Vivi Benijes, Author at Fundación Mundo Azul https://fundacionmundoazul.com/en/author/auditoria/ Fundación Mundo Azul, Conservamos tiburones, rayas y comunidades costeras. Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:40:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://fundacionmundoazul.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/cropped-logo-FMA-web-1-32x32.webp Vivi Benijes, Author at Fundación Mundo Azul https://fundacionmundoazul.com/en/author/auditoria/ 32 32 Shark Club: Nurturing the Next Generation of Ocean Guardians Through Environmental Education https://fundacionmundoazul.com/en/marine-conservation-for-youth/ https://fundacionmundoazul.com/en/marine-conservation-for-youth/#respond Tue, 17 Mar 2026 02:33:01 +0000 https://fundacionmundoazul.com/?p=7643 It all began in a moment of global uncertainty. In 2020, as the world paused during the pandemic, a group of children and teenagers chose to turn their attention to the sea. That is how the Shark Club of Mundo Azul Foundation (FUNMZ) was born.m A virtual initiative created to keep curiosity alive, strengthen the […]

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]]> It all began in a moment of global uncertainty.

In 2020, as the world paused during the pandemic, a group of children and teenagers chose to turn their attention to the sea. That is how the Shark Club of Mundo Azul Foundation (FUNMZ) was born.m A virtual initiative created to keep curiosity alive, strengthen the bond with nature, and sustain hope. What no one anticipated was that this small online learning space would grow into a transformative movement now shaping the next generation of ocean defenders.

The Club goes far beyond teaching about sharks and rays. It restores pride in coastal communities, strengthens a sense of belonging, and reinforces the belief that knowledge has the power to shape the future. Every session, activity, and gathering is designed not only to educate, but to inspire.

The Ocean as a Living Classroom

There are no walls or traditional chalkboards here. The classroom is the shoreline, the sound of waves, the feel of sand between their fingers, and the thrill of discovery.

Participants explore the biology of sharks and rays found along Guatemala’s Pacific coast. They learn why these species are essential to ocean health and come to understand that protecting them also means protecting their own future. Science is no longer distant or abstract, it becomes something tangible, experienced through both intellect and emotion.

They also confront reality. Discussions about pollution, overfishing, and environmental change are grounded not in despair, but in action. Young participants learn they are part of the solution, that their voices matter and that leadership has no minimum age.

Five Years of Planting the Future

What began with 40 participants joining virtual workshops from different countries quickly expanded. Between 2021 and 2022, more than 170 children and youth from nine countries became part of the program during the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

A pivotal moment came in 2023, when the Club launched in-person activities in Las Lisas and Sipacate. Learning moved beyond screens and into daily life. Children who once saw the ocean as scenery began to see it as a living ecosystem in need of stewardship.

More than 25 participants transformed their learning into a theatrical production titled “We Are Guardians of the Sea.” It was more than a performance, it was a declaration of commitment. Families listened as their children spoke about conservation, respect for marine life, and the shared responsibility to protect the ocean.

Today, the program continues to grow, with adolescents training as environmental leaders within their own communities.

Learning by Doing, Caring in Order to Conserve

At Shark Club, learning is hands-on, creative, and emotionally engaging. Art, play, and scientific exploration are woven together to demonstrate that conservation is not an abstract concept, it is a lived experience.

When participants draw shark anatomy or create stories about the sea, they are building more than knowledge. They are forming a personal relationship with nature.

When an emotional connection forms, the desire to protect naturally follows.

 

Impact Beyond the Numbers

Knowledge levels among participants have increased by 30 to 50 percent. Yet statistics alone cannot capture the true transformation.

The most meaningful change is seeing children speak proudly about their ocean, question harmful practices, and propose solutions. It is hearing young people say they aspire to become marine biologists, environmental educators, or community advocates. It is witnessing how education plants the seeds of the future.

 

None of This Happens Alone

The Shark Club has been made possible through the support of The Rufford and Luis von Ahn Foundation, partners who believe in environmental education as a catalyst for real change.

But the story does not end here. Every new workshop, field trip, educational resource, and safe learning space requires continued support.

Today, you can be part of this journey. Your donation is more than financial support, it is an opportunity for more children and youth to discover their connection to the ocean. It is an investment in education, community leadership, and marine conservation in Guatemala. It is a commitment to those who will protect our seas tomorrow.

Behind every participant is a story just beginning. With your support, that story can multiply. Every ocean guardian deserves the opportunity to learn.

Know. Love. Conserve.

Support our marine conservation education programs at:
www.fundacionmundoazul.com



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]]> https://fundacionmundoazul.com/en/marine-conservation-for-youth/feed/ 0 Beekeeping in the Mangroves of Guatemala’s Caribbean Coast https://fundacionmundoazul.com/en/beekeeping-in-the-mangroves-of-guatemalas-caribbean-coast/ https://fundacionmundoazul.com/en/beekeeping-in-the-mangroves-of-guatemalas-caribbean-coast/#respond Tue, 27 Jan 2026 20:05:06 +0000 https://fundacionmundoazul.com/?p=7551 Novemeber 24th 2025 Beekeeping, as a sustainable activity, can provide alternative sources of income for coastal communities, reducing their dependence on fishing and strengthening their resilience to various economic and cultural vulnerabilities. At the same time, it promotes mangrove conservation by creating an economic incentive for their protection and restoration. Balance is essential for the […]

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]]> Novemeber 24th 2025

Beekeeping, as a sustainable activity, can provide alternative sources of income for coastal communities, reducing their dependence on fishing and strengthening their resilience to various economic and cultural vulnerabilities. At the same time, it promotes mangrove conservation by creating an economic incentive for their protection and restoration.

