Nuevo Mundo

EARTH'S HISTORY
EARTH (Escuela de Agricultura de la Region Tropical Humeda) was founded and launched in 1985 through funding by Kellogg’s corporation for rainforest protection in the humid tropics.  In addition, funding for EARTH is derived from the following sources: student tuition, room and board, proceeds from the commercial banana farm, a trust fund set up by the United States Agency for International Development, and donations by concerned individuals, foundations, corporations, institutions and governments.  The university’s mission is to protect the humid tropic rainforest regions by educating Latino youth on the sustainability of rainforest resources and by teaching agroecological techniques for protecting and managing this valuable natural resource.

ABOUT EARTH
EARTH’s 350 hectare preserve and campus hosts only 100 students annually.  The small student population exists by design in that limiting enrollment adheres to a commitment by the educators to make learning as integrative and experiential as possible   Students attending EARTH undergo a rigorous curriculum of agricultural, engineering, and social science courses taught bilingually in Spanish and English, and incorporate fieldwork and hands on experience into their learning.  Demographically, a ratio of approximately 1 in 3 students at EARTH is male and the majority of students, both male and female, are Latino.

The rich flora on the EARTH reserve, which covers the majority of this protected area, is secondary-growth tropical rainforest, now undergoing regeneration.  A great diversity of plant and animal species can be observed in the area due to dense foliage and the habitat surrounding the Parismina River.  “Initial inventories have identified the following species:  bats, larger mammals, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and hundreds of insects.  You may also see chattering howler, spider, and white-faced capuchin monkeys during your visit.  It is also common to see sloths, boa constrictors, toucans, parrots and parakeets.  “The reserve represents an inexhaustible source of knowledge and inspiration for EARTH.  Tropical forests constitute a storehouse of medicinal plants, oils, dyes, resins, glues, and energy-the full potential of which we have yet to understand.  The reserve is abundant with life forms and the challenge to preserve them is great.  EARTH has taken up that challenge.”

In addition to EARTH’s existing natural habitat, the campus and surrounding area have extensive archeological riches that are now being reclaimed and protected with the assistance of the Costa Rican National Museum.  Current research (excavations on an area of roughly 2,000 square meters) indicates that the archeological sites located at EARTH date from 500 to 800 A.D.  Several interesting hypotheses have come from this research.  Several discoveries of pottery and food containers, originally placed in tombs, indicate a belief in life after death in that the indigenous culture buried its dead with these artifacts. “Contact with these archeological sites and relics has deepened the respect that the EARTH community holds for their indigenous predecessors.  It also serves as an inspiration to emulate the indigenous culture’s respect for the earth.”

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
EARTH offers half and full day tours of the preserve to student groups and tourists.  While EARTH has no official educational program (i.e. classes or lectures) for visiting student or tourist groups, there is a wealth of learning available simply by visiting the EARTH reserve.  The half and full day tours of the EARTH campus and reserve include visits to the banana farms and other agricultural projects, the banana paper and recycling plant, the banana packing plant, the other tropical farms on the forest reserve, and of course the reserve itself which hosts a plethora of exotic wildlife and a quaint rambling creek winding through the wilds.  Ecotour guides are knowledgeable, professional and on hand as an educational resource for visitors.   A minimum of 10 people is requested for tour groups, accommodations, including meals, are available, and at least one week advance notice is requested.  Buses run from the entrance of EARTH to the main campus (about a 15-20 minute ride through the pleasant and serene grounds of the reserve) and transportation is available for the half and full day tours.  

By Kimberly Grover