Mulching, watering and pipe fixing.

August 22 to 28, 2005

This week we repaired and reinforced the greenhouse (the dogs had broken in through a weak spot), did the usual greenhouse chores, and sowed seeds – aguia and cedro amargo. We also continued hulling seeds (seca and algarrobo), and even collected more algarrobo seeds from the Cherry Tree site. I discovered that seca seeds can also be collected there, but at the moment we have plenty.

We tried all week to get the plastic bottles from the Depto. de Higiene (Health Department), and finally got over 15 rice sacks full. Thank goodness for a large bodega. David experimented with making water bottle carrying contraptions using rope, since all the water bottle handles are breaking.

We checked up on Inter-Americano Site, and did some mulching, watering and pipe fixing. The kids were out watering when we were there. Each class waters once a week, but they don’t seem to have clearly designated areas so the trees further away may get missed. Dr. Sanchez had planned to plant the 3 samangos from us later that week, as an experiment of sorts. The rest of the planting on the expanded site should take place in the winter.

Both Jorge Lomas sites, El Bosque, the Dairy Farm, Endara site and Cherry Tree all got watered, and we unplugged some of the blocked water pipes. Some of the semi-burned trees at Cherry Tree are showing signs of recovering, while others have since died. Still a good survival rate, but the hillside is now so barren of any other vegetation, that erosion will still be a big problem.

Two Australian volunteers – Natalie and Michael, arrived Friday morning, but by the weekend they had decided this place wasn’t for them, and moved on in their travels. The next volunteer is slated to arrive next Wednesday afternoon, and another on Sunday evening. That will put us to three volunteers, which is a good number to work with. I found out from Nicola Mears that one of the volunteers also plans to work for her environmental education project in the schools which could lead to a time conflict, however the volunteer herself has not mentioned anything about it to me over e-mail.

I tried to meet with the property owner, Marcos, of a potential site which stretches from km8 towards Fanca, but he ended up being unavailable. A man named Fernando had organized the meeting and says that if we can secure that tract of land, it would have a great impact and be something on a larger scale than we have worked on. I still have not heard back from Maria Piedad since dropping off the convenio (contract), but I know she is still interested in having us plant on her land. I also made an appointment for next week to tour the tract of land adjacent to the Cherry Tree site. If we plant there this winter, that will make three tracts of adjoining land (including the Dairy Farm) that we have revegetated. 

The weather has continued to be good for our work schedule, with clouds in the morning and some afternoon sun to enjoy in the afternoon. We even had a couple very light rain sprinkles.