Contact Information is below - but first, we are happy to share a very recent intern's final letter/report to the project:

• Lee’s Reef Project Final Report
• Submitted by Emily Russell
• Ecotourism Coordinator - July, 2007  to January, 2008

• Curacao would be considered barren by American standards of springy green lawns and manicured landscaping.  But take the time to sit for a moment or ten, and the landscape will come alive before your eyes like a page from an “I Spy” book.  Five lizards in a single glance, more than ten plant species in the other direction.  Look into the scrubby trees, choked by Crown of Thorns, and you can see as many as four orange and black birds similar to our Oriole.  Or, as is my case, look in the rafters of your ceiling to find a pair of yellow and black sparrow-esque birds intent on building a nest despite the giant who knocks it down twice a day, everyday.  Pay attention to the crunch beneath your feet; it might just be the edible gifts of the tamarind tree or its neighboring mango and papayas. 
  
  
• The paragraph above, written just after I arrived on island, sums up my first month on Curacao very well: I was an observer.  Now, only days from the finish of my stay, I am a participant.  I’ve learned that the “oriole” is really a Trupial, and the black and yellow birds are the sugarthieves that beleager all outdoor restaurants.  My evolution is directly tied to my position as Eco-Coordinator of Lee’s Reef Project.  I deplaned at Hato a sponge, ready and willing to absorb everything I could from the environment, the culture, the experience of Curacao.  Serving as the Eco-Coordinator facilitated and accelerated that learning process.

• After six months working and living in Curacao’s social and natural environments, I have high hopes for the forward progression of Lee’s Reef Project.
  
  
• Wastewater Garden
  
  
• My biggest hope for the garden is the usage of the water.  The recycled water has been used in SWBR irrigation for only two days now, but there is such a substantial amount that the rest is being dumped to make room for the incoming effluent.  A very real potential exists for landscaping expansion at the resort and the sale of grey water to neighboring houses and businesses.  These efforts could create an extra source of income for the resort and to Lee’s Reef Project.  Future interns need to explore these options with the cooperation of Ray and his maintenance crew, Ramon and the other gardeners, and perhaps the Coral Cliffs houses or Landhuis Groot Santa Martha.  Patricio Oleana from the Department of Public Works would be able to provide answers to our questions in order to make the sale of water a reality.
  
  
• As we’ve discussed, the reclaimed water can support a bountiful vegetable and herb garden – one of the purposes we hoped the garden system would serve.  Growing vegetables outside of the wastewater garden will nullify the perceived taboo of that food grown from sewage is not safe for public consumption.  Transferring edible plants elsewhere will also allow more room in the system itself for flowering plants – effectively beautifying the entrance route to the resort.  In order for a subsidiary garden like this to provide food for the hotel, the first step will be organizing the irrigation system with Ray.  Irrigation water and attention to protection from the sun (netting is a common option on Curacao) will ensure the healthiest, most abundant crop.  Secondly, the hotel must agree that the parking lot beside the pool is an area better utilized as a garden.  The parking lot is currently underutilized and an eyesore; convincing Jim and others should not be hard provided that the new intern is willing to take on the work and the cost of irrigation is feasible.  Guests and other tourism groups will better understand and appreciate the boon of a wastewater garden system like ours if they can see results like a prosperous, edible garden.
  
  
• VolunTOURing
  
  
• Peggy’s idea is a wonderful way to promote the mission of Lee’s Reef Project.  By bringing in groups, you can increase our “staff” temporarily for the projects that need more help and complete them quickly and efficiently.  LRP will also benefit greatly from donation built into the cost of participating.  I hope that the new intern will be able to work with you, April, and Peggy to take this awesome direction for Lee’s Reef Project! 

Reef Fest 2008 and Reef Fest East
           
            My biggest hope for Reef Fest 2008 is the participation of native speakers and local business owners.  Island inhabitants like Erik Wederfoort from Dive Wederfoort, Monica Ambrosi from Ocean Encounters, and Dolfi Debrot from CARMABI will make a very strong impression because of the various ways that the ocean impacts their jobs and their lives, impressions that cannot be lost in translation because they will speak Dutch or Papiamentu.  To ensure our goal of being a community project, Lee’s Reef Project needs to consider that the most effective Reef Fest will be the one where every teacher feels comfortable asking questions and does not miss important information because of language barriers.  Local presenters will also bolster our message that Curocaoans should care about the environment by giving proof of a few who do. 

            I have high hopes for the success of Reef Fest East, but I do think that LRP should maintain an oversight role only.  As IJfke and I have been stretched by the amount of projects we were expected to work with, we know that asking the new intern to take on RFE will limit her ability to give her best to LRP”s main projects.

Website

            In a technological world, LRP can appeal to guests’ interest by demonstrating an up-to-date website.  I know we’ve been working on it; I’m really glad that we will be able to show something that represents the present and future of LRP!  Please let me know if you need pictures, editing, or information.

Future LRP

            Lee’s Reef Project is in a great position right now to take huge leaps forward.  The wastewater garden is poised for success, having worked out the majority of the big kinks during my six months on island.  Participation in Expedition Santa Martha is growing, and the rest of the island is ready for environmental education as created by Lee’s Reef Project.  I see the success of Lee’s Reef Project contingent on the hiring of a semi-permanent staff, paid a living wage. 
            Now that I am preparing to leave, I realize I would find even more success in my projects if I were here for a year, rather than six months.  Four months passed before I felt 100% comfortable in my job; I knew what was expected of me and how to move forward with the projects I was assigned.  If interns were paid enough to live here for one year, the project would benefit from stronger relationships between school officials and interns and a greater commitment to specific projects. 
Finally, as Lee’s Reef Project grows in size, renown and success, more staff will be necessary for its continuation.  Hiring an intern to focus solely on sponsorship could increase our community outreach and our donation base.  Filling a Campaign or Fundraising Coordinator position would be my first step as LRP reaches a position where it is financially able to expand.

Final Thoughts

            This experience has provided immeasurable intellectual and personal growth for me.  Working with people like IJfke, Mary Beth, Harold, Padgett and Paul has been a pleasure, and I am grateful to have been introduced to them by you.  I have huge hopes for my garden and my “plant babies,” and I certainly plan on coming back to Curacao, if not for a permanent job, then at least for vacation.  Thank you for taking a chance on me to work for your Project.  Please feel free to refer new interns to me to answer questions or to update me on how the project is going!  I wish you all the best for the future.

FIELD OFFICE

For more information on Lee’s Reef Project and our activities, please email, write or call to:

Sunset Waters Beach Resort
Attention: LHMPF – Lee’s Reef Project
Groot Santa Marta z/n
Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
Phone: 00 599 9 864 2037
Cellular: 00 59 9 6944 681
Fax: 00 599 9 864 1237

Contact Education Coordinator: leesreef.education@gmail.com

Contact Eco-Coordinator: leesreef.conserve@gmail.com