December 3, 2005 Update!

Recently updated - Trip Itinerary, Trip FAQ and Photos and Movies page. Please take a look for the latest regarding the trip to Costa Rica in March 2006.

June 23, 2005 Update!

Announcing the launch of www.fundecoa.org a website devoted exclusively to activity at Reserva del Cornelio!

June 14, 2005 - Update!

FUNDECOA volunteers to visit U.S. in July!! Above, Adilio (center) and Ivan (left) in the rainforest at El Cornelio

It’s official! Adilio Zeledon Meza and Ivan Calderon Mesen, representatives of the Costa Rican volunteer conservation organization FUNDECOA (Fundacion Ecologica del Cornelio de Acosta) will attend the July 2005 Blue and White Crew worktrip in the Central District of Shenandoah National Park July 16 - 17, 2005.

While on a hike in Costa Rica in August of 2004, it occurred to me that organizing a group of volunteers for a trails worktrip somewhere in Costa Rica might be fun. A few emails later and the outline of an itinerary was in place - however, some logistical considerations remained to be sorted out. With a minimal amount of arm twisting, I convinced Steve Paull to hop onto a jet with me for a quick fact finding mission in January 2005 (see Costa Rica Expedition link above for all the sordid details). What a trip! Adilio and Ivan were our hosts and guides into the El Cornelio rainforest, a 300 hectare Biological Reserve which they manage as volunteers, and we quickly became friends - keeping in touch by email as plans for a cooperative trails partnership continue to develop.

Traveling to the United States for the first time, Adilio and Ivan will learn trail maintenance techniques which they can later apply on the lands they manage at Reserva del Cornelio. Our planned projects include a tread rehab and step installation project on upper Cedar Run, and a similar project on the A.T. at Jewell Hollow overlook. After the work trip, we plan on spending a few days in the park hiking and observing the flora and fauna - subjects of great interest to them. We’ll round out their 10 day visit sightseeing in and around Washington, with an emphasis on the Pubs in Old Town, Alexandria.

Anyone interested in making the February trip to Costa Rica (see the proposed itinerary link above) should come out for the work trip and meet the amigos!

If you have questions, feel free to email me at mark@hollandmark.com

© 2005 Mark Holland. All Rights Reserved