Cenote Clean-Up

EcoColors por la preocupación de la vida natural, apoyó en el rescate y saneamiento de un Cenote que se encuentra en las calles de Cancún y que ya estaba lleno de basura. El Staff de la empresa contribuyo con la recolección de basura, junto con personal de Municipio; encabezado por Fernando Salmerón de la Dirección de Ecología.

Because Ecocolors is concerned about the nature we are living in, the company has been supporting at a Cenote clean up nearby Cancun. The cenote and the surroundings were full of trash and we were sad to see this. The employees of EcoColors contributed in collecting the trash, along with the staff of the goverment of Cancun, headed by Fernando Salmeron, the Direction of Ecology.

Increased population is leading to sick turtles - UQ News Online - The University of Queensland

University of Queensland researchers have discovered that one of the effects of inceased human population is stress being placed on the environment leading to sick turtles.

Staff from the Veterinary Marine Animal Research, Teaching and Investigation (Vet-MARTI) unit within the School of Veterinary Science have been conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the diseases and causes of death in green and loggerhead turtles in Southern Queensland.

Director of Vet-MARTI, Dr Mark Flint, has found that these turtles are dying due to the environment they live in, rather than from the ingestion of foreign items.

“The increases in disease syndromes we are seeing within Moreton Bay are likely to be caused by environmental stressors reducing the quality of the waters in which the turtles live," Dr Flint said.

"This contrasts to open ocean studies that have focused on the ingestion of items such as garbage bags, shredded plastic and ghost nets,” Dr Flint said.

“There is a growing body of evidence that increased populations in major cities such as Brisbane are having an effect on the health of marine turtles.”

Dr Flint said findings conducted by Vet-MARTI had shown that green turtles found stranded within the shallow waters of Moreton Bay were dying due to parasites, gastrointestinal disorders and infectious diseases. This differed from reports of turtle deaths studied in deep waters outside of the Bay.

“The approach we have taken to this investigation has allowed us to make more accurate diagnoses of diseases and causes of death," he said.

"We have established baseline medical data to determine which animals are ‘healthy' and used this to compare with ‘unhealthy' animals to diagnose diseases through working with a variety of veterinary specialists and expert biologists.”

Dr Flint believes they have only just begun and need to continue to discover improved and more accurate ways of identifying diseases in turtles and other marine animals.

“We need to use these findings to help rehabilitation centres attempting to save these animals, work these results into Marine Area Protection management plans and raise public awareness,” Dr Flint said.

This project has been running for three years and is a joint collaboration with Australia Zoo, Sea World, Underwater World and the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management.

Increased population is leading to sick turtles - UQ News Online
Published March 23
The University of Queensland Australia

Backpacking Tour Mexico, Guatemala & Belize

A fantastic backpacking expedition to Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. Duration: two months.

Enjoy a fantastic expedition to the Maya World for two months. You will engage in a great variety of activities that are adventurous, as well as nature and culture related. Here are some of the adventure activities:

Hiking in the Mayan jungle, kayaking in the wetlands and snorkeling the coral reefs of Mexico and Belize. Moreover, enjoy boat tours to the unique and protected areas of Mexico and Belize as well as snorkeling and diving the amazing and unique cenotes (underground rivers with crystal waters) and the second largest reef in the world. Also, be part of the adventure to rappel down into caves of the Yucatan Peninsula, to zip-line across the Mexican jungle and to bike in the Maya world.

Some of the great nature activities you will be able to enjoy are:

Wildlife observation such as the observation of crocodiles, monkeys, flamingos, dolphins, whale sharks, mantas, iguanas, and more in the natural protected areas of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize.

Some of the amazing activities you will be able to enjoy in the terms of culture are:

Visiting unique archaeological sites of the Maya World such as Tikal in Guatemala; Chichen Itza, Tulum, Coba and Palenque in Mexico. Also, visit unique Mayan villages and contribute to the Mayan area through volunteer activities.

Over all, this is fantastic adventure that will change your life!

Click here for more information!

