Permaculture, Sustainability and Pura Vida!

Costa Rica is known as a role model in nature conservation and for its rich biodiversity. For me a reason why I choose it as my destination for my 2,5 months travel. Through my professional background in environmental management and sustainability I’m interested in organizations which work in the field of sustainability, environmental conservation and creating awareness I wanted to help and exchange my knowledge and learn more about sustainability in Costa Rica.

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During my stay in Santa Teresa I was happy to find Casa Pampa with its Permaculture Learning Lab for sustainability and environmental awareness. Casa Pampa is dedicated to spread environmental awareness, through volunteering programs, workshops and events around permaculture, composting and general environmental topics. 

Within my time there, I learned a lot about gardening in the tropical area and the principles of permaculture and composting. Daily activities included all kind of work which arise in a garden as watering, planting, covering the beds and so on. Beside that there is always time to have wonderful conversations about all the important world topics.

I enjoyed my weeks in that beautiful community garden with the choir of tropical birds and the monkey family which is living there a lot. For me it was a great enrichment working with nature having all these conversations learning and exchanging about diverse topics with like-minded people.

I can everyone recommend being part and contribute in the Casa Pampa Volunteer Program. It doesn’t matter if you have already experience in sustainability, gardening or permaculture you will find your place there make your positive impact, learn and grow. ☺

Gracias para todos!!

Pura Vida!!

Vanessa Riepl, Austria

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Biological Corridors help to reinforce biodiversity

A biological corridor is the set of habitats necessary for the accomplishment of the life cycles (reproduction, growth, refuge, eat, drink, hunt, etc.) of a species that are functionally linked together. Road, house, deforestation, fire, can destroy those corridors putting species at high risk in certain areas.  

It is important that we realize that just cutting a tree could break a corridor and seriously bother animals like monkeys that always use the same path to get to the place they need to go to survive. When a biological corridor is broken, animals are forced to crossroads, put themselves in danger or get in the city which can lead to their death. It is a real threat to wildlife and all the balance of the ecosystem. 

Costa Rica and the SINAC rely a lot on preserving those areas to maintain biodiversity, which is one of the main reasons tourists like to travel to Costa Rica. The general objective is to create those corridors to link protected areas together to help reinforce biodiversity. 

 

Some countries started to build man-made biological corridors to permit species to cross large highways or urban areas. While it takes some time for wildlife to use those structures, cameras have seen them using it and it is a huge step in the right direction to protect biodiversity. 

Forest fires are also a real threat to biological corridors, and as we entered the dry season the SINAC indicated that with the implementation of the system of permanent alert, the fire will be monitored with satellites, towers, and field inspection. Furthermore, more than 950 firefighters are ready to intervene nationwide. The awareness of the population is also a very important aspect to prevent forest fires and the campaign “A summer without forest fires” has been put in place. Be aware that March and April are the more critical months, but caution must be observed through all the dry season.  

Protection of those corridors is not only the government's responsibility, everyone should know about the importance of those and think of the consequences of cutting a tree, making a fire, building houses, resort, etc. It is our responsibility to get knowledge of those important corridors for biodiversity, tourism, business, the country, and the planet. 

Ghyslain Durand, Canada

If you want to know more about Ghyslain thoughs, please check www.ghyslaindurand.com

Los corredores biológicos ayudan a conservar la biodiversidad

Un corredor biológico es el conjunto de hábitats necesarios para la realización de los ciclos de vida (reproducción, crecimiento, refugio, comer, beber, cazar, etc.) de una especie que está funcionalmente vinculados.

La carreteras, la casa, la desforestación, el fuego pueden destruir esos corredores y poner a las especies en alto riesgo en ciertas áreas. Es importante que nos demos cuenta de que solo cortar un árbol podría romper un corredor y molestar seriamente a los animales como los monos que siempre usan el mismo camino para llegar al lugar que necesitan para sobrevivir.

Cuando se rompe un corredor biológico, los animales se ven obligados a cruzar, ponerse en peligro o entrar en la ciudad, lo que puede conducir a su muerte. Es una amenaza real para la vida silvestre y todo el equilibrio del ecosistema.

Costa Rica y el SINAC dependen mucho de la preservación de esas áreas para mantener la biodiversidad, que es una de las principales razones por las que a los turistas les gusta viajar a Costa Rica. El objetivo general es crear esos corredores para unir las áreas protegidas para ayudar a reforzar la biodiversidad.

Algunos países comenzaron a construir corredores biológicos artificiales para permitir que las especies crucen grandes carreteras o áreas urbanas. Si bien la vida silvestre necesita algo de tiempo para usar esas estructuras, las cámaras las han visto usarlas y es un gran paso en la dirección correcta para proteger la biodiversidad.

