In 2000, the Rainforest Biodiversity Group began presenting education programs to school groups and adults in both Costa Rica and the United States. RBG has spoken with thousands of people over the years about the Great Green Macaw, its conservation issues and the organization's projects.
From 2006 to 2010 RBG’s community outreach and education focused on the participating landowners of the Costa Rican Bird Route (CRBR) and the surrounding communities. During this time various workshops were held on topics that ranged from sustainability and bird guide training to developing an interpretitive theme for tours.
RBG most recently hosted an environmental education workshop for community members in Chilamate, Sarapiqui, pictured below. The workshop focused on teaching participants how to facilitate activities with children to teach them about trophic systems, water pollution and bird identification skills. Click here to download the environmental education packet that Rainforest Biodiversity Group put together for the workshop and for distribution (PDF 1.5 MB in Spanish).
RBG is not only active in conducting its own environmental and conservation education, but is also supporting other education efforts in the Central America. La Montana para Investigacion y Conservacion Ambiental (La MICA) is a biological station in Panama, a project coordinated by the Parque Nacional General de Division Omar Torrijos Herrera (PNGDOTH). La MICA is being built in an effort to enhance conservation, education, and research in PNGDOTH. This environmentally friendly research station will provide services to researchers, students, and visitors from around the world. La MICA will be constructed, operated, and supported by the local people.
RBG believes that it is not enough to just create sustainable conservation projects; education must be incorporated and the local people involved if the conservation ethic is to be perpetuated.
