After Hurricane Maria tore through Puerto Rico last September, the rainforests of the island were devastated.
This week, a group of Niagara University students have been working to reestablish La Casas de la Selva, a sustainable forestry project that is a key to the recovery of this critical ecological treasure.
Working under very difficult conditions – no electricity or running water and swarms of insects – NU students Erin Clark, Katie Brunette and Jonathon Borek, along with Ed Hutton, associate professor of finance and economics, are clearing trails and building drainage systems to help this project re-open.
The trip is sponsored by Bienvenidos, NU’s Spanish club, Campus Ministry, Multicultural Affairs, the Niagara University Student Government Association, the College of Arts and Sciences, the department of modern and classical languages, and the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
The team returns Friday, with plans for doing laundry, taking hot showers and enjoying ice cream!