EARTH Receives Two Ecological Blue Flag Awards

The Program awarded Blue Flags to 206 educational centers, 59 beaches, 33 communities and 10 protected areas.

On March 25 in Puntarenas, EARTH University received two Ecological Blue Flag awards; one in the “Inland Community” category and the other in “Protected Natural Area”.

While this is the first year “Protected Natural Area” has been included as an award category, this marks the third consecutive year that EARTH has received the maximum qualification of three stars (100% compliance) in the “Inland Community” category.

“These flags represent the entire University community’s commitment to our institution, which has worked constantly to promote environmental conservation and sustainable development”, stated EARTH’s provost, Daniel Sherrard.

To obtain these awards, EARTH implemented numerous projects such as: solid waste management; domestic wastewater management using efficient microorganisms; environmental education; reforestation along rivers and streams; and improved signage along roads and areas of interest.

EARTH’s General Administrator, Roger Ruiz; Coordinator of the Rational Use of Resources Program, Manrique Arguedas; and the Manager of the Academic Forest Plantation, Carlos Sandí, participated in the awards ceremony in Puntarenas. The event was presided over by the President of the Republic of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias and numerous Ecological Blue Flag Program authorities.

Vicente Fox Visits EARTH

From March 14-15, the former president of Mexico, Vicente Fox, and his wife Marta Sahagún, met at EARTH with the University’s friend and donor, Abraham Tanus.

President Fox learned about EARTH’s philosophy and projects to promote sustainability throughout the humid tropics, both through visits to different areas of the institution and a meeting with EARTH’s Provost, Dr. Daniel Sherrard.

As a result of his visit, Vicente Fox committed to donate two full scholarships for Mexican students and to return to EARTH with potential donors. He also expressed his desire to involve EARTH students and graduates in the Fox Center, a non-profit organization that aims to promote democracy in Mexico and Latin America by supporting comprehensive development and strengthening ethical values.

According to Fox, projects that the University has implemented successfully such as: rational use of resources; carbon neutrality; biodigestors; and reforestation, will be part of a model city project being developed by the Fox Center. Through discussions of these and other ideas, this visit established the basis for a mutually beneficial collaboration that will contribute to the sustainable development of the region.

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A Day Without Automobiles on Campusirst Phase of the PorFin Project a Success

On April 10, EARTH celebrated “A Day Without Automobiles”. By limiting the use of vehicles on campus, this activity aimed to promote physical activity in addition to contributing to helping the Earth breath easier.

As part of the event, the only vehicles allowed to circulate on campus were bicycles, public buses, and EARTH’s electric bus. Additionally, the National Electric Company (CNFL) lent the University a special bus to transport visitors between the main entrance and central campus.

“By celebrating a day without automobiles, we hoped to help raise awareness about the effects of the use of fossil fuels on the environment, and also support the use of alternative modes of transportation that minimize carbon dioxide emissions. Through these kinds of activities, we reaffirm our commitment to social and environmental awareness”, said Provost, Dr. Daniel Sherrard.

During the day, team leaders and faculty members held “10 Minutes for the Environment” sessions, during which they gave advice to students and staff about how they can help to reduce the impact campus operations has on the environment by making adjustments in their daily activities. Partnering businesses also gave presentations on alternative energy options.

This initiative represents one aspect of the University’s overall effort to promote sustainability through a variety of activities such as: reforestation; rational use of resources; and research. Together, these programs enabled EARTH to declare itself carbon neutral in July 2007.