Apoyan la "Hora del Planeta" con limpieza de playa

CANCUN, Q.Roo.- Estudiantes y turistas se suman al movimiento ambientalista retirando desechos del camino a Punta Sam.
Lino Sarmiento/SIPSE

CANCUN, Q.Roo.- Como parte de las actividades previas a la celebración de "La Hora del Planeta" y para promover un turismo ambientalmente responsable, turistas y estudiantes universitarios realizaron ayer la limpieza del camino a Punta Sam.

La actividad fue coordinada por Joaquín García, de EcoColors, un operador de ecoturismo en la Península de Yucatán, con base en Cancún y aliado de la organización de "La Hora del Planeta" en este polo turístico.

"La limpieza del este camino es una de las actividades previas al día 27 de marzo, en que tendrá lugar un apagón durante una hora con el objetivo de que la gente tome conciencia sobre el Cambio Climático", dijo.

En la actividad participaron cuatro turistas de Holanda y Alemania, así como estudiantes universitarios, quienes con los organizadores formaron un grupo de 10 personas.

"Estamos levantando todos los desechos a la orilla del camino y separando en reciclables, con el apoyo de la empresa Arsa del Caribe, que es una empresa recicladora de diversos materiales", comentó.

El activista indicó que el día 27 de marzo llevarán a cabo diversas actividades como tours ecológicos con la participación de turistas, para rematar con el apagón de 8:30 a 9:30 de la noche, que tendrá como sede la Plaza Forum en la Zona Hotelera.

Jimmy Sánchez de la empresa Arsa del Caribe, señaló que previo al día del evento llevaran a cabo otras actividades, como es la limpieza del camellón sobre la avenida Bonampak y Chichen Itzá, a las 11 de la mañana de hoy domingo.

"El día 27 de marzo vamos a llevar a cabo una actividad en la esquina de las avenidas Chichen Itza y Uxmal, como parte de la Hora del Planeta, 60 minutos para salvar al mundo", comentó.

Además del evento en Plaza Forum by the Sea, WWF organizará un Foro de Cambio Climático y Turismo, el día 23 de marzo, a partir de las 17:00 horas en la Universidad Anáhuac Cancún.

La Hora del Planeta es una inciativa a nivel mundial promovida por la Fundación Mundial para la naturaleza (WWF), que consiste en apagar la luz una hora como una acción concreta frente al Cambio Climático.

La ciudad de Cancún se une a más de 100 países y seis mil ciudades y poblados alrededor del mundo que apagaran sus luces no esenciales durante una hora, para demostrar en forma simbólica que gobierno y ciudadanos deben trabajar juntos en el Combate al Cambio Climático.

"La Hora del Planeta 2010" contempla el apoyo de más de mil millones de personas, entre empresas, gobiernos y ciudadanos. En Quintana Roo alrededor de 15 mil de los 70 mil cuartos hoteleros se aliaron a "La Hora del Planeta".

El cambio climático es considerado por gobiernos y organizaciones a nivel mundial como la principal amenaza vigente contra la supervivencia del planeta y la especie humana.

De acuerdo a expertos el cambio climático se genera por la contaminación ambiental y el sobrecalentamiento del planeta, por el alto consumo de energía, lo que acelera fenómenos naturales extremos con graves consecuencias sobre el entorno de la sociedad humana.

EcoColors - Ecotourism and eco tours in the Mayan World of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

EcoColors - Ecotourism and eco tours in the Mayan World of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Cuba Bycicling Tour - Cycle Tours by EcoColors

Enjoy a cycle tour through Cuba and visit all the famous places!

Cycle through the beautiful landscapes of Cuba’s Guaniguanico and El Rosario regions. Bicycling is the ideal activity to interact with the local people and experience the Cuban culture up close. Professional local bicycle guides will both ensure an enjoyable bike trip but also inside knowledge about their country’s history, e.g. when walking through the “Habana Vieja (Old Havana).” Highlights of this bicycle adventure are the visit to the famous tobacco region Pinar del Río where you get to experience Cuba’s cigars and rum; as well as bicycling through Viñales Valley where the legendary tobacco grows. Also, take a swim and relax on the picturesque beach of Cayo Jutias and follow the path of your cycle journey to La Palma on the traces of Cuban history. Moreover, visit Ancón Valley where Fidel held his secret meetings during “la Revolucción” and Cueva de los Portales, the hide-out of Che Guevarra during the standoff with President Kennedy. Walk through Soroa’s beautiful orchid garden and enjoy “Las Terrazas” before returning to explore lively Havana: a multi-faceted adventure that cannot be missed!

