Motorola Mobility Fdn Empowerment Grant - RBWI

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Rescuing Our Wetlands Connecting local student-driven conservation efforts in the Gulf Coast to a global community using mobile technologies

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Resacas . These abandoned river coils in the delta of the Rio Grande form a unique wetland habitat that is key to the health of the Gulf Coast and beyond. They sustain hundreds of local and migratory animal species and plants, including dozens that are endangered, such as the iconic ocelot. Mexican Tree Frog Ocelot Green Jays

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Historically, resacas covered large swaths of the Rio Grande floodplain in Southern Texas and Northern Mexico.

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Flood control and other human activities have led to the degradation of this habitat. Currently less than 5% of resacas remain in native condition. Those that survive form a patchwork of fragile, compromised habitat. Those that are lost have dried up, perhaps irreversibly.

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The time is now to preserve what remains, and restore what can be returned to its native state. This complex conservation effort is being spearheaded by the Texas Park and Wildlife Department.

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A new paradigm for environmental conservation: Our approach is founded on the belief that solutions to this challenge, and many others facing our environment, will emerge through greater participation, more open sharing of information, and concerted action and support. Mobile technology is key to this. Act Share Engage

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Over the next 12 months, American and Mexican student volunteers (grades 5 through 9) from the LivingWay school will work with the Texas Park and Wildlife Department, the Rio Bravo Wildlife Institute, and Mobile Sanctuary to tackle the challenge of restoring resacas .

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First, we will identify a resaca research site and perform a baseline assessment to determine what state it is in. We are already evaluating potential sites! Study Site

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Study Site We will use a mobile phone app to collect and send data from our research site directly to a database, and get information and guidance back. We will be able to send and receive different kinds of information – text, sound, photos, and video. Transmit Data Manage Data

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Our colleagues at Mobile Sanctuary are building the mobile app using an Android-based, open-source platform that they developed at MIT. It comes in English… …y en Español!

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The mobile app guides our research and tells us what kind of information we need to gather. Resaca research site assessment app It is easy to use and helps us avoid mistakes. And it provides immediate feedback and recommendations.

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Study Site Transmit Data Manage Data Collaborate Share & Learn We will share the information we collect through an online collaboration website with individuals and groups around the world that are interested in learning about our project, and want to help us by sharing their expertise.

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Study Site Transmit Data Manage Data Collaborate Share & Learn Restore Site With the support and guidance of this global community, we will decide how to restore our site. We will follow our site for a whole year to see how effective our conservation efforts are.

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With funding from the Motorola Mobility Foundation we will be able to: Develop and deploy mobile technologies that facilitate and guide student-driven conservation efforts Identify effective strategies to restore and sustain endangered wetland habitat through online collaboration with a “community of care” Transfer technology and skills to local groups to build capability and capacity for future projects Provide a positive, shared learning experience for all involved in the project, and focus greater attention on the challenge of preserving Gulf Coast wetland habitat

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To learn more about this project, please visit us at: rbwi.org mobile-sanctuary.org Thank You!