Posts
Long-time friends of Planet Drum, Gina and her four children along with Clay, Margarita, Sol, and Luna spent the morning at the greenhouse learning about compost production, seed collection and preparation, as well as tree-planting techniques. The kids got their hands dirty mixing a fresh batch of soil (compost, dirt, and rice hulls. Then they filled […]
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At the Catholic University greenhouse we are expanding tree storage space to move in trees from the Astillero greenhouse, where due to water shortages it is difficult to properly water all of the trees. New bamboo corrals were built with black plastic sheets covering the ground so that the roots don’t grow through the bottles in […]
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For the final week of the University of Oregon Sustainable Development Study Abroad Program the students completed their Ecuador experiences with a visit to the Bahía de Caráquez Municipality, Los Algarrobos School in Canoa, the Planet Drum greenhouse, and two days in the beautiful mountain town of Mindo. At the Bahía de Caráquez Municipality, we met with long-time friend of […]
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Students continued to explore the challenges and possibilities for reconciling development and conservation in Ecuador during the second week of the University of Oregon Sustainable Development Study Abroad Program in Bahía. Activities for week two included a visit with local fishermen, tree planting with the National Electric Company, a tour of the Isla Corazon Wildlife […]
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This summer Planet Drum hosted the fourth study abroad program with the University of Oregon. The course is called Sustainable Development in Latin America and covers the tensions, challenges, and possibilities for reconciling development and conservation in the dry tropical forest zone, a critically important and globally imperiled ecosystem. Twelve students were accompanied by professor Moriah McGrath on […]
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Volunteers Nico and Kate helped construct a composting toilet with recycled wood. The design is a simple wood box, open on the bottom, with a toilet seat on top. In the woods near the greenhouse, Orlando and three other volunteers (Laura, Peter, and another Kate) dug a hole approximately 4 ft deep and 2 feet […]
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June was a particularly productive month with excellent assistance from six volunteers: Mikaela (Finland), Alisa (Switzerland), Kate (England), Colleen (U.S.), Nico (Spain), and Laura (Ecuador). The entire greenhouse area continued to evolve and progress. Space for more trees was increased as tree production expanded. More than 1,000 new trees were transplanted from the seedbeds to […]
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A brief bit of background:Planet Drum’s local collaborator from the Astillero Community Greenhouse, José María happens to be the father of another good friend: Chino. Chino is a jack of all trades, who happens to work for Flor María and her son Patricio Tamaríz. Patricio and Flor María were two of Peter Berg’s original contacts […]
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Ceibo trees in the region began flowering copiously in late May, which means there is an abundant source of pollen for the regions pollinators. It also means that there should be ample opportunities to collect seeds within a few months. Together with our Apiculture partner Ricardo, we’ve made several wild captures of bee colonies. In […]
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Los Algarrobos natural sciences teacher and Planet Drum collaborator Enrique contacted me requesting some soil for a garden project that he had in mind for the school. I suggested that the Planet Drum crew assist with the project and that we would be happy to donate the necessary soil. On this particular Friday, we visited […]
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