August 2, 2010

Weekly Update—Cultural Excursion to Ebano Verde

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The InteRDom Summer 2010 interns went on their first environmental excursion of the summer on Saturday, July 31, to the Ebano Verde scientific reserve outside of the town of Constanza in the central region of the country.  The ebano verde is an endangered species of tree native to the Dominican Republic.   Found in the cooler, mountainous regions, it is one of the many rare plants that the interns had the opportunity to learn about on the 7-kilometer hike through the cloud forest of the scientific reservation.  The guide pointed out many other species of plants, insects, amphibians and trees, including one of the only carnivorous plants native to the Dominican Republic.

After the hike, the interns shared a typical Dominican meal from the region before embarking on a bus tour of the valley and town of Constanza.  Constanza is noted for having the coolest temperatures in all of the Dominican Republic, which in the winter can get down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.    Because of the climate, many different fruits and vegetables which normally do not grow in tropical climates are harvested there, making it a very diverse agricultural region.   The students were impressed by the breathtaking views, the change in climate and the exposure to the many rare and important environmental gems of the Dominican Republic.

Check out the photographs of the trip in the gallery below.

Weekly Update—Cultural Excursion to Ebano Verde

Weekly Update—Cultural Excursion to Ebano Verde

Weekly Update—Cultural Excursion to Ebano Verde

Weekly Update—Cultural Excursion to Ebano Verde