Los incendios forestales también son una amenaza real para los corredores biológicos, y cuando entramos en la estación seca, el SINAC indicó que con la implementación del sistema de alerta permanente, el incendio será monitoreado con satélites, torres e inspección de campo. Además, más de 950 bomberos están listos para intervenir en todo el país.

La conciencia de la población también es un aspecto muy importante para prevenir incendios forestales y se ha puesto en marcha la campaña "Un verano sin incendios forestales". Tenga en cuenta que marzo y abril son los meses más críticos, pero se debe tener precaución durante toda la estación seca.

La protección de esos corredores no es solo responsabilidad del gobierno, todos deben saber sobre la importancia de esos y pensar en las consecuencias de cortar un árbol, hacer un incendio, construir casas, resorts, etc.

Es nuestra responsabilidad conocer esos importantes corredores para la biodiversidad, el turismo, los negocios, el país y el planeta.

Ghyslain Durand, Canadá

Si desea saber más acerca de los pensamientos de Ghyslain, visite www.ghyslaindurand.com

Casa Pampa Volunteer Program ; An unique experience full of ´Pura Vida´

Casa Pampa runs Santa Teresa communal garden and different projects with and for the locals (environmental education classes, beach cleaning,...).

I just stayed for one week, but I still enjoyed it a lot and got so many new ideas of permaculture and sustainability in tourism, my main reason to travel to Costa Rica since I work in that area.

So if you plan to stay longer, realize your idea and start your own project!

The team did their best to answer all my questions. They even organized a very interesting tour to a hotel that let me know more about sustainability in tourism. 

In relation to permaculture, I enjoyed the garden while they explained the various principles, such as seeding,  making beds, composting, analyzing the landscape, the importance of the soil, taking care of the plants and harvesting finally

Last but not least: our conversations about sustainable building and the challenges and changes of a greater dispersal of the principles of permaculture.

I really took advantage of my time at Casa Pampa and want to recommend it to you if you want to make a unique experience of impact and which will surely change not just your life!

In Casa Pampa, you always find someone that dedicates a lot of time and energy to each volunteer and spreads good vibes. They are happy to share their knowledge to ensure that you leave richer than when you first came.

Ramona from Germany





Casa Pampa - una experiencia única llena de 'Vida Pura'

Vine a Santa Teresa para un retiro de yoga y permacultura. Después de su cancelación, estaba buscando un plan B y encontré Casa Pampa, una ONG en este pequeño pueblo de playa.

Casa Pampa tiene un jardín comunitario y diferentes proyectos con y para los lugareños (clases de educación ambiental, limpieza de playas, ...).

Solo me quedé una semana, pero aún así lo disfruté mucho y obtuve varias ideas nuevas de permacultura y sostenibilidad en el turismo, mi razón principal para viajar a Costa Rica dado que trabajo en ese ámbito.

Así que, si planeas quedarte más tiempo, ¡discerni tu idea y comenza tu propio proyecto!

El equipo hizo todo lo posible para responder mis preguntas. Incluso organizaron un recorrido muy interesante por un hotel que me permitió conocer más sobre la sostenibilidad en el turismo.

En relación a la permacultura, disfruté del jardín mientras me explicaban sus diversos principios como sembrar, hacer camas, compostar, analizar el paisaje, la importancia del suelo, cuidar las plantas y, finalmente, cosechar.

Por último, pero no menos importante: nuestras conversaciones sobre la construcción sostenible y los desafíos y posibilidades de una mayor dispersión de los principios de la Permacultura.

Realmente aproveché mi tiempo en Casa Pampa y quiero recomendarlo para quienes busquen una experiencia única de impacto y que seguramente cambiará no solo su vida.

En Casa Pampa siempre encontras a alguien que dedica mucho tiempo y energía a cada voluntario y difunde buena vibra. Están felices de compartir sus conocimientos para garantizar que te vayas más rico que cuando llegaste por primera vez.

Ramona de Alemania

7 days Beach Cleanup at the Nicoya Peninsula.

4 weeks ago I came to Santa Teresa in Costa Rica to volunteer at Casa Pampa (NGO).  As one of the first activities I was part of a beach cleanup with different organizations around that area, like Npwaterkeepers and a school in Mal Pais. It took us around half an hour to collect 80 kilos of waste! This got me shocked. My first impression was that the beaches here were clean. Wrong! I started looking more closely and the amount of plastic at the beach got me really concerned, moreover how much microplastic can be found everywhere: just  sitting somewhere and being able to collect at least 10 pieces of plastic without moving. Throughout my work with Casa Pampa I got a strong feeling I should do more than attending some organized cleanups. 

