Researchers

  I am the Director of Ocean Revolution an international NGO working in Sonora, Panama, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Australia and the USA.Ocean Revolution and Conservacion Y Manejo Cmiique, A.C. (CMC) have, since 2004, embarked on a journey with the support of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Christensen Fund to develop innovative science and practice that would preserve the Midriff Island of Tiburon and the adjacent mainland and island traditional territories as one of the Gulf of California’s richest biodiversity treasures and the home to one of the planet’s most iconic Peoples, the Comcáac.We have traveled to far ends of the planet to greet and learn from other people sharing similar problems and brought back and distributed solutions that have been shared with more than 55 indigenous communities.We have supported (including Leonel Hoeffer) 12 Seri in their post graduate and undergraduate studies.The impacts of the program within the Comcáac Nation, the region and globally have been profound:Environmental Impact: Coalesced movements against resource extractors, biofuel producers, aquaculture farmers and resort developers that would have had devastating impact on the Gulf, near coastal, and coastal waterways and territory.Economic Impact: Provided alternative livelihoods to turtle poaching, illegal fishing, and drug traffickingSocial Impact:  Provided alternative lifestyles for youth, derailed an epidemic of drug use, gunplay, and destructive behavior through establishment of a healthy sports initiative.Cultural Impact: Documented artistic and practical heritage, revived authentic recreation of tools and events, and engaged youth with direct knowledge transfer from Tribal EldersAdapted and distributed a data-monitoring technology that has been utilized in Africa, Australia, Mexico, and Papua New Guinea to create baselines, attract young people to science education and practice, convince National Governments to create and finance Indigenous Protected Areas and revived the study of Traditional Ecological KnowledgeThe creation of a Community Development Plan in 2012 with an assessment and revision in 2015, lead to solutions for these identified challenges:Health: 3 health issues have been solved and CIAD AC is helping with health attention on 5 diseases out of 10. (doctors, clinics and tests for diabetes and cholesterol available in both Villages)Education: 5 out of 12 issues has been solved in both villages (facilities, classrooms and teachers are now present in both Villages for Secundaria and Preparatoria levels)Water: 8 of 9 issues regarding water were solved and both Villages now have water (Desalinization plant is operational in Punta Chueca)CMC, along with its sister organization Grupo Tortuguero is now identified within the tribe, the region and the Mexican Government as a valued partner for conservation and research conducted in the Sonoran and Midriff Islands region.We have recently completed several animations with the Comcáac and a 600-page 3 part volume on the history of the Comcáac.N-Gen has one of the most innovative and forward thinking platforms combining art, a multitude of sciences and real conservation action. I would like to engage in a both-ways learning conversation about how to replicate and grow the network model.