Remembering Rachel Crandell, Friend of the Forest and its People

Our dear friend and President of MCLUS passed on Monday, September 7th, 2009. We wish you peace and stillness as you receive this news. This newsletter is dedicated to remembering Rachel’s contribution to rainforest conservation through MCLUS as well as reflecting on her inspiring spirit. Gratitude for the richness of Rachel’s character helps us to see a continuing expression of her with us. Please join us in remembering and giving thanks for her example.

Rachel loved to plant trees, as shown planting Citharexylum sp. in the top photo. As an appropriate metaphor, the tree planted (Podocarpus oleifolius) in her honor (bottom photo) is the offspring of a rare tree located near the MCL office. Undoubtedly, it too will have many offspring as it continues to grow and reproduce!

“Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he could only do a little.” ~Edmund Burke

Rachel gave us a wonderful example of how one idea put into action can make a difference. Rachel had the idea of finding something hopeful and inspiring for her 2nd grade class to learn about. It led her to discover the Children’s Eternal Rainforest (Bosque Eterno de los Niňos – BEN) of Costa Rica and eventually to co-found the Monteverde Conservation League U.S. in 2002. The BEN itself started in 1986 by the Monteverde Conservation League (MCL) for the purpose of preserving and protecting tropical ecosystems in Costa Rica. When Swedish second graders got the idea to help save 25 acres of tropical rainforest, that idea expanded into a world-wide youth-led effort to do something much bigger– purchase 54,000 acres of tropical rainforest.

Together, Rachel and her husband Dwight, began to reinvigorate the effort to protect the BEN, to help keep a good idea going. As a member of MCL and as a volunteer President of MCLUS, Rachel contributed to three new purchases of land and helped to maintain guard salaries to protect the forest from poachers and squatters. Through Rachel’s and Dwight’s individual efforts, an environmental educator was also hired for a short time and a nature center in Costa Rica developed for school groups to visit. In March 2008, Rachel co-authored The Forever Forest: Kids Save a Tropical Treasure with Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini. This children’s book, full of information for all ages, was another good idea put into action, intended to help raise another generation of international stewards for the BEN.

“When you pray, move your feet” ~African proverb

Rachel’s ability to translate issues of global significance into action on the ground was underlain by her deep love for the good and beautiful. She shared this love as a 2nd grade teacher for 20 years at Principia Lower School in St. Louis, MO, as an eco-trip leader from 1992-2009, as an author of children’s books (also Hands of the Maya: Villagers at Work and Play; Hands of the Rain Forest: The Emberá People of Panama), and as an advocate for indigenous peoples. Rachel collected over 100 traditional Emberá stories and published a first volume in English, Spanish, and Emberá with assistance from Rogelio Cansari (an Emberá living in Panama City) and her daughter, Joanna Crandell.

Rachel had an unusual fearlessness that took her to Belize, Costa Rica, Namibia, Ecuador, and many other parts of the world, including going ’solo’ to Papua New Guinea. She had an endless love for learning and especially for people whose cultures embraced the land and life around them. Fortunately, her insatiable appetite for diversity was complemented by an ability to rapidly make friends and gain trust. The warmth of her smile cut through cultural barriers. She had a wisdom of knowing how to manuever sticky situations, and a graciousness that never compromised principle but respected the best in everyone. She relished sharing stories, giving simple pleasures, and making a difference in the lives of those who have fewer choices. Her laugh was deeply genuine, and so were her friendships.

As the saying goes take only pictures, leave only footprints–so we all have a vivid picture of Rachel’s inspired example and an indelible footprint which continues to find impression in the actions of our own lives. Thank you Rachel for your endless giving!

Friends of the BEN gathered on Sept. 11 in Mother’s Grove in the Bajo del Tigre section of the BEN to celebrate and remember Rachel. Katy Van Dusen brought brownies, as Rachel loved chocolate. There was a beautiful Morpho butterfly nearby, birds singing and white faced monkeys could be heard nearby. Attendees included a mix of MCL employees, members and friends from Monteverde.

A Word from the Monteverde Conservation League Executive Director

Even though we feel sorrow today, we are left with the great legacy of Rachel and Dwight, which is the love for the things that we do, principally in the form of children and the protection of nature. Today the MCL commits itself even more, so their efforts continue to bear fruits.

