Special Update...
We have just been notified that the land abutting the Aula Global
reserve, land which we were hoping to protect through our Arias
for the Rain forest concert tour in October, has been marked for
development by an adventure amusement ride company.
Due to the importance of us protecting this critical wildlife corridor, we
will be dedicating most of our newsletter to this concern. We have begun with
an email
message sent to many of our supporters.
Subject: This is a very RED alert!
This is my first mass email ever. I swore I would never do one.
Yet I feel I must. What you are about to read, or trash,
is a passionate plea for your assistance
in helping me find a coalition of caring people, organizations and companies
to help stop the rape of a very sacred place. Please, please help the Global
Classroom stop the destruction of one of the most pristine rain forest areas
of Costa Rica. Stop the killing of many unseen beings, both big and small.
I promise I will not be sending any more unsolicited information
or requests..
The guilt of spamming you is too great as I myself loath SPAM.. Please respond
if you can help. Even if you choose not to help, please just take a second
to take a deep breath and exhale. In doing so you are feeding
the ancient trees
we are trying to save...We breathe in what they breath out and vice versa.
We need them and they need us. It is something we never think
about, but can't live
without.
Many of you already know about the Global Classroom project and the Aula
Global biological reserve and sacred sanctuary nestled away in the rich green
rain forests
of Costa Rica. Some of you have sat among the towering ancient trees and
giggled as the monkeys played themselves silly, making fun in the towering
world above
you. Some of you have touched the ancient petroglyphs that spiral among the
rocks there, patiently taking note of centuries passing. For those who have
not taken
this journey, I beg that you do. For when you have been there, you will satiate
something you cannot see, and thirst for something you cannot describe.
Aula Global reserve is an oasis, shrouded in swirling mists most of the year.
Clouds slide along the steep ridges and drop into our valleys like a dancer
pulling on her veils. As you walk along the Rio de la Paz trail, created
in the memory
of River Phoenix and his love of all living beings, you will come into a
grove of the most majestic trees. It is dark and mysterious in there because
less than
2% of the sunlight reaches the forest floor. I am sorry to say that soon
it will not be so secretive and mysterious. In less than a month, this forest
may be
cleared, hacked and bulldozed to make way for an amusement park type thrill
ride called a skytrek. Once this happens, one more pristine stream will run
brown.
As has happened at the other 48 skytrek locations in Costa Rica, the mammals
will flee. We will become a small isolated island of green. This thrill ride
does not belong on this magical land where ancient Maleku peoples carved
their symbols into the river stones.
I will not ask you directly for money to help stop this tragedy from happening,
though sadly, that is the one sure thing that will stop a really huge loss.
A bit of green to save a lot of green!! How ironic.
What I am asking of you all, is to just take a minute to be conscious of
your breathing! Every day we breathe in and out about 21,600 times. And every
day
of every year, each hectare of this ancient rain forest that is about to
get destroyed produces 40 tons of pure oxygen. Lets all take a collective
deep breath,
because pretty soon there will be a little less to go around.
Please take a minute and consciously focus the energy (and life) you just
gained from those few conscious deep breaths and send that energy to a far
away forest
of dripping wet, massive trees that know you are here. Trees who need your
every exhale to survive. Send that breath out there with a deep and clear
intention
to stop this destruction. For those of you who believe in the power of prayer
and collective consciousness, you know you do not have to go to Costa Rica
to save this forest. Global Classroom is prepared to do that. Please help
us. We
need you. They need you! Trees we may never know need us. And we need them.
They must stand, not just because we need to breath, but because some of
them were
standing before Columbus sailed the ocean blue. They deserve to stand tall,
always reaching for that distant light.
|
Critical Biological Corridor Threatened By Proposed Adventure Thrill
Ride
Nestled discreetly in a remote, newly reforested clearing, the Aula Global Biological
Reserve is the perfect place to experience nature in balance. An endangered Resplendent
Quetzal flutters by, his voluminous tail streaming far behind. A scintillant
hummingbird does a complicated aerial display for his prospective mate while
howler monkeys roar from a ridge across the stream. This was the scene the morning
of May 13, 2003 when I was told the old growth forest blanketing the ridges along
two sides of Aula Global reserve was going to be invaded by huge steel towers
supporting several thousand meters of thrill ride cables and platforms. Roads
will be bulldozed, forest cleared for cars and cables, and critical low land
forest corridors will be destroyed.
