| DEFENSORES DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE DE LOS TUXTLAS, A. C. ecological activism ACTIVITIES - 2008 |
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| School Program: "Do you know that you live in a protected ecological area?" January 28 - Feruary 13, 2008 |
| This program is being presented in three Catemaco primary schools, as an addition to the project: “Manejo Adecuado de los Residuos Sólidos Domésticos en la Región de Los Tuxtlas" and the “Programa de Educación Ambiental y Prevención de desastres a través del manejo de residuos producto de las afectaciones causadas por el huracán Stan, en la región de los tuxtlas”. The program includes the participation of children from third through sixth grade levels in the primary schools: Lic. Adolfo Morelos, Prof. Andrés Uscanga Pérez and Leona Vicario and covers three themes that we consider to be of great importance: the Reserva de la Biosfera – Los Tuxtlas, the importance of our wildlife, and recyling domestic waste. The objectives are that our children learn the importance of conserving our natural resources, the responsibility inherent in living in a protected ecological area, and the practices that we may put into practice in our homes to help protect the environment. |
| The program began January 28 and ends on february 13, with the presentation of Certificates of Completion for the participating schools and prizes for the students who receive the best grades in the examinatiuon to be presented at the progams end. This exam will help us determine the impact of the program on the participating students. |
| The program began in the school: Lic. Adolfo Morelos |
| Investigation with the Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas & PROFEPA January 28, 2008 |
| DEMATAC accompanied the Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas and PROFEPA Catemaco in a three hour investigation in the area of Ruiz Cortines – La Perla de San Martín – Miguel Hidalgo to check out the route of the highway planned connecting these communities. This route passes through three areas in the heart of the protected zone of the San Martin Volcano. We observed preparation of the route through which the highway will pass. It appears that the ecological effect will be negligible and that this is the best option for connecting these communities. |
| The Resident of PROFEPA in Catemaco, Biol. María Dolores Castillo Galleros and the Inspector, Ing. Juan Raúl Luna Garcia analyzed the Manifesto of Environmental Impact of the project, measured the width of the highway, and made a meticulous inspection with the motive of impressing upon the company in charge of the project the importance of adhering to the contract conditions and the responsibility of keeping environmental damage to a minimum. |
It is lamentable, although probably natural, that
children are engaging in these practices. They
likely do not know that it is a crime, and are not
aware of the environmental damage they cause.
Their parents also may be unaware of the
penalties of hunting or killing protected animals,
or perhaps do not care. If children such as these
are permitted to continue, they can end up as the
next generation of illegal animal traffickers.
It is our opinion that the best way to combat this
conduct among the young is through educating
the children, and their parents, about nature,
wildlife, and the environment.
children are engaging in these practices. They
likely do not know that it is a crime, and are not
aware of the environmental damage they cause.
Their parents also may be unaware of the
penalties of hunting or killing protected animals,
or perhaps do not care. If children such as these
are permitted to continue, they can end up as the
next generation of illegal animal traffickers.
It is our opinion that the best way to combat this
conduct among the young is through educating
the children, and their parents, about nature,
wildlife, and the environment.
During an inspection tour from Catemaco to Río Carrizal with
representatives of La Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas, PROFEPA
Catemaco and DEMATAC, near the community of El Real, we
encountered four children between the ages of 11 and 14 using slingshots to
hunt Garrobos (Ctenessaura pectinata), commonly called Black Iguanas.
We stopped to ask what they were doing and they proudly admitted to
killing iguanas and showed us their victim.
We talked with the children and with the mother of one, explaining that it
is prohibited to hunt these animals; and we confiscated their slingshots.
representatives of La Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas, PROFEPA
Catemaco and DEMATAC, near the community of El Real, we
encountered four children between the ages of 11 and 14 using slingshots to
hunt Garrobos (Ctenessaura pectinata), commonly called Black Iguanas.
We stopped to ask what they were doing and they proudly admitted to
killing iguanas and showed us their victim.
We talked with the children and with the mother of one, explaining that it
is prohibited to hunt these animals; and we confiscated their slingshots.
| Illegal Hunting of Iguanas (Garrobos) 30 de enero, 2008 |
A meeting was held with members of the civil associations: COSTA, SENDAS, DEMATAC and
the Director de Desarrollo Económico, Turístico y Medio Ambiente de San Andrés, Tuxtla
(Director of Economic Growth, Tourism and Environment): Lic. Joaquín Ameca Gamboa, in
the municipal palace in San Andrés Tuxtla.
The participating associations solicited the help of the municipal government in the construction
of a recycling center in the community of Dos de Abril.
the Director de Desarrollo Económico, Turístico y Medio Ambiente de San Andrés, Tuxtla
(Director of Economic Growth, Tourism and Environment): Lic. Joaquín Ameca Gamboa, in
the municipal palace in San Andrés Tuxtla.
