Costa Rica 

Sites visited during course

*Subject to change

Site 1. Rancho Mastatal

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"Rancho Mastatal promotes sustainable living and social and environmental justice. We advocate organic gardening and regional farming; healthy, local economies; permaculture; holistic health; natural, vernacular building techniques; alternative, local energy systems; and other educational activities to help facilitate a regenerative global community.  In conjunction with the members of the town of Mastatal we work to create and supply most of our social and health needs locally. We serve to educate about political, environmental, social and economic issues important to us as we create a vibrant community where one can come to share, learn and get inspired." 

Site 2. Pacific Coast Manuel Antonio

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"Hotel Mono Azul is passionate about protecting our global and local resources. We focus on minimizing the environmental impact on our business—from purchasing our food to composting our waste. We purchase much of our produce and products locally and we do our best to educate people of all ages about the importance of tropical rainforests and conservation.

 

We work with many different environmental organizations through KIDS SAVING THE RAINFOREST which we helped to create and operate.  KIDS SAVING THE RAINFOREST offers incredible volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups of all ages.  KSTR operates a Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue Center located nearby and adjacent to The Blue Monkey Inn​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​."

 

 

*Site 3. Monteverde

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"In the early 1950s, a group of Quakers from the United States left their homes in Alabama and arrived in Monteverde at a time when the region was just beginning to be settled. The Quakers, fleeing the United States to avoid being drafted into the Korean War, established a simple life in Monteverde centered on dairy and cheese production. Some of these families helped establish the Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves some 20 years later.

 

In 1972, the Monteverde rainforest was threatened by local farmers looking to expand their property and homestead on certain forest sites. With this prospect in mind, visiting scientists George Powell and his wife joined forces with longtime resident Wildford Guidon to promote the establishment of a nature preserve. The Tropical Science Center, a non-governmental scientific and environmental organization, proved receptive to the efforts of the Powells and Guidon, and accepted institutional responsibility for ownership and management of the protected areas. An initial land purchase of 328 hectares formed the core of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

Following the preserve's creation, the Tropical Science Center continued to secure the financial and human resources necessary to expand, consolidate, and properly protect the preserve’s current 10,500 hectares."