Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
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Total |
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Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
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(a) 2017 | (b) 2018 | (c) 2019 | (d) 2020 | (e) 2021 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 2,472,046 | 2,049,870 | 2,418,332 | 2,970,843 | 2,849,238 | 12,760,329 |
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.... | 0 | |||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | 0 | |||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | 2,472,046 | 2,049,870 | 2,418,332 | 2,970,843 | 2,849,238 | 12,760,329 |
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f) .. | 3,650,752 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 9,109,577 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
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(a) 2017 | (b) 2018 | (c) 2019 | (d) 2020 | (e) 2021 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 2,472,046 | 2,049,870 | 2,418,332 | 2,970,843 | 2,849,238 | 12,760,329 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 69,113 | 116,408 | 131,060 | 133,769 | 141,199 | 591,549 |
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | 0 | |||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 13,351,878 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2017 | (b) 2018 | (c) 2019 | (d) 2020 | (e) 2021 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513 ..... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5 | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2017 | (b) 2018 | (c) 2019 | (d) 2020 | (e) 2021 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included on line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
|||||
| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 0.015 of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by 0.035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2021 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2021 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2021 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2021 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2021 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI). See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2021: | ||||
| a From 2016....... | ||||
| b From 2017....... | ||||
| c From 2018....... | ||||
| d From 2019....... | ||||
| e From 2020....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2021 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2016 not applied (see instructions) |
||||
| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2021 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2021 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2021, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2021. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2022. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2017..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2018..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
|---|
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|
| Software ID: | 21013475 |
| Software Version: | 2021v4.0 |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process | THE ORGANIZATION HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING POLICY:1) The draft of the Internal Revenue Service Form 990 be distributed toall members of the Seacology Board of Directors as a PDF file via email within 5 days of the deadline for submitting the Form 990 to taxing authorities (original or extended deadline); and 2) That the draft of the Internal Revenue Service Form 990 will be reviewed and approved by the Chairman of the Board, the Executive Director, and the Accounting Manager, each acting on behalf of the Board of Directors, prior to submitting the Form 990 to taxing authorities. