The tree species Ginkgo biloba has survived for nearly 290 million years. I have seen fossils of Ginkgo in Natural History Museums looking identical to modern trees. Like a time traveler, it once shared its habitat with dinosaurs in a land without flowering plants, mammals or birds. Over geological ages, Ginkgo endured multiple events of climate change and mass extinction, surviving only in small areas of eastern and southern China. Rescued from extinction by botanical gardens in the nineteenth century, it now flourishes around the world, where it is planted in cities due to its unique, beautiful leaves, its tolerance to pollution, and its extraordinary resilience (what could be more hostile for a tree than growing on pavement in a street?).

Our relationship with Ginkgo is ancient. For millennia, it has been used in Asian traditions for its healing properties, and extracts from its leaves are still used to treat degenerative conditions of the nervous system. But perhaps the most powerful chapter in the Ginkgo’s story began in 1945.

When the atomic bomb devastated Hiroshima, a few Ginkgo trees near the epicenter miraculously survived. In Japan, these trees are known as Hibaku jumoku, living witnesses to one of humanity’s darkest hours. Their survival became a universal symbol of regeneration, resilience, forgiveness, peace, and the enduring power of life.

From Hiroshima to Costa Rica

In 2011, the Green Legacy Hiroshima Foundation began distributing seeds from these surviving trees around the world as symbols of peace and hope. A decade later, Costa Rica joined this initiative and received a handful of these precious seeds. I asked the Foundation for the donation of a few seeds, which were grown first in the greenhouses of the Center for Ecological Resilience Studies (CERES, SFS) in Costa Rica.

I am deeply proud to have nurtured the first generation of Ginkgo seedlings in Costa Rica. Under our humble greenhouses and with the creative participation of SFS students, these fragile seeds were carefully germinated and grown into young seedlings, which were delivered to the specialized care of Lankester Botanical Gardens at the University of Costa Rica. A second donation of seeds brought up the numbers of the Hibaku jumoku to 45. Ginkgo is adapting to a tropical environment. Every day that it survives is a small miracle. Many SFS students have supported the project as translators of the children´s book Hiroshi and Ginkgo that we created to educate the children about the consequences of the use of weapons of mass destruction and atomic bombs. Our students joined a team of international translators (all young international students) that have translated the book into 14 languages and counting. Other students served as artists creating the logos and visual identity for what became known as the “Trees of Peace from Hiroshima” project.

This collaboration exemplifies what SFS stands for: learning through action, blending science with empathy, and linking ecological resilience to global citizenship.

Sowing the seeds of love and planting the Trees of Peace

In 2025, three ceremonies marked the planting of the first Ginkgo trees in Costa Rica.

The first was held at the University of Costa Rica’s Rodrigo Facio campus, with the participation of the Japanese Embassy, university authorities, and Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. University students planted the first Hibaku jumoku at the largest public university in Central America, an act symbolizing the unifying strength of education and knowledge.

The second ceremony took place at the Lankester Botanical Garden, where children gently placed a young sapling into the soil, reminding us that peace is in the hands of the younger generation, and that nurturing children in peace will foster societies planted on social justice.

The third tree was planted at the University for Peace, reaffirming the shared mission of education and peacebuilding among nations. Students once again played a central role, linking learning with hope through direct action.

Sowing Hope for Future Generations

In a world often fractured by greed, selfishness, disregard for the environment, lack of empathy, corrupt politicians, senseless wars, and the insistence in the proliferation of atomic weapons, the Trees of Peace remind us of something profoundly simple and true: life is resilient, and peace must be quite literally planted and nurtured collectively and passed on from one generation to the next.

As we continue to plant and share these trees, we carry forward the message of hope that visionaries like Jane Goodall have long embodied: the call to build peaceful societies, to live in harmony with nature, and to use our intellect and creativity for healing rather than harm. Nature’s capacity for renewal mirrors our own; its quiet persistence calls us to act with compassion, to care, and to believe that positive change is always possible.

