The tides are changing here at Gili, as we say goodbye to well-loved faces and welcome new ones.
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| Deborah Burn hard at work |
After three years of dedicated work as the resident Marine Biologist and Environmental Officer, Deborah Burn is moving onto live and work in New Zealand. She has set a fantastic example of how to run a marine program by combining her passion and knowledge of marine conservation to create lasting connections with local and global marine organizations. She also raised the bar on the guest excursions and the experimental science carried out at the resort. Thank you for doing such a fantastic job Debs.
Next week, we also say goodbye to our other resident biologist, Assistant Marine Biologist, Josie Chandler. Josie has worked at Gili for two years and was responsible for creating and delivering the sustainability training to almost the entire 300 hosts and also co-managed the coral lines project. Josie is leaving in search of her next piece of paradise and currently plans to spend the end of the year underwater in a remote, tropical location.
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| Josie Chandler completing her Rescue Diver qualification |
The hard work put in by these marine biologists and sustainability educators has ensured that everyone at the resort knows more about how their day to day habits affect the environment around them. Since receiving proper training, the energy consumption, water use and waste management has been considerably reduced in host areas.
The successful projects instigated by Debs and Josie will now be passed down to our new Marine Biologist and Environmental Officer, Clare Baranowski.
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| Clare in her new role |
Clare is extremely excited to be here: She aims to build the marine biology team to include both an international and Maldivian marine biologist. “I am looking forward to continuing the great work of Debs, Josie and Vaidas. I am hoping to incorporate some long term goals of my own working with hosts and local communities.”
Clare will start her term by opening the long awaited Marine Biology Centre on World Oceans Day 8thJune 2017. The name of this beautiful building is yet to be confirmed. We have put it to the hosts to come up with ideas and we received over 100 suggestions. Stay tuned to find out which name is chosen.
