Author page: thrity

New School of the Anthropocene, London, 5th May 2023

On the 5th of May 2023, an exciting event took place at the transvangard October Gallery’s library clubroom in Bloomsbury, London. The students of The New School of the Anthropocene (NSOTA) were in for a treat as they gathered, both in person and virtually via Zoom, to listen to a captivating talk by Thrity (3t) Vakil.

(In case English is not your first language, you can translate this website. Click the TRANSLATE button at top right.)

3t shared her incredible 23-year journey and experiences in sustainable forestry and rainforest enrichment. The focus of her talk was the remarkable Las Casas de la Selva project in Patillas, Puerto Rico, which has been flourishing for over four decades. Founded in 1983 by the visionary elders of the Institute of Ecotechnics, www.ecotechnics.org , Las Casas de la Selva has been at the forefront of sustainable forestry in the Caribbean. She told the story of the Institute’s Research Vessel Heraclitus, that sailed up the Amazon on an ethnobotanical expedition, where the crew came away having experienced first-hand the effects of deforestation and illegal logging. On arrival to Puerto Rico, 3t elaborated on the early days of the project, emphasizing the crew’s urgent need to “do something necessary that was not being done.” After many meetings and discussions the idea to start a sustainable forestry project in Puerto Rico was conceived.

3t spoke passionately about her life in the rainforest, including the many years of scientific studies, wood-harvesting, tree-growing, endangered tree conservation, nurserywork, and her own artwork that became an integral part of the initiative.

Despite facing numerous challenges over the years, including hurricanes, earthquakes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and most recently, calamitous landslides from Hurricane Fiona, Las Casas de la Selva has persisted. 3t shared stories of resilience and adaptation, highlighting how Puerto Rico Hardwoods, an essential outcome of the project, has thrived, and pioneered efforts to rescue wood destined for landfill after the devastating Hurricane Maria in 2017.

The talk provided a platform for NSOTA students to engage with 3t directly. Questions and answers flowed, creating an informative and thought-provoking afternoon. The students, both present in the clubroom and joining from various locations worldwide, gained valuable insights into sustainable forestry and the importance of environmental stewardship. The event left the audience inspired and motivated to make a positive impact on the planet. 3t Vakil’s engaging storytelling and profound experiences at Las Casas de la Selva served as a reminder of the power of vision, determination, and collaboration in creating sustainable solutions.

The New School of the Anthropocene is an experiment. But it is also an act of repair. In partnership with October Gallery in London, we seek to reinstate the intellectual adventure and creative risk that formerly characterised arts education before the university system capitulated to market principles and managerial bureaucracy.

The pause enforced by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 afforded a unique opportunity to rethink the wider basis of our educational practices, against a context of unimaginable climate catastrophe and irreversible species extinction; of economic depression and sanctioned inequality.  

The New School was the response: founded by an ensemble of experienced academics from the higher educational world alongside artists and practitioners, none of whom regard education as a business and their students as customers.  

We recognise the pitiless financialisation of the university world and the dismal situation of the student-consumer, for whom vast debt is a passport for crossing the threshold to adulthood and social participation. We observe the demoralisation of exploited teachers within a casualised workforce whose energies are drained by a technocratic culture of audit and administration. We witness the purposeful and systematic dismantling of adult education, the crude instrumentalisation of learning and a joyless culture of accreditation.

Collectively we can do better. We see that higher educational institutions in their current form are ill-placed to foster the new critical and creative ways of working collaboratively that are necessary for social renewal and ecological recovery. 

The New School explores radical new possibilities – affordable, flexible, transparent – for non-residential degree-level education. We wish to explore how higher education can shift away from reproducing the destructive practices of the present and preparing students for what David Graeber termed “bullshit jobs,” and instead forge a viable future for the generations to come. “

https://www.nsota.org/curriculum

Thanks to Michael Hrebeniak (R), and Gessie Houghton (L) of https://www.nsota.org/home for the invitation.

Puerto Rico Has Wood! 2023

Andres Rua has made an incredible documentary about wood in Puerto Rico. What a cast of characters!!
Dedicated to Frank H. Wadsworth



Movie with English subtitles: https://youtu.be/nYVenNN6VgU?si=SWDyebeq9cYE7_Iw

Este proyecto ha sido realizado gracias a:

Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueño y el National Endowment for the Arts

Puerto Rico Tiene Madera’, Un proyecto de Andrés Rúa

Videos y fotos de archivo:

Andrés Rúa, Thrity Vakil, Thomas Marvel Fuller, Ariza Torres

Asesoría técnica:

Thomas Marvel Fuller, Raquel Torres Arzola, y Paula Arzola

Música:

Andrés Rúa González

Partiparon:

Juan Luis Villalobos – Artesano, Ciales

Javier Otero – Aserraderos Otero, Ciales

Javier Fernando Otero Sastre – De tal Palo, Ciales

Rafael Joglar Ph.D. – Catedrático UPR, Rio Piedras

Ariel Lugo Ph.D. – Instituto Internacional de Dasonomía Tropical

Jorge Nieves – Historiador

Dania Rivera Ocasio Ph.D. – Servicio de Extención Agrícola, Corozal

George Félix Ph.D.- Ingeniero Forestal

Carmen Eloisa González – Artesana

Mark Nelson Ph.D. – Institute of Ecotechnics – Nuevo México

Saul (Guatú) Pérez Soler – Aserradero ArteGuatú, Quebradillas

Edgardo González – Director, Centro para la Conservación del Paisaje

William Gould Ph.D. – Centro para el Cambio Climático del Caribe, USDA

Magaly Figueroa – Instituto Internacional de Dasonomía Tropical

Yariliz Quiles Martínez – Instituto Internacional de Dasonomía Tropical

Humfredo Marcano Vega Ph.D. – USDA, Análisis de Inventario Forestal

Scott Landis – Fundador y P residente Greenwood Global

Sheila Emily Ward – Sociedad Internacional de Forestales Tropicales

Evelyn Vázquez – Artesana

Jan Rivera Lugo – Arquitecto, SiempreNunca, Carolina

Daniel Franco Rodríguez – Luthier, Caguas

René Delgado – Taller Escuela, Carolina

Roberto Bello – Biólogo, Centro para la Conservación del Paisaje

José Juan González – Aserradero Rio Encantado, Florida

Thrity Vakil – Tropic Ventures Research and Education Foundation, Patillas

William González – Arbolista Certificado ISA, Econet, Caguas

Sally González -Catedrática UPR, Mayagüez

Hector Rodríguez – Programa Fomento Artesanal, PRIDCO

Oscar Abelleira Ph.D. – Catedrático Asociado UPR, Mayagüez

Enrique (Quique) Casanova – DRNA, Utuado

Gerardo Hernández – DRNA, Orocovis

Yivaldo Juan Morales – Estudiante graduado, UPR Mayagüez

Anthony Pérez Méndez – Auxiliar de Investigaciones, UPR Mayagüez

Oscar Marecelo Suárez Ph.d. – Profesor UPR Mayagüez

Elvin Roman Aponte – Estudiante graduado, UPR Mayagüez

Jonathan Luquis Ramos – Estudiante subgraduado, UPR Mayagüez

Norman Greenhawk

Eva Holupchiski

Carlos Narváez

Karim González

Jairo González

Agradecimientos a:

Programa Apoyo a las Artes y al personal del Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueño  y del National Endowment for the Arts

Raquel, Paula, Jairo y Karim

Juanita, Andrés, Ramón, Vanessa, Axel, a toda mi familia y al pueblo de Patillas PR.

Thrity, Tom, Ariza, Eduardo y José, de Puerto Rico Hardwoods

A todo el personal del Instituto Internacional de Dasonomía Tropical del USFS

Al personal del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales

Institute of Ecotechnics

Logía Derecho , Libertad y Dignidad de los Valles de Patillas #73

Centro de Innovación Educativa del Museo de Arte de PR

Gorilla Lawn  Care & Property Maintenance

Isabelita Colorado y a toda  la familia del Dr. Wadsworth

Dedico este trabajo a la memoria del Dr. Frank Wadsworth.

(3t’s tribute to Frank: https://designrr.page/?id=252059&token=1021058104&type=FP&h=6612&fbclid=IwAR0VPJnnRZNRnnpGYNoLDSmo5hpySNmYszWAn955Fd_t92v4syJLZncsoaQ)

Synergist Conference, 2-8 April 2023

Synergist Conference at Synergia Ranch, Santa Fe, New Mexico 2-8 April 2023

The Institute of Ecotechnics Annual gathering took place in Santa Fe this year after a three year break through covid. Synergia Ranch Center for Innovation has been the Institute’s Headquarters since the 1960s.

It was a delight to see all our friends from around the world, all tending to amazing projects; Science, Art, Regenerative Agriculture, Orchardry, Forestry, Seapeople, Wastewater Gardens, & Technics. Friends came in from Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Croatia, Yucatan, UK, Turkey, USA, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Argentina. It was a magical time, filled with meetings, meditation, theater, creative groups, presentations, and delightful cuisine.