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts | THE FOLLOWING POLICY HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY THE ORGANIZATION: NO MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL PARTICIPATE IN ANY DISCUSSION OR VOTE ON ANY MATTER IN WHICH HE OR SHE OR A MEMBER OF HIS OR HER IMMEDIATE FAMILY HAS POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DUE TO HAVING MATERIAL ECONOMIC INVOLVEMENT REGARDING THE MATTER BEING DISCUSSED. WHEN SUCH A MATTER PRESENTS ITSELF, THE DIRECTOR MUST ANNOUNCE HIS OR HER POTENTIAL CONFLICT, DISQUALIFY HIMSELF OR HERSELF, AND BE EXCUSED FROM THE MEETING UNTIL DISCUSSION IS OVER ON THE MATTER INVOLVED. THE PRESIDENT OF THE MEETING IS EXPECTED TO MAKE AN INQUIRY IF SUCH CONFLICT APPEARS TO EXIST AND THE BOARD MEMBER HAS NOT MADE IT KNOWN.EACH MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND INDEPENDENT CONTRACTS (WHO RECEIVE MORE THAN $25,000 PER YEAR FROM SEACOLOGY) SHALL ANNUALLY SIGN A STATEMENT WHICH AFFIRMS THAT SUCH PERSON:A. HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY,B. HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THE POLICY,C. HAS AGREED TO COMPLY WITH THE POLICY,D. DISCLOSE THE EXISTENCE OF ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, ANDE. UNDERSTANDS SEACOLOGY IS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION AND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ITS FEDERAL TAX EXEMPTION IT MUST ENGAGE PRIMARILY IN ACTIVITIES WHICH ACCOMPLISH ONE OR MORE OF ITS TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b: Compensation Review and Approval Process for Officers and Key Employees | THE ORGANIZATION HAS ESTABLISHED A COMPENSATION COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE COMPENSATION OF KEY EMPLOYEES EARNING IN EXCESS OF $100,000 PER YEAR. ONE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE MEETING IS HELD PER YEAR. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available | Financial Reports: Seacology prepares an Annual Report and distributes it to the public via email, mail, and by posting it on Seacologys website. The Annual Report contains an unaudited ending-year statement of financial activites with a note that recommends the public contact the Seacology office mid-year to obtain a copy of audited financial statements. Seacology also distributes the Internal Revenue Services form 990 to the public by posting a copy to the Seacology website.Governing documents, and conflict of interest policy: Seacology distributes policies approved by the board of directors, including the conflict of interest policy, to staff in an employee manual and/or accounting manual, to the board of directors in a board handbook, and stores these policies along with governing documents in a readily accessable area of the main office for staff to provide to the public upon request. |
| Part III, Row 4A, Statement of Program Service Accomplishments | SEACOLOGY'S 2021 PROJECTS FUNDED A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS IN RETURN FOR VARIOUS PROTECTIONS, INCLUDING: 1. PROTECTION OF 500 ACRES OF MANGROVES FOR 20 YEARS IN INDONESIA ON TAWABI ISLAND IN EXCHANGE FOR MANGROVE LEARNING CENTER AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.2. PROTECTION OF 400 ACRES OF FOREST AND 400 MARINE ACRES FOR 10 YEARS IN THAILAND ON HAAD SAI DAM ISLAND IN EXCHANGE FOR NEW ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER AND NATURE TRAIL.3. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR YOUTH; CLEANUP AND PROTECTION OF MANGROVE ECOSYSTEMS IN MEXICO ON MUJERES ISLAND IN EXCHANGE FOR SOCCER EQUIPMENT FOR YOUTH GROUPS.4. PROTECTION OF 2,258 ACRES OF RAINFOREST AND 937 MARINE ACRES FOR 15 YEARS IN FIJI ON VANUA LEVU NEAR WAILEVU VILLAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR VILLAGE HALL TO USE AS KINDERGARTEN, COMMUNITY CENTER, AND STORM SHELTER.5. ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS AROUND ISLANDS; ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND MANATEE PRIDE OUTREACH CAMPAIGN IN GUATEMALA ON CECON ISLAND IN THE RIO DULCE NATIONAL PARK IN EXCHANGE FOR RENOVATION OF VISITORS' CENTER, NEW SIGNS SPELLING OUT REGULATIONS IN PROTECTED AREAS.6. PROTECTION OF 135 ACRES OF MANGROVES FOR 20 YEARS IN BRAZIL ON CARDOSO ISLAND NEAR ENSEADA DA BALEIA COMMUNITY IN EXCHANGE FOR CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY CENTER.7. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR YOUTH; 2.5-ACRE OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLASSROOM IN COLOMBIA ON TIERRRA BOMBA ISLAND IN EXCHANGE FOR SOCCER EQUIPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.8. CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF A CRITICAL ONE-ACRE REMNANT OF MANGROVES WITHIN A 77-ACRE MANGROVE AREA IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC NEAR EL ASTILLERO MANGROVE SITE IN EXCHANGE FOR CREATION OF A MANGROVE PARK AND "COASTAL CLASSROOM," COMMUNITY EDUCATION, YOUTH ACTIVITIES, A MEDIA CAMPAIGN, AND MANGROVE RESTORATION.9. PROTECTION OF 86 ACRES OF MANGROVES FOR 15 YEARS IN INDONESIA ON SULAWESI ISLAND NEAR THE KURI CADDI VILLAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR COMMUNITY CENTER FOR MANGROVE ECO-TOURISM, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD TRAINING.10. NEW 151-ACRE NO-TAKE MARINE ZONE FOR 15 YEARS IN FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA, YAP ON GAGIL-TOMIL ISLAND NEAR THE RIKEN VILLAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR BATHROOMS AND SHOWERS TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY MEETING HOUSE.11. NEW 20-ACRE NO-TAKE MARINE ZONE IN HONDURAS ON ROATAN ISLAND NEAR THE EL BERRINCHE COMMUNITY IN EXCHANGE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION HUB WITH COMPUTER LAB AND LIBRARY.12. ENHANCED ENFORCEMENT OF FISHING RESTRICTIONS IN 2,933 MARINE ACRES FOR 15 YEARS IN PHILIPPINES ON PALAWAN ISLAND NEAR THE LIMINANGCONG VILLAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR FLOATING WATCHTOWER, SIGNS, EQUIPMENT, AND TRAINING TO PROTECT MANGROVE AND MARINE AREA.13. PROTECTION OF 2,686 ACRES OF FOREST AND 5.6-MILE FIREBREAK FOR 20 YEARS IN MADAGASCAR NEAR ADNRANOHOBAKA VILLAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDING AND FURNITURE.14. IMPROVED REEF HEALTH THROUGH PARROTFISH PROTECTION IN MEXICO ON ESPRITU SANTO ARCHIPELAGO ISLAND IN EXCHANGE FOR PRIDE AND PROTECTION CAMPAIGN VIDEOS AND OUTREACH.15. RESEEDING SIX ACRES WITH SEAGRASS IN UNITED STATES NEAR SAN JUAN ISLAND IN WESTCOTT BAY OF THE PUGET SOUND.16. SEAGRASS PROTECTION THROUGH MAPPING 741 ACRES AND PUBLIC OUTREACH IN PHILIPPINES ON MACTAN AND OLANGO ISLANDS.17. PROTECTION OF 2,000 MARINE TURTLE NESTS PER YEAR IN INDONESIA ON PAPUA ISLAND NEAR RESYE AND WOMOM VILLAGES IN EXCHANGE FOR COMPUTER SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR YOUTH.18. PERMANENT PROTECTION OF 173 ACRES OF MANGROVES, FRINGING REEF, AND SEAGRASS IN FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA, POHNPEI NEAR AWAK VILLAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR AQUACULTURE FACILITY TO RE-SEED REEF AND MANGROVE AREAS.19. PERMANENT PROTECTION OF 10.5 ACRES OF MANGROVES IN FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA, KOSRAE NEAR MALEM COMMUNITY IN EXCHANGE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF COMMUNITY SPORTS FIELD AND ADDITION OF RESTROOMS AND RAINWATER TANK.20. PERMANENT PROTECTION OF 252 ACRES OF MARINE WETLAND BIRD HABITAT IN CHILE ON QUINCHAO ISLAND IN EXCHANGE FOR BIRD BLINDS, INTERPRETIVE SIGNS, GEAR, AND EDUCATION FOR SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB.21. PROTECTION OF 222 ACRES OF RAINFOREST WATERSHED FOR 15 YEARS IN INDONESIA ON TIMOR ISLAND NEAR LUTHA RATO VILLAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR FOREST WATCHTOWER AND MONITORING POST, NEW WATER STORAGE TANKS AND TOILETS.22. PROTECTION OF NATIVE PARROTS IN HONDURAS ON ROATN AND GUANAJA ISLANDS IN EXCHANGE FOR CONSERVATION TRAINING AND GEAR (BINOCULARS, FIELD GUIDES) FOR YOUTH BIRD CLUBS.23. SEAGRASS CONSERVATION THROUGH PUBLIC OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM IN GREECE ON NORTHERN CYCLADES ISLANDS.24. PROTECTION OF 1,112 ACRES (450 HECTARES) OF MANGROVES IN PERPETUITY IN KENYA ON LAMU ISLAND NEAR MATONDONI VILLAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A BMU OFFICE/HALL AND DEVELOPMENT OF BEEKEEPING AS AN ALTERNATIVE INCOME SOURCE.25. PROTECTION OF THREE MILES OF MANGROVE COASTLINE; SUPPORT OF WILDLIFE-BASED TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN GRENADA IN THE WOBURN CLARKES COURT BAY MARINE PROTECTED AREA IN EXCHANGE FOR REPAIR OF EXISTING BIRDWATCHING PLATFORM, NEW SMALL PLATFORM AND SIGNS.26. PROTECTION OF 1,379 ACRES OF PRISTINE RAINFOREST FOR 15 YEARS IN MALAYSIA ON BORNEO ISLAND NEAR LONG TANID VILLAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR MICRO-HYDRO INSTALLATION.27. PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED BIRD NESTS, PROMOTION OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, TRASH REDUCTION, NATIVE TREE REPLANTING ON 2.5 ACRES IN PERU ON AMANTANI ISLAND IN EXCHANGE FOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER, NEW TRAILS AND SIGNS, TRASH AND RECYCLING REMOVAL EQUIPMENT.28. SEAGRASS PROTECTION THROUGH MAPPING AND PUBLIC OUTREACH CAMPAIGN IN PHILIPPINES ON LUZON AND MINDORO ISLAND NEAR PUERTO GALERA.29. PROTECTION OF COASTAL DUNES FROM SEWAGE CONTAMINATION IN MEXICO ON CORONADO ISLAND AT ENSENADA BLANCA BEACH IN EXCHANGE FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND COMPOSTING TOILETS.SEACOLOGY CONTINUED FUNDING AND SUPPORT OF THE SEACOLOGY DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MANGROVE INITIATIVE WHICH AIMS TO PROTECT THE COUNTRYS CRITICAL MANGROVE FORESTS WHILE SUPPORTING ECONOMICALLY VULNERABLE COASTAL RESIDENTS. THE INITIATIVE INCLUDES AN MANGROVE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN CARRIED OUT BY OUR PARTNER, GRUPO JARAGUA AND SEEKS TO ENGAGE THE NEXT GENERATION IN CONSERVATION BY PROVIDING BASEBALL AND VOLLEYBALL EQUIPMENT ALONG WITH MANGROVE EDUCATION TO DOMINICAN YOUTH. SEACOLOGY ALSO CONTINUED FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR COOK ISLANDS MARAE MOANA, THE WORLD'S LARGEST MARINE PARK. ADDITIONALLY, SEACOLOGY SUPPORTED SEVERAL IMPROVEMENTS TO PREVIOUSLY FUNDED COMMUNITY BENEFITS IN RETURN FOR RENEWED OR EXTENDED PROTECTIONS AND CONTINUED TO SUPPORT ACTIVE PROJECTS APPROVED IN PRIOR YEARS. FINALLY, SEACOLOGY MONITORED ONGOING AND COMPLETED PROJECTS AND CONSERVATION AREAS TO ENSURE THAT CONSERVATION AGREEMENTS WERE UPHELD AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS WERE BEING USED FOR INTENDED PURPOSES. |
| Part III, Row 4B, Statement of Program Service Accomplishments | SAW JOHN IS A COMMITTED ADVOCATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE OF INDIAS ANDAMAN ISLANDS. SAW JOHN, A MEMBER OF THE ISLANDS KAREN COMMUNITY, EXEMPLIFIES SEACOLOGYS VISION OF LOCALLY LED ISLAND CONSERVATION.HUNDREDS OF MILES EAST OF THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT, THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS ARE HOME TO RICH ECOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY. THE TROPICAL WATERS SURROUNDING THE ISLANDS SUPPORT COUNTLESS MARINE SPECIES, INCLUDING 200 TYPES OF CORAL, AND A WORLD-RENOWNED AND CULTURALLY IMPORTANT SHELLFISH MARKET. ROUGHLY 80% OF THE ISLANDS SURFACE IS COVERED WITH EVERGREEN FOREST, POPULATED WITH HUNDREDS OF SPECIES OF BIRDS, MAMMALS, AND INSECTS, MANY FOUND NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD. MANGROVE TREES RING THE COAST.THE ANDAMANS UNIQUE LOCATION, BETWEEN MAINLAND INDIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA, HAS MADE THE ARCHIPELAGO HOME TO MYRIAD ETHNIC GROUPS SINCE THE FIRST PEOPLE ARRIVED THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO. THE KAREN PEOPLE CAME FROM MYANMAR (BURMA) BEGINNING IN THE 1930S, WHEN THE ISLANDS WERE PART OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, AND TODAY MAKE UP A SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE POPULATION OF NORTH AND