Click here to get more information about EcoColors´s Bycicle Tours

Mexican Journal: Eduardo Ruiz National Park, Uruapan Day 6

As we wind down this trip, our last visit before we leave Uruapan is the Eduardo Ruiz National Park. This natural park is built around the river Cupatitzio which leads to a couple of waterfalls. The entire park is surrounded by many manmade water features along with the naturally flowing water as well as rich plant life characteristic of this mountain region. The damage caused by the recent heavy rainfall is evident in the form of fallen trees, broken branches and tattered leaves. Coffea arabica (coffee) plants line the sides of pathways and are in fruit ripening stage. We also encounter a large specimen of strangler fig (Ficus sp.). A fruit stand within the park offers a couple of varieties of mangoes and the smaller variety I purchased is very tasty.

Mexico is ranked third in biological diversity owing to a diverse biogeographic history with varied climates. Mexico is home to approximately 30,000 plant species. The flowering plants account for about 2,500 genera of which 50-60% of the species are endemic to Mexico. Fauna-wise Mexico has 1,000 bird species and 449 mammalian species of which 142 are endemic. The vast numbers of insect species include 25,000 Lepidopterans (butterflies and moths). Many agricultural crops also have their origins in Mexico.

After lunch we head back to Morelia from where we return home to Denver the next day. As I look back at this entire trip, I feel very fortunate to have had this culturally rich experience. Many folks contributed to the success of this trip. Thanks to Sheridan Samano of Reefs to Rockies for putting together an incredible itinerary and coordinating all the logistics with the local ground operator. This trip would not have been successful without the hard work of our local guide Eduardo Gonzalez. His knowledge, patience, driving skills, professionalism and capability to stay calm when Mother Nature caused a hitch in our itinerary were remarkable. Lastly, the entire group contributed to the success of this trip. Not a single person complained when the itinerary had to be changed and instead of visiting two monarch butterfly sanctuaries as originally planned, we had to cut short to only one. By the end of this trip each of us had formed new friendships, which is bound to continue for a long time. Thanks, everyone!

Mexican Journal: Day 6 – Eduardo Ruiz National Park, Uruapan
Posted February 14, 2010 by Sarada Krishnan, Director of Horticulture

Mexican Journal: Tzintzuntzan Day 5

About 20 minutes from Patzcuaro is the Tzintzuntzan Archeological Site, which was built by the native peoples of the region, the Purépechas around 1200 AD. The name Tzintzuntzan means ‘place of the hummingbirds’. The ruins consist of five ceremonial temples with circular, terraced platforms. The Purépechas were a community of Native Americans who were the only ones who stood up to the Aztecs and were not defeated. Until the arrival of the Spanish in the 1500’s the Purépechas had not known military defeat. From here we visit the town of Tzintzuntzan, where we visit the local church and the Franciscan monastery. Ancient olive trees line the avenue to the church. Being carnival day, the church is decorated in fresh flowers.

We then drive to the city of Uruapan, which is about an hour’s drive from Patzcuaro. As we get close to Uruapan, on either sides of the street are Avocado (Persea americana) farms. Uruapan is the avocado capital of the world and one of the oldest cities in Mexico. We visit a local avocado farm, where an elaborate lunch has been arranged for us. The manager of the farm then gives us a lesson on the history and cultivation of avocado in this region. Avocado cultivation in this region started in the 1950’s. The volcanic soil of this region makes it very conducive for avocado cultivation. The farm cultivates three different varieties of avocados, one of which is the variety ‘Haas’, which has a skin that peels off like a banana. The avocados here were the best tasting avocados that I have ever had!

