January 22, 2005 -- Members are selected for a variety of characteristics, including personal and professional abilities and geographical representation. The SCLC Board of Directors
consists of:
Amos Bien - President, Rara Avis Rainforest Lodge, Director of International Programs, The International Ecotourism Society, and Founding Member, Costa Rican Ecotourism Association
Christa Dillabaugh - Consultant, Environmental Education
Pamela Donovan - Director Communications & Marketing, Sweetbriar Nature Center
Martha Honey - Executive Director, The International Ecotourism Society
Andrea Holbrook - President, Holbrook Travel
Polly Margaret Hunt - Student Groups and Community Programs Coordinator, Hacienda Pozo Azul
William Rojas - President, The National Ecotourism Board (CANAECO)
Lidia Murillo Sanchez - Community Development Member, SCLC, and President, Indio Chorotega Ceramics
Paulo Valerio C. - Sales & Marketing Director, Best Adventure Travel
"As one of the founders of the SCLC, I feel that huge strides have been made by implementing this Board," said Andrea Holbrook, SCLC International Board President. "For over 10 years we
have been working on what Dr. Martha Honey, Director of the International Ecotourism Society and world-renowned expert on ecotourism and sustainable development, accurately terms as an
experiment - the process of finding innovative ways to integrate ecotourism, community development, and environmental education. This effort will benefit immensely from active board
members who are involved in guiding the Center and helping to obtain much needed resources. Through leadership and legal status, we will be able to better connect with local
institutions-an important goal for the Center."
"The new board will be a huge asset to the SCLC as we look to strengthen existing environmental and community programming and to expand into grassroots reforestation, water monitoring,
and sustainable micro-enterprise support," explains Greg Basco, Executive Director of SCLC. "Board members offer expertise in ecotourism, conservation, environmental education, public
relations, and the local community. The SCLC now is poised to make great strides in promoting a greener Sarapiqu region."
Since its inception in 1995, SCLC has focused its mission on linking local communities and conservation through education and ecotourism in the Sarapiqu region of Costa Rica. The Center
has become a resource for the Sarapiqu community by providing and coordinating activities that will both enhance education and support sustainable development in surrounding areas. For
additional information on SCLC and its programs, please visit the website at www.learningcentercostarica.org
Note to editors: Photos and Interviews Available Upon Request