PARA LA TIERRA 2010

How can you inspire hope, increase the survival rate of migrating songbirds, help teenagers, support local farmers, nurture creativity, and conserve rainforest while having fun? On September 10-12, we offered a weekend of events that did just that. It was awesome!

The Beauty for the Bellbirds kicked-off the weekend to benefit our Bosque para Siempre project. On Friday evening until dark and Saturday morning, we held a sidewalk chalk-drawing extravaganza on the sidewalks of Woodstock Village, Vermont! People of all ages and artistic abilities and talents were invited to draw artwork that reflected the importance of conservation for our and future generations, and the magnificence of the environment.  The drawings were incredible! Migrating birds, our peaceful planet, a flower-covered guitar, storks in a mountain lake, wilderness scenes and flowers, a three-wattled bellbird in frangipani, and more.

Bonk for the Bellbirds on Saturday and Sunday featured a display of our hand-made items, local food, and youth art to celebrate the creativity,

commitment to stewardship, and multi-generational and supportive spirit of our local and global communities. We set up our booth at the Woodstock Arts Festival on the Woodstock Green and served coffee  – grown in Monteverde. Lots of people!

Our annual para la Tierra dinner was on Sunday evening at the new, beautiful venue at Cloudland Farm in North Pomfret, generously hosted by owners Cathy and Bill Emmons. The views from the porch and dining room were lovely. Executive Chef Jason Merrill of the Hanover Inn offered a fabulous five-course dinner with a focus on local farm-raised food, and Chef Nick Mahood of Cloudland Farm created a stupendous dessert. Local band Artificial Avenue provided live music. The evening included a silent auction with trips, hand-crafted jewelry and other items, art, many pieces from Costa Rica, and more. We premiered the latest edition of our presentation RARE: Research, Action, Results, and the Environment. Reservations were $100 per person, and we were completely sold out and had a waiting list! The evening was lively and lovely, and guests lingered until late.

We are still receiving donations for this year’s para la Tierra. At the end of the weekend, we’d raised over $12,000 for habitat purchase and reforestation in Bosque para Siempre! Click the link to make a donation.

Check out our photo gallery!