No.14 June/July/Aug 2006 For best printing results set Page Orientation to 'landscape'

Dear Friends,

This season with the enthusiastic help of Globalworks and Windsor Mountain Youth Groups we have had our feet firmly on the ground... we blazed a new trail, fixed a road, & created a new floor. In June and July, Sally, 3t, Andrés, & Dugan were pleased to host more than 50 teenagers along with group leaders, Brian Difeo, Jason Malouin, Susannah Clark, Katie Morrow, Cheyenne Pronga, Tyrone Moore, & Sarah Leidner, from Globalworks, and Adam Aronovitz, Elizabeth Mclean, & Viviana Pagan Muniz from Windsor Mountain International.

Both Globalworks & Windsor Mountain International strive to provide rewarding community service, adventure travel and educational travel experiences for students. The organizations promote social and cultural awareness, always seeking to provide scenarios that open minds, create personal growth, and help students respond to cultural, social, and environmental challenges as responsible citizens of the world.

Ethnobotanical Trail at Las Casas de la Selva.

Ethnobotany, the study of human use of plants, has always been of interest and is a key theme of many botanic gardens around the world. The use of Puertorrican plants by people is an appealing study and, when carefully interpreted, makes a compelling topic for visitors to botanic gardens. Traditional uses and favoured habitats are the first steps of knowledge in the growth of a project designed to give value to the forest and a possible source of revenue to her people.

In recognition of the increasing awareness in preserving knowledge of plants, trees, flowers, and vines and their uses, a self-guiding plants trail is being established at Las Casas de la Selva, Patillas, Puerto Rico. Plants are being collected, propagated and planted especially for this trail. Interpretive signs will accompany plants that are known to have been used by local people for food, medicine, tools or shelter. The objective is to develop further interpretive displays of plants of ethnobotanical interest.

Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is currently threatened in rural communities of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean by loss of long-established cultural systems and conversion of local agricultural and forest ecosystems to other purposes. A wide range of plants of ethnobotanical interest is already in cultivation at Las Casas de la Selva and great scope exists for the provision of supplementary educational and interpretive material about the significance of these plants in human development.

Aspects of ethnobotany identified for further attention are the use of native plants by earlier generations, the medicinal plants, and plants of current economic significance, such as plants used for timber, fodder, fibre, and oils. Further research will be undertaken to identify species that can be grown successfully at Las Casas and efforts will be made to bring into cultivation those species not yet represented. Liaisons with, and greater involvement of local elders in ethnobotanical projects are welcomed and encouraged.

Building the Trail

Globalworks and Windsor Mountain helped with the establishing of an Ethnobotanical Trail at Las Casas, led by Sierra and 3t. Trailblazing began, followed by the construction of steps, walkways, bridges, drainage channels, concrete drains and tree planting. Thanks to everyone who "chained" this summer at Las Casas de la Selva! It is a long task, just begun, but a wonderful start to the enchanting and educational Ethnobotanical Trail of Las Casas de la Selva.

Flooring El Teatro

Building a Road

Javier Rojas, from Sonadora, has worked and helped out for many years at Las Casas on various projects. Javier lives at the top of a steep mountain, and this July he found himself with a willing team of Globalworks teenagers who helped to make 20 meters more of the road he has been building by himself by hand, over the last two years. Thanks to Tita Torres, who has been working with Globalworks for several years who came to lend a strong hand.

Patillas Community Work

Andrés Rúa helped to co-ordinate our volunteer groups with the Patillas community. Globalworks painted the Cuartel Municipal de Patillas, the municipal police station, under the auspices of the Honorable Benjamin Lebron, Alcade, Mayor of Patillas. Other projects included the cleaning up of an old community center in town that will be turned into a gym. Gracious thanks to the Programa de Commedores Escolares for providing food. Windsor Mountain took part in a clean-up of beach Los Hoteles, Patillas. Thanks to Anita Pagan.

Three slideshows are available on a CD ($5.00 per CD) showing the work done by Globalworks & Windsor Mountain on the Trail, the Road, & the Floor. Photographs by 3t.

Milling work

Andrés has taken on the sawmill operation and recently along with his team of 3t and Sierra, the pine that was felled earlier this year, is slowly stacking up into planks that will be used in the completion of the El Teatro floor. The Almond tree that fell in Tropical Storm Jean 2, was also processed. Thanks to Joe Sarquilla and Jo Lin for their help.

Support our Sustainable Enterprises, Buy our Products.
We need your help.

Sustainable Tropical Hardwood: Blue Mahoe, Hibiscus elatus Ron Phillips of The New Mexico Wood Turners Association has made exquisite bowls from our Blue Mahoe. See here for more pictures and ordering info.	Allthings Holder Created by Nature - Enhanced by 3t Vakil more info	No trees were cut down to create these pieces. Tree-ferns tend to grow on steep banks and can fall easily in very heavy rain or winds.Minimal disturbance is caused by taking a small section from a fallen tree and letting the rest decompose naturally. The base of each piece is made from sustainably harvested tropical hardwood, Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus elatus), grown at Tropic Ventures Rainforest Enrichment & Sustainable Forestry Project
Blue Mahoe Bongos commissions accepted by Andrés Rúa

Potholes Begone! Good news for all our regular visitors- if you are driving up to see us you will find great improvements in our entrance road. Andres, with skilful use of the tractor, has moved 30 meters of roadfill into those huge potholes. For those of you who don't drive up to see us so often - no more excuses- its easy now! Drive on up!

Three Kings Project
3t & Andrés are currently working on the Three Kings Sculpture project with renowned artist, Santtos. the Kings will be installed in Guavate, 15 minutes from Las Casas, later this year. The Kings, made from pine, are a record-breaking 27 feet tall.

Big Thank You to everyone who has helped the project in various ways.

Earthwatch Institute for our Satellite Broadband Connection; Santtos & Chila; Miguel Alejandro for salsa classes; Raul Rosado; Ivonne Reveron; Mr & Mrs. Vakil, UK; Javier Rojas; Jonnathan Park; Jo Lin; Javier; Juanita & Andrés; Neftali Maldonado; Maria Benedetti; Jeff Stokes; Tita Torres.

Big Forest Hugs from Sierra, 3t, Andrés, Dugan.

Wish List : Digital Projector (for our Multimedia- Publishing- Performance December 2006
in El Teatro).
Slide screen
Festive Lights (Xmas lights)
Woodworking power tools, or hand tools.
Sanding Machine
Carving tools
Woodworkers/Artists who want to come, stay, and make items from Blue Mahoe.
Hardcore ATV

Photo Credits: Andrés Rúa, 3t Vakil
www.eyeontherainforest.org

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