Save the Amazon: Protect Jaguars and Wildlife

Dear Supporters, 

This quarter has seen the base at Jalova continue to work with community in both the local town of Tortuguero and to strengthen our relationship with Costa Rican universities, both critical steps in ensuring the long-term survival of this project.

GVI Jalova has been working tirelessly to ensure the continued success of the flora and fauna of Tortuguero National Park. This quarter we have not had a specific fundraiser but have continued our work surveying the species of the park. Come rain or shine intrepid volunteers and staff will be heading out onto the trails and canals of the park, as well as patrolling the beach, protecting the beautiful haven for nesting sea turtles.

However, although the work we do is important and valuable, without the support and understanding of the local communities we will never manage to make the project self-sustaining. As such, a big focus recently has been the push to help improve our impact and awareness amongst the others who call this beautiful area home.

Our environmental education program at a local high school has come to an end for the year, and thanks must be given to our two passionate and inspiring National Scholars, Gloria and Evelyn, who put in huge effort to the planning and running of our lessons.

The highlight of the whole program was the reward system planned by Evelyn, wherein the seven students who had been most engaged in the lessons were invited to spend the day at Jalova base, along with their teacher, to get a deeper understanding of the work done here at the base. The day was a great success, with the children learning about the different projects and work being done, as well as seeing the living conditions of the base and meeting the volunteers. A particular highlight was the delicious local lunch cooked up by Gloria and Evelyn. At this stage, it is the plan for the program to continue once base is up and running at the start of 2019, and that is something that we can all look forward to.

GVI Jalova is also attempting to strengthen our relationship with Costa Rican universities, with the hope being that further talented National Scholars will join us on base, and potentially gain partnerships with scientific departments within the universities. With this in mind, our Base Manager went to University of Costa Rica, the largest university in Costa Rica, to give a talk explaining what work is done on base, and potential research projects that potential scholars could take part in on base. It was a great introduction to faculty at the university, and hopefully the sign of many more exciting partnerships to come.

Further development of these relationships, and increased communication of the work being done at Jalova with local partners, is a definite focus for GVI Jalova in the future. As with any conservation program, or sustainable development program of any type, strong relationships with local partners is critical to ensuring their long-term survival and success. We will endeavour to make sure the steps taken this quarter are built upon in the months and years to come.

After these exciting and fruitful months, our goal now is to finish the year on a high. We are currently in the midst of a fundraiser and will continue putting in the hard-work surveying this beautiful national park.

Thank you to all our donors and those who continue to support our efforts here. For more information please see our page www.gvi.org/project/protect-the-caribbean-rain-forest-in-costa-rica/

With Love,

Mac and the Jalova team