Lapa Rios Ecolodge

More recycling!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:48:00 +0000

Every year we design a plan to reduce solid waste, energy and water consumption. Right now we are focused in how to reduce the solid waste. Most of our trash is plastic (from number 3 to number 7) and carton, so, now we are going to recycle them! We are going to collect them and to Escazu (close to San Jose). With this we are sure we will reduce a lot the solid waste, for the moment we are working hard with all the departments to make them aware of the importance of recycling and to reduce trash, we want to make a solid sustainable team! And we know we have the people (the whole staff) for this.

A New Garden for the Carbonera School!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:15:00 +0000

In the environmental education class in the Carbonera School, we have started to grow are own garden filled with different types of organic produce such, cucumber, cilantro and fruits. Is has turned into a really great project; we can see that the children are really motivated and taking care of the different plants. Additionally, our staff (and the teacher!) have helped out a great deal, making this a real community effort. We are so excited and can’t wait to see our plants grow!

Donations to the schools!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:14:00 +0000

This week we went to three different schools in the area: Bambu, Sandalo and Agujas. We gave them some supplies for the school such as books, notebooks, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, pens and more. The teachers and students were really excited because they didn’t expect our visit. We are so thankful with our guests for their school donations, because the schools in the area have low economic conditions and many families can’t buy enough supplies for the kids. This really is a help and blessing for the schools in the area. To all those who have helped us with our donations: thank you so much for your support! You are truly making a difference in the lives of hundreds of children!

Taking sustainable practices home!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Sun, 25 May 2008 20:19:00 +0000

In an effort to extend the sustainable practices that employees at Lapa Rios learn at home to the general community, we are starting to give out a monthly award which is part of the sustainability contest. The idea is to give a little award (such as a bulb light, biodegradable soap gallon or recycled paper) to a person who shows a lot of interest in our sustainability practices. The objective is to start sustainable practices in our employee’s houses so that the concept of sustainability trickles down to our community. Lets hope this helps!

English classes for everyone!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:35:00 +0000

The Lapa Rios staff is coming back to the classrooms! Today we are starting English classes and we have 31 students total (meaning that half of our employees are going to study English). The classes are free twice a week for three months, including everyone from our housekeepers to our guides!! Pura vida muchachos!!!

Blue Flag in Carbonera School!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:25:00 +0000

The Blue Flag Certification is a project that works towards cleaner beaches, communities and schools in Costa Rica, and in the Carbonera School we have begun working to achieve this award. It looks like we are ahead in many projects that the school needs for Blue flag, for example we are already recycling, we are starting a “vivero” with 126 trees and the area is always clean, but we have a lot of work…and we are ready to start!

We will keep you updated on how this goes…

Good bye Katie!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:24:00 +0000

We had a farewell party to Katie last week. She worked as a Food & Beverage manager for thirteen years. She thought us, to does not matter what, we should keep a positive attitude, always smiling and have fun. She left so many memories in our souls and her contribution to the community and the forest is invaluable. WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU TONS KATIE!!!!!!!.

Prayers for Our Planet

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:55:00 +0000

Here is a poem by the architect that built Lapa Rios Ecolodge. We want to share with you this poem in commemoration of Earth Day (April 22nd)…check it out:

Prayers for Our Planet
By David L. Andersen

Give us the generosity of spirit
The greatness of heart
To share our planet’s wealth
With all that are alive.

Let us re-examine our connectedness
With our mother, the Earth
And in that light explore the possibilities
Of redefining the relationship between visitor and host.

In the end, take our bodies back
So that others may live and flourish
Give our bones a place to rest undisturbed
as part of the power of this place.

As the sun rises and sets on the beauty that is this place
We give thanks for the privilege of our short existence
Let us remember how fragile nature`s gifts to us are
And how we depend on the land and the sea to sustain us.

Help us cherish the Earth`s treasures
As if they were a newborn baby
Put a bandage on its scrapes
Kiss it and make it well again.

Let us also remember to touch the Earth
With our hands and in our hearts
As we ponder its future
Help us to have the courage
To have a vision for our children.

Finally give us the wisdom to make the right choices
And the passion to explore new ways of seeing ourselves
As part of a larger natural system
That we may never fully understand.

Our island is this planet
This island is our home
We mark our address
Third from the sun.

Accept our gratitude
For the wonder of it all.

The Story of Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:35:00 +0000

We really like this video:

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Check it out!