Costa Rica has long been known for its stance on conservation, committed to 20%
of its land being protected. In reality, less than 13% is truly protected; over
two thirds of the country has been clear cut in the last twenty-five years. Budgets
for the protection and monitoring of existing parks has remained at 1980's levels.
Illegal cutting of old growth forest continues in many areas.
In recent years, the nature of the tourist clientele in Costa Rica has shifted;
adventure seekers now out number conservationist minded tourists by three to
one. In forested areas where people used to come primarily to see birds and
other wildlife, amusement park rides called "Sky treks" are now the rage.
Over fifty "Sky trek" like rides have been built in Costa Rica in the
last five years, and many of them are located in or near old growth forests.
In the Monteverde region, alone, there are four "Sky trek" like rides.
The impact on wildlife, including many threatened and endangered species, has
been significant. In addition to the effects of construction and road traffic,
the high noise level from thrilled and frightened riders drives wildlife permanently
away from the surrounding areas.
We have just learned that the owner of the largest "Sky trek" company
in the Monteverde area has offered to purchase the property adjacent to the Aula
Global reserve. This 296.4 acre property is owned by the Bello family and juxtaposed
between Aula Global and the nearby Santa Elena reserve. Members of the Bello
family are conservation minded and would prefer that their tract of land be preserved.
Through negotiations, they have proposed that if the Global Classroom put a $10,000
deposit on the land, the Bello family will, in turn, grant us six months to raise
the remaining $340,000 needed to purchase the land. If we fail to meet this offer,
the Bello's property will be either sold to the "Sky trek" company
or subdivided into 10 building lots. The Global Classroom is urgently seeking
partner-organizations and individuals to join us in an emerging coalition to
protect this land.
|
About the Bello's Property
The Global Classroom and other conservationists of the Monteverde region believe
that it is critical to protect the tract of land bordering the Aula Global
Biological reserve. This piece of property is owned by the Bello family, who
have recently stated that they must sell their land or develop it during 2003.
The Bello family property is a 296.4 acre tract, with 12.4 acres of pasture land;
all the remaining acreage is forested. The property straddles a transitional
zone between lower montane wet and lower montane rain forests, with Bryophytes
covering 50-70% of tree trunks. This property contains many species of fruiting
and flowering trees, including high numbers of Myrtaceae, Saptaceae and Lauraceae,
the latter being a major food source for migrating Frugivores such as the Resplendent
Quetzal and the Three-wattled bellbird. Some of the largest trees in the area
are located here, including many massive Ficus tuerckheimii, Ficus crassiuscula,
Persea americana and Citharexylum, many reaching heights of thirty to forty meters.
Due to high exposure to wind driven mists, Orhidaceae, Bromeliaceae and epiphytic
ferns are found in high numbers.
Bird species witnessed throughout this forest include the Resplendent Quetzal,
Orange-bellied Trogon, parrots, several tanager species, Three-wattled bellbird,
Toucans, White Hawk and a pair of nesting Ornate Hawk Eagles. Mammals include
howler and white faced monkeys, Tayra, Nine-banded Armadillo, and Collared Peccary.
Tracks and sign from Bairds Tapir, Mountain lion, Ocelot and Marguay have been
observed within the last year. Large tracks thought to be Jaguar have been documented
within this corridor as well. |
The Aula
Global Biological Reserve is located at the terminus of an
old growth forest corridor that winds its way precipitously
along the Rio Negro river. Resting along Aula Global's Southern
and Eastern boundaries, the neighboring Bello forest starts
at an elevation of approximately 1250 meters. The Bello property
rises steeply as it stretches South-East towards the Santa
Elena reserve and the Children's Eternal Forest, that are located
along the continental divide at an average of 1750 meters.
