Eco-Ecuador Dry Tropical Forest Revegetation Project

The Dry Tropical Vegetation of Bahia De Caraquez coastal bioregion is both specific and barely extant. The Project began as an effort to stabilize hillsides (which had recently become mudslides) by replanting a combination of indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses. Working with local people as well as international volunteers, the various project managers have each left their mark on the Eco-Ecuador Project. This page is a compilation of who they are and were and a links to their Reports.

Ecuador Project Report: Renée Portanova, March 2004

By Renée Portanova | March 30, 2004

Renée Portanova, Volunteer Planet Drum Foundation Revegetation Journal March 5, 2004   Tree Species(Latin names available by contacting mail@planetdrum.org)     Guayacan Colorado Muyuyo de montana  Jigua Canela Jigua bedionda Cascol Amarillo Guachepeli Chirimoya Algarrobo Fernan Sanchez Ceibo Pechiche             January 26, 2004 Although it is the rainy season in Bahia de Caraquez it hasn’t rained in nearly three weeks.  The trees we have planted are in dire need of […]

Report and Response to the Letter

By Brian Teinert | March 27, 2004

Hi Peter and Elise, It looks like you guys have been doing some good work in San Fran.  I like the looks of the curriculum. Unfortunately, I will not be here when most of it is carried out. We had an Amigos de Eco-ciudad  meeting—these are the main points covered. Planet Drum work for the week included seed storage, shucking and cataloging.  We also planted […]

Ecuador Project Reports: Brian Teinert, Jan.–Mar. 2004

By Brian Teinert | March 27, 2004

Brian TeinertField Project Manager Planet Drum Foundation January 5, 2004 Reneé Portanova will undoubtedly be a great member of our team.  We have been in contact and I am looking forward to her arrival in Bahia on January 19th.    I am excited about Natalie Pollard coming as well.  At the moment, we have 3 volunteers lined up for February (Natalie, Renee, and Debbie.)  We also […]

Letter to Brian & Renee

By Peter Berg and Elise Braaten | March 26, 2004

March 26, 2004 Dear Brian and Renée, This is a combined message from Peter & Elise to share our thoughts after an intensive week of bioregional education research, discussion & melding of ideas. “Transparency” is the intended keynote for this, and we eagerly invite a four-part discussion now that the attempt has been made to lay some of the hopefully mutual foundations. Elise is prepared to undertake […]

News & Amigos de Eco-Ciudad (AMIEC).

By Renée Portanova | March 19, 2004

March 19, 2004   The house is full with Koke’s cousin from Argentina here and all of us.  The other volunteer, Ramona, who was supposed to come this week decided to volunteer elsewhere.  It was a bit of a disappointment. With Brian’s illness holding him back and the other two volunteers taking some time to travel this month we will be short a few hands.  Not […]

Appropriate precautions for working in the field all day—long sleeve shirts and pants, boots, sunscreen, bug repellent and plenty of water: Revegetation Journal – 05/18/04

By Renée Portanova | March 18, 2004

Revegetation Journal March 8, 2004 A bit of a slow start this morning at the Universidad.   Thankfully we had an extra pair of hands to help out and make up for lost time.  Jaime, a local man who is interested in doing similar projects on his property, assisted us with the daunting task of tree liberation.  “Tree liberation” refers to the process of clearing trails […]

Revegetation Journal – 05/05/04

By Renée Portanova | March 4, 2004

Renée Portanova, Volunteer Planet Drum Foundation March 5, 2004   Tree Species(Latin names available by contacting mail@planetdrum.org)     January 26, 2004 Although it is the rainy season in Bahia de Caraquez it hasn’t rained in nearly three weeks.  The trees we have planted are in dire need of water.  Today we watered two of our sites in which transplants have recently been placed, Jorge Lomas and Catolico Unversidad.  […]

Triumphant Eco-City Celebration in Bahia De Caraquez

By Brian Teinert | February 28, 2004

Brian Teinert, Field Project Manager Planet Drum Foundation The Celebration of the Fifth Anniversary of the Eco-city Declaration in mid-February was a very successful event. Many different groups helped to plan and organize activities to take place over a week-long period. There were several other environmental groups besides Planet Drum Foundation including Reserva Cerro Seco, Centro de Educacion Ambiental Eco-Bahia, Guacamayo Tours, and Fundación Stuarium. […]

The sound of hard rain bouncing off the roof.

By Renée Portanova | February 11, 2004

February 2- 11, 2004 February 2, 2004 Well, some rain has finally come and the greenhouse, inside and out, is overwhelmed with “weeds.” Some are nearly as high as my shoulders (I’m 5’6’’). With a machete in one hand and an “L” shaped stick in the other, I begin the tedious task of clearing the paths surrounding the greenhouse and compost pit.  The stick in […]

Ecuador Project Report: Natalie Pollard, Feb. 2004

By Natalie Pollard | February 10, 2004

Natalie Pollard, Volunteer Planet Drum Foundation Hola Planet Drum,  Thursday morning, 2/5/04, Renee and I headed to the greenhouse — transplanting, watering, and preparing beds for planting.  Back to the apartment for pescado de Koke (yum!)  In the afternoon, we headed to Jorge Lomas with Brian and Cheo to do some cribbing along the hillside, so that we are able to plant without causing further damage […]