Took a quick break from horseback riding
Introduction
Over the course of this past semester, I have studied and examined different aspects of the relationship between human health and the environment. My first blog post focused broadly on the societal and population benefits associated with an adequate amount of green space. These studies hypothesized that green space reduced crime, rates of obesity, societal tensions, and increased appreciation for the environment (Scherer).
In March, I continued along this line of thought and began discussing the environmental justice topic as it relates to green space during my stay in Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyoming. Nationally, the United States fails to create green space in areas historically and currently black or Latino. In my final blog post previous to this one, I studied this effect specifically in Austin. I found in my research that East Austin, a historically black and Latino neighborhood undergoing gentrification, is lacking of adequate green space.
Universidad EARTH
I finished this April blog post before going to Costa Rica with the following conclusion: Austin needs to heavily consider buying up some of the empty lots in East Austin to: 1. Reduce the harmful effects of gentrification and 2. To create shared green spaces to be enjoyed by the community.
Bringing It to Costa Rica
Before traveling to Costa Rica, I often wondered how this very specific yet broad topic could be applied to an already “green society”. But, it turned out to be easier than expected. While in Costa Rica, I simply had to study how the locals and visitors interacted with the environment to find my answer. The Green Republic of Costa Rica not only applies to their remarkable pledge to rainforest conservation but also in the way the greater costarricense culture embraced the country’s greatest asset….nature.
Rainforest purchased by a group of elementary students- La Fortuna
Over the course of eight long and rewarding days, our group of twenty students and three advisors trekked across almost the entirety of central-north Costa Rica. We often woke up around 6 AM pack our field backpacks and would not return to a bed until 9 or 10PM at night. The food was fantastic, yet filled with bacteria our bodies were unfit to handle :/ Fruit and vegetables were the basis of every meal and were the first change I noticed upon return to the United States.
We started our journey at Universidad EARTH in Guácimo, joining other students in round table discussions about agriculture, a college tour and even built a greenhouse for a family in the surrounding community.
The weather in Guácimo was by far the most taxing during our stay. But, I enjoy this kind of weather having worked outside all summer in the Texas heat.
Lunch break from the Greenhouse Build in Guácimo, CR
Local food production seemed to be a common theme among the county, at least from our group’s perspective. We saw this pattern regardless of the scale of the food production. Universidad EARTH’s garden provided all of the vegetables to the cafeteria in addition to their large banana plantation. Their garden also was a great educational resource for the students and was only manned by two full time garden workers.
At the house in Guácimo, they planned to utilize their garden to grow as much food as possible for their family. They already owned pigs, rabbits, and had a small garden out back.
Gardens at EARTH
Local food production and “green space” as its typically defined may not seem all that interconnected. However, they are simply using the natural environment in different ways. For example, small scale agriculture, as exemplified by Universidad EARTH, La Tirimbina Chocolate, the Guácimo family, etc. manipulate small portions of land for sustainable food production. Agriculture certainly has some detrimental impact on the environment but not if you exclude livestock from this. Almost none of the examples of agriculture we saw in Costa Rica have cattle. Comparatively, green space as I would define it has very little impact of humans other than a few trails.
La Tirimbina provided some valuable insight about how Costa Rica has combined its concerted efforts for eco-tourism, sustainability, and production of food. According to La Tirimbina Biological Reserve’s website they have conserved 345 hectares of continual rainforest habitat, with 85% untouched and the rest used for cacao (Tirimbina Conservation).
Canopy at La Selva Biological Reserve
The economics of Costa Rica depend heavily on eco-tourism, sustainability, and production of food. Bananas, coffee, and pineapples provide 14% of the jobs and about 8% of the total GDP of Costa Rica (CIA World Factbook). Tourism (mostly eco-tourism) is almost 13% of the total GDP and is growing exponentially (World Travel & Tourism Council). Sustainability and eco-tourism go hand in hand as one is unable to function without the other.
Night Hike around La Fortuna
This “coexistence” between humans and with nature is a common theme throughout Costa Rica. Mystic hanging bridges outside of La Fortuna allows visitors to see and experience the rainforest in its primal state with 3.4 km of trails (Mistico Hanging Bridges). We even saw an Eyelash Pit Viper while we were there! The Eyelash Pit Viper is this beautifully colored venomous snake native to lowlands in Central and South America (National Zoo). It was a lot smaller than I expected and hid in the brush so easily despite its bright color.
Crocs
However, I do find it troubling that all of these activities are dependent on one thing… money. I tacitly supported this during the trip and would do everything again given the chance. But it is a bit problematic that the local community cannot experience these activities as the tourists can. I am sure there are free trails throughout Costa Rica independent of geographic location in the country. However, there is something so special and awing about flying on a zip line high up in the rainforest or hanging 55m in the air on a bridge at the same level as howler monkeys and other members of the understory ecosystem. I was completely captivated in the vastness of the rainforest up there.
Pensive horse at Rancho Margo
While the eco-tourism in Costa Rica incorporates locals through employment, it often struggles to implement a lasting change in the community. If anything eco-tourism may have strengthened the divide between Costa Ricans and tourists.
On the contrary, I thought the eco-lodge Rancho Margot did an exceptional job to reduce this societal divide between the tourists and locals. Many of the workers lived on-site and welcomed any discussion from the tourists. They were happy to share their expertise and their passions with us at all hours of the day. One employee even took a small group of us on a short/private night hike to see frogs. You could tell he really loved his job and was very educated about the topic.
Beach Day One in Quepos, Costa Rica
Conclusions
It almost saddens me that this blog marks the end to a wonderful semester and week in Costa Rica. In my research, I learned that there are plenty of reasons to appreciate green space. It leads to a more productive, accepting, and healthier community regardless of whether it is in the United States or abroad.
Our week in Costa Rica changed me. I went out on a limb earlier on in the semester and decided to continue along this field of study next semester in Townsville, Australia. I hope that James Cook University and Australia are able to light the same fire of passion I have for people and the environment.
I suspect the culture in Australia to be similar to that in Costa Rica with the environment a central issue to its people. The climate of Townsville is also humid and tropical. It rains almost everyday during the “wet” season and pretty frequently as well in the “dry” season.
I’ve looked at this course as both an introduction to environmental leadership and as a way to further examine what I want to do with my future. I know now that I will never be able to work the traditional office job where I have no connection to nature. As I said in the last night’s reflection, I have lost patience for myself but not in a way many would expect.
I don’t have patience for myself not following my dreams anymore. It’s time to step up and make my own mark in this crazy world.
I do not know yet what exactly I hope my mark is but I will be happy as long as I follow my passions and ethics.
Costa Rica was so welcoming to our group and the trip completely surpassed my expectations. While all the excursions and bus rides will be remembered for years to come, it’s the friendships and knowledge that will live on forever.
Adios Eco-Lead y siempre PURA VIDA.
Sources:
“Eyelash Viper Fact Sheet – National Zoo| FONZ.” Eyelash Viper Fact Sheet – National Zoo| FONZ. Smithsonian Institution. Web. 24 May 2016.
“Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park.” Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Web. 24 May 2016.
Sherer, Paul M. “Why America Needs More City Parks and Open Space.” The Benefits of Parks. The Trust For Public Land, 2006. Web.
“The World Factbook: Costa Rica.” Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, 2016. Web. 24 May 2016.
“Tirimbina Biological Reserve – Conservation Efforts.” Tirimbina Biological Reserve – Conservation Efforts. La Tirimbina. Web. 24 May 2016.
Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2015 Costa Rica. Rep. World Travel & Tourism Council. Web.