RíoArte Internships (2)

RíoArte Interships in Costa Rica (continued)

The south is one of the country’s poorest regions and is home to much of its renown biodiversity. One of Central America’s largest dams is scheduled to be built here; Del Monte pineapple, the world’s leading producer of this fruit, Costa Rica’s fourth largest exporter and the main source of employment in the south, settled here in 1978. Cattle ranchers, sugar cane farmers, coffee growers, loggers and the company, are all altering the region’s rivers by irrigating from them, and by their collective and intense use of the soil. (Sedimentation from this area is found in one of Central America’s largest wetlands, about 80 kilometers away.) Local people are looking to promote and finance a thorough study of the region’s rivers, establish open and inclusive dialogue about how water should be used, reforest damaged areas, and support fragile new initiatives to help this region transition to new and sustainable ways of earning a living.

Two other emblematic, and important opportunities for learning involve, first, the various “green” seals local companies have received. Do they reflect a sustainable use of water? As the world heads into a number of interrelated water crises, the question of whether or not these seals reflect a sustainable use of water becomes more important. Last, increasingly, Costa Rica is turning to Payment for Environmental Services programs as a tool to promote conservation. A national tariff on water was just announced. It will be interesting to observe the effect this has in the country.

RíoArte interns live in the town of Volcán de Buenos Aires, located in the center of a number of Del Monte’s fields – and 15 kilometers from the Parque Internacional La Amistad, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Conservation International’s website lists this park as being a convergence point for 75% of migratory birds in the Western Hemisphere. We work with students, one by one, to craft internships which utilize the talents and experience and passions of each. Artists, scientists, educators, community organizers, those interested in water, national parks, forestry, youth and women and the environment – we have room and need for all. We’re looking for students who are creative, and willing to experiment with mixing disciplines and specialties, in keeping with what these challenging times demand.

For more information contact: Madeline Kiser at mkiser@dakotacom.net