The Institute of Ecotechnics: www.ecotechnics.edu
The October Gallery: https://octobergallery.co.uk/
The Research Vessel Heraclitus: https://www.rvheraclitus.org/
Wastewater Gardens: https://edeniniraq.com/
Las Casas de la Selva: https://eyeontherainforest.org/
Synergia Ranch: https://synergiaranch.com/

Biospheric Academy is an international project to connect multidisciplinary programs within the framework of innovative projects that operate in different countries, covering the five main biomes of the earth: mountains, oceans, forests, deserts and cities. This is a strategic alliance between projects of the Institute of Ecotechnics https://ecotechnics.edu/2012/05/the-biospheric-academy/,
Fundación de Actividades Biosféricas (Argentina): https://www.fundacionab.org.ar/
Fundación Matutu (Brazil): https://www.matutu.org/
Holistic Research Institute of Montserrat, Catalonia (Spain): http://treeangle.org/team/

See this movie about the Institute’s project Biosphere 2: https://mattwolf.info/Spaceship-Earth

Democracy Prep at the Agassi Campus 21-23 March 2023

Democracy Prep at the Agassi Campus, 21-23 March 2023

Between March 21 and March 23, 2023, Las Casas de la Selva rainforest welcomed a vibrant team of students from Democracy Prep at the Agassi Campus, Las Vegas, Nevada. Their energy was contagious as they eagerly embraced the multifaceted wonders of this natural haven, engaging with both its rich ecology and the pressing work of conservation.

The team from Democracy Prep immersed themselves wholeheartedly in the practical aspects of rainforest conservation. Working tirelessly in the nurseries, they took up the tasks of repotting, organizing, and cleaning with a zeal that spoke volumes about their commitment. Their contribution was invaluable, providing essential support to the ongoing efforts to preserve and nurture the unique biodiversity housed within Las Casas de la Selva. Under the guardianship of Las Casas de la Selva, the rainforest is far more than just a stunning display of nature’s grandeur. It’s a thriving laboratory of life, a haven for many of Puerto Rico’s unique and endemic species. The team from Democracy Prep was given an insider’s view into conservation initiatives, conducted in partnership with the Botanical Gardens Conservation International. This experience gave them a tangible understanding of the unwavering commitment and labor that goes into preserving the planet’s fragile ecosystems.

The students’ education extended beyond conservation techniques. They were introduced to two precious jewels of the rainforest, both incredibly rare and endangered plant species: Palo de Cruz (Garcinia portoricensis) and Tortuga Prieto (Ravenia urbanii). These plants represent more than just biological entities; they are key characters in the narrative of Puerto Rico’s distinct biological legacy. To truly value and conserve the rainforest’s complex ecosystem, one must understand the role and importance of these species.

The students from Democracy Prep were given the unique opportunity to observe and study these plants in their natural surroundings. This firsthand experience was not only educational but also fostered a sense of connection and responsibility toward these endangered species and the environment as a whole. Their journey was not just a visit to a rainforest, but a voyage into the heart of conservation, a glimpse into the intricate interplay of life, and an unforgettable lesson in environmental stewardship.

However, it wasn’t all about work. Amidst the labor and learning, the students fell in love with the experience of being in the heart of the rainforest. The resonance of nature, the rustle of leaves, the trickling water, the chattering of wildlife, and the refreshing rain showers – all these elements combined to create a symphony of sensations that captivated the young explorers.

Even the rainfall, which could have been viewed as a setback, was embraced with joy. Dancing and laughing in the rain, they found in this shared experience a magic that brought them even closer to the spirit of the rainforest.

Their remarkable journey to the heart of Puerto Rico was made possible by Vamanos Tours, who ensured the smooth logistics of their trip. Their days were punctuated with mouth-watering meals, thanks to the exceptional culinary skills of Yara Soler. Her meals, a delightful blend of local ingredients and traditional recipes, offered an additional layer of cultural immersion. Soler’s kitchen was ably supported by Joel and Adrianna, whose hard work and dedication greatly contributed to the overall experience.

The time spent by Democracy Prep students at Las Casas de la Selva was more than a field trip; it was an intimate encounter with nature, a journey into the world of conservation, and a celebration of camaraderie under the Puerto Rican sky. It was a testament to the transformative power of experiences that combine learning, labor, and love for the environment. The memories and lessons they took away will undoubtedly continue to inspire them long after their return to Nevada. Their adventure in the rainforest is a reminder that sometimes the best classroom is the one with no walls.

See more photos of this team and their work: https://photos.app.goo.gl/h42MKhbZ7EwrWp6z5

We appreciate the collaboration we have with Vamanos! Reach out to them if you have a large school group that you would like to travel with, get all over the island, and also stay a few nights, or all nights, with us.
https://www.vamonostours.com/about-us/
Vámonos is a minority-owned educational tour company incorporated in the state of Delaware. Founder, Jorge Pardo, started the company in 2002 after six years of taking his own students on cultural and Spanish immersion tours of his island. With a 100% teacher background, they know what it is like to organize these tours from a teacher’s perspective. Therefore, they help teachers throughout the entire sign-up process and provide more than what’s expected in terms of trip preparation.

Doane Academy, NJ 17 March 2023

Doane Academy, Burlington, NJ 17 March 2023

A team of 14 eager young students from Doane Academy in Burlington, New Jersey arrived at Las Casas de la Selva, ushered in by the experienced guides of Vamanos Tours, and 5 school staff. Though their stay was short, the impact of their visit will resonate for many days and years to come.

