I wanted to share a conservation and student-oriented success story with everyone. Many of you have been following the progress of the development of La MICA Biological Station and know that I have been the driving force behind the fundraising for the project. We are currently working to raise US$3500 to build a student dormitory, which will open up all sorts of opportunities for our future young visitors. As of yesterday morning we were about $1000 short of our goal. I was given the opportunity to speak to 3 classes (non-majors introductory biology, evolution, conservation biology) yesterday at Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Virginia, USA), where I have just completed my PhD. The professors challenged their students each to donate a dollar or two to the cause and one professor offered to match what her non-majors course (about 300 students) donated. Through the spare change and dollar bills, we raised over $275 (with one non-major donating $50!). Throughout the day others (including those without cash during class) donated on-line through our nonprofit organization, with donations ranging from $3 to $100 and averaging just $35. By the end of the day we had raised $1269.33 and of course surpassed our cost estimate for the student dormitory!! In a time when we are met with economic despair, many troubled students, and little good news in the light of conservation, I am proud to see students stepping up and getting excited about a project located in Panama and helping local people they have never met. Furthermore, I think this proves that many projects can make a difference through very small amounts of money donated by (extra)ordinary students (of all ages) and their professors. Obviously we have a long way to go in so many conservation efforts, including La MICA Biological Station, but it is not hopeless. It just will take dedication and a lot of heart. If anyone is interested in getting their class or organization involved with La MICA Biological Station or in obtaining information on opportunities for students, visit www.lamica.org or please feel free to email me at la.m...@yahoo.com. THANK YOU to everyone who is helping to make a difference for La MICA Biological Station and all of the other amazing projects around the world! THANK YOU! Julie
Julie M. Ray, MSc, PhD Director La MICA Biological Station La Montaña para Investigación y Conservación Ambiental El Cope-La Pintada. Provincia de Cocle. Republica de Panama Amigos Support La MICA. c/o Brett McMillan. McDaniel College. 2 College Hill. Westminster, MD 21157 Fundación Centro de Investigación Biológica El Copé, S.A. (Panama) www.lamica.org la.m...@yahoo.com Amigos Support La MICA is a project of International Humanities Center, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