Documentary Film Makers Arrive in Lapa Rios

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:33:00 +0000

We are currently hosting Europeans journalists who are making a film about ecotourism in Costa Rica and are featuring Lapa Rios Ecolodge as one of their main destinations.. One of their main focuses of the film was the Carbonera School. They attended classes and went to an educational tour in the rainforest with the children. The children were really excited and behaved amazingly professionals in front of the camera!!! It was a great opportunity for learn about the rainforest and share our culture with the Germans journalists! We will make sure to post the documentary when it comes out…

Earth Day 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:04:00 +0000

We are in the midst of organizing everything for an incredible Earth Day celebration. This year, Earth Day will take place on beach nearby Puerto Jimenez, and will include many children from the surrounding communities. The event will feature typical food, contests, music, educational stands and much more. Additionally, we will organize several educational presentations (about topics such as jaguars, global warming and alternative energy). We are finishing with the last details of this activity, and can’t wait for the celebration!

Not just donations…also hard work!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:42:00 +0000

Last Sunday Carbonera School hosted a fundraising activity to raise money for the local school. We hosted a “Domingo Deportivo”, which is basically a full day of soccer, games, music and excellent food. The activity was a success! The local people assisted and contributed, making it a community-integrated project. Congratulations Carbonera School!

Not just donations…also hard work!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:36:00 +0000

Sustainability Contest in the Lapa Rios employees!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:28:00 +0000

This Monday we are starting a sustainability contest with our employees, where they will be collecting points from different sustainable activities by participating in community events; the person who collets more points until August will win a weekend at the Harmony Hotel (www.harmonynosara.com) in Guanacaste, a hotel managed by Cayuga Sustainability Hospitality ( the same management company of Lapa Rios) . The objective is to stimulate our employees for the sustainable activities, to involve them in the community and hotel practices. Since we exposed this contest, I have seen enthusiastic and excited faces. Good luck everyone!!!!!!!

Recycling and creativity!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:22:00 +0000

Technology isn’t the only thing needed to recycle; sometimes all you need is a little bit of creativity! An excellent example of this fact is a group named ReciclArte here in Costa Rica. These groups (six groups in total exist all over Costa Rica) make belts, earrings and collars from pull-tabs and reusable clothes. Their project seeks to produce a change in the way throw-away materials are seen by demonstrating that common “trash” can be transformed into attractive and useful objects. We have this jewelry available in our little gift shop, and their sales have proven to be quite successful so far. In fact, you may even find our employees wearing them as well.

Micro Hydro project!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 01:09:00 +0000

This year we have a great project in hands: micro hydro energy. We are currently looking for ways to replace diesel generator, and, for now, micro hydro seems to be a good alternative. Micro Hydro is a term used for hydroelectric power installations that typically produce up to 100 kW of power. They are often used in water rich areas as a Remote Area Power Supply (RAPS). There are many of these installations around the world, including several delivering around 50 kW in the Solomon Islands, supplying energy for small communities.
Micro hydro is frequently accomplished with a pelton wheel for high head, low flow water supply.In low-head installations, maintenance and mechanism costs often become important. A low-head system moves larger amounts of water, and is more likely to encounter surface debris. This project is going to take a lot of time, but we are sure this is an important step in our work towards a more sustainable future.

Carbonera School Opens!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:34:00 +0000

Three weeks have passed since school has started. We have the same teacher and nine children. From Lapa Rios we are offering classes (Biology and English) twice a week. If you would like to know how the school is running check out the “Carbonera School Journal” posted on our website. Pura vida!

The Sangrillo colorado story.

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:42:00 +0000

The Osa Peninsula inhabits a enormous amount of flora and fauna. Known to be one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, and though, having one of the most interesting and unique animals and plants. Just to mention a few: the Golfo Dulce Poisonous Dart Frog, Turquoise cotinga, Black cheak antanager, Mangrove hummingbird, Orange collared manakin, Apelandra golfodulcensis, Acacia allenii and of course the most unique and important specimen for the Lapa Rios reserve, the Sangrillo Colorado tree, or Paramachaerium gurberi.
It was first reported in 1988, at the Lapa Rios reserve, and is one of the 37 different species of trees that are in critical state of extinction. In Costa Rica, it has an extension of 22.3 km², and the available habitat has reduced in 10.76%. It can be found from 50 to 350 meters above seal level and only along the Carbonera Ridge.Now with the help of a program that aims to rescue this endangered species, we will have some researcher visiting our reserve to extract the seeds (by climbing the trees) and plant them for conservation. We hope that with this new project we can learn more about the natural history of the Sangrillo Colorado and help preserve them till the end of times

Volunteers visited Lapa Rios!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:54:00 +0000

Last Saturday, sixteen volunteers (eight from Sweden and eight ticos) who are working in Puerto Jimenez came to visit us at Lapa Rios. They arrived in the early morning and did a sustainability tour and a medicine walk. In the late afternoon, they did a presentation for our guests on their program and projects in Puerto Jimenez. It was excellent to hear about their experiences and their expectations. Thanks volunteers for all your work and for visiting us at Lapa Rios!

