Sea turtle and coral reef protection.

Meet Hector from Akumal Ecological Center, he and his team play an important role in the eco tourism and coastal ecosythem protection in Akumal Mexico.

As a first organizational visit in Central America, I got in contact with the Akumal Ecological Center. This is a non-profit organization that focuses on issues related to sustainability and improved management of the ecosystems of Akumal and its surrounding areas. The focus areas of this organization are sea turtle conservation, coral reef protection, the impact of tourism in Akumal Bay, and environmental education and research.

I was invited to make a video about the organization, interview the director, and visit the event that was scheduled for October 18th. At this event, there was going to be a Mayan-inspired sea turtle ceremony, a parade through the city, and a celebration in the square with shops, food, music, and dance. Unfortunately, due to bad weather conditions, the event was canceled, which was very unfortunate because I thought it would be an amazing start.

Luckily, they still wanted to schedule an online interview. Here, I had the chance to talk to Héctor Antonio Lizárraga Cubedo, the Director. He explained more about the organization and his views on sustainable development. In my opinion, he is a true Purpose Driver who dedicates his time and effort to protecting the beautiful coast of Akumal.

Here are some of the highlights from the interview with Héctor:

More about Héctor’s background

First, Héctor studied oceanography in La Baja Mexico. This field focuses on seas and currents, marine plants and animals, and the rocks and minerals beneath the seabed. After this, he worked at a research institute in La Baja, focusing on aquaculture. Later, he pursued a postgraduate degree in marine fisheries science in Scotland. After that, he worked for the state government as head of environmental issues. Eventually, he made the move to Akumal to become the director of its research center.

What are the main challenges?

The main challenges the Akumal Ecological Center faces are related to resources. The organization works with some funding groups that support them, but they have to reapply for funding every year. It would be more beneficial to have support that spans five years, allowing them to create a longer-term vision and strategy. Another challenge is that they rely heavily on tourist donations, which can be unpredictable.

Additionally, Akumal is not yet recognized as a sustainable destination, despite its alignment with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Receiving a certification or formal recognition would help demonstrate that Akumal is actively working on sustainability.

Lessons learned?

The main lesson Héctor has learned while working in a social non-profit organization is the importance of including and considering the opinions, comments, and suggestions of community members. These people play a vital role in various projects, and if they do not feel included in the decision-making process, trust is lost, which hinders success and progress. The development and influence of the Akumal Ecological Center rely heavily on the trust of local communities.

Héctor’s view on the future

Héctor notes that climate change is a big concern. Akumal is in a fragile area that is increasingly exposed to harsh weather conditions, such as hurricanes and other extreme events. It is essential that all community members are aware of this issue. Investments must be made to prepare for more extreme weather. A collaborative long-term vision is necessary because climate change affects everyone and every organization in the Akumal area.

Héctor hopes that NGOs, in general, will receive more recognition and attention. Many of these organizations provide crucial information, which will be needed more and more due to climate change and its consequences. Unfortunately, many NGOs struggle to remain operational.

It was very nice to get to know Héctor and learn more about his organization. It is a great example of how important organizations, focused on urgent issues, can be found everywhere.

This organization also collaborates with universities. Students from Miami and even the Netherlands' HAS Green Academy have conducted research or internships here. So if this caught your attention, feel free to contact Héctor and his team.

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A special thank you to Cristian and Héctor from the Akumal Ecological Center for their time and for an interesting and fun conversation.

Akumal Ecological Center´s Sustainable Development Goals

The main Sustainable Development Goals that the Akumal Ecological Center focuses on are life below water, clean water and sanitation, climate action, sustainable cities and communities, and affordable and clean energy.