Visiting Researchers Program
Published May 2012:
A GPS AND GIS EVALUATION OF HUMAN BEACH ENCROACHMENT OF THE OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLES’ (LEPIDOCHELYS OLIVACEA) NESTING HABITAT AND SITES ON THE URBANIZING BEACHES OF NUEVO VALLARTA, NAYARIT, MEXICO.
AMA Mexico Visiting Researcher Julia Carrillo’s work demonstrates the value of using interdisciplinary methods and GPS/GIS mapping technologies to sensitize the tourist industry to the need to improve sea turtle conservation practices on urbanizing beaches and to show the economic value turtles add to ecotourism activities. Ms. Carrillo was invited to present her work at the 32nd Annual Meetings of the International Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2012. Her presentation is summarized in the poster below.
Ms. Carrillo is a graduate of California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) where she majored in the Social and Behavioral Sciences and took an extra year to study natural sciences courses, including biology. Her special interest is in the conservation of marine species, especially endangered sea turtles. She spent two summers as an AMA Mexico Researcher and volunteer at the Nuevo Vallarta Sea Turtle Preserve in Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico. Her work was carried out with technical advice from Mexico’s National Commission for the Protection of Natural Areas (CONANP) via an agreement with AMA Mexico.
Please see the poster below.
Sociologist Lauren Rodriguez Mariscal is currently evaluating reef deterioration projects in Central America as a research associate with Leadership Learning Communities (LLC) in Oakland, California. Lauren’s interest in the study of human behavior and values in distinct settings and the sociology of endangered species led to her work with AMA Mexico in 2012. Over a six-month period, she conducted a survey of individuals who participate in environmental protection activities using a questionnaire to determine their backgrounds and attitudes. The research was intended to inform AMA Mexico’s environmental education programs.
Ms. Rodriguez graduated from UC Berkeley and took her Masters Degree in Sociology from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She has worked for other non governmental organizations in the United States, Chile and Spain.
