Grand Case:--- Local author and naturalist Mark Yokoyama has an ambitious plan to bring wildlife education to a whole generation of young St. Martiners. In conjunction with the release of an all-new second edition of his book, The Incomplete Guide to the Wildlife of Saint Martin, he is planning donations of books to schools and libraries, and a series of presentations and other events for schools and the general public.
"What if we gave the children of St. Martin the tools and guidance to learn how to study the wildlife around them? What if dozens of them developed a lifelong interest in local wildlife? What if a handful went on to get university degrees in biology and returned to study the wildlife of our island? How much would our knowledge of local wildlife improve in five, ten or twenty years?" asks Mark Yokoyama. "I want to find out."
Yokoyama is funding this project with contributions from individuals from the island and around the world, but the majority of funding is coming from local businesses. "The project is still not fully funded," says Yokoyama, "but I am optimistic because I know there are enough local businesses that understand promoting science and education makes the island a better place."
Businesses on both sides of the island have signed on to be key sponsors, including Hotel L'Esplanade, IGY and Delta Petroleum. "As a local business and as parents, we are excited and proud to support
Mark's amazing project," explains Kristin Petrelluzzi, Owner of the Hotel L'Esplanade. "For the past three years we've watched Mark do wonderful things for this island from helping raise money for the
clean up of the lagoon, attending every beach clean up, educating the youth, doing workshops at the schools, etc... Helping Mark take his passion to the next level was an absolute no brainer for us!"
Yokoyama also received a warm reception from the Rotary Club of St. Maarten, where he recently gave a talk about the unique wildlife of the island and his project.
Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) has also partnered with Yokoyama on this project, offering technical guidance and securing an in-kind donation from Merchant's Export Inc.to cover the cost of shipping books to the island. EPIC's U.S. organization has also partnered to accept donations for the project, giving donors from the U.S. the option to make tax-deductible charitable contributions to the project. Donations made through EPIC must be labeled as "SXM Wildlife Book Project" and can be made online or by check, with more information at http://www.epicislands.org.
All key sponsors who sign on to the project before the book goes to print April 1st will be recognized for their support of science and education, and their logo will appear in the book. To participate, contact author Mark Yokoyama at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0690-88-56-42.
The website for the guide is at http://www.sxmwildlife.com. The entire first edition of the guide can be downloaded on the site for free. Site visitors can also learn more about the fundraising projects and how to participate.