August was another great month in San Gerardo de Rivas, with various festivities happening, including a lunar eclipse. The image above was artfully captured by Anthony Garita, a staff member of Cloudbridge who is also an incredible photographer. Last year was the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Chirripó National Park, with many fun events taking place. This year’s 51st anniversary celebrations will not be quite as large as last year´s, but this coming weekend there will be an activity at Fudebiol, organized with the local Biological Corridor. Those of you who are living in the vicinity, we invite you to come join us in Quebradas this Sunday, August 31st!
Another great activity which took place recently was the 11th edition of the Reto de las Aguas Eternas, a trail-running event whose 13 km course goes through the reserve, up to the Chirripó trail and then into the neighboring valley of Los Angeles before returning to San Gerardo. On the day of the race, cloudbridge researchers and volunteers provided water and snacks and support along the way. In the days leading up to the race, Cloudbridge volunteers and researchers helped community members to make tamales. They cut up 96 bulbs of garlic; washed and cut huge palm tree leaves into 2 different sized rectangles, totaling over 800 rectangles, tied two completed, stacked tamales together with string, and raked the futbol field of newly mowed grass. This is one of various ways that Cloudbridge is able to support our local community.
The theme for this month´s CONUBI visit to the local schools was “My first steps in Ornithology”, which introduces students to the basics of bird identification and is always an exciting day with many students using binoculars for the first time. CONUBI stands for “Knowing our biodiversity (Conociendo nuestra biodiversidad)”, and is an 8-module environmental education program which allows elementary schoolchildren to gain an appreciation for the amazing biodiversity that can be found right outside their homes. Cloudbridge sponsors this program in two local schools each year, and visits each school monthly.
Pics from around the reserve