The message of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is never to forget and never to repeat, but also to understand that the future can be hopeful, if we choose to make it so. Every seed planted, every kind act, and every voice raised for peace becomes part of that hope, rooted in memory, growing toward light, and reminding us that the power to shape a just and peaceful world lies within each of us.

Planting of Ginkgo at the Lankester Botanical Gardens.

The story of restoring a Mabi-type rainforest on a steep volcanic cinder cone continues—with new insights, tough lessons, and resilient optimism. Since our last update, we’ve endured a long dry season, collected exciting experimental data, and uncovered critical findings that will shape the next phase of our syntropic restoration journey.

A Harsh Reality Sets In

By late September 2024, signs of seedling stress became undeniable. Our exposed restoration site—devoid of the natural shade provided by mature trees—offered little refuge from the searing sun and deepening drought. With no rain from early October through November, many seedlings began drying out, and urgent action was required.

Photos 1 & 2 (above): showing drought-affected seedlings; Photos 3 & 4 (below): CRS staff watering seedlings during the Dry season of 2024 

We mobilized quickly: irrigation lines were adapted to water four plots at once, mulch was temporarily shifted to allow water to reach the roots, then carefully replaced around each seedling to retain moisture, and each seedling received three liters of precious water. What followed were exhausting early morning and late-night watering shifts—sometimes stretching past 11 p.m.—under the beam of headlamps and the distant hum of sugarcane harvesters. We had shifted to night watering simply because it had become too hot during the day—for both people and plants. Midday evaporation was intense, and even the water itself warmed up before reaching the roots, reducing its effectiveness. 

Data-Driven Discoveries  

Amid the challenges, two student researchers conducted the first monitoring of our April 2024 planting. Their findings have given us new perspective on which species are best suited for this unique landscape: 

Survival Winners and Losers

The standout survivor was Syzygium australe (Lillypilly) with an 86.11% survival rate, followed by Neolitsea brassii at 83.33%. In contrast, Castanospermum australe (Black Bean) fared poorly, with only 55.55% surviving. 

Table 1. List of species planted on the cinder cone and their survival rates between April 2024 and November 2024.

Banana Companions Under Scrutiny

Our experiment with bananas as nurse plants revealed they may not be suitable for such dry, sloped terrain. Survival was low (only 8–24% across plots), likely due to their high water demand and the cone’s rapid runoff.

Table 2. Number of banana plants and their survival rate in each banana-containing plot. 

Growth Trends

While Neolitsea brassii showed little growth, Euroschinus falcatus thrived. Each species is teaching us more about resilience and adaptability in this extreme environment.

Table 2. Number of banana plants and their survival rate in each banana-containing plot. 

Soil Moisture Matters

As suspected, soil on the cinder cone had 32.2% less moisture than mature Mabi forest soils—an enormous hurdle for young plants. 

After the Rains, Another Challenge 

Rain finally arrived in December, breathing life back into many seedlings. Even some that looked like dry sticks began to leaf out again. But just as quickly, a new issue emerged: the weeds surged. Seedlings were soon buried under human-height pasture grass. The labor to rescue them was intense. Staff spent hours crawling through dense undergrowth to find and clear seedlings. Eventually, with the landowner’s consent, we applied a grass-specific herbicide—carefully and sparingly—with help from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. It was a turning point: finally, we could see the seedlings again. 

The Wet 2025 Season: Intense Rains, Fast Growth, and Fierce Weeds 

The Wet 2025 season delivered exactly what seedlings needed—heavy and consistent rainfall punctuated by occasional sunshine. Many previously stressed seedlings responded immediately, flushing out new growth. But with the rains came a surge in weeds, particularly vines like glycine and herbs like Bluetop, which thrived after the grass was suppressed by an earlier herbicide treatment. 

Fortunately, students arriving at the start of February jumped into action. Staff had pre-marked each seedling with pink tape to help identify them among the dense, dead grass and regrowth. Students methodically cleared vegetation by hand around each seedling, accelerating their access to sunlight and space. Their work made a measurable difference—growth was visible within days on many seedlings. 

