Environmental Growth and Sustainability in Peru

March 14, 2015

Mission Blue is proud to partner with Follow EGS – Environmental Growth and Sustainability! Here’s a word from Follow EGS on their current work:

Follow EGS is a nonprofit environmental organization that focuses on building collaborations among organizations and institutions to further scientific research and enhance marine conservation and education by means of technology use and capacity building for the benefit of society and the oceans. Our organization concentrates most of its work in rural areas and developing countries. At the present time, Follow EGS is focusing on establishing a presence in Peru. The organization is dedicated to building bridges between scientists and local communities to design, develop, and implement research projects, initiatives, and programs that increase public understanding about nature and oceans.

Collaboration is embedded in all aspects of Follow EGS’ culture and offers a solid foundation on which its organizational pillars of research, education, and technology rest. These pillars in turn support three main focal areas: scientific development, societal benefit, and natural resource management. Follow EGS works independently and in collaboration with institutions to provide support to existing projects.

Follow EGS aims to support research projects where lack of equipment, materials, and technological knowledge are preventing or limiting the outcomes of the project. By bringing the scientific community, materials, and resources together through mutual collaboration, Follow EGS seeks to build a global scientific network that will benefit the environment and society.

Follow EGS’ signature project is the establishment of The Costa Verde Nature and Marine Interpretive Center in Lima, Peru to bring natural environments, research, and people together. There is no such center in Lima or adjacent areas. The proposed center will serve as a place for research, collaboration, training, education, recreation, and inspiration. At the center, visitors will learn about the ocean and cultural resources and how to protect and care for them.

Follow EGS’ mission is to take the message of marine conservation beyond the ocean realm into the Andes and Amazonian region of Peru. We are also working on the “See the Sea” or “Ver el Mar” initiative to provide students from these areas a firsthand look at the ocean.

Follow EGS is also working with Aquarius Laboratory in Key Largo, Florida to conduct a series of live transmissions from the lab to several locations in Peru including the Andes and Amazonian regions. The goal is to showcase the ocean with students who may have never seen it before. Schools in coastal northern Peru will also participate in this program.

Follow EGS is working on a collaborative agreement with the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia-CIDIS to support and collaborate in research and educational projects. CIDIS is a new center that will open soon on the northern coast of Peru in the department of Piura, in a region designated as the tropical sea of Peru with diverse and endemic species. Follow EGS seeks to support the team of university biologists that has been studying this region and has made significant scientific discoveries. Further research is needed particularly in deeper waters, but it is limited by availability of resources and technology. Follow EGS is exploring the feasibility of utilizing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to conduct monitoring and sampling below 40 meters.

Follow EGS is teaming up with CIDIS to pursue official conservation designation for this area and will focus on bringing international attention and support to achieve this objective. Follow EGS and CIDIS are working to establish a certified fisheries labeling system that will help protect commercially exploited species and support small fishing villages along this part of coastal of Peru that depend on fishing for sustenance and income.

Learn more here: www.followegs.org

Featured Image (top): Students examining specimens from Isla Foca, Piura, Peru. All photos courtesy Follow EGS