“Once you have travelled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietist chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.”
—Pat Conroy
Wow, what a trip! I never imagined this journey would end so wonderfully in Costa Rica. A week in the rainforest will teach you so much and it has been an honor to learn from it.
It was a struggle to get to Costa Rica, weather problems and missed flights turned our first day into 20 hours of waiting in airports and sleeping through flights. We finally made it though. It felt kind of symbolic. We had to put work in to get there, and the reward was much more appreciated once we saw how amazing this country is.
We landed in San Jose, and even though it was late and dark, you could still make out the city and get a feel for it. One of the first thing I noticed was that the city was a little dirty. The streets and buildings were old, and it was very crowded. One thing that I had known before going to Costa Rica was that the average age of cars was older than a decade. From the cars I saw, I would definitely believe that number. There was a lot old Toyotas and Suzuki trucks and cars. The design and the sounds were a dead give away on their age. Besides cars and trucks, Costa Rica has a very large motorcycle population. I contributed that to the fact that bikes are less expensive to own and save gas. Another thing I noticed was that there was a lot gas stations. On about every corner or block there was access to gas. I could see why San Jose was one of the most polluted areas in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is striving to become the first carbon neutral country (Dyer). Carbon neutrality means having zero output of CO2. This is accomplished by balancing CO2 outputs with inputs (Gable). In other words, the country needs to not release any CO2 that it cannot capture or offset. Becoming carbon neutral would reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the air and hopefully slow down global warming.
One way that Costa Rica plans on doing this is through it’s transportation sector. Researchers and organizations are working on altering public transportation to cleaner technologies (Anywhere Costa Rica). Flight pollution is another area of concern. The Climate Conscious Travelers program was created by the National Chamber of Ecotourism in Costa Rica. The goal of this program is to offset carbon emissions by international flights coming to and from the country. The program offers travelers the option to pay to offset their carbon emissions. The funds are then carried out by the National Forestry Fund, and goes towards reforestation projects in the country (My Costa Rica). These and many other projects are created to help Costa Rica counterbalance their CO2 output and their contribution to climate change.
After driving out of the city and into more rural grounds we made it to our destination. Our first stop on our week long adventure was Earth University. Earth University was established by Costa Rican law in 1986 as a private, non-profit, international University. They have a very unique curriculum and educational goals for their students (Earth). Students at the university go through a rigorous four-year undergraduate program in agricultural sciences and natural resources management (Earth). They accept students from all over the world, and the goal for these students to take back what they learned to their home country, and apply these skills to create sustainable practices there.
Before visiting their student garden, we had the pleasure of helping a local farmer and his family construct a greenhouse and help with their garden. When we first pulled up, I was confused to see that we were there. The farm was randomly on a street, next to neighbors who looked to have no business with farming. We later found out that this farm was originally ran by the owner’s father, who was approached about changing his methods to more sustainable practices. After resistance he finally came to understand the importance, and now the university is helping the farm change. This is where we got the first taste of how important sustainability is to Costa Rica, and how much it is ingrained in their culture. We were there to help the farm on its path of sustainability. The main goal of the visit was to help them finish constructing a greenhouse they were building. We were only able to help them place one side of the plastic roofing up, but they were thoroughly thankful for our help.
Back at Earth University we were able to see what the greenhouse and its function were ultimately suppose to be like. They had many methods that they used there. Some of them seemed so obvious, yet they were news to me. I personally liked to the pyramid gardens. I had never heard of it until then, and I thought it was brilliant.
Pyramid Garden at Earth University
Earth University was such an amazing place, and it embodies Costa Rica’s goal and culture of sustainability so well. The fact that they accept students from around the world just goes to show how they are trying to create change, not only in their home but across the globe.
Next, we took a trip to La Selva Biological Station. On our way there we drove through smaller towns. One difference I noticed compared to San Jose, was there weren’t any larger industrial factories or businesses. We could have just not drove by any, but I still think that it represents the difference in commerce that different regions rely on, and how that has in turn contributed to the air pollution in some areas. Also, about every mile or less there were bus stops. Turns out that you can take the bus to just about everywhere in Costa Rica. The bus system is quite extensive and affordable (Costa Rica).
La Selva was originally established in 1954 by Dr. Leslie Holdridge, as a farm dedicated to experimentation on mixed plantations for the improvement of natural resources management (La Selva). It was later purchased in 1968 by the Organization for Tropical Studies and declared a private biological reserve and station. La Selva has become one of the most important sites in the world for research on the tropical rain forest (La Selva). We got to be apart of this research while we were there. As part of a 40-year-old study focusing on tree widths and the possible effects climate change, we measured tree widths to add to the ongoing collection of data. La Selva was a neat place to experience because it is one of the only stations in the world that is used in tropical rain forest studies. Its location in Costa Rica shows the efforts that the country puts into conservation and how dedicated they are to preserving their rainforests. They understand the importance of the forests, and want to share what they have learned from them with the rest of the world. I think we all can learn something from their unselfishness and leadership in the realm of conservation.
