Help La Reserva Grow Forests, Costa Rica

When I worked for a large school district I was continually struck by the fact that the day-to-day operations of each of the schools was made possible by their clerical staff. It was the folks sitting at their computers who kept things functioning at a level that allowed teachers to create a functional learning environment within their classrooms. 

It’s no different at LRFF. We recognize that the exciting part of the work we do is starting nurseries, planting trees, and documenting their amazing growth, but none of that can happen without the many hours put in at the computer by Roberta and whatever volunteers she can find to help her. She started this whole enterprise using a 2004 mac laptop - which, amazingly enough, is still in use! She reports, however, that the screen is  on its last legs.

Your donations made possible the purchase of a new (used) iMac which was installed a few months ago in the back bedroom-turned-office. It has been an enormous boon. But meetings with the municipality, the Biological Corridor committee, and the Maleku Tribal Council, as well as presentations to school groups and potential donors all require her use of a portable laptop. As stated earlier, the one in use is rapidly failing. Your donation to this project will allow the continued functioning of this essential clerical element of LRFF. 

Links:

• New How You Can Help page at LRFF

Those of you who have donated to this project will know that I was able to buy a used, desktop iMac this past September. I cannot express how much the larger screen has helped my eyes not to mention productivity.

A few months ago I was interested in just how many hours I have logged on as founder and president of the La Reserva Forest Foundation. In the 5½ years since its inception I have worked almost 18,000, without pay, and much of this time is spent in front of the computer. To think that in 2004 I swore I’d never use a computer and now it is the most important tool I have for this work.

In November, for my birthday, my dear friends Carla Gomez and Nancy Holzheimer gave me a birthday party at a local restaurant. The BIG surprise came when I returned home! While we were having lunch they had the old double bed that smashed me up against the desk removed and replaced it with a nice, futon that folds out into a ¾ size bed. Look at the two accompanying photos and you will see how much more room I have in the office to receive clients and guests, plus roll all around as I work in my office chair. Please come into my office so that we CAN GET PLANTING!

I’m still using the old 2004 Mac PowerBook that sometimes has black band across the screen. Can you help me to finish upgrading my office? In July I will have a new intern coming from the UK to work as my administrative assistant for six months. I’d like to offer her a better laptop to use with my old desk, so that she can sit in here with me rather than out at the dining room table.

Planting trees is actually a very small part of the work we do, maybe 10% at most. The majority of our work is done through networking with all of you, our fabulous supporters, to receive donations and continue onward and upward. To be efficient we need new equipment sometimes.

Links:

• The Cosmic Soup