6 Day Itinerary:
Each day is specifically planned to find ways to benefit the rainforest. The itinerary incorporates activities that help prevent pollution, land degradation, and endangered animals.
Days one and two will be focused of land development and deforestation.
Day One:
Day Two: |
Morning:
We are going to take a tour through the El Yunque for about four hours with many breaks for photos opportunities, snacks, and questions. The guide will point out the many of the twenty three species of trees within the forest, like the common Sierra Palm and how they have been affected by the deforestation over the years. Afternoon: After the hike we will go interview the forest supervisor, Pablo Cruz. Pablo Cruz first became the forest supervisor in 1992 and has helped make significant improvements within the forest. We will be able to ask him questions about forest degradation and deforestation, and discuss the improvements being made to the forest. We will later use the information collected to write letters to the forest officials, stating why they should take more efforts to stop deforestation. You can read more about Pablo Cruz at the El Yunque's official website here. Morning: We will take another tour through the forest to an 80 year old man-made forest that was planted in efforts to remake the parts of the forest lost to deforestation. A guide will answer questions how long it took to plant the forest and how it has help the rainforest as a whole. Afternoon: After we will work with the Civilian Conservation Corps. This is an organization that works with El Yunque officials to plant trees. With their help, we will spend the rest of the day planted trees to help restore the rainforest. |
Days three and four will be spent focusing on the endangered animals in the rainforest.
Day Three:
Day Four: |
Morning:
We will hike to the top of the mountain. We will then meet with Leopoldo Miranda, the Assistant Regional Director for Ecological Services (of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services). We will be able to discuss the efforts the the United States are making to increase endangered animal populations in the El Yunque, and the successes that they have already made. Afternoon: With the help of Leopoldo Miranda, we will actually be able to plant the seeds of the parrots three favorite trees, including palo colorado, laurel sabino, and tabanuco trees. By doing this, we will be able to slowly be able to put some of the trees that were lost due to deforestation and natural disasters back into the forest. Eventually when the trees start to grow, the parrots will have more places to build their homes. Morning: We will build artificial parrot nests to increase the safety of parrot eggs and protection from predators. These nests are made out of polyvinylchloride (PVC), a plastic. These nests can be attached to a hollowed-out tree so that it appears more natural to the parrots. Later in the afternoon, we will then hike up to the forest and place the nests in several of the parrots favorite trees for laying eggs. Afternoon: We will then hike up to the top of the mountain once again. Along with local forest guides, we will spot the favorite trees of the parrot. We will hollow out these trees, in order to then place the nests that we built earlier in the day. |
Days five and six will be spent focusing on the pollution in the rainforest.
Day Five:
Day Six: |
Morning:
To start off the day we will hike on trails, such as The La Mina Trail, and collect trash on the way in order to clean up the the appearance of the overall forest. Along our hike, we will place trash and recycling receptacles to encourage people to dispose of their waste properly. Guides will be with us to answer any, and all, questions. Afternoon: We will then go to the different rivers, or waterfalls, and collect any trash that may be in the water. Many species live within the El Yunque waters, and may mistake litter for a food source. This trash can be very harmful, and possibly fatal, to the animals in the forest. We will also set up receptacles along the way to promote proper disposal of waste. Morning: We will watch a 45-60 minute movie about air and water pollution in El Yunque. We will then go through an exhibit where there are pieces of the forest to show the before and after effects of the pollution. These items will include photos of the rivers, pieces of tree bark, etc. Then we will go and see where the new trees are being planted to help decrease the amount of air pollution. There will be guides to answer any questions that may come up. Afternoon: After lunch, the group will split up into small groups, and will be able to pick out three tree saplings. We will then plant the trees with the help of the guides who work in the forest. For each tree that is planted, $15 is sent to help decrease the amount of overall pollution. You will be able to tag your tree and check the El Yunque website for updates on your trees. |