Mexican Journal: Day 5 – Tzintzuntzan & Uruapan

Posted February 12, 2010 by Sarada Krishnan, Director of Horticulture

Mexican Journal: Patzcuaro Day 4

After viewing the Monarch butterflies at Sierra Chincua, our next stop is the town of Patzcuaro. Located 53 km southwest of Morelia, Patzcuaro was an important ceremonial center of the native Purepechas people before the pre-Hispanic period. The town center consists of streets paved in cobblestones and is anchored by a magnificent church, bounded by buildings constructed with adobe and tile.

After breakfast, we head out to Lake Patzcuaro. We board a boat to the nearby island of Yunuen, where we are greeted by local children who hand out flowers to the ‘turistas’. We spend an hour touring the island taking in the local culture and trying to identify the local flora and fauna. The birders within the group had a great day identifying many colorful birds. Among the plants were a species of Oenothera, poppy (similar to Argemone) and a beautiful specimen of the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) in full bloom sans any leaves.

Our next stop is Jenitzio Island, with its monumental statue of José Maria Morelos, a leader of Mexican independence, at the top of the hill. The inclined streets are lined with handicraft stores and restaurants. We climb the steep hillside and at the top is the huge statue of Morelos made of stone bricks. Within the statue are paintings by Ramon Alba de la Canal and other great Mexican muralists that recreate the life of Morelos. Numerous steps take you to the spiral staircase at the top which is the arm of the statue from which is a narrow viewing window that gives a spectacular view of the lake, the nearby islands and the surrounding mountains.

Post-lunch we visit the town of Santa Clara which is known for its copper workmanship. We visit a copper artisan’s workshop where we are demonstrated the whole process of creating copperware. Of course, this leads to a shopping spree for copper artwork…more things to carry back home!

Mexican Journal: Day 4 – Patzcuaro
Posted February 11, 2010 by Sarada Krishnan, Director of Horticulture

Mexican Journal: Sierra Chincua Monarch Sanctuary Day 3

All of us had been waiting for this day…the highlight of the trip. The Sierra Chincua Monarch Sanctuary is one of four publicly accessible sanctuaries, two of which are in the state of Mexico (El Rosario & Sierra Chincua) and two in the state of Michoacán (Cerro Pelón & La Mesa). A 45-minute drive from Tlalpujahua takes us to the Reserve entrance. The butterfly site is another 45-60 minute hike from the entrance and some opt to go on horseback while others hike through the forests. The predominant tree species is the Oyamel fir (Abies religiosa), named so because of the branching structure that looks like a cross.

As we start toward the butterfly roosting site, along the way one gets a preview of what is to come. A few Monarch butterflies are fluttering around, nectaring on wildflowers, but as we get closer to the site, the numbers increase. But nothing prepares you for the magnificent sight of the final destination. Millions of butterflies are everywhere, hanging on trees, fluttering on the ground, swirling in the air, and nectaring on the nearby bushes. The sheer numbers, the beauty and the amazing way in which nature works is astounding and nowhere on the planet do we find a more amazing migration phenomenon.

The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) of North America is the only butterfly that migrates over 2,000 miles from Canada and United States each fall to the Transvolcanic Mountain sites in Central Mexico. This generation of butterflies lives for 6-8 months and in the spring when the weather gets warmer, they mate and migrate north to Southern United States where the milkweed plants (Asclepias spp.) on which the caterpillars feed are found. The migrating generation dies off and the new generation move further north, breeds further for about four generations, each generation of adults living only 4-6 weeks. The fall generation, 4-5 times removed from the original migrating generation, makes the arduous journey back to Mexico and the cycle repeats.

After spending a couple of hours at the butterfly site, we head back, each of us having been touched by the wonder and spirituality of this experience. While we will always cherish this experience, our thoughts and prayers today were also with the local people of nearby villages who have been devastated by the recent floods and mudslide. These local folks depend on this ecotourism for their livelihood, which provides them incentives for forest conservation.

Mexican Journal: Day 3 – Sierra Chincua Monarch Sanctuary
Posted February 10, 2010 by Sarada Krishnan, Director of Horticulture