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The Bosquer@s send Big Happy New Year Hugs to all our friends around the planet!
The close of 2008 saw the successful results of many of our labors coming to fruition, and many more volunteers coming to partake in all aspects of the project. We always hope to inspire you to come and visit again and again. Without the participation of volunteers we could never accomplish so many objectives, and have time to consider all our future missions of forestry and stewardship within this spectacular rainforest land. Thank you everyone for all your support!
Please sign our Guest Book to ensure you continue to receive the newsletter alert. Dec 2008-Jan 2009 EARTHWATCH
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We hosted three more Earthwatch teams this season and all expeditions helped to collect data on tree thinning assessments, vines, lizards, and frog studies. Thanks Earthwatchers for all your excellent work and enthusiasm. Our teams had an international flavor USA, Denmark, Brazil, Argentina, Honduras, UK, India.
We were pleased to host the winners of the Combat Climate Change Competition 2008: Aishah Hussain, Leon Lindquvist Nielsen, Oliver Aske Hansen and Mehmet Canpolat from Matthæusgade skole in Copenhagen, Denmark, along with their two teachers. |
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NEWS:
The Department of Natural Resources, the USDA, and International Institute of Tropical Forestry have become increasingly interested in the project’s work over the last year and have visited, and got to know us better.
In October 2008, 3t and Andrés attended the Counsel of Private Forestry Management in PR, at the DNRA Headquarters, Rio Piedras. Director of the Forest Bureau, Edgardo Gonzáles has put the completion of the Tropic Ventures Sustainable Forestry Management Plan as a priority by end of 2009. The project becomes a demonstration in a new model of approaches to secondary forest management in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. All of our silviculture methods and data collected in the field will be part of this important document, that will access us to much needed technical advice (roads/watershed) and USDA and DRNA funds earmarked for stewardship of private forests .
With our data, we have also presented the project, research objectives and results in seminars to students at the University of Puerto Rico. Doing so has encouraged Prof. Jim Ackerman, an eminent botanist in PR, and Eugenio Santiago, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, to make regular visits to collect herbarium specimens, with UPR students in taxonomy.
3t’s list of trees positively identified at Las Casas has hit the 120 mark. A photo collection supplements this, and provides newcomers the chance to pick up ID of trees in this region very quickly. A similar Vine ID list is underway. The Ethnobotanical Trail is being worked on with all volunteer groups.
We are also investigating the use of Vetiver for erosion control along with other methods of better maintaining our access roads, and reducing the damage from landslides. |
Frank Wadsworth & the start of The Liberation Study @ Las Casas de la Selva in 2009
L-R: 3t Vakil, Andrés Rúa, Frank Wadsworth, Mark Nelson,
Enrique Santiago, Molly Robertson, Bridget McNassar
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We have visited with Frank Wadsworth and he took a trip to Las Casas in 2008, to talk about secondary forestry timber management. Our favorite talk! Frank Wadsworth has urged Las Casas to consider implementation of a technique he and others have pioneered, called “liberation” or liberation thinning. Bridget McNassar has written the scientific proposal, and preliminary work has already begun on this study. Thanks to the team of DRNA, Enrique Santiago, Victor Rodriguez, Vivien Vera, & Eduard Cintron, who are collaborating on this study with us in the field.
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| Victor Rodriguez |
Victor Rodriguez & Andrés Rúa |
Bridget McNassar |
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| Liberation Study - Hannah & Pippa |
Vine study - Don |
Andrés, Sujata, Norman |
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| Anolis gundlachi |
Lizard Study |
Anolis krugi |
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ETHNOBOTANICAL TRAIL
Norman Greenhawk is planning the future work on the Ethnobotanical Nature Trail, which for the last few years has been worked on by Globalworks, Windsor Mountain, and a host of other volunteers.
Ethnobotanical Nature Trail Mission Objectives
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To fully develop the ½ mile trail into a public educational tool, a public activity area (exercise), and a plant repository.
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To develop the pathway(s) of the trail with a raised wooden boardwalk.
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To develop an erosion control plan for the trail to ensure minimum impact on the surrounding forest.
