DAY 2: Bee Monitoring, Agroforestry, and Understanding Biodiversity in Costa Rica
Bee Monitoring, Agroforestry, and Understanding Biodiversity in Costa Rica by Lea Buena
Day two began with an optional early-morning walk to the Hummingbird Café, just a short distance from our lodging inside the Monteverde Biological Reserve. A few of us were hoping to grab coffee, but the café wasn’t open yet. We lingered near the feeders, watching the handful of hummingbirds that drifted in. With no food set out, they were sparse, but even so, the flashes of iridescent green and violet in the soft light still felt magical. We stood patiently—snapping plenty of photos before beginning our own routines.
After breakfast, we packed up for our first full research day. With snake gaiters strapped on, we paused for a quick group photo. Alex drove us to the site, where we met Sergio, one of our local partners. Our team was divided into three smaller groups led by Franny, Evie, and Sergio. I joined Evie’s group with Susan, Joann, and Chris.
We spent the morning visiting two bee-monitoring plots. At our first site, we successfully collected bees from banana flowers—small but meaningful progress. The second plot was quiet; the wind had picked up, and bee activity was noticeably absent. That’s fieldwork: sometimes you collect valuable data, and sometimes what you record is absence. Both are equally important in long-term monitoring. What made the experience even more enriching was learning the proper techniques—catching bees with nets, transferring them into jars with acetone, labeling them, and preserving them in alcohol vials. It was meticulous, hands-on work that felt both purposeful and rewarding.The forest around us was stunning. Even without bees, the surroundings were alive with movement, sound, and texture—layers of green, the distant calls of birds, and the rich scent of the forest floor. A lighthearted moment came from the friendly competition between groups over who collected the most—and the prettiest—bees.
This fieldwork is part of a larger Earthwatch expedition in collaboration with Dr. Valerie Peters, whose research focuses on how land use, farming practices, and climate change affect pollinator diversity in Costa Rica. With over a decade of experience in the region, Dr. Peters’s long-term ecological studies are closely tied to local efforts that promote sustainable agriculture and protect native ecosystems. As Earthwatch volunteers, we help collect data on bee activity across various habitats—work that supports both scientific research and practical, community-driven conservation solutions.
Many of us had hoped to meet Dr. Peters in person, but even in her absence, we’re grateful to be here carrying out the work she’s built. Having Franny, Evie, Sergio, and the rest of the team guiding us through the process has been both reassuring and inspiring. Their knowledge, patience, and dedication help bring the research to life in the field.By lunchtime, the skies had shifted. Rain arrived and canceled our plans to visit a third plot. Instead, we took a short trip to Santa Elena to gather supplies and enjoy some well-earned downtime over coffee (finally!) and pastries. After a productive and educational morning, the break was welcome.
Later in the afternoon, we visited Café Bella Tica, a small organic coffee farm owned and managed by Oldemar and his wife. With Danilsa translating, Oldemar guided us through each step of the process—harvesting coffee cherries, drying them, dehusking, roasting, and grinding. Each part of the process is influenced by climate, land conditions, and the shifting rhythms of the seasons.
As we toured the farm, we saw agroforestry in action: coffee plants interspersed with banana, citrus, and native trees created a diverse and resilient environment that supports pollinators, improves soil health, and adapts to climate variability. A particularly moving moment came when Oldemar showed us a coffee tree that had once produced for many years but had stopped due to a fungal infection—likely caused by changing temperatures and rainfall patterns. His voice softened as he explained its significance. That tree had provided for his family, and its loss was both emotional and economic. It was a quiet but powerful reminder that climate change isn’t abstract—it’s something people experience every day.During the tour, Joann asked whether he had adopted any of the techniques developed by the Peters Lab. Oldemar nodded, explaining that they had begun using companion planting strategies—introducing species that attract pollinators and help replenish soil nutrients. He also shared that he had been taking classes to learn more about sustainable agricultural practices. It was encouraging to see science and traditional knowledge working together—research being applied in tangible, real-world ways.
Back at the station, we gathered for dinner followed by our evening debrief and presentation. Danilsa led a reflection on the day’s experiences—what we observed, what surprised us, and what we were still curious about. These moments of listening and sharing have quickly become some of the most meaningful parts of this experience—even for an introvert like me.
We closed the evening with a presentation by Dr. Fabricio Camacho, Director of the Monteverde Biological Reserve and a key Earthwatch collaborator. He offered a wide-lens perspective on Costa Rica’s ecosystems, including cloud forests, biodiversity corridors, and pollinator habitats. He spoke candidly about the region’s environmental challenges, such as deforestation, shifting rainfall patterns, and development pressures, while emphasizing the importance of education, long-term conservation, and community engagement.
Dr. Camacho’s personal story added depth to his message. He shared how his family inspired his passion for conservation and how that led him to the work he does today. His dedication was evident, and his presentation sparked thoughtful questions from the group—questions he answered with patience and sincerity. He’s a passionate environmental advocate and someone many of us walked away admiring deeply.
It was a full day of learning, observation, and connection—from moments with hummingbirds to hands-on bee collection, from one farmer’s quiet resilience to the broader efforts to protect Costa Rica’s ecosystems. It’s one thing to study data on pollinators. It’s another to hold one gently in your hand, to listen to a farmer mourn a silent tree, or to hear a scientist remind you that ecosystems are relationships. I’m ending the day with dirty shoes, a brimming notebook, and a deeper sense of purpose for the days still ahead.
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