Under the stewardship of Las Casas de la Selva, the rainforest serves as more than just a natural spectacle. It’s a living laboratory and a sanctuary for many of Puerto Rico’s endemic species. The students were introduced to ongoing conservation projects, undertaken in collaboration with the Botanical Gardens Conservation International. These initiatives, aimed at preserving the biodiversity of the rainforest, offered the students a firsthand look at the work and dedication required to protect our planet’s delicate ecosystems. They gained an understanding of the urgency and importance of conservation work. Through these encounters, they learned about the delicate balance that characterizes the rainforest and the role they can play in maintaining it.

In particular, they learned about two incredibly rare and endangered plant species: Palo de Cruz (Garcinia portoricensis) and Tortuga Prieto (Ravenia urbanii). These aren’t just plants but important chapters in the story of Puerto Rico’s unique biological heritage. Understanding these species is essential to conserving the rainforest’s intricate web of life, and the students were privileged to see and learn about these plants in their natural habitat.

The Doane Academy students stepped into the shoes of conservationists for the day, engaging in the noble task of trail clearing. The trails within the lush landscape of Las Casas de la Selva serve as vital lifelines, not just for the human visitors, but for the incredible biodiversity that calls this place home. Keeping them clear and safe is a task of utmost importance, ensuring that the delicate balance of the forest ecosystem remains undisturbed.

Equipped with tools and buoyed by a shared purpose, the students worked diligently, clearing fallen leaves and branches, smoothing out rugged areas, and ensuring the trails remain accessible for future explorations. The task was not only a lesson in conservation work, but also an exercise in teamwork, as students learned to synchronize their efforts, becoming parts of a cohesive whole, much like the rainforest itself.

After a day of hard work, they embarked on a hike along the ethnobotanical trail, delving deep into the heart of the forest. This wasn’t just any walk in the woods. As they navigated the trail, they had a chance to discover and learn about the extraordinary plant species that inhabit this rainforest. The trail provided them with a window into the fascinating world of ethnobotany, demonstrating the profound relationship between humans and plants.

The day’s activities culminated in a culinary treat, courtesy of Yara Soler. Her exceptional cuisine added a flavorful finish to a day packed with learning and action, providing the students with a well-deserved reward. Nourished by Soler’s delicious creations, they ended their day on a high note, their hearts filled with unforgettable memories and newfound appreciation for the conservation work being done at Las Casas de la Selva.

Even as their visit concluded, the experiences and knowledge gained during this single day will undoubtedly continue to resonate with the Doane Academy students. They left a part of themselves in the forest trails they cleared, and in return, they carried away valuable lessons in conservation, teamwork, and respect for nature’s intricate tapestry. And hopefully, their brief foray into the world of Las Casas de la Selva has sown the seeds of lifelong stewardship for our planet’s precious resources.

The time spent at Las Casas de la Selva by the students of Doane Academy was an immersive lesson in ecology and conservation. They didn’t just observe the rainforest; they experienced it, understood it, and contributed to its well-being. In the process, they came away with an experience that combined exploration, education, and stewardship, fostering a deep respect for the natural world that will hopefully last a lifetime.

We appreciate the collaboration we have with Vamanos! Reach out to them if you have a large school group that you would like to travel with, get all over the island, and also stay a few nights, or all nights, with us.
https://www.vamonostours.com/about-us/
Vámonos is a minority-owned educational tour company incorporated in the state of Delaware. Founder, Jorge Pardo, started the company in 2002 after six years of taking his own students on cultural and Spanish immersion tours of his island. With a 100% teacher background, they know what it is like to organize these tours from a teacher’s perspective. Therefore, they help teachers throughout the entire sign-up process and provide more than what’s expected in terms of trip preparation.

GW Cathedral School for Boys 2-3 March 2023

GW Cathedral School for Boys 2-3 March 2023

Chris Corrigan, teacher extraordinaire, has been bringing his students to Puerto Rico for immersive adventure and service holidays for many years, and Las Casas de la Selva is always on his itinerary. This year we got to meet his students over a path-building task, carrying gravel to make the path to the composting toilets, to create a better experience when it is raining. Thank you so much.

Of special note was the donation of $1,700 from the school. We are very grateful.

Jose “Potin” was crew leader, along with Alfredo Lopez and Niko Pulford, who also helped 3t in all areas with the team, (special thanks to Niko for his help in the kitchen). Monique Nieves prepared delicious, nutritious meals for which we cannot say thank you enough! Thanks to Globalworks Travel International for organizing this team and getting them to us.

PUERTO RICO COMMUNITY SERVICE TRIP FOR TEENS: https://www.globalworkstravel.com/adventures/puerto-rico-hurricane-relief/

Cathedral School for Boys is a K-8 all-boys private Episcopal day school located next to Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill in San Francisco, California.