MIDDLE ANDAMAN ISLANDS, WITH ABOUT 2,000 PEOPLE SCATTERED ACROSS SEVERAL VILLAGES. WITH SUCH LOW NUMBERS, THE FUTURE OF KAREN CULTURE IN THE ANDAMANS IS UNCERTAIN. WEBI, SAW JOHNS HOME VILLAGE, IS THE SITE OF ONLY ONE OF TWO SCHOOLS IN INDIA THAT TEACH THE GROUPS LANGUAGE. CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE LIKE THAT PASSED DOWN TO JOHN BY HIS FATHER, ONE OF THE LAST TRADITIONAL HEALERS IN THE ANDAMANS, IS AT RISK OF BEING LOST. WHEN LARGE-SCALE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT BEGAN TO ARRIVE ON THE ISLANDS, SAW JOHN GREW ALARMED AS THE STRONG TIES BETWEEN THE KAREN AND THEIR HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENT BEGAN TO ERODE. FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES, HES BEEN WORKING TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS FOR MEMBERS OF HIS COMMUNITY, AND REPAIR FRAYING CULTURAL TIES. AFTER JOINING THE ORGANIZATION IN THE 1990S, HE WORKED HIS WAY UP TO OPERATIONS DIRECTOR OF THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ENVIRONMENT TEAM (ANET), SUPPORTING FIELD RESEARCH TO DISCOVER NEW ENDEMIC SPECIES ON THE ISLANDS, AND OTHER PROJECTS. ANET HAS LED INITIATIVES THAT HELPED LOCAL PEOPLE GROW LOW-IMPACT CROPS AND GREENER BUILDING MATERIALS. AFTER THE DEVASTATING 2004 INDIAN OCEAN TSUNAMI, THE GROUP WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT AND RESTORE MANGROVES AROUND THE ISLANDS, SHIELDING COASTAL COMMUNITIES FROM FUTURE STORMS.WITH ANET, SAW JOHN HELPED FOUND ANDAMAN KAREN CRAFTS (AKC), A LOCAL COOPERATIVE THAT TEACHES SKILLS IN TRADITIONAL KAREN HANDICRAFTS AND CUISINE, SO LOCAL PEOPLE CAN PRODUCE AND SELL TRADITIONAL GOODS. IN A PLANT NURSERY ESTABLISHED BY AKC, HE HAS SHOWN COMMUNITY MEMBERS HOW TO CULTIVATE AND USE THE PLANTS THAT FORM THE FOUNDATION OF KAREN RECIPES AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINE. SEACOLOGY WITNESSED SAW JOHNS PASSION FOR HIS PEOPLE AND THEIR ISLANDS WHEN WE WORKED WITH ANET AND AKC ON OUR 2014 PROJECT IN WEBI VILLAGE.SAW JOHN IS PROUD OF HIS KAREN CULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HERITAGE AND GIVES BACK WITH ACTION RATHER THAN FANFARE, SAID FIELD REPRESENTATIVE VINEETA HOON, WHO FIRST MET HIM MORE THAN TWO DECADES AGO. WHEN I THINK OF HIM, THESE WORDS COME TO MIND: UNASSUMING, QUIET, COMPASSIONATE, KIND.WHEN IT COMES TO ADVOCATING SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM, SAW JOHN LEADS BY EXAMPLE. HE CONVERTED PART OF HIS FAMILYS HOME, WHICH SITS ON A SMALL ORGANIC FARM, INTO AN INVITING HOMESTAY FOR VISITORS TO THE ISOLATED ISLANDS. THE FIRST ECOTOURISM DESTINATION OF ITS KIND IN THE ANDAMANS, KOH HE (ISLAND HOME) ALSO SERVES AS A COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION TO KAREN CULTURE FOR ITS GUESTS. TRADITIONAL TOOLS AND OTHER CULTURAL ARTIFACTS ARE PROUDLY DISPLAYED ON THE WALLS, AND THE SHELVES CONTAIN SAW JOHNS EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF BOOKS AND ARTICLES ABOUT THE KAREN. SAW JOHN AND HIS FAMILY ARE HAPPY TO GUIDE VISITORS THROUGH THE FOREST TO SEE WILDLIFE, OR TO INTRODUCE THEM TO VILLAGE ELDERS. COUNTLESS GUESTS HAVE ENJOYED HIS HOSPITALITY AND GAINED AN AUTHENTIC UNDERSTANDING OF HIS CULTURE. EVEN AS THE PANDEMIC HAS SEVERELY IMPACTED TOURISM ON THE ANDAMANS, SAW JOHNS QUIET OPTIMISM HAS STOOD AS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND MORALE FOR HIS COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.JOHN IS ONE OF THE MOST GENUINE EXAMPLES OF USING TOURISM AS A TOOL FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION, SAID ANNA ALAMAN TORRES, CEO OF OPEN EYES INDIA, AN ORGANIZATION THAT CONNECTS TRAVELERS WITH SMALL-SCALE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM PROVIDERS. WE NEED TO GIVE MORE VISIBILITY TO JOHNS INITIATIVE. WE NEED TO SHOW INSPIRATIONAL EXAMPLES INTEGRATED WITH NATURE. AND WE NEED TO SUPPORT THEM BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. |
| Software ID: | 21013475 |
| Software Version: | 2021v4.0 |