Members in Action: Robert Mayer, Professor of Biology at the University of Puerto at Aguadilla, CERP

Dr. Robert J. Mayer, CERP, is a full professor of biology at the University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla and Director of Vida Marina: Center for Conservation and Ecological Restoration of the UPR. Dr. Mayer is pictured working on the construction of a wooden boardwalk in the dune of the Aviones area of Loiza, Puerto Rico. 

How long have you been a member of SER? What’s your best experience with SER so far?

I have been a member of SER since 2016. It has been very good to find a place to network, share the methods and results of my restoration work, learn from the work of other ecological restoration practitioners from all around the world, and find a way to standardize and organize the practice of ecological restoration.

I think the best experience with SER so far was being able to give a virtual tour of our restoration sites. Also being able to present our work in webinars organized by SER has been the highlight of my membership!

Why did you join SER?

It is the professional organization that matches exactly the type of work I do. I also joined because I strongly believe in advancing the science, practice, and policy of ecological restoration to sustain biodiversity and improve resilience of ecosystems worldwide.

What do you find most rewarding about working for your organization?

Being able to educate young students and community members about the importance of conservation of biodiversity and the ecological restoration of coastal ecosystems. I also enjoy bringing people back to nature and teaching our students how to work outdoors with tools and techniques that will help us rewild our island and at the same time make them more self-reliant individuals. 

Networking with people from other countries is also something that I find very rewarding.

What projects are you working on right now?

We are working on two projects that focus on the ecological restoration of coastal dunes on the north coast of Puerto Rico and one that focuses on the ecological restoration of four mangroves on the northwestern coast of the island. These projects are increasing the resilience of coastal communities and habitats to future extreme weather events and sea level rise.

Dr. Robert J. Mayer and Joshua Acevedo cutting trails in the dead red mangroves in the Secret Spot mangrove in Isabela, Puerto Rico. This mangrove was devastated by hurricane María in 2017 and has not recovered.

How does your work support the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration?

Our work directly supports the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. We are implementing two projects that focus on the ecological restoration of coastal dunes and mangroves in Puerto Rico. We are also training a future generation of ecological restoration practitioners through our academic programs and SER student association at the UPR at Aguadilla.

Dr. Robert J. Mayer and the Vida Marina staff working on the construction of a wooden boardwalk in the dune of the Aviones area of Loiza, Puerto Rico.

What does ecological restoration mean to you?

To me it’s just plain common sense if you care for your life and that of future generations. Restoring ecosystems is a way of ensuring that we will be able to thrive on this planet for a little longer and it is also an act of respect and love for other life forms that have the same right to be on this planet as we do. It is my way of life.

Why would you encourage others, particularly young people, to get involved in this field?

Ecological restoration is very important from a planetary point of view, but it also returns humans to their natural environment making them healthier and happier. 

Dr. Robert J. Mayer and the Vida Marina staff working on the ecological restoration of the Secret Spot Mangrove in Isabela, Puerto Rico.

What’s one thing - either industry-related or not - you learned in the last month?

I have learned that humans sometimes must put a price on nature in order to attract funding and resources to try to offset its destruction in faraway places even though I am a bit disturbed by the idea.

What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

I don’t like to be called Dr. and enjoy the simplest things in life. The simpler my life the better.