Environmental Education Program: Closing Ceremony

The students who took part in the environmental education program “Generating Sustainability in the Community” are graduating and setting out to change the world. Organized by Fundación Costa Palmas, this program educated 40 of Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez primary school students, ages 8–10 years old, over the course of 11 sessions, which ran from October 2022 to January 2023.

The goal of the program was to enhance the academic and environmental growth of local students, provide support and improve our community. During every Thursday session, two biologists visited the school, facilitating an hour of hands-on play and fun activities to complement the subject matter. Topics included protected natural areas, marine ecosystems, regional plants, local fauna, pollution and solid waste, sustainable and unsustainable use, conservation, recycling, orchards, and water care. Ingrid Burgoin (Marine Biologist/Environmental Educator), Eduardo Peláez (Marine Biologist/Project Director) and Marlon Molina (Marine Biologist/Environmental Educator) led the program.

The closing ceremony and delivery of diplomas took place on January 26—a global day of observance honoring environmental education—and was held during a beautiful morning at La Parcela at Costa Palmas. Students and their families were in attendance, in addition to Noemi Rosiles of Fundación Costa Palmas; School Supervisor of the Area, Laura Adelina Fernandez Gomez; the school director Hellemann Cota Peña and Valeria Madrigal, General Secretary of La Ribera, on behalf of Miguel Mikares Gonzalez, a municipal delegate. Education coordinator Norma Yolanda Montaño and ecology coordinator Elizabeth Cañedo were also in attendance, among others.

The proud students received their diplomas and enjoyed educational activities and snacks with their families. Thank you to all the educators, leaders, and families that helped students achieve this outstanding accomplishment. We can’t wait to see what their futures bring.