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To install plants in displays along the trail. Every plant installed must hold significance in at least one of the following areas:
- Agriculture
- Medicine
- Religion/Culture/Folklore
- Economic
Additionally, the plants along the trail will be labeled to show that they hold/held significance to:
a. The pre-colonial Taino population of Puerto Rico
b. Colonial and Post-colonial Puerto Rico
c. Modern Puerto Rico and the Greater Antilles
d. The Pan-Tropics.
- To label all plants in displays on the trail with clear, consise, educational signs that explain the significance/uses of the plant.
- To have the trail serve as a project that community volunteers, Globalworks volunteers, and Earthwatch volunteers can assist with and learn from.
- To have the trail serve as a "draw" to bring in the community and make them aware of the ongoing projects at Las Casas de la Selva.
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FELLING: In November 2008, in the waning moon, we thinned an area of Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus elatus) near the gate where many trees had multiple lower trunks, or were leaning, or of very poor form. (This had the added benefit of Raul and Ivonne’s nursery receiving more sunlight). In January, we debarked, sawed and stacked some beautiful wood to dry. Approximately 200 brd ft in this harvest. We will carry out another thinning in February 2009.
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PRESENTATIONS
Dec 08 “Vetiver” presentation by Alberto Rodriguez, Las Casas.
Dec 08 “WWG” presentation by Mark Nelson, Las Casas.
Nov 08 “Tree Talk” presentation byAndrés at Thomas Armstrong School, Ponce.
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Nov 08 “Out of the Lab” seminar and digital presentation by 3t, Department of Natural Sciences, UPR, Rio Piedras.
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Volunteers at Las Casas during our Xmas and New Year Earthwatch Season
Bridget McNassar: After working nine years as a middle school science teacher in Enumclaw, WA, Bridget has decided to pursue studies in forestry. After spending a summer doing field work in an experimental forest in Oregon, she has spent four months so far at Las Casas, learning tree identification, helping with a new tree study, gardening and exploring the forest. She plans on applying to grad school next year to study forestry.
Norman Greenhawk, herpetologist, is volunteering at Las Casas for an extended period and is the Principal Investigator for the EW Lizard study. He is also mapping and planning work on the Ethnobotanical Trail. He completed his degree in Environmental Studies at Washington College in Chestetown Maryland. With nearly 15 years experience working with reptiles and amphibians, he has worked with over 45 species in projects that have included both field observation and captive care and breeding. Norman also has a background in habitat restoration, contamination cleanup, ethnobotany, and project planning and management.
Warren Laforme came in from Synergia Ranch, NM to spend a month before traveling on to Brazil, fortunately for us his plans changed and he loved it. For the past two months and another month he is helping with tool maintaince and building well-needed inprovements to some of our systems. He has relieved some of the end of year preasure by filling customers wood orders and in general acting as a random element doing his part in maintaining a balance.
Eva Holupchinski is taking a year out from University study to explore everything.
Molly Robertson, Earthwatch PI, Dec 08 - work with the Earthwatch Teams.
Joe Sarquilla Dec 08 - work with the Earthwatch Teams.
Mark Nelson, Earthwatch PI. & Chairman, Institute of Ecotechnics (www.ecotechnics.edu)
Briony Plant is in the UK seeing friends and family after a year of being here. She will return to Las Casas in February 2009.
Other volunteers whom we thank for all their work with the project.:
Kevin Groves (from The Sustainable Trails Initiative, Wissahickon Valley, helped with road and drainage), Sujata Murty, Danielle Dubois, Nikki Bailey,
Karen Oakley.
Come be a volunteer!
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Earthwatch 2008 - New and continuing research objectives
1) To examine the effectiveness of thinning techniques in our current plantings of Mahoe and Mahogany.
2) To evaluate commercially valuable crops that can be grown in conjunction with the line planted mahogany, starting with Artemisia annua and Coffea Arabica.
3) To evaluate populations of the lizards of the genus Anolis at Las Casas del la Selva and monitor the effect of habitat disturbance due to line planting and tree thinning activites.
4) To evaluate the availability and abundance of non-timber forest products that are of economic importance on the property, commencing with vines which are a source for fiber used in weaving and handicrafts. (in collaboration with Pedro Acevedo-Rodriguez, author of "Vines & Climbing Plants of Puerto Rico & the Virgin Islands").
Our first research paper "The Impact of Hardwood Line-Planting on Tree and Amphibian Diversity in a Secondary Subtropical Wet Forest of Southeast Puerto Rico" has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Sustainable Forestry, Volume 29, Spring Issue 4, 2009.