Inspired by my workplace and the movement of 5minbeachcleanup I started taking 5 min of my day collecting whatever I found at the beach. Documenting what I discovered and weighting it everyday. During the first days I was not really surpised by the plastic found. In the middle of the week though the pollution at the beach got so bad I found myself in a crisis of thinking it will never be enough what I’m doing and if I’m really having an effect on anything? On Sunday it reached the peak. Having a wonderful day at a beach in the nature reserve at Cabo Blanco with friends, in the middle of tons of plastic. This day I didn’t collect anything, my spirit from the beginning was gone.

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The next day I went to the local beach again and found a lot more waste than before. I met several people though collecting waste by themselves – together we are stronger! I couldn’t stop thinking about the garbage I’ve seen on Sunday though so Marina (another volunteer from Casa Pampa) and me went to collect garbage at one of the spots. After 5 min I already got 4 kilos of just plastic. We continued collecting as much as we could carry in the end. Finally it was 13 kilos, which eventually didn’t leave a feeling of relief because there was so much more left.

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The results

5 minutes for 7 days: 13,75 kilos of plastic. 82 straws. 308 plugs 

(the amount of other waste was insignificant, so not to mention) 

In the end the results were not really shocking for me as I’ve seen what beaches can look like. To outline the massive problem we are facing I want to display some data. In the present the volume of one garbage truck is littered in the ocean EVERY MINUTE. Around 80% of this waste is coming from the mainland through touristic activities, transport of waste by rivers or nearby dump sites. During the challenge for the first time in my life I could really imagine what the great pacific garbage patch must look like. There are 5 around the world, of which the “island” in the pacific is the biggest. It is now 19 times bigger than Austria. 

In total around 150 million tons of plastic can be found in the sea. Extended by 12 million tons every year. To clarify, it is certainly not only to blame on countries directly located at the ocean. Europe alone is responsible for 180 garbage trucks a day full of garbage. The waste management in Costa Rica, in Latin America in general, has clearly a lot of catching up to do, at this point, however, there is no place for blaming specific regions or people – it is to blame on all of us! And the problem is way too big and created by everyone to leave it with the geographical affected countries. There is more microplastic in the seas now than stars in the galaxy. 

It is on us to choose now in what world we want to live and in what world we want our children to live…. 

I’m not changing the world with this challenge, yet it was eye opening for me. It’s gonna have an effect on my future behaviour as a consumer, well it already does.The problem is way too massive to tackle with beach cleanups that’s for sure, there is pretty much just one simple solution –  stop using plastic! As a consumer we have the choice everyday, we can contribute every single day to make this world a better place.

“Reject single use plastic. Refuse what you can’t reuse”

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres.

It starts with deciding not to use a plastic bag when shopping, requesting the waiter or waitress not to bring you a straw, buying vegetables not wrapped in plastic and ends with political engagement, call to action, boycott special companies – there are no limits. We just have to start now!

Sources


Thanks from ❤️

I am grateful to life and Casa Pampa for letting me be part of all the wonderful projects that are organized and concretized every day with the work and effort of each member.

My name is Marina, I am a traveler from the interior of the province of Buenos Aires, Chacabuco, who 4 years ago decided to explore and discover new places in our beautiful world. That was how I arrived in Costa Rica, Santa Teresa and I was lucky to be part of Casa Pampa.

I approached in order to grow and learn how to help those who give up part of their time every day for this common cause of living in a better and greener world. Not only did I fulfill my goal but I also take with me the coolest learning, the simplest actions and above all the desire to continue taking care of our planet and infecting so many to join in helping.

The days in the garden, the events, the cleaning of beaches and each meeting joining forces so that together we can be stronger and stronger. It is now the change, it is now the time ... It is the day today, we cannot wait any longer !!! 

We are the change so that we can continue to enjoy a better and cleaner world. As in the garden, I chose to continue sowing seeds so that in each harvest we are more and better. For many more achievements !!! 


Thanks from ❤️


Estoy agradecida a la vida y a Casa Pampa por dejarme ser parte de todos los proyectos maravillosos que día a día se van organizando y concretando con el trabajo y esfuerzo de cada integrante. 

Mi nombre es Marina, soy una viajera del interior de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Chacabuco, que hace ya 4 años decidió explorar y conocer nuevos lugares de nuestro hermoso mundo. Fue así como llegué a Costa Rica, Santa Teresa y tuve la suerte de formar parte de Casa Pampa.

Me acerqué con el objetivo de crecer y aprender cómo así también ayudar a los que día a día entregan parte de su tiempo por esta causa común de vivir en mundo mejor y más verde. No solo cumplí mi objetivo sino que además me llevo conmigo el aprendizaje más lindo, las acciones más simples y sobre todo las ganas de seguir cuidando nuestro planeta y contagiar a tantos a que se sumen a ayudar.

Los días en la huerta, los eventos, las limpiezas de playas y cada encuentro uniendo fuerzas para que en conjunto podamos ser más y más fuertes. Es ahora el cambio, es ahora el momento... Es hoy el día, no podemos esperar más!!!

