Seacology

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Seacology's 2018 projects funded a variety of community benefits in return for various protections, including: 1. Protection of 79-acre mangrove area for 50 years on Pohnpei in Federated States of Micronesia near Peidie Village community, in exchange for repairs and upgrades to the basketball court and fence, and installation of restrooms, lighting, and concrete seating with roofing.2. Protection of 4,638 acres of rainforest for 15 years on Java in Indonesia near Mekarjaya community, in exchange for rice processing machinery and building to house the machinery.3. Protection of 550 acres of rainforest for 15 years on Borneo in Malaysia near Dagat village community, in exchange for construction of 3 swiftlet huts to generate sustainable livelihood.4. Protection of 524-acre riparian forest reserve for 15 years on Borneo in Malaysia near Long Liam community, in exchange for micro-hydro electricity generating system.5. Mapping of invasive trees on riverine islands and environmental education on Big Filomena Island in Uruguay near Nuevo Berlin community, in exchange honey-extracting equipment, computer, and GPS.6. No-fishing zone of 528-acre around protected island for at least 18 years on Isabel Island in Mexico in exchange for mooring buoys and lobster shelters.7. Protection of 560 marine acres and 132 terrestrial acres for 15 years on Vanua Levu island in Fiji near Nabubu community, in exchange for extensive renovations of village school and teachers' quarters, and expansion of water system.8. Protection of 272-acre Caseledan Lagoon for 25 years on Manamoc island in Philippines near Barangay Manamoc community, in exchange for multipurpose community center.9. Protection of 25-acre rainforest preserve for 30 years and environmental education on Madagascar in Macolline nature preserve in exchange for repairs to cyclone-damaged structures in the nature preserve.10. Protection of 20 acres of Chilika Lake for 10 years and mangrove replanting on Berhampur island in India near Berhampur community, in exchange for ecotourism and education center, guest cottages, and organic garden.11. Protection of 741 acres of peat forest for 15 years on Borneo in Indonesia near Rasau Sebaju village community, in exchange for forest guard tower, toilets, bridges, and communication equipment.12. Protection of 840 acres of rainforest watershed for 15 years on Borneo in Malaysia near Lagkabong village community, in exchange for gravity-fed water supply system.13. Protection of 118 acres of forest for 10 years, reduction of fishing pressure, support of three fish reserves (78 acres total) on Luzon in Philippines near Lobo municipality, in exchange for solar-powered visitors center, guest huts, and gear for ecotourism initiative.14. Conservation of 8,213 acres for 20 years and environmental education on Unguja in Zanzibar near Mchekeni village community, in exchange for community training center, signage, environmental education, and apiculture education.15. Enhanced legal protection for 6,326-acre islands on Queguay Grande island in Uruguay, in exchange for technical help necessary to request protected status, tourist awareness program, and tour guide training.16. Conservation of 8,000 acres for 10 years and environmental education on Sanadia island in Bangladesh, in exchange for solar-powered mangrove center and boardwalk.17. Increased protection of 25,089-acre permanent MPA on Kuop Atoll in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia near Uman municipality, in exchange for ranger station for surveillance and enforcement of marine area.18. Replanting of five acres of mangroves and support for ecotourism and reduced fishing pressure by providing alternative livelihoods on Guanaja island in Honduras, in exchange for dive education for 80 local youth.This was the fourth year of Seacology's Sri Lanka Mangrove Conservation Project. Seacology, in collaboration with Sri Lanka-based NGO Sudeesa (also known as Small Fishers Federation of Lanka), is working to make Sri Lan”

“Patricia Lamelas has worked with the nonprofit CEBSE, the Center for the Conservation and Eco-Development of Saman Bay and Surroundings, for more than 25 years. Her voice has been influential in the movement to conserve the rapidly changing region. She has advocated for protection of the bay, which is home to countless bird species and an important breeding and birthing ground for humpback whales. Awareness of the importance of mangrove forests is now growing worldwide, but Lamelas was ahead of the curve, having worked for the preservation of these vital ecosystems for more than two decades. At CEBSE, she has worked with local communities, where many people relied on cutting mangroves for charcoal, to find sustainable livelihoods. She has helped to secure legal protections for mangroves, established the first mangrove nursery in the province, and led programs to educate many Dominican youth about their local environment and climate change. CEBSE is a valuable partner in one of Seacologys first projects in the Dominican Republic, working to promote ecotourism and protect mangroves in the community of Las Garitas.”