STUDENTS ARE THE HEART OF THE CENTER

I intended to publish this on 6/30/2015 and just found it as a draft...  I am posting it, because I think it is still very true and relevant:

Dr. Tom Shahady from Lynchburg College has been collaborating with the University of Georgia and the Center to protect the rivers of the Bell Bird Biological Corridor. He brings his students to monitor the quantity and quality of the water in many rivers and streams of the Corridor.

This student from Lynchurg College is making a documentary regarding the danger that these rivers face from pollution and from large irrigation projects.  She is at the Acapulco River which has been virtually left dry by irrigation projects combined with the drought this area is experiencing.  The Costa Rican environmental protection agency has been issuing permits to withdraw up to 90% of a river's water without environmental studies.

These Lynchburg students have worked hard and now they are enjoying a little time with the newest rescues at the Center

 NOT ALL STUDENTS COME TO HELP WITH SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION... AT THE CENTER, CULTURAL EVENTS ARE HIGH ON THE PRIORITY LIST

Behind the scenes, a student dancer from the Grupo Cultural Arenal y Sol from the National Tech University in Puntarenas is getting help with his atire from Aydee

The Center was filled with customs, make-up, laughter and people helping one another get ready for their wonderful theater-dance presentation called Somos Costa Rica (We are Costa Rica)

Amazing talent

At the end, the applause was mixed with gratitude and excitement as many people in the audience had never attended such an event.  Many thanks to Pedro Garcia, the professor who directed the play and to the University for bringing such joy to our town

Sofia Arce, from the Monteverde Institute, through the Study Abroad Program brought the students below who helped fill bags, plant new seedlings, and then made the trek through a beautiful forested path and across the Guacimal river to end up at Rancho el Rio, an organic farm, where they feasted on the bounties of nature… Their delicious hot typical cuisine lunch was prepared by a local woman who very much appreciated the income and the students appreciated the meal and being able to contribute to the local economy.  It was a full day of work, fun, food, culture and knowledge exchange.  They spoke about the severe water issues in California due to long-standing unstainable agricultural practices.  We spoke about the issues we are and will be facing if we follow the footsteps of extensive agriculture in places that do not get rain.