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Puerto Rico’s New Marine Reserve Will Protect More Than 14 Endangered Species

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05 Nov, 2024

This post was originally published on Eco Watch

After 16 years of efforts by grassroots organizations, local Puerto Rico communities are celebrating the establishment of the country’s new marine protected area (MPA), Jardines Submarinos de Vega Baja y Manatí.

The new marine reserve on Puerto Rico’s north coast will protect 77 square miles of marine biodiversity, a press release from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) said. The project was a collaboration between local communities and authorities and environmental organizations.

A map of Puerto Rico’s new marine reserve protected area. Wildlife Conservation Society

More than 14 endangered species live amongst the reserve’s mangroves and seagrass beds, including the Greater Caribbean Manatee. Beneath its blue-green waters is one of the largest Elkhorn coral colonies in the Caribbean, as well as a variety of other coral species and endangered and threatened marine life, a press release from the Surfrider Foundation said.

An endangered manatee in Puerto Rico. Darryl Stansbury / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region

“This is a victory for the people,” said Ricardo Laureano, leading member of nonprofit Vegabajeños Impulsando Desarrollo Ambiental Sustentable (VIDAS), in the WCS press release. “These ecosystems nourish us and sustain our quality of life. It took 16 years of hard work, starting in 2007, to get here. Over the years, we rallied neighbors, knocked on doors, and engaged local and national leaders to highlight the critical need to protect this Reserve.”

A local ecotourism industry and small-scale fisheries flourish in the area, and local communities have hope that the formal co-management of the Jardines sanctuary as an MPA will safeguard its waters as a thriving source of income and food for generations to come.

A coalition of local groups led by VIDAS — including Sociedad de Ambiente Marino, Surfrider Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Sea Grant and Para la Naturaleza — brought the Jardines conservation movement to fruition, with the support of WCS and other international partners.

“The Jardines MPA represents a critical point of connectivity within the greater Caribbean. Since 2018, WCS has joined forces with the Caribbean Biological Corridor (CBC) – an intergovernmental platform that brings together the countries of the Greater Antilles – to advance and scale up marine conservation in the region. As part of this initiative, WCS supported local partners in Puerto Rico that worked with VIDAS to strengthen the Jardines MPA proposal and bring it across the finish line,” WCS said. “As the coalition looks ahead, securing funding and scientific support for designing a participatory management process is crucial. A formal legal framework, co-management agreements with local agencies, and a recurring budget will be essential for the project’s longevity.”

The next step for the Jardines MPA will be developing a co-management strategy.

“Our dream is for Jardines to be co-managed by the people who know it best — the local communities,” Mariela Declet-Perez, leader of Descendants United for Nature, Adaptation, and Sustainability, said in the WCS press release. “We aim to create co-management agreements that balance sustainable resource use, conservation, research, and eco-tourism. This will take time, but we are committed to supporting VIDAS and our local partners to ensure long-term success.”

Community leaders hope the success of the MPA inspires others to conserve their natural wonders.

“To other coastal communities around the world, our message is clear: never stop fighting for your ecosystems,” Laureano said.

The post Puerto Rico’s New Marine Reserve Will Protect More Than 14 Endangered Species appeared first on EcoWatch.

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Rethinking IT sustainability

Rethinking IT sustainability

Sustainability has become a critical business priority, connecting environmental responsibility with financial performance. For many companies, the focus is shifting from simply upgrading technology to maximising value across the entire device lifecycle.

As businesses rethink how they manage their IT infrastructure, embedding sustainability into daily operations is proving essential for reducing environmental impact, controlling costs and driving meaningful outcomes. Embracing a more circular approach to technology management can help organisations meet both their sustainability and financial goals, according to Blue Connections IT.

Gordon Brownell, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Connections IT, said, “One of the most overlooked aspects of sustainable IT is how companies handle surplus or end-of-life technology. Recycling is an essential part of any sustainability strategy, yet it should be the last resort. The focus should be on reuse, redistribution and resale wherever possible. For example, businesses can collaborate with social enterprises to provide viable technology to benefit underprivileged communities, schools and non-profit organisations while minimising the environmental impact of e-waste.”

Traditional IT asset management practices often lead to excessive waste and missed opportunities, with devices discarded before the end of their usable life. By contrast, strategic asset recovery, refurbishment and resale can transform IT sustainability into a cost-saving initiative. A modern approach to device lifecycle management helps extend the value of IT assets while reinforcing a commitment to environmental responsibility.

The shift to hybrid work has added complexity to sustainable IT practices. With more employees working remotely, traditional office-based asset recovery processes are no longer sufficient. Companies must now implement flexible collection services, including direct-to-home shipments and remote device retrieval. Secure, trackable return options let businesses account for every device, whether it’s being refreshed for another employee or responsibly retired.

Brownell said, “Sustainability must be embedded in everyday IT operations, beyond procurement and disposal. Organisations that adopt reusable and secure packaging solutions can significantly reduce waste. For example, using durable, returnable shipping crates instead of single-use cardboard packaging cuts down on landfill contributions and lowers overall logistics costs. Small adjustments like these create long-term environmental and financial benefits.

“Investing in robust reporting and compliance tracking is another valuable step to give companies full visibility into how their IT assets are managed from initial deployment through to end-of-life disposal. Detailed sustainability reporting that outlines the proportion of devices refurbished, resold, donated or responsibly recycled demonstrates accountability and helps businesses meet corporate social responsibility and environmental, social and governance commitments.”

A well-executed device lifecycle management strategy reduces the total cost of ownership of IT infrastructure by extending the usable life of devices, lowering capital expenditures, and generating financial returns from resale or repurposing. Organisations that embed sustainability into IT decisions are also better positioned to attract customers and partners who prioritise responsible business practices.

Gordon Brownell said, “Companies must shift their mindset to integrate sustainability into IT management successfully. Businesses should recognise sustainability as an opportunity to drive efficiencies, reduce risks and differentiate themselves in the market instead of a mere box-ticking exercise. Aligning IT decisions with sustainability goals creates long-term value through technology investments that support both business growth and environmental responsibility.

“Sustainable IT is also about making smart procurement choices from the outset. Organisations that prioritise energy-efficient devices, long-life hardware, and vendor take-back programs support sustainability proactively. Companies can extend sustainability throughout their supply chain by selecting IT suppliers that share their commitment to reducing environmental impact, whether that’s through recycled materials, low-power consumption designs or e-waste management solutions.”

By embedding sustainability into IT practices, businesses not only contribute to a healthier planet but also build more efficient, resilient and future-ready operations.

Image credit: iStock.com/Foxeel

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