Mary Freeman

Volunteer for Prosperity

Pastaza River Basin, September 2007

Around the globe, scientists are asked to predict how societal choices may alter ecosystem support of essential resources, including clean water and biological diversity.   The scientific questions – such as how river ecosystems respond to water pollution, or water diversions, or increased fishing pressure – are universal. Yet how often do we in the scientific community have the chance to experience first-hand these familiar resource-management challenges in a societal, cultural and ecological setting that is very different from our own?

Volunteering on an expedition to explore fish diversity in the Ecuadorian headwaters of the Pastaza River Basin was such an opportunity for me.  I spent most of two weeks traversing the upper Pastaza basin with the GLOWS team, sampling fishes in settings ranging from the steep torrents of mountain streams, to cobble shoals of major Pastaza tributaries, to the impressively large mainstem of the Pastaza River itself.  challenges interesting with interspersed and long were days (such as, “Will this suspension bridge really hold our truck”?), but accommodations were excellent, our hosts were gracious, and the sights and discoveries of each day were well worth our efforts.  Every day we saw people using their rivers – for swimming, for fishing with spears and cast-nets, to do laundry.  The GLOWS scientists introduced us to basin stakeholders, and together we discussed resource-management questions facing the population of the upper Pastaza.  We spent many of our evenings examining specimens of collected fishes, with our Ecuadorian team members explaining taxonomic challenges, and thinking about the consequences of cryptic and undiscovered diversity for conservation.

Our collections should form a solid first step in building the database and predictive models that will be needed to protect biodiversity in the upper Pastaza basin.  I am grateful for this chance to contribute to the excellent work by GLOWS and its partners, and to establish new professional contacts and avenues for future collaborations.  I certainly recommend other scientists consider volunteering their skills to a GLOWS project – it’s a chance to set aside familiar work for a brief while, explore new territory, and return with fresh insights and understanding. 

Carl Kesser
Professional Film Maker, Miami, Florida
Volunteer for Prosperity
Mara River Basin, Jan-Feb 2007

My time with the GLOWS Team in the Mara River Basin was one of the most eye-opening experiences I've had in a long time, and I regard my service as a Volunteer for Prosperity as one of the most important contributions of my career. I've been a filmmaker for 42 years and can't believe I'm able to contribute with a film project that will help so many people. 

My trip to Kenya was not easy. Traveling across the world was like traveling back in time. The living conditions and way of life took me back to another time and place, and I definitely witnessed the need local people had for support in protecting their land and resources.The work these scientists do is so important, and the success of the project will benefit both the local people and the precious animals of the Mara-Serengeti Ecoregion. Success will also mean that many future generations will be able to enjoy the bounty of the land and the beauty of its wildlife.

Water sustainability is such an important issue all over the world but in semi-arid East Africa it is imperative for everyone's existence.The support from USAID, FIU, and WWF was so impressive, and the combined efforts of these organizations is providing stakeholders in the region with the help they need to save their most precious resource...WATER. To be able to make a real difference to something of such importance makes me feel like my many years of training as a content provider have been well worth the effort. I now consider myself a stakeholder in the Mara Basin and will soon complete my documentary film on the issues and activities underway in the Mara. I also hope to travel to other GLOWS field sites and contribute to efforts there.

Many people in this world need our help, and sharing our skills should be every American's priority.