THE ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES - - - LA SELVA

I had given you some visuals of the area my wife and I will be staying in when we are in the Tortuguero area of Costa Rica, in just a couple short weeks. Another place we will be spending time at is LA SELVA. This is one of the three biological stations in Costa Rica that are run by the ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES. This group is a consortium of Universities and other groups, centered at Duke University. They perform all sorts of research in environmental issues relating to tropical rain forests. It's a fascinating place! The tours you take with a naturalist are simply amazing, as they point out flora and fauna unique to the area that you would have walked right by, had you been on your own. For example, La Selva is home to over 70 different species of BATS many of which roost hidden under large plant leaves during the day, come out and aid in cross-pollination of plants at night. My wife and I simply loved it when we were there a few years ago. You can actually sign up for classes and extended periods of stay where you can help the scientists in their research. Mary would like to do that in her retirement (which begins in 2 months, 27 days, & 13 hours!).

Check it out at: www.ots.ac.cr/en/laselva/