See more of 3t’s photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/AgdxttPn8B9sNsAw6

Fountain Valley 13-17 March 2023

An extraordinary opportunity beckoned the students of Fountain Valley High, led by the exceptional math teacher Deb Prantl. Leaving their familiar classrooms behind, they journeyed thousands of miles, plunging into a world as lush as it is mysterious. Their destination: Las Casas de la Selva, a sanctuary nestled deep within the heart of the Puerto Rican rainforest.

Awaiting them was a chance to immerse themselves in a realm of knowledge that far outstripped any textbook. They were there to spend time with Thrity Vakil, or 3t as she is fondly known. A respected director and passionate budding botanist, 3t offered these young explorers an up-close and personal encounter with the incredible biodiversity that thrives in the verdant wonder of the rainforest.

Under 3t’s guidance, they discovered the intricate beauty and delicate balance of the rainforest ecosystem, and projects dedicated to conservation of endemic speces, in collaboration with The Botanical Gardens Conservation International.They learned about two rare and endangered plant species, Palo de Cruz (Garcinia portoricensis) and Tortuga Prieto (Ravenia urbanii). These weren’t just names on a list for the students; they were real, vibrant components of a thriving ecosystem that they could touch, examine, and understand. The students got up close to the critically endangered species being propagated in the nursery. They also got to repot endangered endemic seedlings Guayabota (Eugenia stahlii), from seeds gathered in 2020.

It’s not every day that a math teacher from Colorado Springs brings her students to the vibrant depths of the Puerto Rican rainforest. Deb Prantl, however, is no ordinary educator. Year after year, she chooses to embark on these exceptional journeys with her students, seeing the inestimable value of teaching beyond the classroom. Her vision transforms students from mere observers to participants in this incredible global classroom.

Las Casas de la Selva, under the stewardship of 3t and her team, welcomed these eager students with the vibrant buzz of coquis, the rich scent of damp earth, and the lush greenery of towering trees. The students didn’t just observe the rainforest, they experienced it – its sounds, its smells, and its life – gaining insights that can’t be learned in a traditional classroom setting. This trip wasn’t just a journey into the rainforest; it was an expedition into knowledge, conservation, and a deeper understanding of the world that surrounds us.

The thrill of the journey to Las Casas de la Selva doesn’t end with their exploration of the rainforest. A walk in the woods is just the beginning. The excitement continues as the group congregates for an opening circle – an integral part of the experience, providing an opportunity for everyone to share a bit about themselves and forge connections. With dinner comes more animated conversations, as students and staff exchange stories and perspectives, learning from each other as much as from their surroundings.

The next day, the group gets their hands dirty, literally. They work on clearing a trail near a landslide caused by Hurricane Fiona in September 2022, and another one leading down to the river. They help in repotting rare trees in the nursery and planting out nine mahogany trees, each seedling a promise for the future. They engage with Bill Davidowski, absorbing his insights on woodworking as he unveils his current projects.

All this, fueled by the delectable cuisine of Monique Nieves, bringing the local flavors of Puerto Rico to life with every mouthful. Her culinary prowess complements the rich experiences of the day, nourishing both body and soul.

Witnessing the rainforest awaken to a new day, watching the students’ faces light up as they discover the wonders hidden in the lush wilderness is a sight to behold. From unusual flora and fauna, breathtaking waterfalls, awe-inspiring wildlife, to the melodic chorus of coquis serenading the night, Las Casas de la Selva transforms into an open-air classroom like no other.

The retreat at Las Casas de la Selva is not just an ecological expedition; it’s a journey of connections – with nature, with each other, and within oneself. It’s a sanctuary away from the digital distractions of modern life. Students often express their relief and joy at being off their phones and devices, relishing the chance to simply be in the moment, to absorb the sights, sounds, and sensations of the living rainforest around them.

Beyond the trail-blazing, tree-planting, and storytelling, the Las Casas de la Selva experience is about more profound lessons. Lessons in conservation, sustainability, and environmental stewardship are woven into the fabric of the journey. It’s about understanding that we’re all part of this beautiful, intricate web of life and that every action matters.

And perhaps most importantly, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the wild. To echo the words of naturalist John Muir, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” In the heart of the Puerto Rican rainforest, the students of Fountain Valley High discovered just that.

See more of 3t’s photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/9C5LBvjrKTkQobjV8

Fountain Valley School of Colorado provides a transformative curriculum in a supportive environment where students are challenged to think critically, become leaders, and live by our core values: Courage, Compassion, Curiosity, Self-Reliance, Open-Mindedness. 
Fountain Valley School is a coed independent college preparatory school that offers day and boarding programs for students in grades 9-12. FVS was established in 1930 and is located on an 1,100 acre campus in Colorado Springs, Colo., which is 70 miles (115 km) south of Denver. Colorado’s mountain ski resorts are two hours to the west, and the School has a 40-acre Mountain Campus near Buena Vista, Colo., that provides abundant opportunities for year-round recreation and experiential education programs.

