A self-proclaimed conservation pioneer, Eric Gustafson is seeking ways to promote and facilitate conservation of the Gulf of Mexico that straddles the international boundary. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
by Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
A self-proclaimed conservation pioneer, Eric Gustafson is seeking ways to promote and facilitate conservation of the Gulf of Mexico that straddles the international boundary between the U.S. and Mexico.
Gustafson is the first executive of the Mexico Gulf of Mexico Foundation, which is closely affiliated with the northern neighbor.
“Education is one of the main focuses of the newly formed Mexican foundation,” explained Gustafson. “By fostering diverse education and leadership programs, we aim to increase awareness, understanding and stewardship about the Gulf of Mexico within our country.”
According to the new director, he has always had a passion for conservation. He has been actively involved in conservation projects as a member of Ducks Unlimited, Watchable Wildlife and Conservation Mexico. In 2011 he joined the Gulf of Mexico Foundation.
Corporate and Governmental Expertise
The Monterrey, Mexico native studied international business at the Monterrey Institute of Technology, and later received an MBA from Stanford University with an emphasis on sustainable development.
Before joining the foundation, he was Co-Founder and first Executive Director of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, Northeastern Mexico Chapter; Director of Foreign Investment for the Mexican State of Nuevo Leon; and Director of Economic Development for San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico, where he currently resides.
Before joining the foundation, he was Co-Founder and first Executive Director of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, Northeastern Mexico Chapter; Director of Foreign Investment for the Mexican State of Nuevo Leon; and Director of Economic Development for San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico, where he currently resides. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
“I also started a company called Swedish Enterprises de Mexico,” said the Mexican native with the Swedish surname, “but my passion has always been conservation.”
With extensive corporate and government expertise, Gustafson brings unique qualities to the table for the benefit of the foundation.
“The current number of environmental foundations and organizations in Mexico funneling money into Gulf Coast restoration projects is considerably smaller than that in the U.S.”, he said.
The Gulf of Mexico Foundation’s conservation and restoration programs engage in work to fund on-the-ground restoration, streamline resource management practices, support habitat protection, and provide resources to organizations, agencies and the public.
According to Gustafson, “It is important to get different Mexican interest groups involved, so through closer cooperation and coordination, more projects can be started to protect the integrity of the unique Gulf marine ecosystem.”
Gustafson is looking to engage private enterprise, both government and non-government organizations, as well as communities to work together to pioneer programs in the Mexican Gulf.
Organization Backed by 23 Years of Experience
“Our advantage is that we are not starting from scratch,” he said. “There are 23 years of experience behind the Gulf of Mexico Foundation in the U.S. We plan to tap upon this knowledge, experience and track record, and bring all parties together to start needed projects in the Mexican Gulf.”
One of the first projects he is organizing is bringing together U.S. and Mexican conservation organizations at a conference to be held in the Yucatan.
“The ecosystem dynamics and wild creatures do not recognize sovereignty lines on a map,” explained Quenton Dokken, CEO of the Gulf of Mexico Foundation. “The Gulf of Mexico is one ecosystem managed by three countries : the United States, Mexico and Cuba.”
The ecosystem dynamics and wild creatures do not recognize sovereignty lines on a map,” explained Quenton Dokken, CEO of the Gulf of Mexico Foundation. “The Gulf of Mexico is one ecosystem managed by three countries : the United States, Mexico and Cuba.” Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
Like its northern neighbor, the Mexican Gulf coast has been recently rocked by numerous hurricanes and storms inflicting damage to not only the ecosystem, but seafood communities.
The storms have inflicted severe damage on many of these communities. “One example is the state of Veracruz, which has a very long coastline and has experienced damages due to the storms,” he said. “You have seen how these storms have devastated U.S. communities; you cannot imagine the effect they have had on the Mexican side. We simply don’t have the capacity or the funds that the U.S. has to rebuild and restore.”
The Mexican operations is currently in the process of lining up potential partners, both from the government and non-government sectors.
“We are also trying to get reputable Mexican companies, as well as corporations with an interest in Mexico involved,” Gustafson said. “We are in the process of forming a base of high-level contacts to garner that support.”
He feels an issue that will garner political support is the ecological restoration of the Mexican Gulf Coast. This includes restoration of coastal wetlands, as well as the formation of new reefs. Other environmental “hot topics” include the rising sea-level and sediment management.
“Although the United States and Mexico are unique in many ways, they share just as many commonalities. Economically and environmentally, the challenges faced by each nation are the same,” explained Dokken. “To sustain and enhance the environmental productivity and economic robustness of the Gulf of Mexico Community, it is imperative that the Gulf of Mexico Foundation and the Mexico Gulf of Mexico Foundation work in concert to put spotlights on the challenges and lead the effort to develop and implement strategies to overcome the challenges.”
According to Gustafon the Mexican organization is looking at projects straddling the international boundary, especially around the mouth of the Rio Grande. “We have had some collaboration in that area in the past, but there is still much more we can do,” he explained.
“The Mexico Gulf of Mexico Foundation will adapt programs to the challenges and needs that exist on the Mexican side of the Gulf,” Gustafson said. “Through our efforts to educate, conserve and restore in both countries, the Foundation will acquire a more holistic view of this unique ecosystem, allowing us to confront common challenges in a coordinated and more effective manner.”
Visitor Comments