Periodically over the last few years scientists have been coming to Lake Atitlan to do testing on the conditions of the lake. Earlier this year a scientific expedition team of 42 scientists from the Universities of Rafael Landívar, Valle and San Carlos came to Lake Atitlan and did extensive testing. They have now reported on their recent findings and how conditions have changed since 2009 when the first cyanobacteria bloom occurred. Last week we published some personal reports of the public meeting in Pana. We now have a pdf of the official report on our website. To view, go to:
http://santacruzlalaguna.weebly.com/estado-del-lago-2013.html
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Let's share the things that we think we can do as individuals and small groups to help alter the decline of the Lake. Here are a few:
- Use phosphate-free soaps and detergents
- Plant trees
- Use only organic fertilizers
- Terrace the land
- Plant nitrogen and phosphate loving plants especially along the shore line and river beds.
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http://www.conectandoatitlan.org/wordpress/
On FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Conectando-Atitlán/376026675835627?fref=ts
I've just discovered a new (to me) website called ConectandoAtitlan.org. It is in Spanish but can be translated to your language of choice. The site is beautifully designed and has some very useful features. Primarily a directory of organizations in the Lake Atitlan area that can be ordered by organization name, projects, focus contact person, municipality. Another feature I like is a short history of each municipality around the Lake. The WordPress format allows for others to add to the information there through comments. They invite everyone to participate. It seems that it has an environmental slant and so is very timely for today's events. From their site (translated to English):
Connecting Vision Atitlan
The issues of communication and trust are key to supporting the work of people living in the basin of Lake Atitlan and the Environment. There is a need to understand who are all the actors, what they do and the results of their actions. This information is of great value not only to have an inventory of actors and actions but also to make visible these efforts, and needs, visualize opportunities to replicate successful projects, and connecting groups, actors, donors and facilitate their interaction.
Objectives
Having a database as a tool to be used to house the project-related information present in the Lake Atitlan, which can be accessed virtually through a website that clearly presents all efforts, requirements and needs. Participating sectors: central and local government, NGOs, communities organized, etc..
• Present information in a "friendly" and useful way through a website that is available to all stakeholders involved to run a local voluntary organization
• Make visible the actions and achievements of organized groups such role models, inspiration and expertise through articles, photographs and videos
• Open spaces to share information online Forum format
Connective Guatemala
Connective is a Guatemalan nonprofit association, established in 2010 with 11 founding members:
• Fito Paiz • Carolina Roca • Héctor Centeno • Carmela Sacuj • Mónica Berger • Roberto Moreno • Folco Beverini • Pedro Pacajoj • Rafael Cuestas • Jorge Cabrera • Jary Chour
The purpose of Connective Guatemala
To generate a revolution of trust between the different actors of civil society, political and economic.
To raise the level of trust between people, communities, businesses, nongovernmental organizations, leaders, and local government authorities, regional and national search enables a better quality of life for communities, families and people of Atitlán sustainably.
Building that trust requires new ways to work and interact, to respect the cultures and be open to different realities, so the connective itself is conceived as an entity that connects, links, complements and acknowledges their interdependence.
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On the International Day of the Environment will be celebrating the power of youth for a healthy environment.
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CECAP vocational center in Santa Cruz is looking for used, clean fabric, clothes, sheets, etc that can be used for sewing practice for beginning sewing students. Will pick up. Contact: Cynthia Davis 4026-9439 or contact me through the Contact Page.