Seacology is a nonprofit charity headquartered in Berkeley, California, that focuses on preserving island ecosystems and cultures. It originated with the work of ethnobotanist Paul Alan Cox in the village of Falealupo in Samoa. When the villagers were being pressured to sell logging rights to their rainforest in 1988 to build a new school, Cox and his wife offered to help secure funds in return for an agreement with the villagers to protect their forest. Cox and the village chief, Fuiono Senio (both pictured), later received the Goldman Environmental Prize for their efforts. As demand increased for similar projects on other islands, Cox, along with Bill Marré and Ken Murdock, founded Seacology in 1991. By 2016, the nonprofit had initiated 200 projects globally, helping to preserve 1,116 square miles (2,890 km2) of marine habitat and 946.7 square miles (2,452 km2) of terrestrial habitat. The organization fosters ecotourism, and has helped raise emergency funds following destructive tsunamis. It was featured in the music video "What About Now" by the American rock band Daughtry.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seacology

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

363:

Roman emperor Julian was killed during the retreat from his campaign against the Sassanid Empire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_(emperor)

1243:

Mongol invasions of Anatolia: Mongols achieved a decisive victory over the Seljuq Turks, leading to the decline and disintegration of the Seljuk state. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_K%C3%B6se_Da%C4%9F

1740:

War of Jenkins' Ear: A Spanish column of 300 regular troops, free black militia and Indian auxiliaries stormed Britain's strategically crucial position of Fort Mose in Spanish Florida. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Fort_Mose

1906:

The 1906 French Grand Prix, the first Grand Prix motor racing competition, was held outside Le Mans. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1906_French_Grand_Prix

2006:

Mari Alkatiri, the first Prime Minister of East Timor, resigned after weeks of political unrest. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mari_Alkatiri

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

shark bait: 1. (humorous) One who has been or is likely to be attacked by a shark. 2. (humorous, by extension) One who is in a precarious or vulnerable position; a dead duck. 3. (Australia, colloquial) A lone swimmer or surfer far from shore, a shark baiter. […] https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/shark_bait

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Ah well, perhaps one has to be very old before one learns how to be amused rather than shocked.   --Pearl S. Buck https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Pearl_S._Buck