Manglares Guatemala
bees latinamerica, mangrove bees, bees guatemala.

Balance is essential for the functioning of ecosystems. Mangroves and oceans are a clear example of this vital equilibrium. The complex system formed by mangrove roots acts as a natural filter for nitrates, phosphates, and various pollutants carried along rivers, thereby cleaning and improving the quality of the water that flows into seas and the ocean. In addition, these ecosystems help maintain the ecological balance of the oceans, as they provide shelter and food for a wide range of aquatic species during their juvenile stages. As adults, these species migrate to the open sea, where they play an important role within the food web.

Balance is essential to the functioning of ecosystems, and mangroves and oceans are a clear example of this vital equilibrium. The complex network formed by mangrove roots acts as a natural filter, trapping nitrates, phosphates, and various pollutants carried by rivers, thereby improving the quality of the water that flows into seas and oceans. Additionally, these ecosystems play a key role in maintaining oceanic ecological balance by providing shelter and food for a wide variety of aquatic species during their juvenile stages. As these species mature, they migrate to the open ocean, where they fulfill important roles within the marine food web.

eyond their role in maintaining ocean health, mangroves are indispensable to the well-being and resilience of coastal communities, as they provide a wide range of ecosystem services. These include the provision of food, such as fish, mollusks, and crustaceans, for both subsistence and commercial purposes.

Mangroves also play a crucial role in regulating environmental processes by filtering and improving water quality, reducing coastal erosion, protecting communities from the impacts of hurricanes and flooding, and mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. In addition, mangroves contribute to the survival of many species by producing oxygen and serving as critical habitats for reproduction and nursery grounds for diverse wildlife.

At a cultural level, mangroves also offer opportunities for sustainable recreational and tourism activities, generating income for local communities. Despite their importance for both natural balance and human well-being, an estimated 35% of the world’s mangroves have disappeared due to decades of unsustainable use, driven primarily by international market demand for natural resources and products. The loss of these ecosystems has had particularly severe consequences for the livelihoods and quality of life of coastal communities.

Along Guatemala’s Caribbean coast lies the Río Sarstún Multiple-Use Protected Area (AUMRS), which hosts the second-largest mangrove system in the Guatemalan Caribbean, as well as several local communities, including Barra Sarstún. This community has demonstrated a strong commitment to mangrove conservation and has actively participated in reforestation efforts since 2021, leading to improvements in both ecosystem health and local environmental conditions.

To further support conservation efforts and address the challenges facing mangrove ecosystems, the Beekeeping in Mangroves project was implemented in Barra Sarstún with the support of Pure Ocean Fund, New England Biolabs Foundation, and The Summit Foundation.

Apicultores Sarstun Guatemala

Beekeeping involves the care and management of bees, whose role in plant pollination, through their foraging and collection of nectar and pollen, contributes significantly to the reproduction of local flora. Consequently, promoting beekeeping in coastal communities such as Barra Sarstún also supports mangrove regeneration in these areas, thereby benefiting overall ocean health. Beekeeping provides a wide range of hive products, including honey, wax, propolis, royal jelly, and other derivatives that can be commercialized. As such, it represents a valuable economic alternative for diversifying community income sources.

Diversifying employment opportunities within the community is essential to counteract the adverse economic impacts that declining fish populations and climate change have on fisheries, which are the primary source of livelihood in Barra Sarstún. In this context, the implementation of beekeeping can create new employment opportunities, particularly for women, who often have limited access to and control over household economic resources.

By engaging in beekeeping, women can not only contribute to household income but also gain greater economic and social empowerment within their communities. This inclusion of women in beekeeping activities strengthens the local economy while promoting gender equity and sustainable development in Barra Sarstún.

As part of the Beekeeping in Mangroves project, a series of theoretical and hands-on training sessions have been conducted on apiary operations, hive inspection and management, as well as the extraction and bottling of mangrove honey for commercialization. Together with community members involved in the project, the honey’s logo and brand were developed under the name Ki’il Sarstoon, which in the Q’eqchi’ Maya language means “Sarstún honey.”

miel guatemala kil's sarstoon

The commercialization of this honey not only generates income for the group of beekeepers in Barra Sarstún, but also has the potential to raise awareness.both within and beyond the community, about the importance of mangroves as a source of ecosystem services and economic benefits. It also highlights the value of beekeeping as a sustainable livelihood capable of benefiting both the community and the mangrove ecosystems that surround it.

Beekeeping in the area is expected to make a significant contribution to mangrove conservation, both through the pollination services provided by bees and by creating an economic incentive for the community to remain actively engaged in the protection and restoration of these ecosystems.

As part of the project, environmental education workshops on bees have also been conducted with children and youth from local schools. These workshops aim to strengthen their understanding of the importance of mangroves, bees, and beekeeping, while fostering interest in pursuing beekeeping in the future. In this way, the project seeks to ensure long-term continuity and promote the active involvement of younger generations in the conservation and sustainable use of Barra Sarstún’s natural resources.

Mujeres Apicultoras Guatemala.
Apicultor Guatemala

Further Reading

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