In late February 2008 I arrived in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Costa Rica. I was there to meet a man named Guido who would direct me to a reserve he owns in the land to the north. I would be working there the next few months. As of that day, I knew very little of either Guido or the reserve. In the days of work that passed, I learned much.
Bosque Tropical del Toro (BTT) is a bold effort to conserve land as it would naturally be found in the northern Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. It is especially pertinent in this region where both species of Costa Rican macaws live, and reserves are rather scarce and scattered. As the needs of the country´s growing population dictate, more forests are leveled to accommodate crops and cattle. A portion of BTT is a largely successful reforestation of land that was previously farmed. With the arrival of Costa Rica´s already thriving eco-tourism, the project should serve as an example to the local community: while the forest will provide a limited amount of lumber and food, a more sustainable living can be made leaving the naturally diverse flora and fauna intact.
The work I did varied, however a majority of my efforts went towards clearing, signing, and maintaining a fairly extensive trail system. Prior to my departure from the States I had avoided work opportunities teaching English. I had not wished to indoctrinate others with my culture any more than my mere presence already would. However, as I came to know the community in this rural area along the Toro river, I understood that English enables them to be on par with the mostly fluent capital population while allowing them access to further beneficial knowledge available in the language. Aside from that, they are quite eager to learn. Thus, in my last couple of weeks, I taught English at a local home and high school. Though not much, maybe a seed was planted.
The community still has much to learn. Responsible solid waste management should be implemented. Trash cans and regulated disposal (not to mention a recycling program) would reduce the excessive rubbish littered about. Consciousness of environmental issues should be heightened. Classes offered on the benefits of conservation would increase the community´s protection of nature and prepare them for the arrival of eco-tourism, among other things. In another vein, the teaching and practice of proper forms of birth control might greatly improve life for many in untold ways.
And I´ve much to learn as well. The resourcefulness with which these people make do with the little around them is admirable. The cautious use of precious resources such as food and water, humbling. I will strive to learn to live as they do and remember that the most important lessons of life lie where I have not expected them.
BTT is a place where I so often found myself in awe: flowing down the Rio Toro in kayak, eyes fixed on troops of spider monkeys in the canopy above, studying the rare birds of the forest... The life there affected me greatly and will continue to do so in inexplicable modes.
