They say that teamwork makes the dream work - and we are definitely putting a lot of faith in that phrase. Each day we get a little bit closer to our dream of reforesting a land once laden with trees, and our progress is due to collections of collaboration that help us to grow (i.e. you! Thank YOU for reading our post, and supporting our story!).
Community Collaboration
One of the Bahia Eco-Club’s most important connections is the alliance we have formed with Planet Drum, a non-profit that focuses on bioregional sustainability in the Bay Area and in Ecuador. Planet Drum has been crucial to our growth following the collapse of our former organization last Fall, providing both volunteer hands and fruiting tree species for our rebuilding and reforestation efforts at our new site Eloy Alfaro HS. A few weeks ago, we took our Campo de Accion students on a field trip to the Planet Drum Vivero to not only demonstrate what a functioning greenhouse looks like, but to teach the valuable lesson that collaboration is the key to growth and success. Thank you Clay and Planet Drum!
Light-Bulb Moments
It’s a proud moment when you find a group of 14 year-olds sitting on the ground, and having fun playing with dirt. And beyond that - being curious! We let the students decide their first work station for the afternoon, which included preparation of soil, seed collecting and sorting, preparation of recycled bottles, transplanting from germination beds to said bottles, and maintenance of the compost.
Because we are still in construction mode, we witnessed many glowing lightbulbs as the students were able to see, and not just imagine, the full picture of what a functioning nursery/greenhouse looks like, and how each component builds upon each other in a supportive circle. And not just how they build upon each other - how each component is necessary for the entire cycle to work correctly and with success. This concept, we remind them, is important in the outdoor classroom, and also in how we act and work together as a community to reach our goals. Without the curiosity of the students, the motivation of our volunteers, the knowledge of our facilitators, the actions of our club, the support from our global community - we would not be a functioning system! The more time we spend outside encouraging critical thought about the environment we take for granted (trees, flowers, dirt!!!), the more curious, confident and motivated our little leaders become.
Help us Grow
If you are interested to learn more about our program, please read more here, or visit our instagram. If you can give and would like to support us in our efforts to provide Environmental Education and Youth Leadership in the coastal region of Ecuador, please consider donating to our campaign.
Thanks to you, we are growing an environmental conscience which leads to environmentally friendly actions and change. We are eternally grateful for your support, and hope you consider continuing collaboration with us to help make our dream come true!