It is critical that the biological corridor between be
preserved.
Loosing the Bello land to developers will turn Aula Global into a small isolated
island, instead of an extension of permanently protected lowland forest wildlife
habitat, linked to the complex of the Monteverde region reserves.
About the
Global Classroom Project
For over a decade, the Global Classroom, a not-for-profit organization
based in Petersham, Massachusetts, has been holding educational
programs and service
projects in Costa Rica that have reached thousands of young people around
the world. Beginning in 1990, Global Classroom volunteers and
hundreds of students
from New England raised funds to protect a special piece of rain forest
in the mountains of Costa Rica. In 2000, we purchased these
100 acres of primarily
forested land in the Monteverde region and created the Aula Global Biological
Reserve.
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Monkeying around
Starting out early one morning, Keith McCormick and his 9 year old son, Colton,
followed me into the lush Jungles of Rincon De La Vieja, in search of animals.
This forested volcano in the Northern reaches of Costa Rica is one of the best
animal sighting areas left in Costa Rica.
We had set out early to beat the other visitors, hoping to see the tracks of
late night animals before they were obliterated by unknowing hikers. A good eye
and nose while walking a forested trail can tell you a lot about what lives there,
and what does not. What I noticed first was the lack of human tracks. This lack
of tracks told as much as an abundance of tracks would. After 9/11, tourism had
fallen in Costa Rica by an estimated seventy five percent. As with the Global
Classroom, many small organizations and businesses around the world are suffering
badly.
We were not on the trail too long before coming across the fresh tracks of an
Ocelot. This small spotted cat spends most of its time in the trees in search
of rodents, small mammals and even young birds that are hidden away in obscure
nests. I am always excited to see cat tracks as they are considered an indicator
species. If there are cats around, it means you are traveling through a fairly
intact and healthy ecosystem. Cats, like most predators that exist high up the
food chain, usually suffer first if there is an imbalance.
The trail rises steeply up the slopes of this old volcano. Once explosive and
deadly, it now rests in an almost silent torpor. I say almost because on occasion
it belches a puff of smoke or gives a slight rumble. With all the active fumuroles
and bubbling mud pits at it's base, it is most certainly only sleeping.
Lush forest covers most of the rugged slopes. Eroded away by several swift streams
and the occasional mud slide, it is a tough mountain to travel if you are off
trail. Today we decide to stick to the trails so we can cover much more area.
We are in search of animals. Since this is Colton's first time to Costa Rica
and he is such an animal lover, we have set a goal of seeing as many animals
as we can during our trip. We are not disappointed. Minutes after seeing the
Ocelot tracks I feel a faint sensation of being watched. We walk silently ahead
and there above us we find a small troop of Spider monkeys. Curious and playful,
they peek down through the trees at us, shuffling this way and that, scrambling
to get a better look. Keith and Colton lay flat on the forest floor to relieve
tired neck muscles.
I choose to stay vertical (and mobile) as I know they can be quite accurate with
fruit missiles, and other self produced, unsanitary bombs. During a sighting
of these clowns of the canopy, one of us was hit with a less than desirable monkey
scented surprise! I will not go into details as to who it was, what it was, or
even how accurate the shot. It sure does make me laugh still (probably a dead
give away that it was not me that was hit).
If you have never had the opportunity to observe primates in the wild you are
really missing out. It is uncanny how human like they can be (or how monkey like
we can be!). Huddled together, three monkeys wrap their arms around each other
like best buddies posing for a photograph. Two more swing by their tails as they
pick fruits and flowers. A young female with a newborn clinging to her breast,
hangs by one arm and her tail as she picks blossoms and stuffs them into her
mouth. The babe clings effortlessly, dangling 100 feet above the ground.
Eventually they swing and leap out of sight in search of tender leaves, fruits
and flowers. We hear their chatters and squeaks as they swing and frolic through
the forest. Able to leap incredible distances and catching the smallest of branches,
Spider monkeys are the trapeze artists of the forest. I have witnessed them leaping
unbelievable distances as they travel from one tree to another. On occasion one
would miss its mark and plummet three stories or more and just when it would
seem to be doomed, it would extend an arm and casually latch onto a passing branch.