Our next paper: “Performance of line planted mahogany and blue mahoe in secondary wet tropical forest of Puerto Rico”, is currently being edited for publication by Mark Nelson. Kelly C. Reiss, Center for Environmental Policy, Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida is working on the statistical analysis of our data.
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PARTY ON! |
‘PARRANDA PARA EL BOSQUE!’ Directed by Haddys Torres, with Danny Rivera, and a host of other artists, the Las Casas crew held a seven hour party in Guavate. There was music, bomba dance, salsa dance, performance, poetry, comedy, a bazaar, and great food. Dec 6th, 08, 12pm-7pm. PIX BELOW.
MUCHAS GRACIAS!
ARTISTAS:Danny Rivera,
Héctor Meléndez,
Taller de Bomba Tambuyé,
Awilda Sterling,
Ismael Figueroa,
Andrés Rúa,
Haddys Torres,
Jorge Luis Rodríguez,
Miguel Alejandro Ramos,
3t Vakil,
Marvin Rodríguez, Miguel Alejandro Ramos, Mickey Rivera,
Andrés Yambó,
Echavela ,
L@s Bosquer@s, Briony Plant,
Bridget McNassar,
Norman Greenhawk.
COLABORADOR@S Y AMIG@S:
Karen Oakley, Damarys Reyes,
Carlos Quiles,
Juanita y Andrés Rúa,
Rhett Lee García,
Javier,
Bati.
AUSPICIADORES:
Aida Ríos– Antigua propietaria de El Nuevo Rancho Pub
Jule y Minerva Ortiz- nuevos propietarios de El Nuevo Rancho Pub proximamente, La Lomita Alegre
Marcelo y Wilma propietarios de Junior Bus Line
Alexis Massol y Tinti Deyá de Casa Pueblo en Adjuntas
Gustavo de Radio Isla
Juan Carlos, Chila y Santos Torres
Susan Soltero –Univision
Julie Mercado- propietaria de Sattva ( Restaurant vegetariano ayurvédico)
Raúl Rosado de Huertos Caseros
Gloribi de Den Cayá
Tony-Discoteca La Luz
Esther y Piro propietarios de Piro’s
Maria Benedetti
Restaurante Bossa Nova
Rocío- Fideicomiso de Conservación de Puerto Rico
Merevic Torres de Arreglos Creativos
Carmín H. Díaz- Junta de Directores COSEY Inc
Widalys Ortiz- Barras y algo más
Plantas Caparra
Gran Logia Soberana de PR |
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Andrés Rúa, is working on all aspects of forestry project management, turning wood, electrical upgrades, and public outreach, and is currently publishing his latest music CD. |
BIG BIG THANK YOU!
Global Ecotechnics, Earthwatch Volunteers, Frank Wadsworth, Pippa and Allen Francq, Santtos and Chila, Mark Nelson, Kelly Chinners Reiss, Fermin Rios, Andrés & Juanita, Peter Weaver, Jim Ackerman, Eugenio Santiago, Luis Francisco Baerga, Anita Pagan, Frente Ambiental de Patillas, Edgardo Gonzalez, Hecsor Delgado, Magaly Figueroa, Ronnie Lewis, Robert Bentz, Raul Rosado, Ivonne Reveron, Maria Benedetti, Mr. & Mrs. Vakil, Binaifer Motashaw, Mr. & Mrs. Plant.
Photo Credits: 3t Vakil, Norman Greenhawk, Sujata Murty, Barbara Swisher
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Sustainable Forestry
Rare Exotic Hardwood currently available: Blue Mahoe Lumber and products.
Thanks to everyone who has shown their support by buying our products.
We appreciate your continuing support.
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Blue Mahoe Lumber and
Turning & Carving
blanks available.
Secure online payment available.
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WISH LIST Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer, Juicer,
Expedition Headlamps, Waterproof clothing,
Woodworking power tools, or fine hand tools,
Pruning tools, Forestry Equipment, and Safety and climbing gear, Lathe, 16" Drum Sanding Machine, Carving tools,
Soil-Tiller,
your used Movies/Documentaries on DVD,
and Festive (Xmas) Lights (always appreciated!), two-person canoe or kayak,
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www.eyeontherainforest.org
Tropic Ventures Education & Research Foundation appreciates your support!
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