EPI FY 2019 Annual Report 2019 Annual Report pages | Page 7

EPI’S YEAR IN REVIEW In 2019, more than 4,900 students and alumni across five countries in North, Central, and South America engaged in hands-on field science and conservation projects near their own communities with Ecology Project International. Students and alumni restored critical wildlife habitat from mangroves to grasslands, monitored and protected endangered species from leatherback sea turtles to yellow-headed parrots, and engaged their communities in conservation education, action, and celebration.  2019 EXPANDING Our reach Notable EPI Mexico’s Eco Club, the Californios Verdes, launched a successful public education campaign on single-use plastics, reaching hundreds of Baja California Sur residents and building support for a state-wide ban. For the first time, EPI offered professional development courses for educators outside of our Teacher Fellowships. EPI led four teacher workshops focused on Next Generation Science Standards in three different countries. Making an impact Over 36,000 sea turtle hatchlings were protected and released at EPI’s Pacuare Reserve in Costa Rica. Hitting Targets Each program site worked to increase climate literacy within programming as a result of our Connect4Climate initiative. Looking ahead “ “ EPI’s Pacuare Reserve is expanding its lodging options to increase our residential student programming, broaden ecotourism options, and build capacity for long-term research projects. EPI Galapagos’ Mola Mola Eco Club has given me three things: extraordinary experiences, personal growth, and lifelong friends. -MICAELA, LOCAL GALAPAGOS PARTICIPANT 6