The season also brought a major logistical milestone. A permanent fence was installed along the lower boundary of the 2024 planting site using 40kg concrete posts and quick-set cement, a labor-intensive effort shared by staff and students. This fence allowed cattle to continue grazing below the 2024 planting area while protecting new planting zones above. With support from TREAT, the local tree-planting NGO, augers were fitted with deep-drilling extensions to complete the installation quickly. A wildlife-friendly top wire without barbs capped the project. 

By March, the electric fence was relocated uphill to enclose the upcoming 2025 planting area. The rainy season, while demanding in labor and coordination, was ultimately a period of recovery and advancement for the project. Every step reinforced the collaborative, adaptive nature of this initiative—and how vital the timing and intensity of seasonal rains are for rainforest regeneration on the cone. 

Growing Smarter: The 2025 Approach 

Our experiences over the past year—and especially the lessons drawn from the 2024 planting—have deeply shaped our strategy for 2025. 

To begin, we’ve refined how we prepare the site. One key insight was allowing cattle to graze the new planting area right up until a week before planting. This helped suppress grass growth and dramatically reduced the labor needed for pre-planting grass removal. 

Species selection has also evolved. Poor performers like Black Bean were removed from this year’s planting mix, replaced by hardier Mabi rainforest species, including new additions such as Eleocarpus grandis, Flindersia schottiana, and Cardwellia sublimis. Each of the eight new plots features nine different species with four seedlings per species, following the same structure as 2024 but with a revised species list tailored to the cone’s tough conditions. 

We’ve also adapted our approach to companion planting. Based on last year’s low banana survival rates, bananas were replaced by Homalanthus novoguineensis (Bleeding Heart), a fast-growing pioneer species expected to offer better shade and support for the seedlings. 

Site preparation began in March with intensive lantana removal—an invasive shrub avoided by cattle that had taken over parts of the paddock. By early April, with fencing in place, students and staff measured plots, drilled holes, and added water crystals and fertilizer.  

On April 12th, 28 students and 6 staff successfully planted 288 seedlings. This time, seedlings were watered into the ground—a first for the project—thanks to improved water access via dual 1000-liter water pods installed just below the planting zone. 

After planting, cardboard was placed around each seedling to conserve moisture, and one week later, a grass-specific herbicide was applied to manage early weed competition. These steps reflect our growing toolkit of restoration strategies—each informed by data, observation, and experience. 

Looking Ahead 

As we enter the dry season, we’ll be closely monitoring the 2025 planting to see how this new generation of seedlings responds. Each phase of this project teaches us more about what it takes to bring rainforest life back to the cone. With every root in the ground and every adjustment made, we edge closer to building a restoration model for even the harshest environments. 

Restoring a rainforest on a steep volcanic slope—with no existing blueprint—demands grit, adaptability, and collective effort. To our partners and donors: thank you for helping us grow both knowledge and forests, seedling by seedling. 

To further support the cinder cone project, please consider making a donation.  

Eric’s most recent reunion with his cohort may not have been large, but it was filled with heartfelt moments. Due to illness and unforeseen circumstances, only five of his fellow alumni could attend, along with a few children and partners. But despite the smaller turnout, they managed to relive the magic of their time together in Tanzania – sharing stories, playing cards just like they did back in the bandas, and even discovering an authentic East African restaurant that brought a taste of Tanzania to their reunion. While they also held a virtual reunion during the pandemic to celebrate their 5-year anniversary, nothing compares to the joy of being together in person again, laughing and reminiscing about their shared experiences.

The reunion flag, now having traveled to seven states and even Grand Cayman, has become a physical representation of the deep connections formed during Eric’s time in Tanzania. Each time the flag travels to a new location and is signed by another cohort member, it brings Eric a step closer to his ultimate goal. “Driving through the Serengeti gate and waking up early to hike as a group to watch the last sunrise atop Moyo Hill are memories locked in my mind forever,” Eric recalls fondly. “Our group was the first to be entirely located at the Tanzania center [instead of splitting time between Tanzania and Kenya, as previous cohorts had done], and despite being the largest group they’d had, we were incredibly close. It was a special time.”

