At last I find a moment to slide into
the hammock that I set up three days ago. I lower myself in with
a little hesitancy. The tiny strings used to make my three dollar
special look dubious to me. No sooner had I closed my eyes to begin
drinking in the delicate chorus of tropical bird songs when a piercing
yell shattered my gently swinging bliss. At first I tried to tune
it out, pretending it did not happen. When the second shout tore
jagged edges down the serene valley I knew there was no denying
it had occurred. Being the lead guide of this Costa Rican trip,
and the fact that it was undeniably my name being called and I
knew there was no escape. Should I be running for the first aid
kit, or the camera? Or maybe both?
Before I even had time to debate this question, Noah Richardson, our high school
butterfly enthusiast, came running up onto the porch of the Global Classroom
research station announcing the news. A huge eagle like bird was in a tree nearby.
I thought to myself you mean it WAS in a tree nearby. No way would an eagle stick
around after hearing his excited cries. I grabbed my binoculars and we turned
the corner of the porch and there it was, only 50 feet away. And at eye level.
It was a majestic looking bird sitting up straight and tall. Beautiful white
plumes stood out against the deep greens of the jungle background. There was
no need for binoculars to determine that this was indeed a raptor. It’s
massive talons, hooked beak and those piercing eyes were a dead give away. As
the huge bird twisted and turned his head it was easy to see three or four distinctive
plumes that stuck up off its head like a Native American head dress. There are
very few raptors in Costa Rica with a crown so I knew it would be easy to identify
in our field guide. We grabbed the book and the spotting scope and climbed up
to the upper deck for an even better look. It came down to the Harpy Eagle (supposedly
extirpated from Costa Rica) and the Ornate Hawk - Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus).
Due to the enormous size of the Harpy I immediately discounted it as being such.
Back in April we had seen a pair or Ornate Hawk - Eagles hanging around the research
station, but this bird did not look like either of them. Ornate Hawk - Eagles
do have the head dress but they also have a distinctive rust colored breast and
clearly striped tail. But then again, it was definitely not a Harpy. The Harpy
is massive. They are large enough to snatch a full grown monkey from the tree
tops. I saw one once in Panama and they are unmistakable.
I flipped back through the color plates of the bird identification book once
more wondering if I had missed a page. I was about to give up when the bird started
making a loud, piercing chirp. A moment later it began a high pitched call that
was to become a regular sound at the reserve for the next few weeks. I looked
up just in time to see one of the two Ornate Hawk - Eagles we had seen
in April landing next to the mystery bird. A great commotion ensued as they flapped
and screamed. What at first looked to be a fight turned out to be a frenzied
feeding session. That was when it all came together. This huge white breasted
bird was a juvenile Ornate Hawk - Eagle.
The adult began tearing at a small mammal held in it’s talons with it’s
hooked beak until it was shredded to bits. It then fed it to the youngster, who
in turn swallowed all the pieces whole and without hesitation. In less than a
minute the entire meal was finished. I re-opened the field guide to the section
on Ornate Hawk - Eagles and sure enough, way down in the bottom of the text it
mentioned that it takes up to three years for the immatures to grow into their
colorful adult plumage. This is a pretty common phenomenon with birds, but I
was amazed that the difference could be so drastic.
As the days and weeks went by, the juvenile began showing faint rusty colors
across the breast. We also noticed that the parents became more and more scarce,
eventually disappearing all together. I guess junior was on his own now.
It was such a treat to look out across the valley and see this spectacular bird
learning how to hunt, knowing that it was born and raised on Aula Global land.
What a gift to wake up at first light and walk out onto the deck and see him
sitting right there in a tree you could practically touch.
Fundraising Update
As most of our readers and supporters know, we have been trying to
raise enough funds to purchase some spectacular old growth tropical
forest and avert an ecological disaster along the borders of Aula
Global Reserve. In May 2003, we learned of the frightening plans
to develop over 300 acres of old growth forest abutting our reserve.
In talking with local environmentalists, the Costa Rican environmental
minister and colleagues, we have since learned that this forest is
the last remaining unprotected old growth forest of any significant
size left standing in the region. Not only is this a critical corridor
for many species dependent on lower slope migrations, it is one of
the last great pieces of forests that has not fallen to amusement
rides, private homes and hotels.
There are no words to describe the devastation to an ecosystem and all its inhabitants
when an ancient tropical forest is cleared. It is heart wrenching and deeply
disturbing to see. Once you have seen a clear cut you will never forget it. And
the long term effects are irreversible. If left alone, trees will eventually
return, but lost forever are the hundreds of species that may be found no where
else on earth. It is like a dead lake. There may be plenty of water, but water
alone does not make a lake. Take away the flowers, birds, butterflies and fish,
cover the shores with concrete and garbage and it is not a lake but a hole in
the ground full of water. It has always seemed fitting to me that the soils of
the rain forest are a deep red. Cut a road into it and it looks as if the earth
is bleeding. And indeed she is.