We stayed the night at Tirimbina Rainforest Center, and the next morning we had a chocolate tour. The tour was very educational. The presentation was at an actual cocoa plot that was found. We were shown the traditional process of how the cacao fruit is transformed into chocolate. We were taken through each stage of the process and tasted as we went. I must say that I did not like any of the intermediate stages of the process. Our guide also explained the story of how ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures first discovered the plant all the way up to how post-colonial chocolate was made (Tirimbina). It was a really interesting experience being able to learn about something in the very place that it happened. I didn’t realize it then, but the tour serves as a piece in conservation. By showing the processing of cacao to chocolate, the tour aids in the conservation of one of Costa Rica’s native plants (Tirimbina). Furthermore, without conservation of the fruit, good chocolate may be hard to come by in the future. And that’s something nobody wants. I thought this ecotourist experience was able to connect with the everyday person because everyone has had experience with chocolate. Because of this shared experience, you could easily push the issue of conservation and gain support from the tour.
Both La Selva and Tirimbina were preserves that were open to public visitors. They gave the opportunity to learn, and experience the rainforest and the nature they had to offer. Both of these places have more important motives of preservation that just profiting from ecotourism. The ecotourism mindset though has ensured that these areas will not somehow be turned into industrial areas. Consequently, air quality is very clean in these areas. The rainforest naturally cleanses the air of CO2, and ensuring that this process continues means that future air quality is secured. A connection can be made then that this type ecotourism provides clean air.
Next up on our week long adventure was La Fortuna! We made our way up to the Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, where we got to cross over the forest and experience amazing views of the Arenal Volcano. I’m usually afraid of heights, but for some reason I was all for being on the bridges. Along the way we saw beautiful wildlife. Without a guide though you would completely miss out on things; nature does such a good job of disguising itself. That night we went on a night hike and got to experience some of the nocturnal animals. There were so many tree frogs… I loved it!
The next morning, we went zip lining. The views were amazing. You got to see the vastness of the rainforest and the Arenal volcano. The skies were so blue and clear it was amazing. There was not a trace of pollution to my eyes or nose. I thought this was the most touristy thing we did out of the whole week.
Amazing views while zip lining
When we weren’t zip lining, and just hanging around the gift shop and restaurant it didn’t feel like we were in Costa Rica to me. This place really catered to tourists. In fact, I just saw that one of friends was actually there yesterday. I don’t think they will be going to any of the other places we visited, since those were not major tourist destinations. Because the zip lining was a popular tourist destination, it was the least educational out of all the things we did. Since it was less educational, it did the least in trying to create change in people’s mindset about conservation or sustainability. I did a search on the Sky Adventure website, and they have a sustainability section. They say, “As part of our commitment to sustainability we have implemented a series of measures that allow us to reduce the impacts generated by the company to the environment and the community” (Sky Adventures). This is great to know. I wish they would have mentioned their efforts at some point during our time there. Connecting with an individual is the best way to create change in that person, and I think this type of ecotourism failed to create that connection.
We departed La Fortuna to an off grid oasis in Rancho Margot. This eco lodge is located right in the middle of the rainforest. They have a strong commitment to sustainability, and they are practically self sufficient in production. They pull energy from a water powered turbine for their electric needs. All cooking is done with wood fired ovens, and their gas needs are fulfilled with methane gas generated by bio-digesters (Rancho Margot). The lodge receives water from their own spring that comes from deep within the jungle. They produce chemical free fruits and vegetables, and all dairy products that they serve comes from milk produced by their cattle. All pork and chicken that is served were born and raised at Rancho Margot. Because of Rancho Margot’s commitment to sustainability, they have been awarded a 5-leaf award from the Certification in Sustainable Tourism (Rancho Margot). Rancho Margot is one of the “greenest” places of all ecotourist destinations. Compared to the other places we visited they have the smallest footprint. When we talk about Costa Rica being a “green republic”, I believe more places need to reach Rancho Margot’s level of sustainability to move Costa Rica closer to a green republic. To me a Green Republic is the ultimate goal of a country or state. It is the utopia of conservation and sustainability; therefore, it is technically unattainable. However, by trying to achieve a green republic, the country will consequently improve in those areas and contribute to a green earth.
Our trip ended in Manual Antonio, where we visited Quepos Beach and the Manual Antonio National Park. The beach at the national park was the most picturesque body of water I’ve ever seen in person. It was a relaxing last day to say the least. I got to reflect on this whole EcoLead journey. Its been an eye opening experience, and I had no idea how much I would be affected by it. I have already made small lifestyle changes and I hope to be able to make more in the future. I have found new interests and hobbies, and have made many great friends who are inspiring and great leaders. I hope I will be able to take what I have learned from this experience and use it to create change in my future.
Works Cited
“Carbon Neutrality in Costa Rica.” Anywhere Costa Rica. Anywhere Inc, n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
“Carbon Neutral Vacations to Costa Rica.” My Costa Rica. My Costa Rica, n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
“Chocolate Tour.” Tirimbina. Tirimbina Biological Preserve, n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
Dyer, Zach. “Costa Rica Steps Away from 2021 Carbon Neutrality Goal.” The Tico times. Producciones Magnolia, 30 Nov. 2015. Web. 23 May 2016.
“Earth Facts.” EARTH University. Tierra Tropical Journal, n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
Gable, Christine, and Scott Gable. “What Does Carbon Neutral Mean?” About Autos. About.com, 30 Mar. 2016. Web. 23 May 2016.
“La Selva Biological Station.” Organization for Tropical Studies. Organization for Tropical Studies, n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
“Production.” Rancho Margot. Rancho Margot, n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
“Riding the Bus.” Costa Rica. CostaRica.com, n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.
“Sustainability.” Sky Adventures. Sky Adventures, n.d. Web. 23 May 2016.