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 For the first time ever, the WWC will convene in Latin America from 6-13 November, in the city of Merida, Yucatan, in the heart of the Mayan world. Many of the world's leading conservation experts, politicians, academics, corporations, artists, native peoples, students and many others will gather in Merida, Mexico to debate and act upon the most urgent environmental issues of our time. With Mexico’s President Felipe Calderón as the Honorary Host of WILD9, the schedule is already filled with leading names in conservation today. Wilderness and Climate Change is a central theme – driving the message that protecting wild nature eliminates at least 1/4 of the carbon threat. WILD9 is a project of The WILD Foundation, Unidos para la Conservacion, and many collaborating organizations, institutions and government agencies from Latin America and around the world. Other topics such as Freshwater and Underground Wilderness, Climate Change and Biodiversity, Fire in Nature, Transboundary Conservation and Connectivity, Marine and Oceanic Wilderness, and the Role of Human Communities in Nature will guide the trainings, plenary sessions, local excursions, working and poster sessions, cultural events and celebrations. In one of many associated sessions, the world’s best conservation photographers will participate in the first RAVE (Rapid Assessment Visual Expedition) of Mexico’s unique Yucatan Peninsula. James Balog, a professional American photographer whose work revolves around the relationship between humans and nature, will present a keynote during the plenary sessions at WILD9, the 9th World Wilderness Congress. It will be an eye opening to hear about Balog’s photography experiences and conservation work! James Balog has garnered numerous awards, including the Leica Medal of Excellence, premier awards for nature and science photography from World Press Photo, the 2007 Rowell Award for the Art of Adventure and the 2008 Outstanding Photographer of the Year from the North American Nature Photography Association. He has exhibited work at more than a hundred museums and galleries around the world, and is the author of seven books. Balog was the first photographer ever commissioned to create a full plate of stamps for the U.S. Postal Service, a 1996 release featuring America’s endangered wildlife. For the most up-to-date information, visit the WILD 9 website regularly and be sure to visit the page dedicated to The Land of The Maya !
 The traditional Tulum Sea Turtle Festival will take place from October 16 - October 18th. The event is organized by the Flora, Fauna and Culture of Mexico organization (FFCM) and other companies as well as the public and government organizations of Tulum and Solidaridad. The Sea Turtle Festival is a free event for the whole family, and encourages the participants to learn about sea turtles that are considered to be endangered species, and to familiarize themselves with the various organizations that are trying to protect them. Many artistic, environmental and cultural activities will also be a part of the festival. And... for the first time in its history and due to its big success and additional day has been added in order to do some more environmental activities and baby turtle releases in Akumal. Currently, the Festival is conducted as a joint effort of civil society, private and government sectors in which companies and organizations such as the Parque Xcaret, Akumal Ecological Center, the CESIAK, the House of Culture Tulum, Xel-Ha Park, the Autonomous University of Quintana Roo, Tulum Municipality, the Municipality of Solidaridad, Global Vision International, Echo Bay Foundation, Workshops Zero, the Commission of Natural Protected Natural Areas, the Ministry of Urban Development and Environment State Government of Quintana Roo, the Directorate-Xcacelito Xcacel Sanctuary, the Hotel Nueva Vida de Ramiro, Save the Children Foundation and the Origins of Quintana Roo. Activities are organized by various associations and institutions dedicated to environmental and cultural work, such as the Ecological Center of Akumal, the Eco Bahia Foundation and the Environmental Management Department of Tulum and Solidaridad’s municipalities. Also, the Sea Turtle Sanctuary Xcacel-Xcacelito will recreate a collective experience through a symbolic liberation of the baby sea turtles. Each participant will be able to be a part of this project, which is a tribute to the oldest inhabitants of our beaches and sea. If your in the area, come join the fun!
 Courtesy of Marti JohnstonAs many of you may know, Playa Xcacel, here in the Quintana Roo, Riviera Maya, Mexican Caribbean, is an important nesting site for the green and loggerhead turtles. It has a designation as a state protected turtle sanctuary. There is a long and very dubious background that leads to the current moment where land on the northern border of the protected area is in the approval process for development of yet another resort community; a third incarnation of the project now called Punta Carey. They have filed their impact statement to SEMARNAT , Mexico's environmental ministry. It is in violation of various environmental laws and a refute has been filed and is now in the hands of SEMARNAT as well. It is my understanding that by next week 9/18 SEMARNAT is supposed to have a reply. Sign the petition here: Xcacel needs your help! Please take a few minutes to look at this link, sign the petition and pass it on. The effects and fall-outs of these type of illegal projects touch the Mesoamerican Reef, mangroves, underground rivers, as well as the endangered turtle species....it is all connected, and is part of the patrimony of us all as global citizens.
