By Wendee Hill, founding director
Once in awhile a bright new face arrives in our town, one that isn't here for long but does some really great things. One of these is Erica Gwynn, a Rotary International Ambassadorial Research Scholar from Detroit, Michigan. With the support of Rotary International's Scholarship program, Erica has already made her ecological footprint. In conjunction with ACÁ Eco Training Center and Jocotepec Rotary she initiated a long overdue toxicology study and eco health survey.
This pilot study is the platform for continued research to assess current levels of mercury in various environmental media in and around Lake Chapala and assess its effect on villagers. As an environmental toxicologist, Erica headed up the biological and social aspects of this initial pilot research assessment. Her soil samples in each area are now being tested and will give us some long awaited answers to toxicology issues in this area.
Shortly after her arrival, Erica partnered with ACÁ (Associacion Comunitaria de Autosuficiencia, A.C.) to assess six lakeside villages. An extensive survey questionnaire was designed targeting rural villages, particularly in marginalized areas. The survey takes approximately 25 minutes to complete and pertains to health, diet and identification of environmental needs specific to each village. Over the three month pilot study, students who conducted the survey learned much about establishing sound research metrics and conducting complete interviews for the database. Through this joint project Erica Gwynn and ACÁ's CETAC interns administered the survey to villagers around the Lake and completed water and soil samples in each village.
Even though this pilot project is unfunded, the power of networking has done amazing things. By joining forces with ACÁ and its Student Internship Program, we tapped into a key natural resource: national students. Taking advantage this educational partnership with ACA and CETAC (Centro de Estudios Tecnológicos en Aguas Continentales) in Jocotepec, this mutually beneficial partnership allows CETAC interns to do a professional practicum for school credit at the ACÁ Eco Training Center. ACA interns gain real experience in eco research as they learn about sustainable natural resource management, organic farming, and they also participate in developing inspirational eco activities. The goal is training leaders for future Eco Clubs.
Please contact Wendee Hill, the Project Co-coordinator at 01 387 763 1568, or email acacentroecologico@gmail.com to find out more about this study and learn how you can be involved.
Ultimately this research will identify important factors relating to diet, health, eco and cultural demographics and will give us a glimpse of complex ecological issues that differ in each of the six villages. Not only as a baseline study, it will be a springboard to a long overdue research toxicology study and be a valuable tool and roadmap for ACÁ's future program planning.
