Protecting the environment requires a lot more than just hugging trees. As director of the GAIA program in the Nicaraguan not-for-profit foundation, FUNDECI., Jeffrey McCrary works on technical issues to protect the environment in Nicaragua. How Nicaragua manages its environmental issues in the face of a rapidly growing economy and a deep transformation is key to the sustainability of its success as a nation, and in particular, its wild natural resources are issues of international importance.
The GAIA program works to unify efforts between local people, national and international volunteers, scientists and professionals, the international cooperation and donor communities, and the Nicaraguan government, to promote prosperity among rural Nicaraguans while protecting and improving conditions for wildlife and their habitat.
GAIA has worked on a variety of issues of importance to the conservation of natural resources in Nicaragua, such as:
The hydroelectric project TUMARIN
Wind energy in Nicaragua: Covensa, Blue Power, Eolo
The Nicaragua Interoceanic Grand Canal
Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve Management Plan
Chiltepe Peninsula Nature Reserve Management Plan
Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo
Wild animal rescue and advocacy
Protection of the Natural Heritage of Nicaragua