CINDA SCOTT, PH.D. CENTER DIRECTOR | SFS PANAMA Born and raised in Massachusetts, USA, Dr. Scott completed her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and Biology at Middlebury College in 1999 and later completed her Ph.D. in Marine Biology with a focus in molecular evolutionary genomics from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) at the University of Miami in 2009. In 2010, she responded to a national call to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in STEM by serving as Program Manager of a National Science Foundation grant at New York City College of Technology, where she created innovative STEM teaching methods and taught in the Biology department. Her research now focuses on identifying bioindicators of mangrove forest health in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Her background in teaching, field work, and administration brought her to Panama in 2014, when she joined the SFS Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies as Center Director. EDUCATION TEACHING AT SFS AREAS OF EXPERTISE Doctorate in Marine Biology and Fisheries – Molecular Evolutionary Genomics (University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science) SFS 2070 Language, Culture, and Society of Panama (Semester) SFS 4910 Directed Research (Semester) SFS 3000 Tourism and Island Systems: Sustainable Practices (Summer) Marine Biology and Ecology Marine Genomics STEM Education Biodiversity and Conservation Higher Education Leadership and Administration TROUBLE IN “PARADISE” CHALLENGES TO CONSERVATION IN PANAMA by Dr. Cinda Scott ith its crystal-clear waters and diverse array of terrestrial and marine organisms, Bocas del Toro, Panama is considered a natural Caribbean paradise. Beneath the surface, however, this archipelago is struggling to meet the demands of tourism; with a resident population of less than 10,000 people, Isla Colón receives hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. The large numbers of tourists continue to overwhelm the available resources and infrastructure of the island. As a marine biologist, I am deeply concerned about the overuse of marine resources not only in Bocas del Toro, but around the globe. My research focuses on anthropogenic impacts, such as coastal development, on mangrove forest health via marine biodiversity surveys of sponge, fish, invertebrate, and coral species. While the challenges facing Bocas with regard to marine and island systems are not necessarily unique, the approaches to curbing these challenges are. Policies and politics are often at odds with conservation practices due to the heavy promotion of tourism and development in the region. What is the way forward when issues such as pollution and nutrient loading, overfishing, mismanagement of 24 The School for Field Studies W water-based tourism sites, algal blooms, increasing water temperatures, coral disease and bleaching, mangrove loss, destruction of critical habitat, coastal development, and climate change seem overwhelmingly insurmountable? First, obtaining a deep understanding of the intricacies of the relationships between humans and their use of marine ecosystems and services is paramount in navigating these challenges. We must ask difficult questions surrounding our own cultural practices and conservation motives in addition to examining existing social, ethnic, and economic hierarchies and barriers to mobility, while respecting local in-country customs. Second, we must continue to investigate through field work and research the connectivity of critical marine habitats. For example, how important is sponge to coral and mangrove forest health? Is the presence or absence of key species in highly disturbed or protected areas a determinant of overall ecosystem health? We continue to gather data from the mangal to interpret how this biome is valued and impacted by Bocatoreños and tourists alike. Finally, sharing our findings and knowledge with local and national officials contributes to an existing and growing body of work developed throughout Panama by several NGOs and government agencies focused on myriad environmental issues through research and policy change. Additionally, through our community engagement program, Indigenous Ngöbe communities and leaders have requested our assistance with the development and revitalization of eco-tours via environmental education instruction, such as birding, to support self-sustaining Indigenous tourism. Ultimately, our goal is to provide relevant research data to all members of the Bocas community, promote sustainable use of natural resources, and educate future leaders in the fields of conservation and environmental science. Though Bocas has many challenges, I am proud to be working at the intersection of education, conservation, and research, and I am very proud to call Bocas home. READ MORE FROM OUR FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS IN THE FIELD AT: fieldstudies.org/blog