We began our red alert fund raising efforts in
June of 2003 with a bulk email plea and the GCR newsletter. Within 10 days we
began receiving donations from
far and near and within a month we had collected just over $25,000 in donations.
Knowing we were reaching out to the same donors that have been supporting the
Global Classroom over the years, we did not expect such a high intake of donations.
Then things began to taper off. With our annual student trip to Costa Rica scheduled
for July 2003, Susan and I had to put our fundraising efforts on the back burner
until we returned to the U.S.A. To make things worse, while we were in Costa
Rica we were under pressure to notify the land owners that we were committed
to purchasing their property or let the whole idea go. On the final day together
in Costa Rica, with no grants or large donations in sight, it was clear to me
that I had to just let it all go.
The following day Susan would return to the States and I would remain in the
jungle with the students for another 12 days. Even at the moment of parting ways,
we struggled with what to tell the land owners. With a total of $378,000 needed,
we would need a miracle to pull this off. Right up to the final seconds of our
good-byes, we struggled with letting it all go. It was clear to me that was what
had to happen.
I turned and re-entered the forest while Susan and Israel disappeared
around the bend. My feet were so heavy and my heart even more so. The helpless
feeling that overtook me was horrible. In minutes I was yanked from a world of
magical feelings seeing the eagles, to one of defeat. It was only a matter of
time before the full impact of this decision was felt. The whole world has turned
up on end.
The cloud of dark energy that seemed to be spreading across the globe had now
invaded our tropical paradise. Twin towers coming down, another war looming,
suicide bombers, SARS epidemics, oil spills, and now this. A paradise that seemed
so far away from all the craziness was about to get bulldozed. I could already
hear the chain saws in my mind. That emerald ridge we look out across would be
trashed, our clear flowing stream would soon be filled with silt. No more jaguars
and monkeys. The old growth corridor these species have depended on for so many
eons would soon be cleared and burned: gone forever to make way for amusement
rides and hotels. The early morning sound of Quetzals and Howler monkeys would
soon be replaced by chain saws. I was admitting defeat and it stung to the core.
I retreated into the forest weighted down with a million different emotions.
I was drowning in memories of all the sacrifices made and the losses incurred
because I am so deeply dedicated to the youth we bring to this forest. I felt
powerless, like I was letting so many people down. Israel, who has made so many
sacrifices to be with us, and ten years worth of students who write in praise
of the program and how it changed their lives. How coming here gave them direction
and energy to carry on in pursuit of their dreams. It seemed so possible to stop
the destruction of this neighboring forest, and yet so impossible.
I hiked along lush green trails recalling how I live in a country so full of
abundance and excess. Where CEOs can take in millions of dollars in bonuses,
where Americans spend 1.2 billion dollars annually on barbecue grills and accessories
and the US department of transportation spends 1.5 million dollars to paint grass
green and rocks brown so they look more natural. I thought of the billions of
dollars out there, and how that is all it would take. Dollars! Pure and simple.
There is so much of it out there. I thought of the single mom who sent us a $1,000
donation and how it made me want to weep because I know that donation was one
twelfth of her annual income. It just all seems so crazy.
Protecting the first piece of forest to create Aula Global reserve was like riding
a roller coaster. Though it was an exciting and sometimes frightening experience,
I was sure glad when the ride was over. I begin
thinking how this forest and the youth project means too much to me, and I convince
myself I am too invested emotionally and I need to let the forest next to the
reserve go. I need to be able to be present 100% for the kids and the forest
we have already saved. By the time I reach the research station, the decision
has been made. I toss the whole idea out to the cosmos and am willing to accept
what ever comes. If this forest was going to be saved, it would have to come
in the form of a miracle. I had exhausted my resources, asked everyone I knew
for donations and could not ask for a dime more. Though we had an amazing out
pouring of support since our first plea for help, it was a far cry from the $378,000
needed. Some how I manage to leave Costa Rica without facing the family that
was waiting our decision to either buy or forfeit. It would be easier over email
anyway.
I arrive in the States and Susan picks me up at the airport. Of course the conversation
turns straight to the fundraising and my suggesting we let it all go and return
the donations already received. We waffle. She has more energy to think about
succeeding than I do. I am just plain out of ideas. I have put so much time into
writing grant proposals and being continuously rejected. Grant writing is just
not my forte. Give me 20 people, or 2,000, let me show some slides and share
some stories, and I can reach people. I flew all the way to Seattle to do a slide
show fund raiser and I was sorry to see only 8 people showed up! Even that turned
out to be more productive than grant writing. Two weeks after the slide show
we did receive three checks for a total of $560 so it was certainly not a wasted
effort. Though I was sad to have used up my hard earned frequent flyer miles
for such a small audience.
