Earth Education International Blog: 2009.05

30 May, 2009

Central Pacific: Manuel Antonio & Esterillos

The Beach at Manuel Antonio

One of the more beautiful beaches in Costa Rica: Manuel Antonio National Park. We received
a presentation from Javier (the park guide in charge of the environmental education program)
before enjoying the beach for the afternoon.

Mangove Ecology Visit Dr. Titus (in the background, SUNY-Fredonia) explaining mangrove ecology at the Pacific coast near Caldera.

Nocturnal Inter-Tidal Exploration
The group exploring tide pools at Playa Esterillos in search of nocturnal
tropical marine life.

28 May, 2009

Palmares: Madre Verde Reserve

Hiking Pre-Montane Forest
A hike in pre-montane tropical forest during a visit to a conservation project in Palmares.

Service-Learning in a Tree Nursery
Providing assistance planting native seeds in tree nursery. Once they have grown into
seedlings, they will be planted as part of reforestation efforts.

Tree Planting Activity
The trees we planted in assisting reforestation efforts in a community watershed conservation project.
The trees will also sequester all carbon dioxide released as a result of implementation
of this course in less than 6 months, counting international travel, local travel,
and time spent in-country.

26 May, 2009

La Fortuna: Local School Visit

Primary School Visit
Three participants (left to right: Alejandro, Lynne, and Jen) helping primary
school students with their homework during a school visit.

Painting a Schoolhouse
One of the various volunteer work assignments during the course: Painting a room
at a local primary school. Left to right: Lynne and Sarah.

Primary School Children
Lynne (center) with primary school children. They were anxious to share with us during our visit.

23 May, 2009

San Ramón: Alberto Brenes Biological Reserve

River Exploration
Maria examining an aquatic insect in the river at Alberto Brenes.

Discovered: Gold Beetle
A gold beetle caught in the nocturnal light trap at the Biological Reserve.

Volunteer Work: Rock Collection
Helping collect rocks from the river for a new sidewalk that is to be build in front of the field station
at the Alberto Brenes Biological Reserve. From foreground to background are:
Jen, Lynne, Lisa, Sabrina, and Maria.

Viewing the Rain Forest
Claire, Lynne, Sabrina, and Maria (foreground to background) looking out at the virgin
rain forest from the biological field station at Alberto Brenes Biological Reserve.

Tropical Plant Diversity Activity
Classification of tropical plants at the Alberto Brenes Biological Field Station. Left to right are:
Maria, Dr. Sanchez (Professor, University of Costa Rica), Sabrina and Claire.

A Beautiful River in the Biological Reserve
The primary river that runs in front of the biological field station.

22 May, 2009

La Fortuna Area

Medicinal Farm Visit
The group visiting a medicinal plant garden, family farm, and cottage industry shampoo production facility
that uses self-made biogas!

Solar Greenhouse Visit
A visit to a solar greenhouse where medicinal herbs are being dried.
From left to right: Alejandro,

Miguel Karian, and Jen.

Fresh Milk Anyone?
Alejandro practicing milking a cow. An optional volunteer work activity on a small family farm in the La Fortuna area.

Arboreal Serpent
An arboreal nocturnal snake found in the northern lowland area surrounding La Fortuna:
In the garden of the eco-lodge we were staying at in fact!

Family Farm Visit
Visiting hogs during a small family farm visit.

21 May, 2009

San Ramón: University of Costa Rica & Organic Coffee Farm

Environment & Conservation in Costa Rica
Dr. Karian giving a presentation on Environment and Conservation in Costa Rica at the
University of Costa Rica, Western Regional Campus.

Organic Coffee Farm Visit
The group visiting an organic, bird-friendly, shade-grown coffee farm in the San Ramon area.
This is the only coffee farm in Costa Rica certified by the Smithsonian Institute.