MCLUS E Newsletter August 2008
Watch it! Stranded Video on Home Page
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!