Eric’s time in Tanzania had a lasting impact not only on his friendships but also on his career. As a Zoology major at the University of Wisconsin, Eric’s Directed Research focused on human-animal relations, particularly the perceptions of human-wildlife conflict surrounding mesopredators, crows, and raptors. His experiences in Tanzania ignited a passion for understanding how people and animals coexist, something that continues to influence his professional life. After graduating, he started Walsh Visual Media, a photography business that drew from the images he captured during his time in Tanzania.

Later, Eric went on to become a marine mammal trainer at the Aquarium of Niagara, working with seals, sea lions, and penguins. After six years in training, Eric transitioned into the ​​Aquarium’s Communications department, where he now oversees the ​​Aquarium’s media channels and shapes content strategy. Through his work, he continues to tell the stories of rescued and non-releasable animals, using storytelling to engage the public in important conversations about conservation and how humans share the world with animals.

But perhaps the most lasting impact of Eric’s time with SFS is the friendships he formed. He has reconnected with more than 15 people from his cohort over the years. Three of them were even part of his wedding, and one is his daughter’s godfather. These deep, lifelong connections speak to the power of shared experiences and the lasting bonds that form when people come together for a meaningful cause.

Eric’s reunion flag continues to travel the world, and as he carries it to each new reunion, it serves as a reminder of the friendships, memories, and lessons that have shaped his life. His dream of returning to Moyo Hill, with his family and the flag in tow, remains a powerful goal. For Eric, the flag represents not just a place and a time, but the enduring connections that continue to influence his journey, both personally and professionally. And one day, when the flag finally reaches its destination, it will complete a circle that has spanned years, states, and continents – a testament to the lasting impact of his SFS experience in Tanzania.

Our first overnight field trip brought us to Prek Toal, a floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake. The village borders a key protected area for over a hundred bird species, including several that rely on this site as their last remaining breeding ground in Southeast Asia. Our boats glided past trees covered in cormorants and darters, and we watched the occasional painted stork flying overhead.

At times like these, photography can only capture so much. These shots miss the whirr of the boat engine, the calls of the birds, and their wings flapping as they take off from a nearby tree. More importantly, in picturing individual species, these shots risk isolating birds from the complex web of interactions that sustains these ecosystems. At Prek Toal, the moment you leave the bird sanctuary, the number of birds you can see plummets. Decades of habitat loss and fishing pressures have severely depleted fish populations on the Tonle Sap, a key food source for bird species. In order to truly appreciate and more effectively protect the birds at Prek Toal, we need to understand the ways in which many different flora and fauna species all depend on each other.

Of course, humans are deeply entangled in these relationships too. People have been fishing on the Tonle Sap Lake for thousands of years. Roughly 1.5 million people live in communities around the Tonle Sap Lake, including over 100,000 in villages floating directly on the water. The fisherman we have spoken to on the Tonle Sap have noticed significant decreases in fish numbers: where twenty years ago 1-2 gill nets would be heaping with fish, now, those same nets would not even catch enough to pay for rice. Given the significant increase in human population growth around the Tonle Sap Lake, fishermen are often blamed for the decline of fish and are targeted by government programs to destroy illegal fishing gear. Blaming people is very easy. In my eyes, though, this is counterproductive. Blame overlooks the complicated economic factors that mean subsistence fishing is the central means of survival for most fishermen on the Tonle Sap. Fishermen often lack the skills and the financial capital to transition to other sectors. Many have expressed frustration that their gears are confiscated while illegal operations continue to trawl straight through protected areas. I see photography as a way to move beyond blame and instead highlight the craft and expertise of fishers on the Tonle Sap, and their resilience in continuing a way of life their families have practiced for generations, even despite political, and now ecological, transformations.

Taking these photographs was deeply humanizing for me. When you can see the everyday connections the fishermen have to the lands and waters around them, you realize that simply telling fishermen to stop overfishing or confiscating their gear is not going to solve these issues. We need to showcase local resilience and environmental knowledge and use this to develop solutions to degradation around the Tonle Sap that will both preserve whole ecosystems and ensure current fishermen can practice sustainable livelihoods. Photography can be a powerful tool to tell these stories of persistence and, more broadly, to call for interdisciplinary solutions to environmental challenges.

