Shoulder to Shoulder Archives - Eye on the Rainforest

by thrity February 10, 2026

Rocky Mountain School, Co. 8 Feb 2026

A Day of Service on the Ethnobotanical Trail

We were grateful to welcome a group from Rocky Mountain School to Las Casas de la Selva for a focused day of service work on our ethnobotanical trail. Days like this sit at the heart of what Las Casas represents: learning by doing, caring for place through direct action, and understanding forest systems from the ground up. The crew worked under the guidance of Jon Warwick, who led pruning and trail maintenance along sections of the ethnobotanical trail that see regular use by researchers, students, and visitors. Careful pruning is not just about access; it is about encouraging healthy plant structure, protecting sensitive understory species, and keeping the trail legible without overwhelming the forest’s own rhythms.

Students approached the work with focus and good humor, quickly finding their stride with hand tools and learning how each cut has consequences over time. Trail work in a rainforest is always dynamic. Growth is constant, and maintenance becomes an ongoing dialogue with the landscape rather than a one-time task.

By the end of the day, areas of the trail were clearer, safer, and better defined, but more importantly, the forest had been met with attentive care. These moments of shared labor leave a quiet imprint. They build relationships between people, between people and place, and between learning and responsibility. 3t provided a delicious lunch!

We thank Rocky Mountain School and staff Brittany Bergin-Foss and Sierra Aldrich, for bringing their energy and curiosity into the forest and for contributing to the ongoing stewardship of Las Casas de la Selva. Many thanks to Fernando of Carite 3.0 and to Bill Cotter of Shoulder 2 Shoulder for bringing the group to us.

February 2026

Shoulder to Shoulder Volunteer Groups

by thrity June 17, 2025

Shoulder to Shoulder, June 2025

This June, we had the pleasure of meeting two incredible groups of teenagers through the inspiring organization Shoulder to Shoulder—a nonprofit based in Colorado that brings students into global service learning experiences. With 14 students in each group, these visits brought a vibrant mix of energy, curiosity, and heartfelt engagement to the rainforest at Las Casas de la Selva.

On June 12th, the first group arrived, eager to dive into learning about sustainable forestry, conservation, and life in a tropical rainforest. These young people from all over the US—many of them visiting Puerto Rico for the first time—spent the day exploring the land, asking deep questions about our work, and reflecting on how our mission resonates with their own values and sense of purpose.

Then, on June 15th, a second group joined us—this time from Thayer Academy from Boston. They were guided on an immersive walk through the forest by Erid Román Rosario, who brought the ecosystem to life through stories about its flora, fauna, and the regenerative practices we’ve developed over the decades. Eric is part of a new wave of passionate young people stepping into leadership roles here.

We’re especially excited to be encouraging Erid, who is beginning to explore our forests in depth and share that knowledge through guided walks. After many years of 3t leading tours, it’s deeply rewarding to see the next generation stepping up. This not only supports our work at Las Casas de la Selva, but it also ensures that the knowledge, care, and spirit of the project continue to grow beyond a single person’s efforts.

These visits are exactly why we do what we do—because when young people step into this forest, when they stand on this land and breathe in the humid air of resilience, they begin to understand something vital about the relationship between humans and nature.

Huge thanks to the Shoulder to Shoulder team, group leaders Brian Sweeney and Adelina Valle Martinez, the teachers and leaders who accompany these students, and to the young people themselves—who showed up with open minds and generous hearts.

We hope they carry a piece of this forest with them wherever they go.

Shoulder to Shoulder’s mission is to nurture “ethical leadership” by placing students shoulder‑to‑shoulder with grassroots nonprofit leaders tackling real-world issues—like climate change, gender equality, food security, healthcare, and Spanish-language immersion. If you know a motivated middle or high schooler eager to grow through service, Shoulder‑to‑Shoulder might just be the transformative journey they need.