August arrives and the time comes when Susan and I must let the family know we
cannot commit to buying their forest. They have said they are willing to work
out a payment plan (which complicates things as we are now clinging to every
little ray of hope) but the balance is just too huge. How would we ever raise
over $350,000 in a year? We discuss it in length and it just does not seem possible.
So once again I let it go. I go to my office and begin making a list of all those
who had donated funds. I prepare to call each donor and ask if they would like
their money back or allow us to keep it to use on the existing project.
The phone rings, and it is Susan. She says in a shaky voice, “guess what
just happened?” My heart sinks. Someone died, her cat got run over. I don’t
know. She replies, “Someone just made a donation of two hundred thousand
dollars!” There is only silence. I am literally speachless. It is so quiet
I can hear a slight buzz on the line. I finally croak out an, are you sure? She
says yes. An anonymous donor has just called and committed $125,000 now and another
$75,000 next August. I hang up the phone and walk the wooded road to her house.
We pace the floor running figures and dates past each other. Now what do we do?
We are not there, but in the blink of an eye, the stroke of a pen and the trust
of an amazingly generous soul, we are really close now. Suddenly the remaining
$150,000 seems possible. I look into Susan’s bright blue eyes now glowing
with excitement. We know we will go for it now. I suddenly recall the last huge
fundraising roller coaster ride and I shiver. I hear the clatter of a brightly
painted trolley as it pulls up next to us. We giggled nervously and climb aboard
for one more mega coaster ride to find the remaining donations. Hang on folks.
Here we go again!
The Global Classrom
Scholarship Award 2005
If you happen to take the time to
check out the Global Classroom website at www.globalclassroom.net, you
will see a job extremely well done by Mohawk High
School student Julie Erickson of Colrain Massachusetts. Julie participated
in our annual Costa Rica trip held in April 2003.
When I first heard from Julie and her classmate Ian Burgin via email it was clear
they were both very excited and eager to join us. It was just weeks before departing
for Costa Rica so if they were to join us they had some high hurdles to clear.
They would need to get passports, find seats on an already full plane, and they
would have to convince their folks that it was an educational trip, since the
trip dates did not coincide with their school vacation week. I have always said
if there is a will there is a way and there was no doubt they had the will. They
cleared all the obstacles in record time.
Julie’s love for the rain forest experience was clear. Within weeks of
arriving home, the Global Classroom (GCR) started receiving donation checks from
as far away as Texas. Julie was obviously conveying her love for the rain forest
to family and friends. She soon wrote a letter to the editor of a local newspaper
praising the trip and asking people to help us in our fund drive. Julie’s
energy and willingness to help GCR is immense. When you look at our totally new
and updated website you are looking at dozens, maybe hundreds of hours of volunteer
work.
When Julie came to visit us one day to show us her work in progress, she happened
to bring along her laptop and a 20 minute digital video she had created of her
experience at the Aula Global Reserve. When the video started playing (complete
with narration) it was clear Julie deserved the GCR scholarship award. This young
woman had some how managed to build an entirely new web site, create a short
video documentary of the Aula Global reserve, write letters to family and friends
in search of funders and go to soccer practice. Not to mention look at colleges,
take her exams, work at a coffee shop and do all her home work (rumor has it
she is graduating close to top of her class).
Over the years it has been volunteers like Julie who have made the Global Classroom
such a success. We are happy to offer the 2004 scholarship award to Julie in
appreciation for all her hard work and dedication. Congratulations Julie. And
thank you for all your help.
Julie will be returning to Costa Rica in the early summer of 2004 to volunteer
at the Aula Global reserve planting trees, collecting data and enjoying the nesting
Quetzals. Her extended stay will also include living with a Costa Rican family
in the town of Santa Elena. She hopes to refine her Spanish skills and get involved
in some community service projects. Knowing Julie, she will no doubt accomplish
her wish list.
Julie Erickson shares her
thoughts about Aula Global
My favorite day of an incredible 10 day trip to Costa Rica was, without a
doubt, the day we traveled to Aula Global reserve located just outside Santa
Elena.
This reserve, unlike many others, has scarcely come into contact with humans.
That morning I had a delicious breakfast of gallo pinto (beans and rice)
with my host family in Santa Elena. While I wished I could stay in town another
night to fulfill my promise of a soccer scrimmage with my 8-year-old host
brother
Fabian, I looked forward to new adventures deep in the rain forest.
