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Note: Click on photos for larger imagesRamon's Weekly Report #9Bioregionalism Education
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 Carlos David, Jaime, Gladys, William, and Frank studying in the park. |
This week's theme was Marine Ecosystems and once again we were accompanied by William and Jaime from Planet Drum. I started the class by asking everyone what they think marine ecosystems are. They answered: The coast and everything in the ocean. I explained to them that the coast of Ecuador meets the Pacific Ocean and that it is home to a very large quantity of life. |
 Frank reading a book on the birds of Ecuador. |
After the introduction, the students split into work groups and went over their worksheets. Afterwards there were lots of questions, such as how much could the oceans rise with global warming? |
I explained that many coastal areas could be lost with the rising waters. Why do humpback whales swim by our coasts? I told them that during the summer the Humboldt current dominates our waters and brings cold water from the south. The whales travel in this current and come to Ecuador to find a mate and have offspring. Then William and Jaime recounted how they had seen whales in Puerto Lopez the previous weekend. From a distance they observed 6 or 7 whales. And they also visited Isla de la Plata and saw many Blue-footed Booby birds. After the volunteers shared their experiences, we headed home.
 Gustavo heads for the water with snorkel in hand. |
On Friday we took a fieldtrip to Playa Gringa. I brought with me two snorkels so that the students could see something in the water. When we arrived I explained to all of the students how to use the snorkels. |
 Carlos David with the snorkel. |
Even though the tide was up, Gustavo was able to see a sand dollar. And Carlos and Faviana saw a fish swimming in a wave. Everyone got a chance to use the snorkels. |
 Faviana relaxing in a tide pool. |
After swimming and snorkeling we played a game of frisbee on the beach. Faviana got so exhausted that she lay down to rest in a tide pool. |
- Ramon
Translated by Clay.
 Stefano goes over this week's worksheet on Soil. |
The new theme for this week was Soil. We formed groups and began reading an analyzing the worksheets, but not before I asked the class what is soil? They answered everything we walk on, where we were seated, where we live, and that it is important because without it we couldn't grow food. After reading the handouts, we made some conclusions. |
Frank told us that when we were on a hike a few weeks ago, he had seen the different layers in the soil and that he could identify the humus layer by its coloration. Gladis talked about organic wastes and told us that through decomposition it is possible to make new soil that is rich in nutrients. I asked her if she had seen this before and she said no. I told the class that they would get to see this on Friday at the Planet Drum greenhouse.
Stefano mentioned that his dad collects dry leaves to mix with soil for his plants. Carlos David talked about how often times we don't know what kind of agricultural practices farmers use to grow food and that in a family garden you know that there aren't chemicals on your fruits and vegetables.
 The bioregional class at the greenhouse filling 3-liter bottles for transplanting. |
On Friday we went to the Planet Drum
greenhouse to observe their composting and soil making processes.
We saw the different stages of compost that they have there. Then
we had a task for the day, to transplant baby Algarrobo trees from
the seedbed into three-liter bottles. |
 Raul, Carlos David, and Frank dig holes in the soil for transplanting. |
Jaime had prepared a batch of soil for the students to use. Then Raisa, a class assistant, explained and showed the class what they had to do to fill the bottles and transplant the trees. |
 Frank and Faviana transplant Algarrobo trees. |
Gladis and Raisa dug up the trees from the seed bed and the rest of the class put them into the bottles with soil. After we were done transplanting we caught the bus back to Bahia and the students went home. |
- Ramon
Translated by Clay.
The topic for the week was birds. On Friday we went to observe birds at Punta Gorda. We decided to do one long day of work, instead of two days. Having gotten permission to take the day off from school, we left at 7:30 in the morning from Bahía in a rented vehicle that dropped us off and would pick us up. Planet Drum volunteer Gina came along with us.
Before leaving the students showed me the binoculars they had to look for birds.
 The Bioregional class arrives at Punta Gorda, 8 km south of Bahia. |
After arriving, we headed inland from the beach, up a ravine that would lead us to the mountains. I told the students that they had to keep quiet; otherwise we wouldn't be able to see birds. But this was difficult because the trail was tough and the students made lots of noises along the way. As a result we didn't end up seeing very many birds. The idea was to try and listen for their different calls to see if we could count how many different bird species there were in the area. |
 Carlos David, Gustavo, Kirk, and Frank hike through the forest looking for birds. |
I told them about the different types of birds that can be found here such as vultures, tree-climbers, and birds of prey. On our hike we were able to see Culebreros, Woodpeckers, and Black Matorraleros and Gallinazos. Stephen says that he was able to count 8 different bird calls. |
 Faviana, Carlos David, Kirk, Gustavo, Roberto, Raul, Joao, Frank, Jessica, and Gina taking a break in the woods. |
We had split into two groups, one that hiked farther in than the other. Within these two groups the students covered the reading material for the week. |
 Gina with her group of students. |
One group was with Gina and the other with me. Since my group had hiked farther in, we were also able to spot a falcon and some orchids which were flowering. |
After having spent 5 hours in the woods we returned to the beach and waited for our ride to return and pick us up to take us back to Bahia.
- Ramon
Translated by Clay.
This was the final week for the first level of
Bioregional Education. On Wednesday, after meeting in the park like we
always do, I thanked all of the students for having participated in this
program. Then we began to talk about all of the different Bioregional
topics we've discussed over the past 12 weeks.
The students talked about how much fun they've had in the classes and the new knowledge that they have acquired, such as distinguishing between native and non-native species, what constitutes a bioregion, and why it's important to live in balance with nature. Nature is what supports all life on Earth and we need to protect it.
The students also filled out a questionnaire about the classes. Here's a sample, selected at random, of their answers. This is from Frank. Among the things he liked the most about the class was learning why our bioregion is so important and all of the different experiences he had in the classes. He said that he could be interested in continuing to take Bioregional classes and that he would be interested in participating in other ecological projects in Bahia.
 Frank, Carlos David, Gustavo, Raul, Cesar, and Gladys get the fire going for the BBQ |
Before heading home, we made plans for a barbeque party on Friday to celebrate the completion of the 12-week session. |
 Raisa and Gustavo. |
On Friday we all met at the Cerro Seco nature preserve to have the barbeque. |
 Hanging out. |
Clay and the other Planet Drum volunteers, Andrew, Stephen and Gina also showed up. |
 Clay at the BBQ (3rd from the right). |
There was lots of food and everyone had a great time. |
 Class and Planet Drummers refueling |
Raul ate more than anyone else. |
- Ramon
Translated by Clay.
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