Conseravtion and the Smithsonian Research Center

On September 13th, 2007, I met with the Scientific Coordinator for the Bocas del Toro Smithsonian Research Station (STRI) Gabriel Cespedes, to discuss conservation education in Bocas. We all agreed that there is not enough education especially in the areas outside of Bocas Town. We agreed with the expansion of the national park more people will come into conflict with the new rules and restrictions. We need to try and make this change less traumatic if possible through information. The station has a conservation educator (Marlon) on site who conducts classes at the station and at the local school. They also have educational materials compiled by visiting professors for student use. The issue is to get the educator and the materials to the students. As the population of Bocas increases due to a real estate boom and the indigenous populations lower infant mortality rate, the strain on the environment will be exacerbated. Education of both the local population and the expats is essential. We agreed that that the educator should try to reach the schools outside of the station and the town, while we should also utilize the local newspaper to reach the expats. I also agreed to locate these other schools and the expats who live near them and to ask if they would like to join us in this endeavor. I believe many of the expats already contribute to these schools. We need these expats to provide both communication with the schools to schedule visits and to provide transportation for the educator. Gabriel suggested we form a committee here in Bocas and continue to work on this issue. We will schedule another meeting to follow up on our findings and furhter discuss the idea of a committee.