Suddenly, there it was, hanging off the tiniest of twigs. The force of the fall
would send the branches arcing downward toward the ground 100 feet below. With
the bowing tree limb reaching maximum extension, it would suddenly recoil, catapulting
the furry mass of arms, legs and tail safely into yet another tree.
Full of smiles, and mocking the monkeys, we return to the trail to the sound
of approaching thunder. Within seconds the slapping of massive rain drops hitting
leaves high above us turns the tranquil forest into an intense cacophony of sound.
Howler monkeys start roaring and minutes later we are soaked to the skin. The
sky has turned a menacing black. We hike among sagging trees that bend under
the weight of so much water. Though many plants have evolved in such a way to
shed the added weight, many do succumb and come crashing to the forest floor:
a vital step in the regeneration of a mature forest.
We come across one tree that has a steady flow of water rushing down its trunk.
I place my hand around the small tree and feel a force that is as great as any
faucet running at full force. Above us the trail collects water from far up the
mountain, turning trickles into a brown torrent. With no choice but to walk in
the flowing waters, Colton and I make the best of it. I stand shin deep in rushing
brown waters, now carrying leaves, twigs and rotting fruits. I point to my feet,
now hidden under the rushing muck and look puzzled. Colton comes for a closer
look. I point and say "what's that?" As Colton comes in for a closer
look, I leap up and stomp both feet flat, sending a spray of water ten feet in
all directions. Colton, now in hysterics, begins repaying the dastardly deed.
I take off running and hear him in hot pursuit, laughing all the way to the next
massive puddle.
Within half an hour the rains have stopped. At least outside the jungle. Inside,
it will continue to rain for hours as the trees shed millions of gallons of water.
We emerge from the dark forest and enter the soaking fields surrounding the ranger
station. The hundreds of butterflies we were so thrilled to see in the morning
have now gone into hiding. I find myself wondering how a tiny insect that is
so fragile, could manage to survive the pounding of these rains for even a second.
Far off across the plains, lightning bounces and thunder roars. Swords of gold
stab into the distant farmlands, as black thunderheads begin breaking up. A magnificent
sunset tops off our extraordinary day.
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2003 GCR scholarship award
This year's Global Classroom scholarship award goes to fourteen year old Aubree
Miller of Clearwater Florida. Aubree has been awarded a $300 GCR scholarship
which will be applied toward her Costa Rica trip in July. Aubree will also
travel to Massachusetts to take part in a working scholarship program, where
she will volunteer for GCR while learning organic gardening. She enjoys writing,
photography
and gymnastics and likes studying sciences, outer space and history.
I first met Aubree while giving a presentation on composting toilets in Baja
Mexico this past winter. Being the only teen in the crowd, I thought it might
be nice to invite her to join my student group. In getting to know Aubree, it
became clear she is unique, gifted and motivated. She had been home schooling
herself while living in Baja for the past ten months. When she recited her list
of favorite books, it raised a few eyebrows. I know I was impressed. She spoke
of the hours of daily school work (self imposed) while living on one of the most
picturesque beaches you could imagine. How many teens (or adults) do you know
that would be so self motivated to hit the books in a place like that?
After my students left to return to the frozen hills of Massachusetts, Aubree
joined me and two whale researchers, for a day of whale photography and identification.
At 5am, the stars still shown brightly as we drove into Loreto to meet the
others. With a slight breeze already blowing it did not look good. In Baja,
winds called "El
Norte's" can come up fast and can be deadly. Especially in a small 24
foot open panga, the simple but amazingly durable boat of choice for most Mexican
fisherman. We had not traveled 2 miles to the North when we had to turn around.
The swell was getting too large for our little boat. We all gave a sad look
of
defeat as we headed back to port, just one hour after setting out.
