage on the street.”
The programs have been a big hit with the children, involving both students from La Escuela los Algarrobos and others from Canoa. “The first day we had about 20 kids and on the last day we had 90!” says Foley. They are “looking forward to the volunteer’s return. They stop me on the street, the older ones, and ask me when they are coming back.”
Bailey is planning several more camps through 2010, but envisions the people of Canoa eventually taking over operation of the camps themselves: “The town is still discovering what is needed. They want progress, but want to do it in a careful way. The biggest concern is developing the tourist industry while maintaining cultural identity.”
JULY 2009
SURFING AND SERVICE
UCLA MAGAZINE

By Danielle RoqueSurfing and service – for Sam Bailey ’00, it’s the ideal combination.
An avid traveler and surfer, Bailey also is concerned about the impact his activities have on the larger world, and he has developed a unique way to combine hands-on humanitarian and environmental volunteer work with seeking the perfect wave.
Bailey is the founding director of Eco Surf Volunteers, a travel adventure program that performs local eco-volunteer works and community service designed to raise awareness of conservation, promote local economies and enhance understanding of local cultures.
Founded in August 2008, Eco Surf Volunteers recruits participants from all over North America to work with leaders in Canoa, Ecuador to improve the community’s conditions.
“Our last trip [to Ecuador] was in February, right in the middle of summer break for all the kids in Canoa,” says Bailey. “You would think nobody wants to go to summer school, but school administrators opened the doors to all children in the entire community.”
Everyone was surprised by the turnout.
“On the first day, 20 kids were seated in the small classroom,” Bailey says. “The next day the class size had more than doubled, and we were completely out of tables and chairs. By the last day, we had nearly 100 children participating. It was clear that we had created something truly special for everyone.”
Bailey’s inspiration came from a lengthy surfing trip he made in 2006. Traveling from Peru through Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, he was bothered by the potential negative impact that the surf culture can have on local communities. He felt compelled to combat the loss of local traditions and customs that surf tourism can cause.
“I saw a lot of beautiful beaches in undeveloped communities with truly unique cultures, but I also saw a loss of culture as a result of foreign investment,” he explains. “It was then that I decided I wanted to create an organization that would help educate South and Central American communities of could-be surf towns.”
Eco Surf Volunteer participants teach children English, repair existing classrooms, build new classrooms using local bamboo, construct new playground equipment from recycled material and natural resources, and implement early childhood development programs.
“I’ve
heard that volunteering is ‘so cliché,’” says Bailey, “but hearing the
kids ask us when we’ll return is not cliché. Seeing the tears well up
in the eyes of our volunteers as we drive out of town, kids lining the
streets waving goodbye, is definitely not cliché. The school
administrators wrote to me three weeks after we left to say the kids
were still talking about the week they spent with our volunteer team.
There’s nothing cliché about what we’re doing. This is all very real.”
A San Clemente, Calif., native, Bailey graduated from UCLA in 2000 with his bachelor’s degree in geography. He played on the varsity men’s water polo team for five years and was a member of Theta Xi fraternity. He was assistant coach for the men’s water polo team at UCLA in 2007 and of the championship women’s water polo team in 2008. During the past decade, he has traveled to more than 30 countries on four continents. He has surfed the coasts of Brazil, Peru, France and Ecuador.
For information on Eco Surf Volunteers, visit www.ecosurfvolunteers.org.Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Surfer's Journal
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
Volunteer Vacations for Surfers
To the east towered hills so thick with rain forest I was sure dinosaurs were lurking inside. To the west, warm turquoise waves peeled and feathered like a snippet from "Endless Summer."
It was the first day of our monthlong bungalow stay in Punta Banco, Costa Rica (population: maybe 200). And after a bumpy nine-hour bus ride from San Jose, before I even unpacked my bags, I grabbed my board and surfed happily through the waning daylight hours, singing the praises of the Latin surf gods.
All was perfect, at least until the next day. As so often happens on these long-planned surf adventures - after months of poring over maps of beaches you might visit and video footage of waves you might ride - the swell flat died: kaput, gone. The onshore winds picked up, and just like that, my "Endless Summer" scene turned into tropical Lake Michigan.