Many thanks, Rachel, for everything that you have accomplished, and we are convinced that since Monday she has and will follow us more closely, in the heart of the Children´s Eternal Rainforest and in each of the daily activities we carry out…

As Rachel would say, For the forest…

Yúber Rodriguez S.
Executive Director a.i.
Monteverde Conservation League and
Children’s Eternal Rainforest
yrodriguez@acmcr.org
http://www.acmcr.org

Rachel standing in front of the new building at Pocosol Biological Field Station (February ‘09).

The Mission Continues

As we gratefully acknowledge the contributions of both Rachel and Dwight to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, we can continue to look for more progress. The new building at Pocosol (above) will enable visiting student and tourism groups access to a classroom and a more comfortable stay. The eco-tourism trip to the BEN in June 2010, including a visit to the San Gerardo Field Station, will proceed uninterrupted with leadership provided by Maggie Eisenberger (pictured below).

“Those who are ready to go are already invited.” ~Rachel Crandell

Everyone has a role in forwarding the mission. Below are some of the ways you can participate:

• come see the living treasures of the BEN for yourself! (more details about the 2010 trip coming in the October newsletter)
• donate to support Rachel’s earnest desire to protect the Pacific slope, with hopes of saving the bellbird and quetzal populations
• give a presentation about your trip to the BEN to inspire others to get involved (and let us know when you do!)
• volunteer your expert advice to the MCLUS staff or Board of Directors
• consider future service on the Board of MCLUS

Please direct your communications to info@mclus.org.

Donations in honor of Rachel should be written to MCLUS and noted “in Honor of Rachel Crandell.”

Checks can be mailed to:

Monteverde Conservation League, US
P.O. Box 938
Manchester, MO 63011

You can also visit http://mclus.org/give/donate-now/ to make a donation online.

Rachel and Maggie Eisenberger in July 2008. Maggie led a trip to the BEN in early June 2009, and will lead the 2010 trip.

For the forest,
Friends and Board of MCLUS

www.mclus.org

Visually stunning video is now on www.mclus.org home page. “Stranded” tells the urgent story of why we need to buy and replant pastures to add to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest. Migrating species who need to move on when the fruits are done, are stranded in the BEN on their protected mountaintop. There is little habitat, food, or cover down the Pacific slope of the Tilaran mountains. These species depend on the Pacific side for their seasonal migrations and are diminishing in number. The video tells the story. Feel free to share it with others.

Discovery Bound Trip

Early July found an energetic group of high school students from the US maintaining trails in the BEN, planting over 200 trees, stuffing little plastic bags with dirt for the next seedlings, collecting seeds, and painting two classrooms in the San Luis Valley school. They worked side by side with local Tico students and made friends in spite of the difference in language. Their work ethic, willingness to serve and open hearts left their mark of goodwill on Monteverde. They were great ambassadors!

MCLUS Trip

Twenty adventurers ages 9-85 headed off to Costa Rica and El Bosque Eterno de los Ninos for the second half of July on an adventure to be remembered! The often difficult sightings of three-wattled bellbirds became common with these intrepid early morning birders. They also planted over 200 trees in the Dwight Crandell Memorial Reserve and helped Roger with progress on cleaning out and rebuilding the shed at San Gerardo. Their donations purchased a new chainsaw to clear trails of fallen giants, and needed tools for maintenance of the station, as well as a digital projector for Sergio’s work in environmental education in the schools. Hiking, rafting, swimming in the pool at the foot of the 200′ San Luis waterfall, learning from expert guides, encountering 5 different species of snakes (a record for any of our 2 week trips), and sharing quiet time on a solo alone in the forest were a few of the highlights. After such a wilderness experience, re-entry into everyday life back home is challenging, but the memories are tangible.

Donate

Your donations to the BEN are urgently needed as we negotiate for a 650 acre farm that is part forest and part pasture to be replanted in the Pacific slope corridor. Prices do nothing but go up!
You may donate online or send a check to MCLUS, 1128 Weidman Rd., Town and Country, MO 63017. We are in a race against time!

Next summer’s trip dates are now confirmed. June 10-23 AND June 22-July 5, 2009 will be the adventure-filled/conservation/reforestation/photographyecotourism opportunities of a lifetime. Ask anyone who has gone on these trips to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest in the past! Check out overview of the trip on www.mclus.org/eco-tourism/about/ and enjoy. Start making your plans now and ask info@mclus.org for references from past participants, if you like.