We were almost to shore when we saw a huge pod of dolphins coming our way. Setting
a new course for the pod would put us in a more protected area and traveling
to a following sea would be much more comfortable. They were headed straight
for us, so decided to say hello before going back to shore. And we were glad
we did. What followed was 7 hours of the most incredible, up close and personal
experiences with several massive Blue whales, Fin backs and even some giant mantas.
I will let Aubree tell her version of the story. |
Aubree's story
The sun's glow was just starting to appear behind the peak of the sleeping islands
as Mike, Fernando, Colin and I were climbing into the panga that rested within
the secure walls of Loreto's port. The engine's roar filled the air as our
adventurous hunt for whales began. We glided through the opening of two rock
walls, it was as if I was passing through a doorway and entering into the past,
an untouched world that is a cornucopia of wonderful natural bliss. By this
time the sun had spilled its rays over the peak and was cascading down the
hillside, flooding the arduous waters. The boat thrashed against the waves
as we headed South towards Dazante Island. Suddenly, in the distance, a massive
spout of water shot forcefully high and wide into the sultry February air.
Roaring chants of excitement surrounded me, as all eyes were fixated on droplets
of water that still lingered in the air. We had found our first sign of whales.
The panga seemed to be powered by sheer ambition and excitement now. Our heads
were all leaning forward into the wind with optimistic smiles gleaming on our
faces. My spirits were high and I could feel the ecstasy slowly creep through
my veins as a fascination took over my emotions. As we sloshed through the
rough sea I saw the vigorous glistening bodies of a pod of Common Dolphins.
I enthusiastically pointed with a loss for words. Fernando's hands friskily
turned the wheel without hesitation. The dolphins beige muscular mass soared
through the air as they put on a display better than anything seen in Sea World.
They jumped and flipped, tossed and spun in the morning sun as all the men
shot them with their choice of weapon: their cameras. The dolphins swam energetically
aside our boat, looking up at us every so often. They seemed to be gracing
me with a warm smile when their eyes met mine. It is hard to explain the rush
of energy you feel when you see these creatures put on a display. When we noticed
another whale spout we decided we should probably get to the whale before it
decided to leave.
We revved up our engine and we were on our way. We were back on the road to the
whale and were thoroughly eager to see this massive creature. Noticing a collection
of spouts, we realized that it was not one whale, but three. Our eyes were wide
waiting for the next high.
As we approached the area where the whales had been resting, we could see a whale
that was about fifty yards away from us. A panga filled with tourists was right
beside the massive whale. I'm sure the people in the boat realized how lucky
they were! The whale started cutting a substantial circle around them. We noticed
a Fin back behind us and immediately the cameras began clicking rapidly. Its
back projected out from the water, glistening in the midmorning sun. Behind its
dorsal fin was a striking brown mark that was not like anything any of us had
seen before. The Fin back was gorgeous. It gracefully hovered under the surface
while feeding. Later we saw a huge Blue Whale feeding on the surface. Which,
according to researchers, is very uncommon during daylight hours. Reason being
that krill, small shrimp-like crustaceans that these whales eat, are only on
the surface at night. During the day they are deep below the water, therefore
the whales should be deep too. We were right in the middle of a slow paced feeding
frenzy and were surrounded by three Blue Whales and two Fin back Whales.
We noticed a pattern in one of the whales; she would do a figure eight going
North then circle back around. We estimated where she would rise and we went
where we thought she would be. When she came up we saw another Fin back on the
other side of the boat, they both were about sixty feet away. The intensity of
what was going on around me hadn't set in yet; I was in shock to see many whales
in the same area all around me.
We were all stoked about what we had just seen. When we didn't see any more whales
for a while we decided we should take a break and have lunch. I was sitting on
the bow of the boat biting into my delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich,
and as I rose my head I saw an enormous whale with his mouth wide open just behind
the boat. I know my eyes must have been as big as saucers. I don't think I even
breathed the whole time. Its head came up and then it slid back underneath the
blue mask of water.
When we finished our lunch we moved over towards another whale we saw. The whale
was making circles around the boat no more than thirty feet away at all times.
