Even in the height of the rainy season, we have been keeping busy here at Cloudbridge Nature Reserve! As usual, we are very grateful for our researchers and volunteers, who are at the heart of Cloudbridge program. This month we also participated in an event for the Day Against Climate Change (October 24th) organized by local environmental organization Montaña Verde along with the Municipality of Pérez Zeledón. Followers of the blog have seen “Toño Pizote” (Toño the Coati) make an appearance at various environmental activities, in the picture above he was joined by “Danta Amaranta” (Amaranta the Tapir).
For the 6th consecutive year, Cloudbridge has visited two local schools eight times throughout the school year, teaching the eight educational modules of the CONUBI program – “Knowing our Biodiversity,” which introduce young students to knowledge about the environment and local wildlife. This program has allowed Cloudbridge and other local environmental organizations to introduce a love for biodiversity and a basic understanding of where our “natural resources” come from.
The transition of October into November is celebrated in different ways around the world. Of course to our North American audience, Halloween is a time of candies and costumes, while in Costa Rica October 31st is the Day of the “Mascarada”, referring to tall “masks” that are traditionally used to celebrate this date directly before the Day of the Dead on November 2nd. The image below shows three of our interns, dressed as King Julien, Mort and Maurice, from Madagascar.
This month we were able to receive students from Pitzer College who are taking a study abroad course in various parts of Costa Rica and Panama. During their time at the Firestone Center for Ecological Restoration near Dominical, professor Guido Saborío always brings student groups from this program for a guided hike in the cloud forest of the reserve.
Greg´s corner
Since the beginning of the year, we have been happy to have a very special volunteer, Greg Bussiere, who along with his wife Nancy has contributed much of his time and energy to Cloudbridge. From his lodging directly down the street from Cloudbridge, Greg has taken some beautiful pictures this month, which we are sharing here. Thank you Greg and Nancy, for all that you have done, we have greatly enjoyed spending time with you both!!