Rainforest Quilt: Successful Fundraiser

The rainforest has become a hot topic for children in Macomb, Illinois. Almost 200 students and the local Girl Scout troop have been painting and sewing a Rainforest Quilt. Local businesses were invited to buy donor squares that will have their names stitched into the quilt and create a border around the colorful squares of animals and plants of the rainforest that the children are creating. It is a true work of art with input from kids, teachers, parents, and businesses in the community. The Quilt has provided funding to help send a teacher to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest. To see more of the children’s own art work go to www.mclus.org/kids/quilt_project. For information on how you could replicate this community based fundraiser for the BEN (El Bosque Eterno de los Ninos) contact Lisa Gruver at joelandlisa@gmail.com.

Kid’s Book Project: Draw your own Rainforest Illustrations

DREAM THE FOREST WILD: How Children Saved a Rainforest by Sue Memhard with Jim Crisp. This is the remarkable, true story of how El Bosque Eterno de los Ninos (affectionately known as the BEN, in English – The Children’s Eternal Rainforest) came to be saved thanks to kids from around the world. Now, twenty years later, the lyrical story Dream the Forest Wild continues to inspire kids everywhere and invites kids to be their own illustrators. Read the story, and ask your teacher if you can be part of the KIDS BOOK PROJECT by drawing your own illustrations and going to www.suememhard.com/ChildrensRainforest/ to get them published. Then you can have a book sale of your own version. What a great way to spread the word about the BEN and be able to make a tangible donation at the same time!

Thousands of dollars were raised at the Gala sponsored in large measure by New Chapter and Whole Foods Markets and Creative Artists Agency. To set the stage, images of wildlife from the Children’s Eternal Rainforest were projected on the huge wall above the dinning tables. Orchids graced each table. Violin music wafted through dinner conversation. The inspirational beginnings of the BEN by the Swedish kids were provided by Rachel Crandell. Stirring appeals were delivered by Tom Newmark, Michael Besancon, Anthony Zolezzi and TV celebrity, Suzanne Somers. These remarks and the premiere of Mark Wainwright and Alex Villegas’ video “Stranded” brought the realities of the plight of migratory species in the BEN to the hushed audience who now understands better why tropical rainforests are critical to the health of the planet. The BEN made many new friends on May 8 and a big stride toward funding land purchase on the Pacific slope. Thanks to the many generous donors, we raised over $40,000. This will enable us to take a big step forward with negotiations for land purchase that will reforest wildlife corridors and suck up carbon.

Quilt Project to Help Send Teacher to the Rainforest

A quilt-making project launched on Earth Day in Macomb, Illinois invites children and adults to participate by painting fabric squares with animals and plants from the Children’s Eternal Rainforest. Over 100 of these squares will surround a central painting on fabric brimming with wildlife. Sponsorships for the quilt and donations are raising the money that will be shared between a scholarship for a Macomb teacher to go on the MCLUS conservation/adventure trip July 14-27 and funds for environmental education programs in Monteverde, Costa Rica. When the quilt is completed, it will be displayed in the Macomb Public Library and borrowed by classrooms when they are studying about the tropical rainforest. Mary McMahon has been selected as the winning teacher this year. She has started to pack her backpack!

To benefit The Monteverde Conservation League U.S., Inc. on behalf of El Bosque Eterno de los Ninos (Children’s Eternal Rainforest), Costa Rica

Join us for the inaugural fundraiser to launch the “Project Pacific” campaign of the Monteverde Conservation League U.S., Inc., the non-profit supporting the Children’s Eternal Rainforest in Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Twenty years ago, a single classroom of elementary school children in Sweden began a fundraising drive to purchase endangered habitat in Costa Rica.

Their enthusiasm spread to forty-four nations, and that international children’s campaign resulted in the creation of the largest private reserve in Central America.

Now it’s time to extend this private reserve westward towards the Pacific coast and restore the rainforest for ourselves — and our children.

$150 donation required to attend (entire donation goes to MCLUS)

For additional information and to RSVP please e-mail sara@mclus.org

Dwight passed away February 12, but his indomitable, generous, selfless, humble, problem-solving spirit will remain to encourage all of us who work in conservation. His example of patience and perseverance in the face of challenges will inspire us not to give up in every aspect of our lives, and certainly in the challenge of protecting the precious life in our forests.

Dwight and Rachel founded MCLUS in 2002 as a sister organization to the Monteverde Conservation League in Costa Rica. The goal of protecting tropical biodiversity in the Children’s Eternal Rainforest was given a huge boost when Dwight, as co-founder, treasurer and board member, gave his tireless support in the form of ideas, physical labor and financial help. His lifelong experience working in non-profits helped us set up the organization. His selfless giving of financial support inspired others to give. Dwight loved physical work. He was willing to pick up a hammer, a shovel, or a machete and lend a hand on any project that needed doing working alongside our Costa Rican friends. It didn’t matter if he was the donor or the manual laborer. In fact he was both!

