Environmental Awakening

Several full-shaped leaves feasted evidently by an etch-a-sketch pattern of a once impregnated larvae, abundant diverse epiphytes on the trees, ants carrying bits of leaves to their nest to further break down into edible food, a couple of coati mammals unafraid of people scouring the forest leaf liters for hidden rodents, a large hairy black-orange female tarantula waiting patiently in its burrowed opening for its next victim. These are just a few of many witnessed activities in a lush tropical rainforest.

But it wasnπt just discovering the hunting technique of a tarantula or a coati, or even the food gathering method of ants, it was the fully exposed experience, the use of all my senses that was absolutely thrilling and exciting. It was a far better experience than watching the discovery channel; but yet, it was something more.

How is it that a rainforest ecology course could have opened my eyes to a brighter and livelier world I live in? And Iπm not talking about the new and improve Las Vegas or the popular MTV. A life science transfer requirement was essentially what the class meant to me; in addition, a much needed vacation from work. I had a general understanding of the functions and benefits a rainforest provided, but the class course and a first hand experience of the rainforests opened my eyes clearly to its importance.

But it didnπt stop there. Talking to naturalists who are actually college interns working on the reserve stirred up envy in me how I wished I were working on the reserve as well. When not playing guide to students or tourists, they continued with their research. There was a much-needed demand for rainforest research, a worthy and admirable cause to learn more about the very thing needing preservation.

One naturalist, Blair Musselwhite, was studying the affects of the tropical birds on the coffee farm. She was kind to invite classmate and myself in accompanying her in one of her trips to the coffee farm. Her research was to determine the effect the birds had on coffee farms surrounded by rainforest. The most difficult part of her data gathering to me, besides recording the weather and the heights of the coffee plants on the field, was identifying birds sometimes not seen by their calls. Her keen hearing and sighting of the birds was a needed ability to conduct a proper research, something that took quite a bit of practice Iπm sure.

With my interest in small business development, I inquired to history of Ecolodge San Luis biological reserve by interviewing Diane Lieberman. To my surprise Doctor Milton and Diane Lieberman, who are the directors as well as the founder of the reserve, started the reserve by venturing with a banker investor, instead of the traditional route of applying for grants or government assistant in the preservation of the rainforest.

The Liebermans are trying to create a business model in hopes that other entrepreneurs may wish to venture into. The purchasing of rainforests as business opportunities would not only help preserve rainforests, but it would give it more value than farmlands. This is accomplished by purchasing rainforest at a higher price than farmland. The hope here was to change the mentality of farmers owning rainforest not to clear it, which the line of thinking was clearing land will raise property value, a means to an end.

Unfortunately, the trip had to end. But after the trip I had a greater concern for the rainforests as well as a strong appreciation for it and our environment. I looked at my landscape at home in a different light with a greater understanding and appreciation and outlook in regards to a healthy environment. Water, a growing concern that has threatened endangered species by pumping massive volumes of fresh water into the bay, a lack of as the population grows or burdens of droughts, was a continual issue of concern. So I dwelled on ideas of how to redesign a low water consuming landscape. I surprised myself of such thoughts.

But thereπs more. A bike and running trail nearby my work was a fire road to a creek. For the first time in several years, I noticed what appeared to be a trail leading from the fire road into the lush forest of the creek. It amazed me that I havenπt noticed it all these years. Or was it my new appreciation for nature?

The forest was beautiful! Several game wood ducks flying high through the forest top swooping down gracefully into the creek, shrub and tree flowers in bloom, secluded from the city (well, mostly). And to top it, not many people know the trail exist. When the opportunity arises to break away from work, I look forward to a walk-run through the trail.