Ms Snell
Ms. Snell's Wiki Page!
- THE POSTINGS WILL BE IN ORDER WRITTEN SO BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN FOR NEW INFORMATION!!!!!!
Thank you for all the email messages and please feel free to forward the information about this site to other people who may "enjoy the journey"! Packing is complete and now I am ready to go. I would like to open the comment page for your feedback--please remember to keep the comments VERY short and remember everyone can read your comments! Password to enter area is csnell. I have added some pictures to the blog....since I have not left they are pictures from Iowa. I hope you enjoy them!
WELCOME! As I begin my journey to Costa Rica, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join with me on my travels. Teaching High School Animal Science in Iowa this is truly a dream come true to travel to Costa Rica! Costa Rica is one the most bio-diverse regions in the world. This small country has more biodiversity than North America or Europe. Each day during my adventure I will be sharing information about wildlife in the country….with over 1000 animal species I should have lots of write about. I am looking forward to sharing information about sea turtles, jaguars, tapirs, monkeys, macaws, frogs and yes I will even share about snakes. For those of you that know me well, I am not a snake lover but I promise to work on this animal bonding during my trip.
Here is something I watched today on youtube about American Agriculture by BASF ..... Farmers are doing great things! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd-48Zw0Tr4
Sunday June 20, 2010
I have had a great two days in Miami, Florida learning about Toyota and spending time at the Everglades National Park. I am hoping to have pictures linked to the site soon. Please make special note of me holding the python snake! :)
In learning about Toyota I had an opportunity to learn about Genchi Genbutsu (go look, go see for yourself, and understand what's really happening) and the Kaisen concept (strategy to gradually improve by observation, education, and experimentation).
Toyota donated a five million dollar gift in support of five US National Parks, including a donatipn of 23 vehicles. The Everglades National Parks is one of five Parks benefiting from this generosity. The grant supports environmental education programs and the development of environmental stewards.
Monday June 21,2010
We are in San Jose'!
Dr. Azofeifa, who was instrumental in the establishment of Costa Rica's National Park System and advises the Costa Rica President on environmental issues, was our speaker/teacher today. Costa Rica is working to be the first carbon-neutral country in the world. What a great way to start our time in Costa Rica!
Costa Rica is a dream location for people who love nature. Bird watchers have the chance to see over 800 species of birds including two species of macaws over fifty species of hummingbirds, and a number of species of toucans. Costa Rica animals include four species of monkeys, two types of sloth, and even jaguars and tapirs. For those who enjoy creepy-crawly bugs, amphibians, and reptiles, there are plenty of these too. Costa Rica is home to a large number of tree frogs, butterflies, lizards, sea turtles, and over 35,000 species of insects. Sadly, there are several species of Costa Rica animals that are on the endangered species list. This include the leatherback sea turtles, the squirrel monkey, the jaguar, and both the great green and the scarlet macaw. The Costa Rican people are striving to save their wildlife.
I will add some pictures of our city walking tour....it was fun to see the vendors picking up their wares quickly when the police came by! This city has so much history but it is sad to see beautiful historic buildings being tore down to build parking garages.
Have a great day and thanks for reading my log!
Tuesday June 22, 2010
Another wonderful day in Costa Rica! This morning we were at the US Embassy. We had meetings scheduled with four of the departments. The US Ambassador to Cost Rica is Anne Slaughter Andrew and she is very supportive of conservation and environmental efforts. The meetings were so informative and it was a great time to answer questions.
I am looking forward to leaving the city tomorrow to see more of the nature in Costa Rica!!
Wednesday June 23, 2010 and Thursday June 24, 2010
We are at Osa Costa Rica....the rainforest! Wow, after years of learning about the rainforest is was so exciting to actually hike in the Costa Rica Rainforest! Yesterday we spent the entire day hiking in the rainforest. The trails we were on were not as developed as what I was expected and I did ask the guide if she was sure we were on the right trail. Today we were exploring the magroves and Terraba-Sierpe Wetlands area. We were in very small boats and it rained hard so I was in my full rain gear with my wonderful waterproof camera (Nathan's camera-thanks Nathan!)
Look at the gallery for some updated pictures....and a few of my favorite family pictures to share with my friends here in Costa Rica!
Friday June 25, 2010 and Saturday June 26, 2010
We planted mangroves in a reforestation project today....over 800 trees were planted! After studying and working on envirnmental issues it was so refreshing to actually do this service project! We are is the Osa Peninsula which is the wettest places in the world, the region receives an average annual rainfall of 150-200 inches. It has rained everyday while we have been in the area and it is so much a part of the area no one stops working or playing.
Sunday June 27, 2010 – Tuesday June 29, 2010
Staying at EARTH University-the best educational experience for me here in Costa Rica! EARTH University is a School of Agriculture of the Tropical Humid Region. Students come here to study Agriculture for 4 years from all the Tropical Humid Region including Africa, Area, and South America. The schools mission is to prepare leaders with ethical values to contribute to the sustainable development of the humid tropics and to construct a prosperous and just society. Students are typically recruited from low-income, rural areas in hopes that they will return to their communities after graduation to implement the skills they learned during their time at EARTH. The campus is over 990 acres of forest. During our time here we have had opportunities to see many special projects and working farms/labs. Bananas produced here are sold by Whole Foods in the states and when touring the plant we had a chance to see a container load be prepared for shipment. I have a greater appreciation for all the work that goes into a banana I eat. I also had a great opportunity to spend a day at a local High School which included agriculture classes. When visiting schools out of the country I do appreciate everything we have in our schools in the US! I am planning to connect my students with students from Colegio Tecnico Professional de Guacimo. Wednesday June 30, 2010- Friday July 2, 2010 I will be staying with a farm family so I may not be able to connect with the internet. During this overnight I am hoping to learn more about life as a farmer here in Costa Rica. Also I will be building by courage to zip-line in the rainforest before I head back to Iowa.
Saturday July 3, 2010
Traveling back to Iowa! I will be looking forward to seeing you all and sharing my experiences of Costa Rica! Thank you for following me in my blog!