Heather Spence, Marine Biologist » Win-Win Solutions

Whale Shark Citizen Science

Heather — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:18:09 +0000

Below is a picture I took today off Isla Mujeres, Mexico, of the dorsal fin of a whale shark that was damaged by a boat propeller. Unfortunately, whale sharks get hit and hurt (sometimes fatally) by people in boats. Indeed, people being reckless or simply unaware can cause damage. To protect whale sharks, people will have to be the solution. Researchers are asking everyone who sees a whale shark to help. Individual fish can be identified by scars or by the unique pattern of spots behind their gills. You can find out how to help researchers track whale sharks by going to the ECOCEAN website.

What we don’t understand about whale sharks would fill the oceans. Learning more about whale sharks will help us to coexist with them.

whale shark damaged fin

Visit Cancun!

Heather — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:26:05 +0000

How can you help Cancun and its natural resources? Go on vacation!!! What with the media buzz on drug traffic and swine flu and the global economy, tourists have been avoiding Cancun. I’ve been there, though, and I can tell you that I didn’t have any problems at all. I’d still be there if I didn’t have these conferences. The big problem is actually the resulting economic downturn. People are losing their jobs, drastic measures are being taken, and the beaches are empty. So go for it, there are deals, it is a great time to visit Cancun. Let me know and I’ll suggest places and people to visit. And send us pictures!

This Saturday – Earth Hour 2009

Heather — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:49:01 +0000

Remember to turn your lights off this Saturday, from 8:30-9:30pm, your time, wherever you are in the world. This is a demonstration of our need to come up with solutions and ways to save energy, our natural resources, and the one and only planet that is our home. For more information about the hour and activities around the world, you can check out the earth hour website.

This is also an opportunity to enjoy the natural light of the earth, you might be surprised. Take the time to go outside and star and moon gaze. To participate in star counting research and other earth hour activities, and to learn more about light pollution, you can check out the website for the International Dark Sky Association.

Marriage and the Environment

Heather — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:53:25 +0000

Stay married and help the environment.

Talk about a win-win situation! An Australian lawmaker proposes that once divorced, the former couple leads a more wasteful lifestyle.

:) makes sense.

Article here.

Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right

Heather — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:02:14 +0000

Despite pressures to introduce invasive species ON PURPOSE as a “solution” to environmental problems – scientists and conservation groups are making a clear case for, instead, supporting the natural environment and the native species.

Check out:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/Chesapeake_Bay/Foundation/prweb1471534.htm

And post or send me your comments on this issue

(also discussed in the Stay Tuned Network)

Solar Power!

Heather — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:15:34 +0000

This is from the Swiss Embassy –

Riding on Sunshine

Swiss schoolteacher Louis Palmer and his SolarTaxi are driving around the world on a mission—to show the world that solar energy technologies are feasible and ripe for development. The SolarTaxi, built in cooperation with four Swiss universities, is fueled entirely by the sun. By the time he finishes his trip in December 2008, Palmer will have driven through five continents, over 40 countries and over 33,000 miles without spending a penny on gasoline.

Palmer arrived on the East Coast of the United States last month and held several events under the banner of ThinkSwiss-Brainstorm the Future to promote alternative energy together with the Swiss Embassy in Washington, D.C., The Consulate General in New York, and swissnex Boston. Palmer presented his car to students and staff at such prestigious universities as Georgetown, New York University, and Harvard, among others. He also gave test rides to Washington, D.C. government officials and drove UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to work in Manhattan on his morning commute.

Coastal Harmony – check this out!

Heather — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:59:38 +0000

http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/ocean%5Fhall/reef_interactive/reef_interactive.html

Organic

Heather — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:44:32 +0000

Why organic? Basically, why not? Why pay money for artificial fertilizers and pest controls when nature provides more effective ways to do the same thing? Age-old methods are winning back farmers and gardeners because they cost less and they do more! As insects become resistant to pesticides, soils get depleted by petroleum-based fertilizers, and people realize we are poisoning our world and ourselves, healthy alternative growing strategies are proving their time-honored effectiveness. Techniques such as rotating crops and composting to keep soil nutrients in balance, interplanting flowers with vegetables to control insects, mulching and planting natural ground covers to control weeds – these are smart ways for all of us to grow healthy, and minimize pollution of our environment and ourselves.

For more info check out:

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/Organic/

http://www.wasatchgardens.org/beingorganic.html

http://organicschoolproject.org/grow/garden-resources.htm

Trash or Treasure?

Heather — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:30:01 +0000

Selling seashells by the seashore is actually not such a great idea. Why? because 1) often the shells being sold were taken with live animals inside, 2) empty shells are important future homes for animals like hermit crabs; 3) some shells are from endangered species, 4) the usual “if you take it, it wont be there for the next person to see…,” 5) in some places it is illegal, 6) the remains of shells and corals and other organisms disintegrate to form the fine sand that forms beaches, and 7) selling them encourages the idea of touching and taking from the environment.

An alternative is making crafts from trash – bags from plastic labels, purses out of can flippy things – basically, reusing whatever is available. The materials are free, instead of harming the environment you are helping it, and – tourists will be happy to support a sustainable practice over a damaging one, and probably pay more for the item.

Programs to teach craft-making with trash are already being conducted, such as by the group Amigos de Isla Contoy.

http://www.islacontoy.org/

Light Pollution

Heather — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:26:19 +0000

Not all forms of pollution are directly tangible.

Bright lights are known to be hazardous to human and ecosystem health. Focusing the light only where it is wanted, at the brightness wanted, not only helps the environment, security, and the enjoyment of the night sky, but it also saves electricity – and money!

Check out the International Dark Sky Association www.darksky.org