Mid morning, most of us piled into a mini-bus and headed out of town. The
road went and up, and up, and up and was so bumpy that my video camera footage
ended
up to be no more than a bunch of bouncing blurs. Someone in our group hit her
head on the roof of the bus (not badly though) as we looked out at what appeared
to be mostly vacant hilly farm land on both sides of the narrow road. Eventually
the bus stopped at the crest of a hill. This was the end of the ride; the bus
wouldn’t take us any further because the road was too bad. We were at
eye-level with the clouds and I noticed that the vegetation had changed some.
I could see,
hear, and feel that everything around me was incredibly alive.
Some people hopped in the back of the GCR truck, which we met up with shortly
down the rocky road. I walked with Tiffany and Israel as we took in the new scenery
and carried on a light conversation in Spanish about how the air was fresh and
cool. Ahead of us, the truck sloshed through rivers and piles of manure left
by the cows that were grazing on the farm land bordering the reserve. Eventually
we reached the truck, grabbed our large backpacks and whatever food we could
carry, and started trekking. Israel and I were in the lead. Ian and Colin had
disappeared somewhere off the road in search of a rare and very large hawk. Apparently
they found it and were able to get quite close to it.
We hiked through a pasture or two and then WAZHOOM- we were surrounded by the
sounds of the rain forest. Huge Blue Morphos and other brightly colored butterflies
danced on the sides of the trail as Israel and I passed. Finally we crossed
a bridge and Israel told me that this was where the property began. We hiked
up
a steep hill and soon a building, a bird house, and Colin’s half-built
composting toilet were in view. They were tucked in on a grassy slope with
views of the thick canopy on all sides. I helped Israel, who was struggling
to put
down a heavy box and cheered as the rest of the group trickled in. All I could
do was look around and take everything in. The place made me so relaxed and
content with everything.
Israel peeled a naranjilla for Ian and me to try. This was a perfectly round,
orangish, fuzzy fruit that was growing on the path leading right up to the building.
Israel warned us that the fine fuzz on the naranjillas was like fiberglass to
the touch. With all the fuzz scraped off and the fruit cut in slices, it tasted
like a combination between a tomato and a kiwi, and was absolutely delicious!
Before lunch, Ian and I went on a little exploration down one of the paths. We
found a vine to swing on and emerged in what I thought of as our first dose of
hard-core, jaw-dropping, stereotypical, JUNGLE: the sounds, the plants, the lighting,
everything. It was in the least, quite remarkable. We explored on the ground,
finding at least four or five different seeds or buds that were extravagantly
colored and looked like they could have come from another planet. The rich diversity
was overwhelming.
Upon returning to “base camp” for a little orientation and lunch,
some of us also got a brief lesson from Israel about how frogs lay their eggs
in the stagnant water of a bromeliad epiphyte that grows on many tree trunks.
I impressed myself by being able to follow the whole lesson in Spanish. Later
in the day, Israel took a group of us on an awesome tour through the rain forest
by the river, on the path that Ian and I had begun to explore earlier. It was
clear that Israel was there because he loves the place so much. He has spent
so much time there that he knows all the plants and sounds. It was obvious
that he was indescribably passionate about the place and about sharing his
home, his
knowledge, and his passion with kids like us. The guided hike included several
bits of information about different plants, warnings about spines, and the
sighting of a huge turkey like bird called a Black Guan.
As a grande finale, at the end of the hour-long hike we heard “pio, pio,
pio.” Israel turned to us with wide eyes and a finger to his mouth to hush
us, whispering “Shh! Quetzales!” We stopped, and through the rolling
fog, we spotted 5 or 6 or maybe 7 Quetzals with their beautiful green tail
feathers and red breasts. A treat like this is the norm at Aula Global. Each
morning we
awoke to a cacophony of birds, which included the Quetzal as well as a percussion
of howler monkey roars. There is very little rain forest remaining in this
world, and of that which does remain, only a fraction of it is as pristine,
pure, and
protected as the Aula Global Biological Reserve.
I recently learned that the precious Aula Global Biological Reserve and its
natural treasures are in danger. I wish that all the wealthy people of the
world could
travel to the rain forest, because I know that
they too would be touched by the beauty and purity of life I found there. They
too would want to do all they could to preserve what land is left for the Quetzal
and its fellow jungle-dwellers. On the second hand, I don’t want all
those people going to the rain forest because together they would create too
much havoc
for the ecosystem to withstand. In any case, I have fallen in love with the
rain forest of Costa Rica, and I want desperately for this piece of land to
be saved
so that it can remain a home to these incredible animals and touch the hearts
of thousands of other kids like me. My trip to Costa Rica was one of the best
experiences of my life, and I would hate to see the possibility of that type
of experience disappear for others.
Julie Erickson, Colrain MA.
Mohawk Trail
Regional High School
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