I wasn't happy. But on any number of previous surf-obsessed journeys, such conditions might have been cause for involuntary twitching, regret or long, expensive drives to the other side of the country to scour for any kind of saltwater lump to slide on. This time was different.
I'd come to Punta Banco with my girlfriend, Siri, a San Francisco art teacher, to surf (as always) but also to help teach environmental conservation to local children through art, an annual San Francisco State summer program called The CommunicArte Project. Over the course of three weeks, we'd be starting an organic garden with Punta Banco's kindergarteners through eigth-graders, making puppets from trash that had washed up at the town's shore, and helping arrange a theater production about the hazards of plastics in the sea, especially to the endangered sea turtles that nest on Punta Banco's beaches. It just so happened that some of the best surf in the country was around (just a teeny tiny perk for me).
The waves were fickle that month. I surfed almost every day, but with a few exceptions, the conditions were nothing to write home about. My time in Punta Banco, however, will go down as one of the most memorable surf trips of my life. At the risk of sounding like an after-school special, almost as soon as I planted my first pineapple with one of those beaming kindergartners, the uncomfortable feeling I've often had on exotic surf adventures - the one of being just a visitor taking advantage of cheap food and beautiful water, all the while contributing to the erosion of local culture - washed away. This time I was at least a little bit a part of that culture, interacting, learning and giving back with more than money.
By the second week, I actually felt bad for the surfers driving their 4x4 rentals through town for a quick wave check, then moving on when it didn't suit them. Just as I'd never gotten to know beach towns I'd visited for surfing, these guys were missing out on the real Punta Banco.
My trip to Costa Rica felt pretty special and unique. But as it turns out, surf-volunteer trips are on the rise, and mine was a sentiment Sam Bailey, founder of a new surf-volunteer camp in Canoa, Ecuador - Eco Surf Volunteers - is getting used to hearing.
"I've had volunteers remark that even if the waves were crummy - which they haven't been! - we would still have this incredible cultural immersion," Bailey told me recently. "And that's the thing about going on a straight surf trip. If the waves are weak, or the weather's poor, what've you got? The combined experience offered with a surf-volunteer project truly can't be beat."
Being a selfish journalist, I coincidentally had to fall into a surf-volunteer trip through my girlfriend's work. You don't have to be so lazy. As nonprofits like Save the Waves, The Surfrider Foundation, and SurfAid International raise awareness about health and environmental issues in surfing locales, and as professional surfers like Dave Rastovich - who has worked extensively to fight Japanese whale hunting - become more visible, volunteer programs like Bailey's are sprouting up all over the coastal world.
"The interest has really increased," says Caleb Cooper, founder of PeacePassers.org, a surf- and soccer-related volunteer program in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. There, surfers are set up with family homestays and work on beach cleanups, improving local recycling programs, teaching English through sports, and building playgrounds. Cooper says volunteers inevitably leave saying the experience surpassed their expectations of a pure surf trip. "Instead of just going somewhere, spending your money, and then leaving with some pictures," says Cooper, "you come home with lessons learned about yourself and the uniqueness of a different culture, not to mention new friends."
Ecuador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica are only a few options. In some of the best surf spots in the world - from Peru to South Africa to Indonesia - there are formal volunteer surf programs established (see details in the "If You Go" box) offering short- and long-term stays with work ranging from bringing aid to earthquake victims in the Mentawais islands to giving surf lessons to disadvantaged youth in Jeffrey's Bay. The list goes on.
And while not all surf volunteer programs will be labeled as such, some creative research will usually bring up an opportunity. Bailey, who has traveled to 31 countries, says he could probably find a volunteer position in all of them. (And yes, he's willing to help.)
You don't even have to be an experienced surfer to be a surf volunteer. Of all the volunteers in the CommunicArte Project, I was the only one who knew how to surf. The others who wanted to learn found rentals and lessons for about $20 in Pavones, a town 3 miles north. And with the exception of volunteering as a surf instructor, the other programs mentioned here are open to all levels (though I'd recommend an Indonesia boat trip only to beginners with a fondness for reef scars).