Globalworks Teams 22-23 February 2023

Globalworks with Synergy School, CA, & Arendell Parrott Academy, NC

Students from Synergy School, CA, and Arendell Parrott Academy, NC were here for a service day each and worked hard on the main drive to develop the edges of the road in preparation for planting. Thanks to Monique for a delicious lunch and to Alfredo Lopez and Niko Pulford for helping 3t with team management.

See more of 3t’s photos Arendell Parrott Academy, NC: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z6yu2pxV8uHASBHj9

See more of 3t’s photos Synergy School, CA: https://photos.app.goo.gl/8B2hcyJYCwU9i3ro6

Thanks to Globalworks Travel International for organizing this team and getting them to us. https://www.globalworkstravel.com/

Democracy Prep Endurance School, NY,NY, 19-21 Feb 2023

Democracy Prep Endurance Charter School, Manhattan, NY, 19-21 Feb 2023

Thanks to these enthusiastic students from New York, who helped with clearing hurricane debris.

Thanks to Monique Nieves for great chef work, and delicious food. She was helped in the kitchen by Niko Pulford, 20 year old world traveler who is volunteering for three weeks and helping out in all areas. Thanks Niko, it was a pleasure to have you here. Good luck and see you again.

All Democracy Prep staff and students live by the “DREAM” values of Discipline, Respect, Enthusiasm, Accountability and Maturity.

We appreciate the collaboration we have with Vamanos! Reach out to them if you have a large school group that you would like to travel with, get all over the island, and also stay a few nights, or all nights, with us.
https://www.vamonostours.com/about-us/
Vámonos is a minority-owned educational tour company incorporated in the state of Delaware. Founder, Jorge Pardo, started the company in 2002 after six years of taking his own students on cultural and Spanish immersion tours of his island. With a 100% teacher background, they know what it is like to organize these tours from a teacher’s perspective. Therefore, they help teachers throughout the entire sign-up process and provide more than what’s expected in terms of trip preparation.

Susquehanna University 11-13 January 2023

Susquehanna University 11-13 January 2023:

Students and staff from Susquehanna University, a private liberal arts college in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, came to stay for three days, brought to us by Vamanos Tours who specialize in immersive experiences for children and young adults.

This team continued with the cementing of the path down to El teatro; a much needed upgrade after the torrential rains of Hurricane Fiona in September 2022. Thanks to volunteers at Las Casas de la Selva who helped with crew leadership for the task in hand: 3t, Larry Birdflask, George Locascio, and Alfredo Lopez.
Monique Nieves was chef, ably assisted by Vanessa Acevedo. We ate really well! 3t gave a presentation about the history and work at Las Casas de la Selva, and George Locascio made a presentation about his work as a lepidopterist and botanist.

See more of 3t’s photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/BXgPL5GbiHsgc62S6

We appreciate the collaboration we have with Vamanos! Reach out to them if you have a large school group that you would like to travel with, get all over the island, and also stay a few nights, or all nights, with us.
https://www.vamonostours.com/about-us/
Vámonos is a minority-owned educational tour company incorporated in the state of Delaware. Founder, Jorge Pardo, started the company in 2002 after six years of taking his own students on cultural and Spanish immersion tours of his island. With a 100% teacher background, they know what it is like to organize these tours from a teacher’s perspective. Therefore, they help teachers throughout the entire sign-up process and provide more than what’s expected in terms of trip preparation.

Globalworks Team 11 January 2023

Globalworks Team 11 January 2023

A service day with teenagers from Charles Wright Academy, Tacoma, WA, brought to us by the fun and very competant team of Globalworks staff lead by Lauren Gette-King. Volunteers at Las Casas de la Selva who helped with crew leadership for the task in hand: 3t, Larry Birdflask, George Locascio, and Alfredo Lopez. The task was to re-cement the 40 year old path down to El Teatro. Various other nursery tasks were also accomplished. This team started the process and completed half the path, had a fantastic lunch cooked by Monique Nieves, and Vanessa Acevedo, and left in the afternoon as we prepped to receive another team that same evening!

See more of 3t’s photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/gTxZ9yDCQsyXxEM56

Trips abroad change children’s lives, open their minds, and create new perspectives!! https://www.globalworkstravel.com/summer-service-adventures/

Botanical Bridges Congress, November 2022

Thrity was invited by the directors of the Botanical Gardens Conservation International, and Naples Botanical Garden, to the Botanical Bridges Congress 2022, at The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, a 30 acre world-class, botanic garden in Governor’s Harbor Eleuthera Island, Bahamas. It is a showcase of native and endemic Bahamian plants and is the first and only national park on the island. Thrity’s presentation at the congress highlighted the history and forestry work at Las Casas, including the last two years of work with critically endangered endemic species. There were 50 participants from 26 Botanical Gardens and institutions, representing 11 countries and territories, a gathering to improve global collaboration.

