To increase tree production capacity, we built a fourth elevated seedbed at the greenhouse. Planet Drum volunteers Mary Lou, Camile, Julia, Emile and Dirk all helped with the construction. Bamboo pieces were cut to length, and some were split in half lengthwise. Holes were dug in the ground for the supporting posts. The bottom of elevated seedbed is made of split pieces of bamboo laid side […]
We took a weekend excursion to camp out at the Punta Gorda Nature Reserve, which is owned by long time friend and environmental collaborator Ramon ‘Moncho’ Cedeno. Ramon has built a cabin and campsite on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean surrounded by isolated and relatively intact Dry Tropical Forest. The reserve is located in the middle of the Cordillera del Balsamo Biological Corridor and […]
An old acquaintance from San Vicente had been in touch with Orlando about planting trees in his neighborhood. Despite being a very impoverished area, most of the residents had beautiful gardens with lots of trees, plants, and flowers. They were very excited about receiving trees. We arrived with a group five volunteers and delivered 100 native fruit producing trees. After meeting with the residents and planting […]
We visited the Algarrobos School in Canoa to finish planting the second elevated seedbed with the sixth graders and assist with the garden projects at the school. The sixth graders had brought in mandarina [mandarin], naranja [orange], limon [lime], papaya and other seeds from home for planting at school. We mixed the soil in the elevated bed and planted the seeds with the students. Afterwards […]
At Yocasta’s suggestion, we delivered a batch of 40 native fruit-producing trees to a local community housing project in Leonidas Plaza, Ciudadela Maria Enrique Orrantia, that was built for earthquake refugees. There was a barren hillside in the middle of the community that was an ideal location for revegetation. Additionally, residents took trees to plant in their patios and backyards. Approximately thirty local residents including a […]
In Bioregional Education news, we paid a visit to the Algarrobos School in Canoa to check in on the students, their gardens, and the elevated seedbeds that we had constructed there. Planet Drum volunteers assisted the students in creating a new garden space at the school and fixing up the older spaces that they are using. We helped the fifth graders make signs and plant seeds for […]
A local acquaintance, Yocasta, contacted me regarding planting trees in neighborhoods where residents were relocated after the earthquake of April, 2016. In many instances the residents received donated houses because they lost everything during in the earthquake, but these new housing projects typically have little to no existing vegetation. Yocasta was interested in helping residents improve their new homes by planting trees, so she reached out […]
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 bottles with prepared soil, and transplanted seedlings from the seedbeds […]
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 the soil below; the plastic also conserves water. Additional tasks […]
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 Planet Drum Foundation and current vice-Mayor Iván Aguirre and members […]