His massive head ascended from the surface of the water. He blew a huge spout
that got caught in the wind and landed on all of us. Just then his head slowly
dipped below the water line and his immense mass drifted underneath us. In that
moment I felt so small, the biggest mammal on the entire earth was just below
the surface on which I was standing. I could practically see the whole whale
even though a boat that is twenty times my size was above it blocking my view.
It wasn't until its whole body was underneath me that I realized just how huge
this creature really is. When the surface broke he was right there, just in front
of my eyes, this enormous being right along side the boat. If someone there had
stepped off of the side of the boat, one could have landed upon its glossy back.
Just his blowhole was about the size of my entire cranium. The cameras went off
in fury, the excitement and intensity was unreal. I don't think I could ever
duplicate the smile that was streaked across my face. The whale circled once
more coming up only a few more feet away than it had been before, except for
this time he came up on his underside. The whales huge pink belly area and ventral
pleats rippled like a disturbed pond, but much more forcefully. The water seeped
out of his mouth like a vengeful river.
This was a once in a lifetime experience and I know just how lucky I am. It is
hard enough to find a place as magical as the wild Sea of Cortez, let alone have
an experience like this. When they are swimming right along side your boat it
looks as if you could touch them, but when you stretch your arm as far as it
will go, and you still can't let your fingers dribble across their dorsal fin,
you realize there is just no way you are going to reach them. I think this is
true in a lot of different circumstances with any animal. No matter how hard
people try there is just something they will never be able to understand or reach:
not only about the animal but also the impression they make on you.
|
A
frightening fact
Along with internet cafes and Starbucks, many cities around the world offer
Oxygen cafes, where patrons pay a fee to breathe clean air administered
through a mask.
|
" The main threat to remaining Jaguars in Central
America is the clearing of forest for crops and grazing. When
roads penetrate a primitive zone, the Jaguar and White-Lipped
Peccary are the first large mammals to disappear."
-Koford, C.B. 1976
|
West coast meets East coast
The Global Classroom and World
School have joined forces to offer teens from
California and Massachusetts various adventure and service oriented trips.
Founded by Jennifer Pickering and other San Diego based educators, World School
staff share many of GCR's passions and goals in regard to today's youth, adventure
travel and being of service in the communities in which we travel. After just
a few minutes on the telephone with Jen it was clear we would make a strong
team. The conversation immediately fell into a brain storming session. It was
clear that combining her California students with my Massachusetts students
would likely create as culturally diverse a group as introducing youth from
two different nations. Something GCR and World School believe to be a valuable
learning experience for all involved. Now, take this already diverse group
and place them in a remote Mexican fish camp, or a mountainous Costa Rican
village and you have an incredible opportunity for growth, self esteem building
and the making of new friends. The first GCR World School trip took place in
Baja Mexico in February, with a Costa
Rica trip following in April of 2003.
Our first group of students came to sunny Baja to take part in sea kayaking,
whale watching, desert hiking and family home stays. Upon arrival in Baja, we
were off to meet our friend Payton who lives in La Purisima, a long desert valley
with an amazing fresh water oasis. Being the largest of the surface running,
fresh water sites in Baja, (which there are only a few) La Purisima is stunning
in all it's greenery and reflective pools. Small man made canals and elevated
channels of stone carry this precious liquid down from the mountains, distributing
it equally among all the growers. Each farm has a small channel with a gate,
and once every 14 days the farmer opens his gate for a pre-determined amount
of time. As it turned out, we arrived the day Payton was opening his gate. Within
minutes, several students were behind shovels, picks and even sharp sticks, clearing
the dozens of earthen channels to ensure every tree and plant was watered.
Evening came and it was time to head into the tiny village to share a traditional
meal with the locals, and to introduce our students to their host families.
Placing the students in groups of two, each team was given a new home. As
expected, things
started out slowly, with both the students and the families being a bit shy.
But, as always, everyone relaxed and eventually they were talking up a storm
and sharing photos, stories and laughing at each other’s silly language
mix-ups. By the end of there home stay, it seemed the students were ready
to move in permanently. With no shortage of emotions, it was time to move
on.