Here is 3t’s photo album of the trip: https://photos.app.goo.gl/JGPBqnmxetVGTKECA

Huge thanks to Joachim Gratzfeld, BGCI Regional Programmes Director; Chad Washburn, Director, Naples Botanical Garden, Florida; Noelia Alvarez, BGCI Plant Conservation Project Manager, for arranging and sponsoring Thrity’s trip.

Outcomes and Emerging Themes
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­There were many important outcomes and emerging themes at the Congress including: Revision and acceptance of a draft of A Plant Conservation Strategy for the Caribbean Region.  The strategy provides a unifying set of plant conservation actions linked to and in support of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The Strategy will be circulated among the Network in early 2023 for a final stakeholder consultation. 

A range of tools and resources are available through Botanic Gardens Conservation International to support and guide plant conservation efforts, including the International Plant Sentinel Network, Global Conservation Consortia, Global Tree Assessments, Plant Search, Threat Search, and the Global Tree Portal.

There is a significant need to draw in more participation from Caribbean and Central American gardens and plant conservation organizations to build a stronger network. This will require improved communication, engagement, and promotion of the network.

Botanic Gardens across the region are acting as education, training, and sustainability centers to build regional capacity to support plant conservation. Projects that focus on taxonomic groups can serve as successful models for collaboration and creating coordinated metacollections of high conservation value. Collaborations within the region and outside of the region will be necessary to build significant capacity for plant conservation. This includes collaborations between gardens and governments, businesses and entrepreneurships, schools and universities, and local communities. 
Conservation horticulture plays a vital role in supporting all plant conservation efforts.

Climate change impacts play a strong role in the region. Work is needed to plan for disaster management and to prepare, mitigate and restore in the face of climate change.
META ABSTRACT: TREE CONSERVATION SESSIONS
Prioritise, plan, act and monitor – promoting an integrated approach to threatened tree conservation

Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) promotes a holistic, integrated approach to the conservation and management of plant diversity. The ultimate aim of BGCI’s Tree Conservation Program is that no tree species become extinct. A coordinated, integrated approach to global tree conservation is needed, as the State of the World’s Trees, published in 2021 indicates that almost 30% of all tree species are threatened with extinction. BGCI’s Tree Conservation Program is integrating threatened tree conservation through four actions – prioritise, plan, act and monitor – to protect the world’s tree species from extinction with partners worldwide. In this session, we will showcase the varied approaches used to further the conservation of tree species.

PRIORITISE

Effective tree conservation requires information and tools to guide and prioritise action. The Global Tree Assessment is an initiative to assess the conservation status of all the world’s tree species, led by Botanic Gardens Conservation International and the IUCN Species Survival Commission Global Tree Specialist Group. Here we present the progress of the Global Tree Assessment towards our goal of an IUCN Red List assessment for every tree species with a focus on Central America and the Caribbean. However completing IUCN Red List assessments isn’t enough. Tree extinctions can only be avoided if the best possible information is available and then used to inform conservation decisions made by practitioners, policy makers and funders.

PLAN

Conservation action can be planned at species level but also at the national, regional and taxonomic group levels. All together, resources as made available by BGCI including the Global Tree Portal, Conservation Action Tracker, Recovery Plans, national conservation planning work and taxonomic group-level conservation planning, inform the selection of priority sites and species to develop integrated tree conservation initiatives and funding applications. Ground surveys are  key to updating the information on baseline populations and understanding of threats and ecology for the species to enable the development of recovery plans.

ACT

The information available through the Global Tree Assessment is crucial to guide tree conservation action. While the challenges and scale of the problem in maintaining tree diversity are significant, the Global Trees Campaign initiative has worked to conserve over 400 threatened tree species in more than 50 countries. These projects carry out direct tree conservation action, collaborating closely with local partners worldwide. The full engagement and participation of local stakeholders is key to the success and lasting impact of all tree conservation initiatives. Technical challenges can be multiple and complex, building stakeholder capacity and partnerships facilitates the sharing of experiences, improves practices and increases success. We will showcase examples of tree conservation projects currently being implemented in the  Central American and Caribbean region in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti and Puerto Rico.

MONITOR

Project monitoring is the routine collection and analysis of information about project progress and whether expected results are being achieved. To track progress annually, BGCI has developed a thorough system of monitoring and evaluation where project activities are reviewed and amended  as necessary,  based on new findings or on unforeseen events, including natural and man-made hazards and changes.