Of course, the question inevitably arises: Are surfing volunteers taken seriously? Spending a lot of time in the water, I might have done less work than some of the other volunteers. But surfing also allowed me to form a different kind of friendship with locals who surfed or wanted to learn (which is often most of the kids in surf towns). There was an automatic mutual respect that broke down cultural barriers.
Bailey says it's not even a debate with his volunteers: "You should see the children running out of their parents' restaurants and storefronts as we walk through the streets," he says. "It's as if our volunteers are instant celebrities. ... I've heard at times that volunteering is 'so cliche.' It's 'one man's effort to save the world.' There's nothing cliche about what we're doing. This is all very real."
In these wacky times, President Obama is asking all of us for service. Might as well combine that service with some good, old-fashioned beach bumming.
Plus, when you don't end up getting that wave of your life - and how often is that going to happen? - you can come way with an even more precious memory. On our last day in Punta Banco, we spent an hour saying tearful goodbyes to a whole classroom of smiling children asking over and again, "When are you coming back?" That's at least as good as a perfect wave.
If you go
-- Sam Bailey's Eco Surf Volunteers weeklong surf camps in Canoa, Ecuador, are only for college and high school students. Two weeklong summer camps are scheduled this summer in June and August, $1,395 per week. www.ecosurfvolunteers.org.
-- Caleb Cooper's Peace Passers in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua.
-- In Lobitos, Peru, Waves of Development offers homestays and volunteer opportunities teaching English, art, environmental conservation, swimming, and, of course, surfing.
-- At Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa, home to some of the best waves in the world, All Africa Volunteers has set up a surf school where volunteers teach disadvantaged youth life skills through surfing.
-- In Canggu, Bali, through i-to-i Meaningful Travel, you can get surf lessons, a TEFL certification, and teach English to Balinese children.
-- In Mentawais, Indonesia, through Holidays with Purpose, you can take a boat trip that combines surfing legendary breaks like Nias with bringing medical care and education to earthquake victims.
For those interested in longer stays, some programs, including Waves of Development, offer internships where you can work in exchange for room and board. Others, like CommunicArte (bss.sfsu.edu/envstudies/travel.html) offer college credit. And if you don't feel like going through a formal program, you might be surprised by how many local schools, farms, orphanages and playgrounds are happy to have a volunteer just for a day or two. It might just make your trip.
Jaimal Yogis is the author of a new memoir of surf travels called "Saltwater Buddha: A surfer's quest to find Zen on the sea." E-mail comments about this story to travel@sfchronicle.com.
This article appeared on page F - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Monday, May 11, 2009
A look at surfing in Ecuador going into the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships
By: Mike Cianciulli
Ecuador isn't high on many surfers' South America destinations. It lacks the cold consistency of Chile, the mindlessly long pointbreaks of Peru and the crazy nightlife and dependable beachbreaks of Brazil. But believe it: this craggy Equatorial country is actually holding damn fine surf.
The International Surfing Association chose Ecuador to host the 2004 World Surfing Games, and after two consecutive years competing in Europe, the best junior surfers in the world are headed back to South America.
Upwards of 30 countries will converge on Salinas, Ecuador next week for the 2009 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Champs, often deemed the Olympics of Surfing.
"It's a great country with warm people, hot waves and weather," said ISA President Fernando Aguerre about why the ISA chose Ecuador again. "This is proof that surfing in that region is maturing in a great way. Twenty years ago, countries like Ecuador would not be considered surfing countries."
The contest is being held from March 28th to April 5th at Playa de las FAE (FAE meaning Ecuadorian Air Force in Spanish). The military base offers a long, peeling lefthander and a punchy beachbreak for the double-area contest site.
"The left we're going to be surfing looks really rippable and I got some great boards," said USA Team goofyfoot Evan Geiselman. "The southwest swell coming looks good for Ecuador too. We're psyched."
