Aero: Meagan Hilsdorf – Costa Rica 2014 – Biodiversity
Aero: Meagan Hilsdorf – Costa Rica 2014 – Biodiversity
Aero: Meagan Hilsdorf – Costa Rica 2014 – Biodiversity
Meagan Hilsdorf
Growing in upstate New York, I have been spoiled with natural resources and being able to enjoy the beauty of nature. I grew up with an appreciation of our forests, rivers, streams and lakes, and the importance of preserving our wildlife. From a young age I was taken fishing, hiking and camping, and when I was older I went through the hunter’s safety course and got into outdoor hunting. In my area it is a big part of our life and important in the health of our ecosystem. In addition, was often glued to Discovery Channel and Animal plant soaking up science shows on unique animals and unique ecosystems. These shows fascinated me and fed my love and interest in animals, as well as the sciences. Additionally, through my biochemistry studies at Keuka, I have gained a greater appreciation for the wonders of life and nature, and the importance of preserving ecosystems.
Costa Rica 2014 Photo Gallery
This great love and appreciation for nature was one of the main reasons I was so attracted to this study abroad program. This is because through my studies and previous knowledge, Costa Rica is a hot spot for biodiversity and offers so much for ones who appreciates the natural wonders of the world. Just flying over the country I was amazed at how different the hills and forest were, and just how green the countryside was. Even walking in Alajuala, I was taken aback by the different animals that were exciting and new to me from the talkative parrots in the trees and colorful squirrels in the park. However, I was truly astounded by the beauty and majesty of its volcanos, rainforests and cloud forests, could hardly believe my eyes. Even though we have seen or learned about these unique environments in classes or on TV programs it did not compare to the real life thing. I was like a kid in a candy store during our wildlife excursions, as well as trips to the lapis waterfall gardens and zoo ave. I bought a field guide and couldn’t get enough of the forest and learning and observing all the wonders that it offered. I was amazing just how dense the forests was and how full of life they were. What also surprised me was all the information that I had learned in my science courses actually could be applied during our nature walks, and when our guides were explaining the important features of the forests and animals that lived there, actually knew what they were talking about.
Furthermore, what I took away was how environmentally conscious the people of Costa Rica are and how important preserving their natural resources they are. On my first day I found out the hard way that there was not hunting in Costa Rica and that they keep their ecosystems balanced differently, but this itself is not a perfect solution either and faces some issues with controlling top predatory animals and livestock. What also amazed me is how much we take for granted our natural resources in the united states and our unique location geographically and how our country is topographically and biodiversity different from upstate New York’s beautiful changing seasons and lakes, to California’s Giant Redwood forest or Florida’s everglades swamps to Alaska’s frozen frontier. We have a wide range of unique environments and temperature just within our country. However, I did not miss the frigid New York State weather, and greatly appreciated Costa Rica’s balmy 80 degree weather, even when it got chillier in the higher elevations. Additionally, Costa Rica is a hot spot for biodiversity with countless animals and plants, with new species and discoveries being made each day, is truly mind boggling. It is also known for its microclimates with changing temperatures and weather conditions with changes in altitude and geographic location. It was amazing how even the crops grown changed by geographic location such as strawberries near the slopes of Volcano Poas and Onions, Potatoes and cabbage near the slopes of Irazu, as well as fast hillsides filled with coffee, sheltered by banana and other trees.
Overall, I was truly amazed with my experiences in Costa Rica’s unique environments and its amazing biodiversity. From nature walks in Monteverde and Sky Walk, the Tran ride and zip lining, I got a true appreciation for how important the environment is to the people and how connect they are to the plants and animals that live there. I also learned how passionate the natives of Costa Rica are in preserving the forest and how preserving these biological hot spots are vital to the health of not only humans but the whole planet. The efforts and progress I saw in Costa Rica shows how much we can accomplish in preserving our natural wonders for future generations, and the importance of gaining knowledge of the wonders we have waiting in our own back yards.
Learn More: Study abroad with Modern Languages @ FLCC: Costa Rica!
– Meagan Hilsdorf
The LEAF Project
www.leaflanguages.org
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