Somos nosotros el cambio para que podamos seguir disfrutando de un mundo mejor y más limpio. Así como en la huerta, elegí seguir sembrando semillas para que en cada cosecha seamos más y mejores. 


Por muchos logros más!!! Gracias de ❤️ 




🌱"Cabuya Educational Center" Agroecology Communal Garden 🌱

Under a slight intermittent rain, we officially started the activities in the Agroecology communal Garden "Cabuya Educational Center".

On the first day of work, the young students put their hands on the ground, with the guidance of biologist Maria Teresa Cerdas Rojas, the director of the institution Professor Sonia Álvarez Castro, Professor Rolando Fajardo Gómez and the volunteers of Casa Pampa.

We use the seedlings and organic fertilizer produced in the communal garden of Santa Teresa with dedication and effort of the students of Proyecto Cam.

Our work as a collective materializes in joint actions of environmental education with emphasis on waste management and especially the composting of organic waste in households and schools and its use for the implementation of orchards Agro-ecological.

The Waste For Food Project is a tool that seeks to enhance the value of the school's Organic garden as a pedagogical space and encourages young people to develop a critical and transformative spirit in our relationship with nature and food.

The most decisive factor for the successful project is the linkage and promotion of community interaction.

It is our objective that this space should become an area to carry out awareness-raising activities that will generate new sustainable links between the community and the environment.

We invite the neighbours and tourists to participate in the next day of volunteer work where we will design the garden, considering the principles of permaculture and begin the construction of the community composting area.


We are waiting for you on Thursday, June 27th at 9am at the Cabuya Educational Center!


"Centro Educativo Cabuya" Agroecología Jardín Comunal 🌱

Bajo una ligera lluvia intermitente, iniciamos oficialmente las actividades en el Jardín Comunal Agroecología "Centro Educativo Cabuya".

En el primer día de trabajo, los jóvenes estudiantes pusieron sus manos en el suelo, con la dirección de la bióloga María Teresa Cerdas Rojas, la directora de la institución la profesora Sonia Alvarez Castro, la profesora Rolando Fajardo Gómez y los voluntarios de Casa Pampa.

Utilizamos las plántulas y fertilizantes orgánicos producidos en el jardín comunal de Santa Teresa con dedicación y esfuerzo de los alumnos de Proyecto Cam.

Nuestro trabajo como colectivo se materializa en acciones conjuntas de educación ambiental con énfasis en la gestión de residuos y especialmente en el compostaje de residuos orgánicos en hogares y escuelas y su uso para la implantación de huertos agroecológicos.

El Proyecto Residuos para Alimentos es una herramienta que busca potenciar el valor del huerto orgánico de la escuela como espacio pedagógico y anima a los jóvenes a desarrollar un espíritu crítico y transformador en nuestra relación con la naturaleza y la alimentación.

El factor más decisivo para el proyecto exitoso es la vinculación y promoción de la interacción comunitaria.

Nuestro objetivo es que este espacio se convierta en un espacio para llevar a cabo actividades de sensibilización que generen nuevos vínculos sostenibles entre la comunidad y el medio ambiente.

Invitamos a los vecinos y turistas a participar en el siguiente día de trabajo voluntario donde diseñaremos el jardín, considerando los principios de la Permacultura y comenzar la construcción de la zona de compostaje comunitario.

¡Te esperamos el jueves 27 de junio a las 9 AM en el Centro Educativo Cabuya!


Compost Club Workshop/Taller - Compost & Grow

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Santa Teresa Compost Club Workshop

“Compost & Grow”  

April 11th 4pm Hotel Flor Blanca

Free activity!

The workshop involves learning techniques to recycle organic waste and transform it into a rich fertilizer.

We invite you to learn how to grow organic veggies and have a positive impact on the community at the same time. Gardening our way into change!

We will be visiting the Compost facilities, Greenhouse, and Greywater Management Systems at Hotel Flor Blanca.

Thanks to the crew of Proyecto Cam, we are happy to share Organic Basil seeds harvested at Santa Teresa Community Garden.

For more info: info@casapampa.com



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Taller de Santa Teresa Compost Club

“Compost & Grow”

11 de abril a las 4pm Hotel Flor Blanca.

¡Actividad libre!

El taller consiste en aprender técnicas para reciclar desechos orgánicos y transformarlos en un fertilizante rico.

Lo invitamos a aprender cómo cultivar vegetales orgánicos y tener un impacto positivo en la comunidad al mismo tiempo. ¡Cultivando nuestro camino hacia el cambio!

Visitaremos las instalaciones de Compost,Huerta y Bio Jardinera en el Hotel Flor Blanca.

Gracias al equipo de Proyecto Cam, nos complace compartir las semillas de albahaca orgánica cosechadas en la Huerta-Jardín Comunitario de Santa Teresa.

Para más información: info@casapampa.com