No.17 Feb-May 2007
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Dear Friends, for all of you that haven't visited Las Casas de la Selva, (or revisited for a while), we hope that all the images in this newsletter will entice you to hop on a plane or boat and get here. Bookmark this page and spend some time with it. |
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Over May and into June 2007, the first Earthwatch team of the season came to stay at Las Casas to continue with our forestry research work. More about the Research Mission.. |
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USDA Chainsaw Certification Workshop In March 2007, Edgardo Gonzalez, Director of the Forest Bureau, DRNA (Dept Natural Resources), and Pablo Cruz, Forest Supervisor of the Caribbean National Forest, USDA, visited with a team of foresters to walk the land, see the forestry plantations, and offered support and advice in various areas of forest management. Enrique Santiago, Forestry, DRNA, is assisting on our Sustainable Forestry Management Plan. Later that month, over twenty USDA Forest Firefighters were trained in chainsaw use, safety procedures and directional felling of trees at Las Casas de la Selva. Andrés Rúa also took part & qualified. The training was headed by Anastacio Gomez and Benjamin Fuentes. Thanks to Luis Rivera who helped in the selection of Blue Mahoe and Pine trees to be felled. |
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See the album page for images of felling, debarking & sawing |
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New kid on the block! Welcome, Joaquin Carite, born 28th May 2007. Blessings to Raul & Ivonne. |
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Franklin Román, Director of the Agricultural Extension, University of Puerto Rico, Patillas Office, visited for a day to explore the land with Andrés & Raul, providing insights into soil and possible agricultural methods that can be used on this steep-sloped, mountainous rainforest terrain. |
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3t, Andrés & Sally attended a seminar on the potential of wood production in Puerto Rico, by Frank Wadsworth at the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. |
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Earthday 2007 Earthday Radio Isla Interview Silverio Perez, with Andrés & 3t, |
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The Plaza Roosevelt Farmers Market hosted 3t & Andrés who made an Earthday presentation about the work at Tropic Ventures Sustainable Forestry Project. |
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3t & Andrés showed images from the project and talked to a lively Earthday audience of children & parents at Escuela Elemental, Universidad de Puerto Rico. |
| Our local Earthday Parade | ||
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Frente Ambiental Amigos de la Naturaleza, Patillas, Earthday Parade 2007 |
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Organic Gardening at Las Casas has increased the wealth of our cuisine, with fresh herbs, greens, tomatoes, carrots, and salads making regular appearances at meals. Andrés' two new gardens are doing great! Raul & Ivonne continue to sell out at the Farmers Markets with all their produce, and with a new baby, could definitely use some volunteer hands. Contact Raul |
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Pedro Acevedo-Rodriguez, author of "Vines & Climbing Plants of Puerto Rico & the Virgin Islands", spent a day with Sally & 3t in the forest to identify nearly thirty vines and their potential uses. |
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Prof. Edwin Rua (far left) & students studying electricity from John Dewey College, came to learn the procedure for setting up a transfer switch. |
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Jon Kitzen, Timber Neutral, Canada & UK, visited for two days to walk the plantations and to discuss future collaborations on wood supply and tree planting projects. |
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Molly Robertson just happily completed a year of Organic Chemistry in Santa Barbara, CA, and was also awarded Student of the Year in Physics. Molly is spending the summer here working with Earthwatch Expeditions. She and Joe will be completing their casita they started last summer! Joe Sarquilla is embarking on a new adventure studying Environmental Science and just completed his first semester of courses. |
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Tita, founder of Montessori in Puerto Rico brought five 6yr olds to camp overnight in the forest. Debbie Jacobs, Project Exploration brought several teenagers for a night in the forest and an ecological hike with Jeff Flores. |
Other visits Carmen Rivera, Puerto Rico Massage held a three-day Reiki workshop in May. |
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Volunteer Help Thanks to Mike Rudolph, Damien Garcia, Jeffrey Negron,
Rosalie Sánchez & Hector Javier Torres for volunteer help with hauling and debarking Mahoe logs. Support our Sustainable Enterprises. Thanks to everyone who has shown their support by buying our products. We appreciate your continuing support. |
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Angel Luis Martinez from Patillas is making special items from our Blue Mahoe. |
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Sustainable Forestry All about Blue Mahoe |
Support our enterprises, let us know what you would like us to make for you in Blue Mahoe. We need your support. |
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Blue Mahoe Turning & Carving blanks available. |
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Love & Big Forest Hugs from Sierra Andrés and 3t 250 original images & original soundtrack by Andrés Rúa |
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WishList : Woodworking power tools, or hand tools, Pole Saw, Pruning tools, Forestry Equipment, and Safety Gear, Lathe, 16" DrumSanding Machine, Carving tools, Soil-Tiller, Woodworkers/Artists who want to come, stay, and make items from Blue Mahoe, your used Movies/Documentaries on DVD, Festive Lights (always appreciated!). |
| THANK YOU! Edgardo González, Director of the Forest Bureau DRNA (Dept Natural Resources) Pedro Acevedo-Rodriguez |