Protecting Ancient Forests by Katheryn Krupa

While in Costa Rica this week, I visited an ancient Rainforest in Nosara.  This protected space was teeming with wildlife covered by a canopy of huge, ancient trees that were hundreds of years old according to our guide (one was over 600!).  I was reminded of America's redwoods and giant sequoias.  These massive trees are protected and it is illegal to cut them down, but only within the ecological preserve.  As we rode along on our horses, we heard the strange, haunting howls of howler monkeys, beautiful bird songs, and saw multi colored lizards and iguanas, red and black crabs, butterflies and trees with huge, emerald green leaves.  After our horseback ride through the forest, we left the preserve and I thought I could hear the distant sound of chainsaws.  As we came around a sharp bend, the dense forest opened up and I saw row upon row of hundred year old trees that had just been logged, lining the road.  Sadly, they would never grow into the giants we had just encountered.  Our code of life must include caring for our earth.  Our treatment of the environment around us MUST change, before we lose the beautiful, incredible diversity of plants and animals we have been lucky enough to enjoy.  I am reminded of a song by Crosby, Stills and Nash...

You who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past is just a good-bye.
Teach your children well,
Their father's hell did slowly go by,  
and feed them on your dreams
the one they pick
the one you'll know by...