Inspirational
Jenny with Tico planting crew & volunteers after
a day of saving Humanity one tree at a time!
Community CarbonTrees
Jennifer Smith creator of Community Carbon Trees, a non-profit reforestation initiative, was a corporate environmental lawyer in Louisiana, until she realized her true calling and moved to Costa Rica in 2000 to start planting trees. Her story is inspirational and reflects dogged determination, commitment and dedication to the Earth!
Years of trials and challenges helped to birth Community Carbon Trees , which has been recognized as a model for sustainable reforestation, empowering disadvantaged farmer's to reforest their depleted cattle pastures. Part of this model has also empowered local women, helping them to create home-based income, earning them money of their own and lots of self-worth!
As a result of her years of hands-on field experience, research, hard work and creative problem-solving, Jenny was invited to join Al Gore's Corp of Climate Reality Leaders and trained with him and his renowned team. She is now a CRLC specialist on the role tropical trees play in balancing hydrological cycles and global weather.
Jennifer Smith is a wealth of information and we have a number of opportunities to learn from her through talks, walks and volunteering. Visit her website: http://communitycarbontrees-costarica.com
Solfeggio adds $25 to the cost of every participant's retreat to make your travel "carbon neutral". Community Carbon Trees plants trees, caring for them for 4 years to assure their survival.
Simple Natural Living Practices with Amy
Amy's story is extraordinary and we get to experience some of her journey, as we visit her homestead. In 2006, Amy moved from New York City, relocating to a remote piece of land in the beautiful mountains of La Florida. For 5 years she slept out under the stars every night, bathed in a river, and chose to live without electrical appliances, lighting, furniture, walls, toilet or bed! As a result, she gained a new perspective and insight into life, which she will share with you on this tour. A mind-expanding experience without drugs, but maybe some wild edibles, unusual fruit, or "jugo de cana" (fresh sugar cane juice).
Today, Amy has a partner and together they have created a fanciful, organic "home" like none other. Really fun to experience!
A special, highly recommended tour and experience!
Visit a Sustainable Tico Organic Farm
Visit an organic farm owned by Roy and Graciella Cisneros to have a tour and "tipico" lunch. Roy, his wife and their 3 sons raise all they need rarely going to the store for anything. Even their gas/propane is generated by a homemade bio-digestor. Roy also grows organic coffee using homemade natural fertilizers and creates several roasts for purchase. On this tour, you will have the opportunity to feed farm animals, milk a cow, learn how to make corn torillas, and buy organic coffee to take home for gifts!
This experience will educate, inspire and warm your heart!
Vida Autentica Market
On Tuesday, we can visit a local, vibrant organic market selling vegetables, fruits, goat & buffalo cheeses, medicinal plants and tinctures, soaps, handcrafts, musical instruments, biodynamically grown coffee, delectable vegan goodies, pies, sandwiches, traditional dishes and more! We'll have breakfast, pick up something exotic for a Gourmet Raw Cuisine class later in the day, look for special souvenirs, and enjoy the hum of the market!
Created by Melissa Sweet and partner, Kevin O'Neill, with right and left hands, Gretel Solorzano & Eduardo Aguero, Vida Autentica's market supports graduates of their non-profit program "Pueblo Roots Initiative" by giving them a place to sell their organically grown produce, as well as, other sustainably produced.
Visit their inspiring and important work at www.vidaautentica.org