Over the years, this weeklong event has produced countless pro surfers that have gone from the ISA medal podium to worldwide acclaim. Two-time ASP Women's World Champion Stephanie Gilmore was a back-to-back ISA gold medalist. ASP World Tour athletes Jordy Smith, Jeremy Flores, and Ben Dunn represented their countries in the ISA singlet. Innovative aerialists like Julian Wilson and Owen Wright have donned ISA gold. And if history follows suit, look for big futures from some of this year's competitors; guys like Nat Young, Garrett Parkes and Kolohe Andino will surely dig into Salinas' rippable surf.
But the ISA World Juniors is more than an individual event. Countries compete for Olympic-recognized medals and national pride. Teams expected to compete this year include Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Hawaii, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Tahiti, United States of America, Venezuela and Ecuador.
Recent results of the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships:
Overall Team Ratings Gold Medalists
2003 - Durban - Gold Medal: Brazilian team
2004 - Papenoo - Gold Medal: Australian team
2005 - Huntington Beach - Gold Medal: Hawaiian team
2006 - Maresias - Gold Medal: Australian team
2007 - Costa de Caparica - Gold Medal: Australian team
2008 - Seignosse - Gold Medal: Australian team
Gold Medalists of the Under 18 Boys division
2003 - Durban - Ben Dunn (AUS)
2004 - Papenoo - James Wood (AUS)
2005 - Huntington Beach - Jefferson Silva (BRA)
2006 - Maresias - Julian Wilson (AUS)
2007 - Costa de Caparica - Jadson André (BRA)
2008 - Seignosse - Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Gold Medalists of the Under 16 Boys division
2003 - Durban - Jordy Smith (ZAF)
2004 - Papenoo - Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
2005 - Huntington Beach - Tonino Benson (HAW)
2006 - Maresias - Owen Wright (AUS)
2007 - Costa de Caparica - Garrett Parkes (AUS)
2008 - Seignosse - Tamaroa McComb (TAH)
Gold Medalists of the Under 18 Girls division
2003 - Durban - Jessie Miley-Dyer (AUS)
2004 - Papenoo - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2005 - Huntington Beach - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2006 - Maresias - Pauline Ado (FRA)
2007 - Costa de Caparica - Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
2008 - Seignosse - Laura Enever (AUS)
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
7 new species of frog discovered in Ecuador
Source: Monga Bay
Seven previously unknown species of frog discovered over the past two years by Ecuadorian researchers are already under threat from habitat loss, reports a newsletter from the IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group.
The frogs belong to the Glassfrog family, a group that is endemic to tropical America and has more than 140 species, of which 40 percent are threatened with extinction due to disease and habitat loss.
Of the newly described species, six were found in eastern Ecuador, one of the most biodiverse, but least studied, parts of the country. Research suggests that deforestation may already been impacting these species.
"A study developed to predict the distribution of glassfrogs from eastern Ecuador and to estimate the impacts of deforestation shows that deforestation may have already reduced up to 40% of the distribution ranges of all studied species," writes Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, author of an article appearing in the Froglog newsletter (number 89). "Results indicate that deforestation has intensively affected the eastern Andean foothills (300–800 m above sea level), upper montane forests and inter-Andean valleys (above 2000 m a.s.l.), and the northern Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador. Predictions suggest that almost half of the habitats suitable for Centrolene audax, Centrolene buckleyi, Centrolene mariaelenae, Cochranella flavopunctata, Hyalinobatrachium pellucidum, and Nymphargus cochranae have been deforested. These species have been reported as largely absent in historical localities and are considered threatened."
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Southern California Beach Cleanups a HUGE Success!!
A BIG thank you to all our supports and sponsors for assisting with our four Southern California beach cleanups these past two weekends!
With
the help of students, community members and local small businesses, Eco
Surf Volunteers helped to clean approximately 10 miles of the Southern
California coastline between San Diego and Santa Barbara.Eco Surf Volunteers would especially like to thank El Ranchito restaurant of Corona del Mar for their generous donation of delicious breakfast burritos for all our Orange County volunteers, and the Sebanaler Family for their Bagel Breakfast for all our San Diego volunteers. We would also like to thank Corona del Mar Boy's and Girl's Water Polo Teams, Coronado High School Leo Club, and the Surf Rider Foundation their parts in our on-going projects.



