Although most of CELL´s field trips and service-learning experiences take place within sustainable communities, during the course of our semester program, we also vist a variety of natural areas such as: volcanoes, cloud forests, coastal beaches, and rain forests. This week we visited Parque Nacional La Tigra, a cloud forest 
near Tegucigalpa (the capital city of Honduras) and a sustainable honey cooperative in San Lucia.This is the summer season in Honduras, and most places we have visited
have been hot and dry with temperatures ranging from the mid 80s to lower 90s. It was so refreshing to visit the moist, dense mountain forest wi
th towering trees covered with ubiquitous vines and mosses and tropical ferns and lush plants covering the forest floor. The forest was magical. We spent half a day hiking along trails snaking their way through some of the most biodiverse habitat in the world. Although the cloud forests of Costa Rica and Guatamala receive more publicity, Honduras has conserved considerably more virgin cloud forest than either of these countries.
have been hot and dry with temperatures ranging from the mid 80s to lower 90s. It was so refreshing to visit the moist, dense mountain forest wi
th towering trees covered with ubiquitous vines and mosses and tropical ferns and lush plants covering the forest floor. The forest was magical. We spent half a day hiking along trails snaking their way through some of the most biodiverse habitat in the world. Although the cloud forests of Costa Rica and Guatamala receive more publicity, Honduras has conserved considerably more virgin cloud forest than either of these countries. Parque Nacional La Tigra is probably the most visited cloud forest in Hondu
ras because of its closeness to the city of Tegucigalpa. The cloud forest in La Tigra is not the most prestine, having been logged earlier in the 20th 
century, but a sizeable dense forest has returned along with 200 species of birds, a variety of mammals, and a rich variety of reptiles and insects. I couldn´t help but marvel how fast, when given a chance, nature will heal herself and re-create a rich biodiverse balance of life.
ras because of its closeness to the city of Tegucigalpa. The cloud forest in La Tigra is not the most prestine, having been logged earlier in the 20th 
century, but a sizeable dense forest has returned along with 200 species of birds, a variety of mammals, and a rich variety of reptiles and insects. I couldn´t help but marvel how fast, when given a chance, nature will heal herself and re-create a rich biodiverse balance of life.As we walked along the trails, we saw large six-foot-diameter tree trunks partially decaying, forming new soil - the placenta of life for a new generation of trees, tropical plants, insects, and a variety of animals that call this national park home. Walking through this cloud forest gave me a sense of wonder about the incredible diversity of life with which we share this planet. I could see so clearly how everything in this forest was interconnected and 
interdependent. I was reminded of what John Muir said; ¨When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.¨ I was filled with a desire to learn more about the diversity of life on our planet and to live a life that respects the rights of all species to coexist with us.
interdependent. I was reminded of what John Muir said; ¨When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.¨ I was filled with a desire to learn more about the diversity of life on our planet and to live a life that respects the rights of all species to coexist with us.After our trek in the cloud forest, we visited Concepcion, a Hondur
an artist and farmer who is president of a bee association promoting sustainable honey production. Heifer International has helped fund micro-businesses that help local farmers to establish honey production operati
ons using stingless and African bees. Promotion of these small micro-businesses has grown into an association of over 20 local honey harvesters in the beautiful town of San Lucia. The honey produced is used for personal consumption, for sale in local markets, and for sale for tourists. The income from the sale of honey helps supplement farmers´income with an environmentally and economically sustainable product. The stingless bees were particularly interesting: much smaller and easier to work with than traditional bees. We got to open up the bee box and watch their honey-making operation up close and personal. This project is one small example of how Heifer International is building the capacity of local people to help themselves - to achieve economic sustainablity in a way that is also good for the environment.
an artist and farmer who is president of a bee association promoting sustainable honey production. Heifer International has helped fund micro-businesses that help local farmers to establish honey production operati
ons using stingless and African bees. Promotion of these small micro-businesses has grown into an association of over 20 local honey harvesters in the beautiful town of San Lucia. The honey produced is used for personal consumption, for sale in local markets, and for sale for tourists. The income from the sale of honey helps supplement farmers´income with an environmentally and economically sustainable product. The stingless bees were particularly interesting: much smaller and easier to work with than traditional bees. We got to open up the bee box and watch their honey-making operation up close and personal. This project is one small example of how Heifer International is building the capacity of local people to help themselves - to achieve economic sustainablity in a way that is also good for the environment. Dana: We visited a town called Conception de Maria and were fo
rtunate enough to help with a project building a well. While working, someone said that the community had been digging the well for 8 years. EIGHT YEARS!!! I looked at a boy standing beside me and realized that this project had been happening his whole life. Now that´s perspective! Those 8 years would not have been possible if it weren´t for all the people in the community helping each other. With loved ones, nothing is impossible.That day I realized this: Strength through love is the essence of sustainability through community.
rtunate enough to help with a project building a well. While working, someone said that the community had been digging the well for 8 years. EIGHT YEARS!!! I looked at a boy standing beside me and realized that this project had been happening his whole life. Now that´s perspective! Those 8 years would not have been possible if it weren´t for all the people in the community helping each other. With loved ones, nothing is impossible.That day I realized this: Strength through love is the essence of sustainability through community.
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