We recognize that environmental challenges are deeply affected by and interwoven with social and political forces. Hence, we foster an inclusive environment where students critically examine these complex issues through the lens of science, ethics, and sustainability. As an independent nonprofit, SFS remains steadfast in its mission despite shifting political landscapes.  We stand resolute in preparing the next generation of leaders to tackle the challenges ahead with knowledge, integrity, and purpose.

Governmental administrations come and go, and party policies too often bend to the prevailing political winds at the moment. At SFS we know who we are. Through the turmoil, political convulsions, and the uncertainties of fraught times, we remain true to our mission and the fundamental values and principles upon which it rests. In that commitment, we are unshakable.

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With a 17-year tenure at SFS, Katlyn has served in several key leadership roles, most recently as Chief Operating Officer. Her intimate knowledge of SFS, combined with her extensive experience in international education and her deep commitment to the SFS’ mission and values, uniquely prepares her to lead the organization into its next chapter. 

As Terry Andreas, Board Co-Chair, shared, “Katlyn is an excellent choice for us; she is exceptionally well-positioned to ensure that SFS continues to make a difference in environmental education, the lives of our students, and conservation around the world.” 

Katlyn has been instrumental in shaping and advancing SFS programs across its 12 Centers, located in some of the world’s most biodiverse and extraordinary ecosystems. Through close collaboration with SFS’ dedicated staff and community partners, Katlyn has made a lasting impact, driving the mission of SFS forward with purpose and passion. 

Reflecting on this significant transition, James Cramer, current President of SFS, remarked, “It has been my privilege to work alongside Katlyn for many years. Her insight, unwavering commitment, and thoughtful leadership have strengthened SFS at every level. With her at the helm, I am confident SFS will continue to thrive, inspiring students and driving impactful solutions to global environmental challenges.” 

Katlyn Armstrong expressed her enthusiasm for this new role, stating:  

“I am honored and excited to step into this role and serve SFS in this new capacity. Our programs have long been at the forefront of transformative education, empowering students to engage with environmental and societal challenges while fostering meaningful connections with local communities. I look forward to building on this strong foundation, ensuring SFS remains a leader in environmental stewardship, sustainability, and global citizenship as we embark on the next vibrant chapter of our story.”

Building on SFS’ long-standing commitment to experiential learning, impactful research, and strong community partnerships, Katlyn’s vision and leadership will guide the organization into a new era, advancing SFS’s mission to inspire and equip students to make meaningful, lasting contributions to our planet and its future. 

Over the years, Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton Tablelands (TREAT) has been a source of knowledge on restoration methods and experiences in restoration practices for students and faculty of the Center for Rainforest Studies (CRS) in Australia. By partnering with TREAT, students have had the opportunity to learn about the history of local restoration efforts, as well as standard planting procedures.  

In 2022, the Center was approached by local landowners requesting assistance in the restoration of an endangered type of rainforest, the Mabi rainforest, on a cinder cone volcano on their property. Mabi rainforest had been completely removed from this volcano in the 1980’s to use the area for cattle grazing. Today, only about 4.5% of the original extent of this rainforest type is left on the Atherton Tablelands where CRS is located.  

Since the landowners are allowing us to restore this rainforest type on approximately 7.5ha, this restoration project will take several years to be completed. Additionally, the project provides the Center with numerous opportunities to do intensive research on Mabi restoration on cinder cone volcanoes since this type of rainforest has never been restored on steep volcanoes.  

GETTING STARTED 

The restoration project began during the dry season of 2023 with generous financial support from SFS alumni and donors. Contributions allowed the Center to fence off an 1800m² area from the existing cattle paddock via an electric fence, perform extensive weed control, conduct soil analysis, and collect baseline data for monitoring the development of restoration. 

