Colline gave a history of the organization, emphasized the importance of the conservation project, and outlined some of the goals and objectives of the project.
A colorful tailfeather.
A Great Green Macaw egg.
In addition to the objectives and details of the organization, Colline also discussed the need for funding. The Ara Project relies heavily on the sponsorship of a few donors, and many team members go months at a time without receiving a paycheck. FDU is hoping to create a relationship with The Ara Project, not only offering supplies, but also sending students to the aviary for volunteer work, internships and classes.
Want more information regarding The Ara Project? Head over to www.thearaproject.org to learn about team members, the breeding center and how you can get involved.
At 6:30am on Monday morning, the group departed for a hike through the jungle to get up close and personal with the animals and plants native to Costa Rica. The group has been led by Omar for the past three years, and he is not only knowledgeable and passionate about the wilderness here, but also has an incredibly keen eye, often spotting elusive sloths, birds and snakes that would have been otherwise passed by.
A toucan watches over as the group leaves the Cabinas.
Touching the "sensitive plant", a fern-like plant that closes its leaves when touched.
Braver group members hold a spider.
Omar explains the noni fruit - a medicinal fruit that happens to smell like bleu cheese.
Omar opens a coconut at Monkey Point.
On the way back from the hike, the group participated in an impromptu team-building exercise: a car had gotten stuck in the wet sand near the inlet. After a little discussion and a few failed attempts, the entire group actually lifted the vehicle up to more solid sand so that it could escape the rising tide.
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