 This Friday, Sat and Sun (July 24-26th) the Secundaria schools in both Chemuyil and Akumal will be conducting their annual free Spay and Neuter Clinic. Currently, a total of eight veterinarians will be coming coming in from Merida and several others from Playa del Carmen. All are volunteering their time and closing their practice to participate in the Clinic. Akumal Direct Reservations would like to thank our owners who so generously donated reservations of their properties to support a great cause! Sterilizing an animal increases its quality of life and health, improves behavior and eliminates unwanted births. The sterilization of animals also decreases the spread of disease. Dog Stats • The average number of litters a fertile dog can have a year: 2 • The average number of puppies: 8 • Thus, in 6 years, 1 dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs Cat Stats • The average number of litters a fertile cat can have a year: 3 • The average number of kittens: 5 • Thus, in 7 years, 1 cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats Statistics are courtesy of Humane Society International If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Jennifer Smith at the Turtle Bay Cafe & BakeryVeterinarios Internacionales Dedicados a Animales Sanos, (International Veterinarians Dedicated to Animal Health)Spay Yucatan
 In its heyday from about A.D. 300 to 900, the Maya civilization boasted hundreds of cities across a vast swath of Central America. Now archeological sites, these once-flourishing cities extended from Chichén Itzá in the northern Yucatán to Copán, about 400 miles to the south in modern-day Honduras. Each bore ceremonial centers where theocratic rulers practiced a complex religion based on a host of gods, a unique calendar, and ceremonies that featured a ball game and human sacrifice. The ancient Maya also mastered astronomy, mathematics, art and architecture, and a glyph system of writing on stone, ceramics, and bark paper. Using the interactive map, visit 15 of the better-known Maya sites. Courtesy of one of our favorite websites! Visit NOVA / PBS online and explore Anthropology, Disasters, Earth, Exploration, Flight, Health, History, Nature or Technology ....just to name a few.
 Switzerland? Belgium? Not even close! Inspired by the original chocolate first created by ancient Mayans in 500 BC, Häagen-Dazs® Mayan Chocolate blends the finest cocoa beans with cinnamon to create magical Mayan offering: rich, chocolate ice cream with a fudge swirl and a hint of cinnamon. Cacao (kah-KOW, a Mayan word) was offered as tribute to gods and leaders, as well as having value in day-to-day life as the region’s financial currency. For the Aztecs, cacao was a gift from their most revered God, Quetzalcoatl, forming a bridge between heaven and earth. Everyone needs a pint of Mayan Chocolate in their freezer!
 The Palancar coral reefs were discovered by marine explorer Jacques Cousteau off the island of Cozumel in 1961; he subsequently proclaimed Palancar to be one of the world's best places for scuba diving. For more fun facts and history of Quintana Roo visit the Yucatán Peninsula on The History Channel
 Sea Turtles have been returning to the beaches of Akumal and the Mexican Caribbean to nest for centuries. This is our legacy, to ensure their safe return to Akumal beaches for generations to come. Begining in May and through September, female sea turtles will make their way out of the sea to the beaches where they will hopefully dig their nests and deposit eggs. A female sea turtle may come ashore many times before finally laying her eggs. The eggs mature in 58 days. Right around the begining of July we will see baby turtles dig their way out of their nests and begin the journey back to the sea. Minnesota Zoo with the help of Just Imagine Vacations, Inc have organized a week-long Sea Turtle Camp in Akumal. The camp is for students in Grades 10 - 12. Students will work nights with the CEA, Centro Ecologico, Akumal's Turtle Protection Program staff and volunteers. During the nesting season, CEA turtle biologists, interns and volunteers walk the beaches of Akumal in search of turtle nests, nesting female turtles and hatchlings. Volunteers have been helping the CEA Turtle Team by reporting sightings of turtles, turtle tracks, nests, or hatchlings. See the CEA'S Visitor Programs for more information.
 Once again, the exciting community golf program of the Mayakoba Golf Classic is here...Golf PARa Todos! We invite you to bring your family and friends to share an afternoon of golf and fun at the El Camaleón Golf Course Sunday, July 19th from 2 PM to 4 PM. There will be golf lessons, raffles, games, complimentary food provided by John Gray Restaurant Group and much more. Golf PARa Todos aims to create a fun-filled, diverse and educational program that teaches about the game of golf and its ideals. Visit Golf PARa Todos for more information. SEE YOU THERE! Also visit Mayakoba Golf Classic
 Greetings Friends, We are fortunate to have very talented people in the Akumal community. Rey Ortega is back in Akumal for the summer bringing with him a vast collection of flutes, including a number that he has reconstructed and learned to play from the ancient Maya. Music of the soul. When I heard the sounds he called out in these single, double and triple piped wind instruments, the inspiration was that we had to play together! He has agreed to come and "play yoga"! I invite you join us on Wednesdays at 8:30a.m. for the vinyasa flow class, beginning next Wednesday, July 15th. WHO: Rey Ortega WHAT: Vinyasa Yoga WHERE: Yoga in Akumal Above Las Casitas at the white arch WHEN: Wednesdays at 8:30a.m. Beginning July 15th COST: $200 pesos or monthly pass Put this in your calendar and plan to join us! If you can forward this to anyone who might be interested, that would be fantastic! Also, a July calendar is attached. Namaste, Marti INFORMACIÓN Tel. (984) 745 3488 martijohnston@yahoo.com
 The Peanut Pet Shelter, located in Playa del Carmen is dedicated to rescuing and finding permanent homes for injured and abandoned dogs and cats. All rescued animals receive quality veterinary care and special attention to ensure that they are healthy, happy and ready to be adopted into a loving home! Visit the Peanut Pet Shelter online at http://peanutpetshelter.org/index.html
 The United Nations General Assembly designated June 20 as World Refugee Day to recognize and celebrate the contribution of refugees throughout the world. Since then, World Refugee Day has become an annual commemoration marked by a variety of events in over a hundred countries. This year’s World Refugee Day theme is “Real People, Real Needs”. Despite the efforts of many, the needs of refugees worldwide are far from being met. Behind the unmet needs are not just numbers but real people with real stories. For more information on World Refugee Day and how you can help, please visit USA for UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency
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