Students from the spring 2024 semester took inspiration from previous student cohorts and TREAT to commence restoring Mabi rainforest on the first plot of the cinder cone during this year’s wet season. This first planting required overcoming some major challenges. 

The first challenge arose due to the landowner’s request to not use herbicides as means of weed removal. This required countless weeks of cutting grass manually on this first 60x32m planting plot as grass had grown immensely after the plot was first isolated from the surrounding cattle. Additional donations allowed for the purchase of hedge cutters and other materials to make the work possible. Although a more laborious process, not using herbicides provides added soil benefits and allows students to compare seedling growth on this site with that of seedlings on a similar Mabi site that was treated with RoundUp (glyphosate). 

The second challenge was the steep slopes of the cinder cone, which measured to be around 45 degrees in incline in some areas. The steep angle results in a plot of land prone to water runoff and soil erosion. To combat this issue, a decision was made to add a syntropic element to the typical TREAT method of planting. Syntropic farming is a type of regenerative agroforestry developed by farmer and ecologist Ernst Gosch (Götsch, 2018). It involves mimicking natural forests in structure and function, outcompeting grassy weeds while maximizing ground cover and water retention with taller, shade-giving companion plants.  

After speaking to a local syntropic farmer, SFS students learned that banana plants are a perfect companion to support seedling growth. They grow fast to provide shade for shade-loving species and hold water in their leaves and trunks—which can be later pruned to create ground cover and natural fertilizer. To test the effect of incorporating syntropic principles into restoration, eight subplots (measuring 11x11m) were created within the first planting plot, with banana plants between the native seedlings in four of the eight subplots and four control subplots without interspersed banana plants. The subplots were arranged in random order to reduce bias from placement on the cinder cone (see Figures 1 & 2). 

In each of the eight subplots, holes for native seedlings were placed 1.57m apart, creating a 6×6 grid.

Dead grass and roots had to be removed from the drill spots using hoes to allow for digging holes with an auger (see Figure 3).

In early April 2023, SFS students and faculty picked up banana plants from ‘Petals in the Park,’ a syntropic permaculture farm on the Atherton Tablelands. Digging out banana saplings was an interesting task for the students—large banana trees have many saplings around them which needed to be dug up and tops cut off. Students learned interesting tips for planting, including banana saplings are best planted upside down! When placed upside down, they grow like a hook before appearing above the ground. This method improves root stability, which is especially important when planting at a windy site (and the cinder cone is indeed windy!).

The next stop was Lake Eacham Nursery to pick up 288 native seedlings, complements of TREAT and Queensland’s Park and Wildlife Service (QPWS). Nursery staff and volunteers from the community had prepared the seedlings and gave us advice on how to prepare them overnight for their “birthday” the next day. 

On planting day, students and faculty transported the 288 native seedlings, 100 banana saplings, buckets with water crystals, and 25kg of fertilizer to the cinder cone and distributed everything to the previously created planting holes. Later that morning, additional SFS students arrived to help plant the seedlings into the holes that had been prepared (see Figures 4, 5 & 6). No lesson or bit of advice was cast aside, as banana saplings were planted upside down between the native seedlings for optimal growth.  

Future SFS Australia students will monitor the growth of seedlings to compare their growth between subplots with and without banana plants. For this purpose, students and faculty measured every seedling that was planted. Each subplot has the same Mabi seedling species composition (nine species in total) with four stems of each species making that comparison possible. Surveys were also completed of ants and dung beetles, as well as soil samples, to provide baseline data to monitor changes of these attributes while native Mabi rainforest slowly establishes.  

PROTECTING THE “GREEN BABIES” FROM EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS

As the tropical winter emerged (June to August), night time temperatures can drop considerably due to the higher elevation of the Atherton Tablelands, raising concerns of frost affecting the seedlings. This was a worry since the seedlings were fully exposed to the elements. But, although the Atherton Tablelands experienced two nights of frost in August 2024, we were lucky as no seedling showed signs of frost impact; some only showed some black spots at the lower leaves which were attributed to lasting wet conditions during the winter (Figure 7). The fact that our seedlings were not affected by these frost events was mainly due to the slight elevation of our planted plot on the cinder cone, as frost is mainly located in lower areas. To protect the seedlings from further frost impacts, mulch was added by utilizing the cut grass that accumulated from weed control, which was packed around each seedling.  

