Only through a keen awareness of our natural environment is it possible to do something about the threats.
It is therefore particularly important to Tropica Verde to supplement its environmental protection projects with education in kindergartens, schools, universities and extracurricular learning centers – in Costa Rica as well as in Germany and Switzerland – and now also online!
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN COSTA RICA
The aim is to combine every nature conservation project in Costa Rica with environmental education. The activities are primarily aimed at pupils, students, parents and teachers. But the older generations are also being integrated, and we are working with local partners to pass on their experience to the next generation.
Monte Alto – Knowing, understanding and protecting nature
In Monte Alto, the environmental education program of the local foundation Pro Reserva Forestal Monte Alto is largely financed by Tropica Verde. In addition, together with various partner organizations, the establishment of an environmental education center was made possible, which serves as a base for project visits by school classes and travel groups. On a tour, they can explore various nature trails, such as the orchid and tree nature trail, and learn about the amazing biodiversity of a successfully reforested secondary forest. For many years, environmental education courses have been held in several local schools with the aim of sensitizing primary school children to the fauna and flora of their home region and increasing their understanding of the importance of the various species for a functioning ecosystem and an intact water cycle.
There are also regular excursions to Monte Alto, such as the annual “Day of the Tree”, so that the children can get to know different animal species and learn about their natural habitat while planting trees. From 2020, the increasing biodiversity will be observed and documented in collaboration with students from Hojancha Professional Technical College, using data collected from camera traps, among other things.
ACBTC –
Rainforest protection through school projects
In the Talamanca Biological Corridor, Tropica Verde finances school projects through the local organization ACBTC (Asociación Corredor Biológico Talamanca Caribe). Important topics are dealt with here, such as the effects of climate change and the importance of protecting species-rich forests in the region. This work reaches both the pupils and their parents. The lecturers are supported by Tropica Verde, among others, for their environmental education work. At the annual “Festival Ambiental Por La Vida” in Bribri, the main town of the indigenous population, the pupils present their projects with great pride and commitment through games, dance and theater.
Reserva Kinkajou –
Guided tours for nature lovers
Starting from the nearby Yatama Ecolodge, tour groups are guided through the untouched nature of the Braulio Carrillo National Park and the neighboring project area. Nature guide Pedro explains the threats to the environment that lurk just beyond the borders of the national park. He explains the methods of reforestation for the preservation and creation of biological corridors, which are vital for the survival of numerous animal species as an extension of their habitat. In the near future, a small environmental center is also to be built, which can also be visited by school groups and will serve as a starting point for scientific research.
Reserva Kinkajou –
Guided tours for nature lovers
Starting from the nearby Yatama Ecolodge, tour groups are guided through the untouched nature of the Braulio Carrillo National Park and the neighboring project area. Nature guide Pedro explains the threats to the environment that lurk just beyond the borders of the national park. He explains the methods of reforestation for the preservation and creation of biological corridors, which are vital for the survival of numerous animal species as an extension of their habitat. In the near future, a small environmental center is also to be built, which can also be visited by school groups and will serve as a starting point for scientific research.
ECODESI – Environmental education for young and old
In the small village of Villareal near Tamarindo, Tropica Verde supports the “Colores de Identidad” project run by the local partner organization ECODESI. The main target groups for this project are senior citizens from the municipality of Villareal and schoolchildren from the region. The seniors are supported in learning and implementing important environmental measures (recycling, planting, etc.).
At the same time, the older participants pass on their experience of traditional vegetable and fruit cultivation to the younger generation. In addition to numerous workshops and training courses, the activities in this project include setting up a tree nursery with local plants, reforestation, recycling, composting, campaigns for clean rivers, a seed bank with local seeds and much more.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN GERMANY
Tropica Verde has also been promoting environmental education in Germany since 1989. Costa Rica seems very far away and many people are not aware that the tropical forests there are being cut down for extensive agriculture, livestock farming or expanding infrastructure. And so the question of how to contribute to their protection is not even asked.
IGS Nordend – Cooperation for climate protection
IGS Nordend has been an energy-saving school for 11 years with annual savings of 60 tons of CO2 or 15,000 euros. The school offsets unavoidable CO2 by planting trees with Tropica Verde. Donations collected by the pupils (e.g. through a charity run) are used for reforestation and reforestation in Monte Alto. Together with a group of pupils from the EnergIGS project, Tropica Verde is also taking part in events such as the 2019 Environmental Festival on the Main. In 2021, IGS Nordend even won the “Energy Saving Champion” competition with its project.
Action and information stands
Tropica Verde participates in various events organized by long-standing cooperation partners throughout the year. At many events, Tropica Verde offers information about the association and its projects as well as environmental education activities for young and old. These events are carried out with the support and commitment of members and volunteers. You can find a list of (regular) events here:
- Participation in the BioFrankfurt Green Exchange
- Participation in the “Experience biodiversity” campaign week organized by BioFrankfurt
- Participation in zoo action days organized by BioFrankfurt and the Frankfurt Zoological Society
- Participation in the sustainability parcour organized by the “Learning sustainability in Frankfurt” network
- Participation in the “Blue Table” on the Römerberg, organized by the “Learning Sustainability in Frankfurt” network
- Participation in the week of action to close the Mainkai, organized by the “Learning sustainability in Frankfurt” network
- …and even more!
BOOKABLE EDUCATIONAL OFFERS FOR ALL GENERATIONS
- Multimedia shows about the rainforest: biologist and nature photographer Dr. Stefan Rother is co-founder of Tropica Verde. Stefan holds colorful multimedia shows about the rainforest, the projects of Tropica Verde and the biodiversity of Costa Rica. He visits kindergartens, schools, universities, companies, retirement homes and public institutions in Germany and Switzerland and can be booked for events. Click here for the Faunity website
- Educational module on the water cycle: The Environmental Center Hanau offers an educational module on the “Water cycle in Germany and Costa Rica” for elementary school in the Rhine-Main region.
- Ara and pineapple educational module: In cooperation with the Green School of the Palm Garden , the educational module “Ara and pineapple“ was developed with the main topics “Fair Trade” and “Organic farming methods” for secondary levels I and II and can be downloaded free of charge.
- Individual educational offers: In addition to the available educational modules, we also offer individually tailored guided tours, lectures, activity or information stands on the subject of rainforests, for example for school or company events. Get in touch with us!
- Various educational activities: Tropica Verde participates in events organized by long-standing cooperation partners with guided tours, lectures, activity and information stands.
News about our educational campaigns and projects
Project partners introduce themselves: Interview with Karla Murillo
Environmental education is a matter close to Tropica Verde’s heart – and therefore also to Ariana. Education in the sense of sustainable development is also an important component of our sea turtle project in Gandoca. Get to know our employee Ariana Oporta McCarthy and her motivation in this interview.
Project partners introduce themselves: Interview with Ariana Oporta McCarthy
Environmental education is a matter close to Tropica Verde’s heart – and therefore also to Ariana. Education in the sense of sustainable development is also an important component of our sea turtle project in Gandoca. Get to know our employee Ariana Oporta McCarthy and her motivation in this interview.
Education network in Costa Rica: Interview with new coordinator
To link the Costa Rica-wide environmental education activities of our local partner organizations, Tropica Verde is launching a cross-project environmental education network. Get to know the coordinator Mónica Chinchilla Vargas in an interview!
