Essex Friends & Alumni matchfunded £250
By
Charlotte Humphreys
Akumal, Mexico
I'm hoping to raise money to go toward financing 8 weeks researching mangroves in Mexico with Operation Wallacea (an NGO) as part of my Masters.
My name is Charlotte, and I'm a student at the University of Essex studying an MSc in Tropical Marine Biology. I'm a mature student coming from a career in teaching. I've always been interested in the marine world, and the MSc is giving me a chance to develop a brand new set of skills that I can use in the future. I hope to combine the skills I have learnt as a teacher with my marine biology skills to work in conservation and communication in the future.
I have always been fascinated by animals and the natural world, but learning to dive in 2012 opened up a whole new world of interesting to me. Since then I've qualified as a Rescue Diver, worked in an aquarium, and dived all over the world, all of which has led me towards a return to studying.
I chose to do my dissertation research with Operation Wallacea (Opwall) as the money they receive goes towards funding long-term conservation and research projects. I really wanted to work in the field as well, to gain as wide a range of skills as possible as this is a new area of study and experience for me.
Mangroves are a really interesting area to study as they've been overlooked for so long. They are important habitats and nursery areas for juvenile fish, but we are just learning how important they are in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. They might play an important part in reducing global warming in the future. All of the data that I collect will go towards Opwall's long-term data sets and inform their conservation in the Akumal area.
Mangroves are home to some cool animals!
All of the money raised will go towards working with Opwall for 8 weeks. They are an NGO, so all the money for volunteers goes towards running the organisation (see below for breakdown). The total cost of the expedition fees is £3950 for 8 weeks, excluding flights. I hope to raise half of this (£2000), but any extra will also go towards the total cost.
The money covers:
Please check out the rewards down the side (did you see the creatures in the video?!)
Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and have a read. I know not everyone will be able to contribute, but maybe you can share this page with someone who might be interested?
Any way that you can help me succeed is awesome and appreciated!
If you have any more questions about what I'm doing or marine biology please contact me.
And I know I said you don't need to give money to help me, but I'd love it if you did! Please take a look at the rewards and sponsor me if you can.
Select this reward if you just want to donate to the project without receiving a reward.
3 claimed
As a huge thank you I will send an email update from Mexico on my progress
0 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 August 2018
As a thank you you'll get a personal message from me to say thank you, and an email update with pictures from Mexico
1 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 August 2018
As a huge thank you I will send you a hand knitted sea creature (did you spot the whale in the video?!), as well as a personal message and email update with pictures.
1 claimed of 15
Estimated delivery: 1 October 2018
A huge thank you for an awesome donation! A set of 2 handknitted sea creatures, a personal thank you and an email update with pictures from Mexico!
1 claimed of 15
Estimated delivery: 1 December 2018
A huge donation, so a huge thank you is needed! A set of 4 handknitted sea creatures, a personal thank you and an email update with pictures from Mexico.
1 claimed of 15
Estimated delivery: 1 November 2018
This is a massive donation, so as a huge thank you I will come to you to do a 1hr talk or lesson on marine biology/ conservation (UK only!)
0 claimed of 3
Estimated delivery: 1 September 2019