Dry seasons in the Wet Tropics can be just as severe and dramatically reduce the survival rate of the seedlings. With the upcoming dry season approaching (which is usually from September to December), the next priority became the transportation of water to the planted area at the cinder cone. QPWS provided two 300-liter water tanks and a pump to the Center, while a volunteer from TREAT donated a 1,000-liter trough to the project. The next cohort of SFS students transported the trough to the fenced-off area to be filled with water as a temporary watering source. 

During the first summer semester, students collected water from the trough by buckets to be carried uphill and distributed equal amounts of water to each seedling using measuring cups. Providing equal amounts of water to each seedling is particularly important to the experiment as we want to monitor the growth of seedlings under different conditions (with and without bananas), not due to different amounts of water the seedlings received.  

In the meantime, a proper irrigation system was being developed with input from QPWS to utilize two 1,000-liter water pods that were secured by the landowners.

For this to happen, the two water pods had to be transported and placed in the top center of the planted area and connected with a pump on the owner’s property that retrieved water from their well (approximately 1,000 meters away). Water could then be pumped to the water pods and gravity could be used to drain water from them to the seedlings via small hoses.  

In July, students from the second summer semester worked amongst the cattle to prepare the area for the pods before moving them in place, which was no small task—each weighed 60kg! (Figures 8 – 13)  

At the end of July, the Center was awarded an environmental grant from the Tablelands Regional Council to purchase material for the remaining irrigation system. This included two 500m long rolls of thick pipes. Their size and material thickness were chosen to protect them from being damaged by cattle, while also allowing water under considerable pressure to be pumped up the hill to the water pods. (Figures 14 & 15) 

PROJECT PLANS

This project is not only benefiting the local environment, but it is serving as an ongoing research opportunity for SFS. The project will continue over the several years. SFS plans to restore this Mabi-type rainforest on 75,000m² of this cinder cone. During each wet season, students will plant another area by including research questions. Each year, we will pick another research question so that, over the years, we understand how to better restore Mabi rainforest on a steep cinder cone volcano. During our summer sessions and the dry semesters students will carefully monitor the progress of seedling growth to answer the research questions. 
 
SFS is seeking additional support to ensure the survival and growth of the seedlings, and fence off a new, much steeper area to continue restoration in the coming year (see Figures 17 & 18 with elevation profile). Your donation can make a significant impact by providing essential resources for students to further develop and track the progress of the restoration. 

REFERENCE

Götsch, E. (2018). Differences between organic and syntropic farming – Agenda Gotsch. Agendagotsch.com. Available at: https://agendagotsch.com/en/diferencas-entre-a-agricultura-sintropica-e-organica-2/ 

GET INVOLVED

100% of your donation dollars will go towards this important sustainability project. Thank you for your consideration, and for supporting the next generation of environmental leaders. 

It is with mixed emotions that the Board of Trustees of the School for Field Studies (SFS) has accepted the intent of our President, Jim Cramer, to retire by no later than August 31, 2025. Over the past twelve years, he has compiled an enviable record — expanding SFS’s presence from four countries to centers in twelve countries across six continents, more than doubling annual revenue, moving us closer to long-term financial sustainability with balanced budgets, expanding our research capacity, leading us prudently through the dark years of COVID, engaging the talents of our more than 20,000 alumni, and imaginatively projecting SFS onto a broad media landscape. While his pending departure is difficult to contemplate, Jim originally promised to serve for five years and has now dedicated twelve years to SFS, making his service deeply appreciated and his retirement well-earned.

Reflecting on his tenure at SFS, Cramer said, “While we have considerably expanded our reach across the globe, I would like to think that it is the quality of our field research, the impact we’ve had on the communities in which we live and work, and the transformative power of our programs on students that define the last dozen years.”

The Board of Trustees has established a Search Committee to oversee the process of finding the next SFS President, and more details will be shared in the coming months.