An example of integrated conservation encompassing the Prioritise-Plan-Act-Monitor framework are the Global Conservation Consortia. The global botanic garden community is establishing a series of consortia of specialists with knowledge of genera that are technically challenging to conserve and manage. Eight such consortia have been established to date, including for cycads, and Magnolia. The Global Conservation Consortium for Magnolia (GCCM), led by Atlanta Botanical Garden, is a coordinated network of institutions and experts who work collaboratively to develop and implement a comprehensive conservation strategy to prevent extinction of the world’s Magnolia species.

Collaboration is needed to most effectively conserve the world’s tree species. Strengthening the networks already in place, sharing of  information and experiences and developing new partnerships is key to protecting the region’s unique tree flora.

Hurricaen Fiona 2022

Hurricane Fiona

Devastating landslides at Las Casas de la Selva.

17th to 18th September 2022, Hurricane Fiona passed over Puerto Rico, and Patillas received 27″ of rain. Landslides were the major events at the project, and we also lost our forest bridge that leads into our plantations. The force of the water was extremely high and violent, as we have seen all over PR after Fiona.  We have also lost access to our plantations from the Las Mulas side as the municipal road suffered a huge landslide.

It has been a devastating event. The main drive suffered two land slides, the vegetation was cleared in the week following the hurricane by a volunteer Team Echo, then work with a tractor by Andres Rua, then finally the Patillas municipal bulldozer. Thrity was trapped for four days. The electric line is also down, so the generator is on for maybe the next two months. Thrity is working with volunteers to clean up, Andres is working on the water system, and the future looks towards ecological restoration being a major part of what we do.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to help, and a huge thank you to those that have come and given a hand at a very challenging time.

Please help in whatever way you can.

https://eyeontherainforest.org/donate/

Links to Press Reports & Other publications
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2022/09/puerto-rico-crippled-by-flash-flooding-and-power-failures-as-fiona-heads-toward-bermuda/
https://www.accuweather.com/en/hurricane/fiona-rainfall-totals-in-puerto-rico-rival-hurricane-marias-downpours/1249695
https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2020/1022/ofr20201022_sheet_geospatial.pdf

Volunteers on Team Echo working on clearing vegetation off landslide.
Bridge broken by Hurricane Fiona
Andres clearing landslide on main drive.
Andres fixing the generator
L-R: Brent Foley, Sarah Clayton, Michael, Berto Cartenega, Justin Breen, Bernie War, all volunteering to help with clearing landslides and standing up fallen trees.
Alfredo Lopez helping with Mahogany saplings impacted by debris.
Thank you to Andres and Potin for working tirelessly on the water system, and to Angel Collazo, (center), for moral support!!

See the images of landslides on PR 184 near Las Casas de la Selva
https://www.canva.com/design/DAFOd6RTGH8/oi8KFQMX_CqqOrv4CH71Jw/view?utm_content=DAFOd6RTGH8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Hartford High, Vermont – April 2022

Students and staff from Hartford High School, Vermont were in the house for several days, whilst we had an island-wide blackout. We worked on the ethnobotanical trail where a landslide had erased much of the path, and created a new trail. Old eroded steps on the trail were renewed and undergrowth was cleared for more tree-planting. Thanks to staff Doug Anton, Israel Provoncha, and Tricia Pfeiffer for great leadership, and to Vamanos Tours for safe travel and island organizing! Monica Nieves and Vanessa Acevedo worked the kitchen and dining, and we were delighted by the fine cuisine.

Democracy Prep Schools, New York, April 2022

A – Democracy Prep Charter High School – New York, NY
B – Democracy Prep Harlem High School – Harlem, NY
C – Democracy Prep Harlem Prep High School – Harlem, NY
D – Democracy Prep Bronx Prep High School – Bronx, NY
E – Democracy Prep Endurance High School – New York, NY

Democracy Prep Public Schools is a growing network of free, open-enrollment, high-performing public charter schools committed to preparing students for success in college and active citizenship. These five teams of New York teens came to participate at Las Casas de la Selva, Sustainable Forestry Project, Patillas, and worked outside in heavy rains and muddy conditions, helping with clearing overgrowth, clearing an area for more tree sapling storage under shade, digging holes for tree planting, and cleaning up various nursery areas. Comfort zones were broken down swiftly, but happy to report big smiles all around. We had a great time with these young students who are all on their way to great achievements. We salute you all. Thanks also to the staff who brought each team and Vamanos Tours for getting them all in and out safely. Thanks to Monique Nieves and Vanessa Acevedo for the delicious cuisine.

Lawrence Academy Groton, MA March 2022

Mercury, a visiting artist from New York, and 3t, worked with students out in the forest on the ethnobotanical trail. The students were lucky to get some presentations from project volunteers George Locascio, a butterfly expert who teaches at Mount Wachusett Community College, and Brian Connolly, a botanist who is a professor at Eastern Connecticut State University.

Lawrence Academy team 12th- 14th March 2022. Thank you!
Lawrence Academy team 11-12th March 2022. Thank you!!

Fountain Valley High School, CO March 2022

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