In May, the Royal Resorts Foundation donated $236,808 pesos to Amigos de Sian Ka’an A.C. to support conservation projects in the state of Quintana Roo.
Founded in 1986 in Cancun to study and protect the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, the work of Amigos de Sian Ka’an has gone far beyond the reserve. It has spearheaded the move to protect more than 1,100,000 hectares of jungle, wetlands and marine ecosystems and the creation of 13 different reserves in the state of Quintana Roo.
From research projects in Sian Ka’an to protecting the jungle and endangered keystone species like jaguars, Amigos de Sian Ka’an biologists and conservationists are involved. The multidisciplinary team is also mapping the state of Quintana Roo’s and Yucatan’s aquifers and is working with the authorities and private sector to develop a water management policy that protects the underground rivers and cenotes.
Marine biologists study the Mesoamerican Reef, looking for telltale signs of coral bleaching and disease, invasive species such as lion fish and carrying out fish population counts. Others are involved in sustainable development projects in Mayan villages, climate change studies and giving environmental awareness seminars in schools and communities.
Amigos de Sian Ka’an developed the plan for the Maya Ka’an community tourism initiative, which has the goal of bringing visitors to Mayan villages in Sian Ka’an reserve and central Quintana Roo and improving the livelihoods of their inhabitants.
MARTI, the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative is a joint program with the public and private sector to establish better environmental practices in hotels, cruise lines, marinas and other tourism companies and protect the coral reefs and other ecosystems in the area.
For more information on Amigos de Sian Ka’an conservation programs visit www.amigosdesiankaan.org
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For more Royal Resorts Foundation news, information on its causes and online donations visit www.royalresortsfoundation.org