Dwight lived to see the Children’s Eternal Rainforest make its first land acquisition since 1995 because of support from his work in MCLUS. As treasurer, he shepherded us in just 5 years to see our annual donations grow five times larger. We now have an endowment, thanks to Dwight’s foresight. His gentle love and devotion made him the best “shepherd” on our MCLUS trips to the Bosque Eterno de los Niños (BEN), as any of you who were on those trips could testify to. If you were tired, or your pack was too heavy, or your boots got stuck in the mud, Dwight was there at the end of the line to give a hand and lighten the load. He will be missed more than can be imagined, but his prayerful, God-centered life will be an example and inspiration always. Thank you, Dwight.

Donations can be made in Dwight’s name to MCLUS by mailing a check to:

Monteverde Conservation League, US
1128 Weidman Rd.
Town and Country, MO 63017

314-878-8427

You can visit http://mclus.org/give/donate-now/ to make a donation online.

Photo Caption:
Endangered frog species population thought extinct rediscovered in Children’s Eternal Rainforest, located in Monteverde, Costa Rica, benefits from online social networking contest.
Download Full Size

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (January 10, 2008) — Online social networking site Facebook.com is hosting a contest in partnership with The Case Foundation — the Causes Giving Challenge — that will award $50,000 to the non-profit organization that attracts the most individual donors over a 50-day period ending February 1, 2008. Out of over 50,000 individual registered Causes, one has been recently getting a lot of attention — the Children’s Eternal Rainforest. Only days after joining the contest, this group has rapidly risen to become the only environmental organization represented in the top 50 contest leaders.

While every group in the contest has a story to tell, the supporters of the Children’s Eternal Rainforest are particularly passionate about the prospect of winning the $50,000 grand prize. A species of tropical frog feared extinct (Lithobates vibicarius) was recently rediscovered within the Children’s Eternal Rainforest in Monteverde, Costa Rica. By participating in this contest, supporters hope to ensure the continued survival of this very rare species and continue the fight against global warming.

Award-winning environmental children’s book author and illustrator Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini entered the Cause into the contest, anticipating the release of her latest book, The Forever Forest: Kids Save a Tropical Treasure (Dawn Publications, 2008). This true story describes how, in 1987, one class of 2nd graders in Sweden started a movement that would eventually become the largest nature private reserve in Central America.

Kristin wrote and illustrated her first book, A Walk in the Rainforest (Dawn Publications, 1992), when she was a freshman in high school. “Concern for the Children’s Eternal Rainforest inspired me to make my first book. The rainforest was a big deal in the nineties. It should still be a big deal today,” Kristin says. “It seemed natural to join this contest, and try to inspire a new generation of environmental leaders. If the Children’s Eternal Rainforest has taught me anything, it is to never underestimate the power of motivated youth. Facebook just ‘Friended’ the forest.”

The rules of the contest are simple — Facebook members click a “Join” or “Donate” button to become supporters of the Cause and contribute to its chances for winning the grand prize. The group that gets the most individual donations wins $50,000. People who haven’t yet registered for the popular site can easily create a free account to participate in the contest and help their chosen cause.

Rachel Crandell is the founder and president of the Monteverde Conservation League, U.S.: the non-profit responsible for collecting contributions to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest. “I’m very grateful for all the new donations that have been pouring in,” says Rachel. “Last year we collected just over $100,000, using traditional fundraising methods, to help preserve more rainforest and protect biodiversity. Winning the $50,000 in this online contest would be a huge help to ensure that the endangered animals endemic to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest will be protected forever.”

This contest is revealing a whole new generation of young and eager philanthropic givers who are willing to donate their time, money and attention to deserving causes such as the Children’s Eternal Rainforest. It demonstrates the power of social networking sites to make a real difference with their millions of motivated members.

The Causes Giving Challenge leader board can be found here:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/giving

The Children’s Eternal Rainforest Cause page can be viewed here:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/view_cause/53587

About the Children’s Eternal Rainforest
Swedish school children started a worldwide effort in 1987 by sending money to Monteverde, Costa Rica to purchase rain forest and protect its priceless natural treasures forever. Today children from 44 nations have helped The Children’s Eternal Rainforest become the largest private reserve in Central America, 54,000 acres.

To learn more about the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, please visit http://www.mclus.org.

Contact: Rachel Crandell
Tel: (314) 878-8427
Email: info@mclus.org