Never has the mission of SFS resonated so much with a generation, and never has our mission been so critically important. We look forward to continuing to offer challenging experiences to our students as we enter this new chapter of leadership for SFS.

We will continue to update the SFS community as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for announcements on the leadership transition and the exciting future of SFS.

In the spring of 2018, Camila joined SFS in Panama for a study abroad program that significantly influenced her career path. Under the mentorship of Dr. Leon Mach, our Associate Professor in Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values, she undertook a Directed Research project that laid the foundation for her future research.

Together, Camila and Dr. Mach recently published her group’s Directed Research project in the academic journal Tourism Management. This study explored stakeholder perspectives on governance in marine protected areas, emphasizing the need for local stakeholder involvement in decision-making processes.

They also had the opportunity to present their findings at the National Environment and Recreation Research Conference, showcasing their impactful work.

Camila’s academic journey continued as she pursued a Master of Science from the University of Georgia’s Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Program at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.

With Dr. Mach serving on her committee, they once again collaborated to publish her master’s research in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism. This qualitative case study explored the impact of protected area expansion on the Ngöbe Indigenous community of Salt Creek in Panama. Their findings suggest that repairing social capital is vital for achieving sustainable tourism and better aligning with the ethos of collaborative governance.

Apart from her academic endeavors, Camila is one of the founders and the coordinator of ALTUS (Alianza Latinoamericana de Turismo Sostenible), a community-based tourism initiative championed by the Inter-American Foundation. This network involves community-based tourism organizations in 12 Latin American countries and aims to promote knowledge, experience sharing, and capacity building for rural communities engaged in tourism. She also works as a contractor in a socio-economic monitoring data collection effort for the National Park Service in the United States. 

We are especially proud to share that Camila will be returning to Bocas del Toro, where her journey with us began, as a Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute fellow. She will conduct vital research on community perceptions of how erosion and sea-level rise impact their lives, a project that promises to bring significant insights and potential solutions to these pressing issues.

Camila’s story is a testament to the dedication of our faculty in mentoring students, both during and after their time with us. Her achievements inspire us all, and we look forward to following her continued success.

An organism’s nativity, as Professor Shaw described it, is to do with one’s relation both to a land over time and to its ecosystem. Any species inhabiting a space for long enough (infuriatingly vague), fulfilling a particular niche, and without the capacity to dominate its ecosystem can be considered functionally native. These criteria allow us to categorize species which were introduced and have naturalized over time as nativeish. Guanacos for example–one of the most recognizable species in Tierra del Fuego–are not traditionally native to this land because they were eliminated by a tephra-ash layer from a Hudson volcanic eruption 7,750 years ago. Then humans reintroduced them to this geologically isolated archipelago a couple thousand years later, and they reclaimed their niche. So, while they may not be evolutionarily native, they are functionally native.

Scribbling this in my notebook, I spot two gray foxes poking around our campsite, and they look up at me. They sense I’m going to write about them. Towards the sunrise, a small band of debatably native horses graze. The three foals stick close to their mothers while the largest stallion guides them across the field, parting the guanaco herds like the red sea. The stallion has the most beautiful brown coat, black mane and a white stripe down his nose. And I realize as I’m studying him that this wild horse has gotten dangerously close to me. I stand slowly, planning a tactful retreat back to my Ñirre. Before I can turn away, he bows at me. I barely register it, but then he makes his final approach and nudges my outstretched hand. His nose is soft, his slight movements hold enough strength to knock me clean over. The other horses and foals follow closely behind, watching us.

These animals are not afraid of us–the foxes who scavenge our site for camper scraps, the guanacos who trill their lips in disapproval when we make too much noise on the trails, the horses who comfort sleepless students journaling in the field. They are native here, to the pampa and the nothofagus forests of Karwkynka. They wield the authority to welcome us or reject us. I am so incredibly envious of them; I do not belong this way anywhere. I’m confident very few people do. Oh, to touch the tip of my stallion’s nose and tell him that I, too, am native in my homeland.