Las Nubes Project

As part of the Educating for a Sustainable Future course, led by Professor Steve Alsop, the group had the opportunity to visit and take part in a meaningful learning experience with Cindy Vargas and Luis Carrera.

The visit provided valuable insights into how land conservation is closely connected to the protection of traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, and community-based initiatives. Through shared experiences, participants reflected on the importance of preserving cultural memory, valuing knowledge passed down through generations, and recognizing the vital role that communities play in biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Cindy, Luis, and the entire Camino de la Semilla community for their warm welcome and generosity in sharing their knowledge. These exchanges deepen our understanding of sustainability and remind us that the most meaningful learning comes through listening, respect, and dialogue among diverse ways of knowing.

As part of the Educating for a Sustainable Future course, led by Professor Steve Alsop, York University students visited Liceo Rural Yeri, where they were welcomed by Principal Yansel Acuña Torres and the school's teaching staff. The visit provided an opportunity to better understand the educational context of Salitre and to reflect on how the dedication of students, teachers, and families overcomes the challenges of distance and access to education. This meaningful exchange reaffirmed the value of learning from one another and the role of education as a powerful force for transforming communities.

Why restore coral reefs?

As part of the courses The Politics of Water in Costa Rica and Latin America, led by Professor Carlota McAllister, and Conservation and Development for Social-Environmental Sustainability and Wellbeing, led by Professor Felipe Montoya, students visited Costa Rica Coral Restoration in Marino Ballena National Park.

Welcomed by James George, Laboratory Director, students gained insight into a coral restoration program grounded in applied science, fieldwork, and long-term monitoring, all aimed at supporting the recovery of coral reefs in the face of increasing pressures on marine ecosystems.

Coral reefs are increasingly threatened by rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and other human-induced impacts. In this context, restoration does not replace conservation; rather, it complements it by helping degraded ecosystems recover and regain their ecological functions.

The restoration process includes cultivating coral fragments in underwater nurseries, transplanting them to degraded reef areas, and monitoring their growth and survival over time.

Although coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, they support an estimated 25% of all marine species. They provide essential habitat, help protect coastlines from erosion and wave action, and support the livelihoods of many coastal communities.

Understanding these processes allows students to appreciate the complexity of ecological restoration and its role within broader marine conservation strategies.

Our sincere thanks to James George and the for sharing their expertise and commitment with our students.

As part of the courses Nature, Neoliberalism, Political Ecology: The Politics of Water in Costa Rica and Latin America, led by Professor Carlota McAllister and Conservation and Development for Social-Environmental Sustainability and Wellbeing, led by Professor Felipe Montoya, students visited the farm of Marvin Arias , one of the pioneers in Santa Elena in promoting a diversified agriculture model.

Through his experience, students learned how a farm can become a space where food production, biodiversity conservation, water management, and rural family wellbeing are interconnected. The visit opened a space for reflection on the challenges and opportunities faced by farming communities, as well as the role of producers in shaping more sustainable and resilient landscapes.

Experiences like this show that some of the most meaningful lessons on sustainability, conservation, and development come from local knowledge and from those who have dedicated their lives to working the land.