Important activities to celebrate the Earth

La Tortuga Foundation carried out two ecological activities on the occasion of World Earth Day 2016, thus fulfilling one of its fundamental objectives: to protect and conserve nature through environmental education.

La Tortuga Foundation carried out two ecological activities on the occasion of World Earth Day 2016, thus fulfilling one of its fundamental objectives: to protect and conserve nature through environmental education.

Last weekend (April 16 and 17), a Basic Birdwatching Workshop was given by the professor of the Universidad de Oriente, MSc. Gedio Marín, who with a wide experience and knowledge guided those present through the very interesting world of seabirds.

The presence of birds in an ecosystem indicates its environmental health, they are also pollinators, seed dispersers, enable genetic exchange, serve as food for other birds or animals, prevent the proliferation of diseases by the decomposition of corpses of other animals that are consumed by them as scavengers, in addition to controlling pests.

A theoretical class showed the large number of species that live in our urban water bodies. A fact of immense importance was that Puerto La Cruz and Cumaná are the only places in the world with urban populations of Flamingos, spectacular birds considered "umbrella species" since their presence is a guarantee for the survival of other species.

An approach to the Maguey Lagoon showed the great diversity of avifauna that live in this body of water: whether resident or migratory, more than 20 species could be observed.

Birdwatching is, from the tourist point of view, a generator of opportunities since there are thousands of people who practice this modality of approaching nature all over the world.

On the other hand, on Wednesday 20th, a meeting with the marine biologist, MSc. Juan Pedro Ruiz and his talk on the presence of an invasive soft coral species took place at the foundation’s headquarters.

It is extremely worrying that this species, which belongs to the Pacific, has been planted on the coast of Anzoatiguense with the purpose of feeding aquariums. This is a practically irreparable mistake for the resident corals of Mochima, which are dying because of the voracity of this invasive species, which, because it has no natural predators in the national park, has managed to cover almost all of Conoma Bay. When talking about the negative impact of human activities on nature, the presence of this coral is the best example.

The information provided by the specialists shows how important it is for all the inhabitants of this planet to respect natural life. Habitat loss, urban sprawl, greed for wealth and lack of sensitivity have led the planet to become seriously ill. Many doubt it and do not believe that the vast sea that their eyes can see is in bad shape, but for those who live their lives around natural landscapes, the road to the loss of biological diversity is getting wider and wider.

The best gift to the Earth will be that each one of us, from our own space, respects the right of the Earth to continue dominating life...because we are part of nature, not its owners!