Our next stop was the Santo Domingo school to distribute our annual truckload
of donations, consisting of school supplies, books, games and sports equipment.
The director of the school was kind enough to interrupt classes, letting all
the school children interact with our group. In the blink of an ostrich eye (found
right out back, as they are raised for meat and eggs) our students were pulled
into soccer matches, and volley ball games. Even some Hula-Hoop action took place.
Now that was something to see! It was obviously the first time these youngsters
had seen a Hula - Hoop but it did not take them long to get the hang of it. Fearing
we would miss the tides, we left by noon to reach the protected bay in which
we would kayak across to the Island with no name.
Camping under a million stars on a desert island, with over 56 miles of beach
can only be magical. Though I have been taking people to this island for
nearly a decade, I am always a bit misty eyed when I visit there. Whether
it be the
abundant bird life, the wily coyotes, the serenading sea lions or the mysterious
and playful dolphins and whales that grace the waters just off shore, I am
always moved. This trip was no different. I think what moves me most is seeing
these
students changed by their own magical experiences. Watching them meet a playful
dolphin for the first time, or seeing them walk wide-eyed through an enchanted
old growth rain forest. Those moments are priceless. They make the hundreds
of hours of logistics, driving and planning worth every minute.
On our last
night in Baja, we sit in a circle and share our experiences. The
highs, the lows. Always there are stories to tell, good-bye tears to shed.
Like hundreds of other trips I have led, this tightly bound family is breaking
apart.
In many cultures, there is no word for good-bye. Sharing and debriefing our trip
the last night together reminds me of this. In the traditional sense, I am terrible
at good-byes. I do not tend to get too sentimental when it is time to go. But
trust me, it is not due to the lack of emotions as I hate to see my participants
go. This is my life's calling, to share and teach and learn in these mysterious
and magical places. Perhaps I have learned to steel myself. After all, for nearly
two decades I have been making new friends and watching them go away. And most
of them I never see again. But as I sit around a small ceremonial fire on the
beach with these amazing students, I reach my fingers into the cool earth and
I feel the web of life pulsing there. I feel the silky strands that bind all
living beings together, stretching out across the oceans, mountains and valleys.
I feel those that I have not seen or heard from in years. Many have given up
on calling or writing me because they never know what part of the world I may
be in. This is when I realize we are never alone. We are all one. And while I
sit under the velvety night sky of Baja hearing the good-byes, a tree in Costa
Rica calls my name. I take a deep breath and prepare to say good-bye.
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Fund Raising update
I would like to personally thank all the parents, students, acquaintances and
even total strangers that have responded to my plea for assistance in helping
us attempt to save a precious piece of rain forest. As this issue goes to print
we have received just under $20,000 in pledges in just 2 weeks. This is enough
for us to secure a contract guaranteeing us six months to raise the remaining
funds. But we are not out of the clear-cut pastures yet! We have a long way
to go and so little time. For those of you who are willing to donate, no matter
how big or small, please send in a tax deductible donation today.
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We have now reached out to all those that are in our circle of
donors. We need to reach more! The GCR has a very informative slide
show presentation and will travel to any school, church group, business
or gathering of friends. If you would like to become a part of the
GCR fund raising team or host a fund-raiser, please contact us ASAP.
We will supply you with support materials and will help in any way
we can. Thank you for your support.
Here are some ways you can help:
• Encourage area businesses to donate
• Ask your employer to match your donation
• Help arrange a fundraiser slide show
• Arrange school fund-raisers to save an acre or more
• Contact local conservation groups, bird clubs etc. |
Aula Global is Ready for YOU!
Aula Global research station is now ready to host school groups, nature clubs
and interns!
The Global Classroom has been offering educational experiences and service-oriented
trips in Costa Rica for youth and adults for over 15 years. Join us on one of
our scheduled trips or rent our rain forest lodge for your club, school trip
or personal use. Call or write us for more details. Aula Global reserve is one
of the best bird watching sites around. |
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