Baby turtles, tiny fish, and volunteers achieved what expensive and dangerous pesticides could not: freeing a community from mosquitoes.
Now help them do the same for others.
Unlike other communities in their region of Honduras, the small, impoverished community of Monte Verde hasn't seen a case of dengue fever, chikungunya, or Zika for three years. In fact, since November of 2018, in a part of the world where mosquitoes have ruled for generations, and where nearly everyone suffered from mosquito-borne diseases for much of their lives, there has been no mosquito production at all.
Even more astonishing, the citizen-scientists of Monte Verde achieved this remarkable, lifesaving goal through a groundbreaking program of biological control, using natural predators of the mosquito. Unlike pesticides, biological control is inexpensive, sustainable, effective, and safe.
But there's a catch.
Anybody can spray a chemical. It's expensive and dangerous. It only kills the mosquitoes it touches. Once it's gone, you have to do it again. But if you have the money and don't mind the secondary damage to the soil, water, people, and wildlife, there's no question that it's easy.
By comparison, biological control has only one drawback: it's not as easy as spraying some poison and walking away. People in a community need to be taught to use it. They need baby turtles and other mosquito predators that will eat the mosquito larvae. They need help monitoring their water supplies to keep the mosquitoes from coming back, and support create sustainable long-term success. It takes time, patience, people, and effort.
Luckily, the citizen-scientists of Monte Verde are ready, willing, and excited to bring this lifesaving program to other communities.
All they need is your help for to pay for a few necessities.
The Monte Verde Project happened because a nonprofit organization provided seed money. Scientific advisors worked with the community and helped develop the protocols that worked. But now that funding has ended, and the Project needs a new source of support to carry on its lifesaving work -- for the people of Monte Verde and for neighboring communities.
A $10 donation will pay for ten baby turtles. A $30 donation will support a Project worker for several days, providing transportation to reach other communities, supplies (e.g., flashlights, mosquito traps, and training materials), and additional support needed to do the job. A $250 donation will support the entire project for a day.
Any amount you can give will mean a great deal to the lives and health of many families. You’ll know that you’re making a lifesaving difference for hundreds or thousands of families — not just someday, but right now.
Other Ways You Can Help
- Spread the word among friends, family, and colleagues. Share this story of eco-success, and keep it growing.
- Share this link on social media
And THANK YOU!