Costa Rica
First Visit to Costa Rica Rainforest -- February 2002

Overview

Holbrook Travel is an industry leader, offering innovative educational programs giving teachers and students rare opportunities to learn by experience. Since 1974, they've guided over 25,000 students to the far reaches of the world. They’ve also taught thousands of teachers how to plan, organize, and lead their students on educational adventures
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PASCO was invited by President-Andrea Holbrook, and V.P. of Program Offerings-Sandy Doss, to be part of a 4 day Field-Based Learning Seminar with teachers from across the U.S.

History

Over the years, approximately 75% of Costa Rica’s rainforest had been destroyed due to logging and agriculture. Costa Rica is now a world leader in reclaiming rainforest areas and conserving the remaining areas. Selva Verde was established in 1985 when Andrea’s mother (Giovanna) purchased ~500 acres of rainforest land bordering the Sarapiqui River, near the small town of Chilamate in northeastern Costa Rica. Due to the country’s conservation efforts, about 27% of Costa Rica’s lands are national parks, biological reserves, wildlife refuges and other protected areas.

Learning Center

The Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center is managed by volunteers. Polly Hunt manages the center and her terrific staff includes: Anne Koenke, Phil Zaubi, Cindy Jones, Mel Owen-Browne, and Kelly Groller.

The goal of the LC is to teach rainforest conservation to the Costa Ricans and visitors to Selva Verde. The LC also supports the local community by offering a place for students and adults to take language lessons, receive help with homework, and enjoy recreational activities such as arts and crafts. Due to Selva Verdeês efforts and dedication in preserving the countryês rainforest, PASCO donated equipment and software to the Learning Center. We hope this will allow teachers and students around the world to further increase their understanding and enjoyment of this beautiful region of the world, through field exploration.

Teachers' Seminar

Eighteen teachers participated in this Field-Based Learning Seminar. They came from across the U.S. and spent four days in beautiful Costa Rica. Led by experienced naturalist guides, Mario and Rudolpho, we had the opportunity to explore this beautiful country and discuss biological structures, biodiversity of flora and fauna, reserve management, and conservation. From the incredible rainforest to the tranquil Sarapiqui River, which runs through the reserve, Selva Verde offered us all an enriching and memorable experience.

Morning Bird Watch Hikes

Every morning at 6:00am, we departed for a hike in search of many of the exotic birds that inhabit the Costa Rican rainforest. Costa Rica has more than 15 distinct life zones, which serve as home to over 850 species of birds throughout the country’s nearly 2,000 square miles of national forests.

Rainforest Hikes

We participated in several hikes through the 500-acre rainforest preserve of Selva Verde. Walking through, our nature guides carefully explained the differences between both the primary and secondary forest.

During the hikes we also conducted several experiments with our PASCO equipment (See experiment data). We measured pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen at various locations and depths along the Sarapiqui River. We noticed the water temp was higher near the surface as compared to depths of 1 or 2 feet deep. We also observed that the pH level was higher in the portion of the river with faster moving water, as compared to a more stagnant inlet. (See experiment data)

We measured the temperature and humidity over a 45-minute period, and noticed as we hiked into a thicker canopy region, the temperature dropped by approximately 2 degrees, and humidity increased from about 70% to 80%. (See experiment data)

One of the fascinating and unique characteristics of the rainforest, is that sometimes less than 5% of the sunlight actually shines through the canopy and reaches the forest floor. Using a Light Sensor, we measured the level of light intensity (lux) that was shining through the canopy cover of the forest.

We noticed several termite nests during our hike, about 6-10 feet off the forest ground. Another experiment we conducted was to measure the temperature inside these nests. We were surprised to see that the inside temperature was a consistent 24.3 C

Local High School Visit

We visited Colego Tenico Profesional PTO Viejo high school, and had the wonderful opportunity to hear five students (Jaime, Milagro, Lisa, Alejandro and Raul) discuss their life as students in Costa Rica. We discovered they take 14 classes at a time, and daily attend school from 7:00am to 5:00pm. They discussed their college and career goals, and how the Learning Center helps them with their homework.

Sarapiqui River Cruise

The third day was devoted to experiencing the variety of the Sarapiqui River. A scenic 2-hour boat cruise down the river allowed us to view of the thick with lush vegetation, towering trees, vines and flowers forest that borders its banks and numerous opportunities to see the region’s wildlife up close. The source of the river is the clear mountain streams that run down through the rainforest to lowlands. During the trip we took several measurements of the water including temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen. Not surprisingly, we discovered the levels of each measurement were very similar to stretch of river we previously tested at Selva Verde.

The wildlife we observed was incredible. With our guide, Mario’s keen eyes and Juan’s skillful boat driving, we had the chance to see a variety of species in their natural habitat: 3-4 feet long Iguanas sunning on the river banks, a Caman resting under the cover of branches, a Howler Monkey high above in the treetop, bats clinging to a tree trunk, and a host of birds including Egrets, Tiger Herons, and Kingfishers.

Sarapiqui White Water Rafting

Our day ended with a fun and exhilarating white water rafting drip down the Sarapiqui. The river offered us Class II and Class III rapids. Our expert guides made this a wonderful experience with their humor and knowledge. The competition heated up as the five rafts navigated the rapids and raced each other down the river, jockeying for position and splashing each other with our oars. Definitely a wet and wild time.

Guest Speakers

The group had the pleasure to hear two distinguished guest speakers on successive nights. Dr. Jorge Protti, famous volcanologist from Costa Rica’s UNA (Universidad Nacional). He discussed his studies of Central America volcanoes and earthquakes. He predicts that a 7.2 – 7.4 magnitude earthquake will occur in Western Costa Rica within the next several years.

Ms. Arce, who has been teaching Biology for over thirty years, discussed the state of education in Costa Rica. She has famous family roots as the daughter of 3-time ex-President Jose Figueres, who first won election in 1948. He is famous for abolishing the country’s military, and putting the funds towards nationalizing education, banking, and insurance. Ms. Arce is also the sister of ex-President Figueres Jr, who served from 1994-1998.

Banana Plantation

We visited a local Dole banana plantation. Tourism is the #1 industry in Costa Rica, followed by banana exports, and coffee. The owner gave us a tour of the plantation, as we learned everything from the history of the plantation to how the bananas are grown, harvested, cleaned, packed, and shipped around the world.

La Paz Waterfall / Poas Volcano

On the last day of the trip, the group visited beautiful La Paz Falls and Poas Volcano. La Paz Waterfall Gardens is nature park that includes four magnificent waterfalls. The Trail of Falls leads to a gorge that was created by the confluence of the Rio La Paz Grande and the Rio La Paz. The view from the balconies showcase three separate waterfalls: Encantada, Escondido and, of course the famous La Paz Waterfall.

The drive and view of the volcano was unforgettable as we all learned a lesson in geology. Poas Volcano, at 2,708 meters(8,884 ft) high, is located in the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, 37 km north of Alajuela on the Alajuela-San Pedro de Poas route. It is one of the most spectacular volcanoes in the country and has the largest geyser in the world. This park protects various types of forest containing abundant epiphytes andparasitic plants growing on the tree trunks. Poas's crater is an enormous, gaping hole one kilometer in diameter and 314 meters deep. The long-extinct von Frantzius composite cone, the oldest eruptive center on the massif, is at the north of the arctic crater. Another cone named Botos is to the southwest. It was the active center until 7,500 years ago and now contains astonishingly beautiful cold water Botos Lake. The lake is about 400 meters in diameter.

A beautiful country with amazing wildlife, Costa Rica has earned its reputation as a paradise regained.