Turtle Fest in Punta Mita

Turtle Fest …

local ninos learn

about Banderas Bay

sea turtles

On Saturday, December 13th the first ever Turtle Fest was held at the plaza in the Village of Emilano Zapata (just next to Punta de Mita) in Riviera Nayarit. Children from the schools of Punta de Mita, Emiliano Zapata, Higuera Blanca, and La Cruz de Hunacaxtle participated in the after school program (PeaceMexico education programs) and made drawings and learned all about the ecology of turtles on our beaches.

Special food from around the world showing how far the turtles can travel (India, Japan) was for sale along with beverages. The Plaza was decorated with the children's pictures, and posters from Semarnat with information about species, life cycles, nesting, endangerment surrounded the structure. Games for all who attended were staffed by the children. These included: 1) a table where people put on diving flippers and googles, and learned to swim like turtles; 2) a table where people learned to navigate to and from a point without a compass, like turtles do; 3) a table where people could feel the paper mache' shells made, and worn, by the children, to learn about the different types of turtles. Money raised by the children at this event will go to the Litibu Turtle Project. The children came to Litibu and learned from the biologist here. It is the hope that these children will grow up to become turtle protectors, and they will teach their parents and extended families about the turtles.

One of the posters made by the children and decorating the kiosko at the plaza said in English "we like to learn about the turtles and will try not to eat their eggs." Another poster had these words: "turtles live to be 200, if we help save them." Education in action. Learning conservation, english, biology, and charity. Awesome event. Many thanks go to the many adult volunteers, high school students from CEMAT (a conservation group) and teachers who participated.

http://grupoecologicolitibu.blogspot.com/

Punta Mita Foundation fund raiser success.

Punta de Mita Fundraiser Success!

On Dec 6th we attended the get together on ther roof-top of the Cafe des Artiste at El Anclote beach. It was the spectacular setting for the Punta de Mita Foundation Fundraiser on Saturday Night. Approximately 85 people attended the event which also was a tropical evening 'welcome home' to many of the part-time residents of the area. Owner Thierry Bloute and his incredible staff hosted the event with incredible canapes and regional cocktails and wine. Artisans and artist offered pieces for sale to support the work of the Foundation. Delicate pearl jewelry, ceramic pieces, and canvases large and small provided a backdrop of imagination to the hum of friends greeting friends.

As the evening progressed, a film displayed the many works supported by the foundation this year: recycling programs in Punta de Mita, Emilano Zapata, and Sayulita; education and after school programs in Higuera Blanca and Emilano Zapata; Social Services in several local communities; and the Litibu Turtle Sanctuary. Sayulita's Tracie Willis and Recicla Sayulita was featured in the film, as well as the Costa Verde International School for the scholarship support it receives. PeaceMexico, another receipient of Foundation grants, was represented by the school children who performed traditional dances in vivid costumes.

The Punta de Mita Foundation serves as a catalyst for much of the needed community, cultural, infrastructure and future vision for this Southern end of Riveria Nayairt. Only one year old, the outreach of the philanthropy is limited only by the base of funds contributed. While PV and Bucerias have a strong and developing base of=2 0charities serving many deserving causes, the PdM Foundation is a major umbrella organization for many efforts from A to Z. It is the hope of the founders of this organization to serve communities from Bucerias to San Pancho, with an eventual reach into the mountain communities of this area. In its first year of funding, the Foundation has provided nearly $250,000 to community based projects through its mini-grant programs and a Smart Growth Study for this area. One current leadership project is bringing stakeholders together for the creation of a plaza/malecon area fin the re-vitalized El Anclote zone for the benefit of residents, visitors and businesses.

As a fledgling but vital effort, everyone is welcome to participate in the funding and success of the Foundation. For more information about goals and program, to donate or volunteer, please visit the website: http://www.puntademitafoundation.org/ or http://www.pdmfdn.org/. As we share this corner of paradise, many hands are needed. Many thanks to all guests at this event, and the artist and businesses that donated to the evening's success.