The participating associations solicited the help of the municipal government in the construction
of a recycling center in the community of Dos de Abril.
| Reunion in San Andrés Tuxtla January 5, 2008 |
The meeting concluded with the agreement to program another meeting in which the San Andrés Tuxtla Municipal
President, Marina Garay, will hopefully be present.
President, Marina Garay, will hopefully be present.
| School Program Ends: "Do you know that you live in a protected ecological area?" February 13, 2008 |
| February 13 marked the end of the successful program presented in three primary schools by DEMATAC members and environmental engineers: Ivonne Domínguez Maldonado and Aidee Pozadas Saavedra. Diplomas of Participation and 10 games relating to wildlife preservation were presented to the participating schools. |
| Ivonne & Aidee with the director of the primary school "Lic. Adolfo Morelos", Tobías Martínez Cortés |
| Ivonne & Aidee with the director of the primary school "Andrés Uscanga Pérez", Francisco Santos Navarro |
| Ivonne & students from the primary school "Leona Vicario" |
| School Workshop "Take care of Your Environment, Take Care of Yourself" March 5 & 11, 2008 |
We presented this workshop in the Primary School "Rebeca
Arias de López" in Jaltipan, Veracruz to students of third
and forth grades. In april we will be presenting the workshop
with the participation of fifth and sixth grade students.
The objective is to teach the children the importance of
protecting our regional wildlife, the environment, and how to
do so.
Arias de López" in Jaltipan, Veracruz to students of third
and forth grades. In april we will be presenting the workshop
with the participation of fifth and sixth grade students.
The objective is to teach the children the importance of
protecting our regional wildlife, the environment, and how to
do so.
| DEMATAC Elves at Work May 11, 2008 DEMATAC members are busy at work designing and preparing signs to be placed in the 10 collection centers that the association COSTA will place in the communities participating in the management of Project "PET". DEMATAC has supported COSTA with material for the collection of recyclable domestic solid waste, and we are now helping them for these signs financed by the Project "PET" funds managed by DEMATAC. |
| Installation of the "Consejo Regional Forestal de Zona UMAFOR Los Tuxtlas" (Regional Forestry Council of the UMAFOR - Los Tuxtlas Zone) (UMAFOR: Authorized Forestry Management Units) 23 de mayo, 2008 |
| The meeting included representatives of CONAFORT, PROFEPA, SEMARNAT, Municipality of Mecayapan, San Andrés Tuxtla, Santiago Tuxtla, Acayucan, plus representatives of the academic, industrial, and professional sectors; foresters, members of indigenous communities and NGOs. The result was to elect a "Regional Forestry Council" in which DEMATAC was elected as representative for the NGO's. |
| DEMATAC to Participate in Reforestación Event July 5, 2008 |
| Visit to "Máquina Vieja" June 18, 2008 |
| Juan, Eduardo y Luís Active DEMATAC Members |
| Four members of DEMATAC visited "Máquina Vieja", built near San Andrés Tuxtla in 1840 as a factory for the manufacture of thread or yarn. Behind the ruin is a subterranean waterfall which flows into the "Avescoma River" forming a pool, and further on a series small falls and pools, then continues until it reaches the city and joins with the "Tajalate River"; a river that unfortunately is contaminated by sewage from the city of San Andrés Tuxtla. |
| A program of public participation for the reforestation of 20 hectares near San Andrés Tuxtla on property known as "Predio San Joaquín" (see map below). |
| Reserva Ecologica "La Otra Opción" Reforestation August 9, 2008 On July 27 DEMATAC members and guests of the DEMATAC "Hike - 2008" assisted Mexican soldiers in a project of reforestation at Reserva Ecologica "La Otra Opción" (Ecological Reserve "The Other Option"), owned by Arturo Knopflmacher Basañez, and located in Miguel Hidalgo, Municipality of Catemaco, Veracruz. |
| Today we again visited "La Otro Opción" for a more extensive tour. |
| Photos: Javier Martínez Jaramillo |
| Photo: Chía Alegría Family |
| On August 16th and 17th, approximately 15 DEMATAC members will continue working on reforestaion at "La Otra Opción". The ultimate goal of Arturo is to plant 88,000 trees. |
| Private nursery of "La Otra Opción", in Miguel Hidalgo |
| View of Volcán Santa Marta, from "La Otra Opción" |
| Photos: Jessica Hitandegüi Swanson Santiago |
Good Companions
| Breakfast Break |
| Viri getting ready for work |
| A well deserved rest after two days of work. Seven DEMATAC members and our good friend, Jorge Caceres of Diario del Istmo, planted a total of 160 trees, aproximately 20 per person; and collected hundres of plastic bags left by previous planters. But most important is that it was an unforgettable weekend. |
| Getting to work |
| DEMATAC helps with Reforestation in the Reserva Ecológica "La Otra Opción" August 16 & 17, 2008 |