Everyone here at the Florida International Teaching Zoo, and Project Green Jungle would like to wish everyone a happy holidays and a happy new year.  We hope your year was as productive as ours.  In 2009 we had a lot of hurdles to clear to achieve our goals.  In fact, we really had to re-work a lot of our activities in order to keep pace with the changes around us.

Even with the economic downturn, the project, and it’s many volunteers were able to conduct activities throughout Talamanca, Costa Rica.  Our water quality tests were so successful that we have many families throughout the region asking us to do large scale tests of their drinking water.  A rapid biosurvey of Hitoy Cerere uncovered more than 120 species of animals in only three days, and our cultural trips to Kachabri solidified our good standing with the indigenous of the region.

With the unveiling of our “Zoo Liaison” programs, we are working hard on developing solid relationships between facilities in North America, and facilities in Latin America and the Caribbean.  This program got a huge boost by a whirlwind tour of facilities in Costa Rica with ZAA Board Member, John Wortman.  In the process we recruited five facilities to take part in this revolutionary project.

In addition to all these accomplishments in 2009, We have vigilantly been planning 2010 to be bigger and better.  Soon we will release plans for Earth Day 2010, highlighting how technology will bring Earth Day to our audiences.  Our focus will be centered on:

• Water Quality Testing. Ongoing water tests of the Sixaola River Valley will provide baseline water quality data to be used by the indigenous and governmental agencies.
• Indigenous Capacity Building. Housing, medical, and educational grants, along with job training will be supplied to the indigenous populations we work with.
• Local Education. Local schools will be targeted for field trips, interactive discussions, and hands-on environmental training.
• Zoo Liaison. Solidifying relations between North American Zoos and Latin American rehab facilities and zoos.
• Bio-surveys. Developing baseline qualitative population surveys of the regions we work.
• Photography-based Ecotourism. One of our commercial fundraising programs which bring together our activities and our goals and vision while adhering to our mission statement.

While we have already made great strides already, 2010 is looking to be a far more productive year.  Currently we are looking for volunteers in country, as well as virtual volunteers and fundraisers for our Earth Day Events.  If you are interested in helping us out, please contact us.

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