Seacology: Protecting the Unique Habitats and Cultures of Islands Worldwide
In briefAI summary — tap to read
Seacology protects island habitats and cultures worldwide by partnering with communities to provide economic support—like schools, solar panels, and sustainable tourism infrastructure—in exchange for long-term environmental conservation commitments. The organization's "intrinsic buying" approach asks communities what they need and what they can protect, rather than imposing conservation from outside, resulting in over 460 projects protecting 1.6 million acres across Asia, Central America, South America, and beyond.
Key takeaways
- Seacology uses a three-part win-win model: every project must deliver conservation benefits, community benefits, and take place on or affect an island, ensuring local priorities drive protection strategies.
- The organization's founder realized that poverty and conservation cannot coexist—when communities lack economic security, they must exploit their environment to survive, so addressing basic needs makes conservation sustainable.
- Field representatives who are local residents, scientists, or community leaders identify projects and refine solutions with their communities, ensuring cultural relevance and long-term commitment to protection.
- Mangroves and seagrass are priority ecosystems: mangroves rebuild ecosystems and sequester carbon while protecting against rising seas, while seagrass sequesters more carbon per acre than terrestrial rainforests.
- Success is measured through twice-yearly updates, photos, and testimonials from communities, with field reps verifying results; the organization's high success rate stems from communities' intrinsic motivation to protect their own environments.
About Max Rojas-DomkeMax Rojas-Domke holds a bachelor's degree in English and education and a master's degree in politics and education, with a background in policy work and consultation before joining Seacology to focus on island conservation and community-centered environmental protection.
AI-generated from the meeting recording — AI can make mistakes, so check the recording for anything important.
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Program: Seacology: Protecting the Unique Habitats and Cultures of Islands Worldwide
Speaker: Max Rojas-Domke
Every week we bring you a new program on innovation, entrepreneurship, and education, and how they contribute to service to others.
Seacology may be one of the most successful and innovative nonprofits you've never heard of. For over three decades, Seacology has been successfully saving island cultures and communities across the world. By focusing on Seacology's "win-win" model, our speaker, Max Rojas-Domke, will highlight how community-identified needs can be turned into multi-generational conservation wins, fostering long-term wins for communities who need them now.
As Individual Giving Manager, Max is eagerly one of the first people you'll typically meet on Seacology's staff. With a background in education and consulting, Max delights in highlighting Seacology's win-win approach to island conservation. Joining Seacology a little under three years ago, Max focuses on connecting Seacology's supporters to the impact they've facilitated. So when he's not meeting with donors or facilitating conversations, you can find him enjoying the beaches we all love.
Members and guests, please welcome Max Rojas-Domke!
To learn more, go to:
https://www.seacology.org/ (Seacology main page)
https://www.seacology.org/projects/ (interactable map of all Seacology projects)
https://www.seacology.org/projects/ (travel with Seacology to see our impact firsthand)
https://www.seacology.org/donate/ (donate to support Seacology)
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