BIRDS NEWS

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:34:00 +0000

“Ding dong ding dong”, the bell bird is singing!!

Uncommon, unusual, atypical, bizarre, rare: all of this terms describe our surprising visit of the Three- wattled Bellbird (Procnias tricarunculatus).
Weeks ago, at the private reserve of Lapa Rios, must of the guides were intrigue with the sound herd nearby the medicine walk. We all thought that it could be, but no one had yet seen it to, affirm the truth. Today, we know, and we are still curious about this migration of the bellbird to the lowlands tropical rainforest of the Osa Peninsula. Some people state that this is the first time to hear them and see them on the last 5 years. Bellbirds disperse to lower elevations after breeding, probably following regular annual routes; it forages at middle and upper levels of mature wet forest, humid forest, and advanced second growth.
By the way, this bird is endemic from eastern Honduras to western Panama.

Go ladies!

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:04:00 +0000

In the last month we have had a few women´s soccer matches against Bosque del Cabo (another lodge in the area). Yesterday we had the second girls match and we won.! Not only are we leaders in sustainability, but also leaders on the soccer field as well.! Vamos Chicas!

BIRDS NEWS

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:38:00 +0000

The coquette is showing off!!!

Since a week or so, we’ve being having the visit of the spectacular white-crested Coquette, (Lophornis adorabilis), that for sure, as the Latin name states, is adorable. This very small hummingbird of almost 7cm, wanders widely when the small flowers of Inga, Vochysia, Lonchocarpus are abundant, then disappearing for long intervals; in forest keeps high in canopy, coming down to shrub level at edges, and in second growth; hovers slowly through foliage gleaning small spiders and insects. It’s uncommon in the southern Pacific and rare in the Central Valley, also found east of Turrialba; up to 1400m. By the way, this beautiful coquette is endemic to Costa Rica and western Panama.

The Road We Didn't Build

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 14:37:00 +0000

Here is a poem by the architect that built Lapa Rios Ecolodge. This poem was inspired by one of his stays here on the Lapa Rios property. We loved it and thought we would share it…check it out:

The Road We Didn’t Build

By David L. Andersen

The road we didn’t build
Lies deep in the forest
It winds past the shaman’s hut
Where worlds merge into darkness and light

The river we didn’t cross
With our cancerous bridge of civilization
Runs swift and clear
With the perpetual rains that cleanse this earthly place

The language we didn’t lose
Is of a gentle people
Who do not know of us
And our wasted lives in an artificial world

The people we left alone
Didn’t hear our missionaries
Or wear our cast off clothing
In place of their rich past

The tree we didn’t cut
Did not become our coffee tables
Or concrete forms
They remain as guardians of this special refuge

And so they continue to be lost to us
Even as we speak
Our words die in the vastness of green
Where life continues
Near the road we didn’t build

Green ibis lost in the southern lowlands

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:12:00 +0000

It was almost one week, when Carlos our assistant manager, argued about a green ibis found in his backyard at Palo Seco, Osa Peninsula. At that moment we all said “it can t be, green ibis are only found in the Carribean slope!! The Mesembrinibis cayennensis, is resident locally throughout Caribbean lowlands, most common in Rio Frio area and coastal swamps north and south of Limon. Since I doubt about it, I decided to take the scope, binoculars, guide, and camara to the place and verify if this was for real. In the moment I got there, Carlos screamed, “come fast it is still here”. We took as much as 50 pictures and now can share them with you. At this moment, we are still uncertain about specific reasons why it came down here, some of our theories rely on it crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific of Panama, and then flying up to southern Costa Rica.

Volunteers in Puerto Jimenez

noreply@blogger.com (Lapa Rios) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:40:00 +0000

Puerto Jimenez is hosting fourteen volunteers from VIDA group; we have seven Costa Ricans and seven from Sweden. They will be working for three months in Puerto Jimenez on various important projects for the community; cleaning the mangroves, the beaches, working in the recycling center and in the local school. Two of them will be dedicated to the Blue Flag Project in Puerto Jimenez. This project is an effort for cleaner beaches in Costa Rica. We are working toward obtaining the Blue Flag for our area.
We feel very lucky in Puerto Jimenez to have so much help!! Thanks volunteers!!