 Ruben Nuñez (lower right) and students on a field trip. Ruben teaches about the tapir's habitat, food plants and habits, and students learn how they can contribute to conservation of their native wildlife. |
1997
May 1997
Conferences given to the Riobamba police and to hundreds of students. A working model of the environment. The village of Runtun suggested as a buffer zone for Sangay National Park.
June 1997
Blue-green algae production for alternative incomes, reforestation and more talks to schools and communities. Tapir poaching in Rio Negro.
September 1997
Ruben's messages on Radio Baños result in an expenses-paid trip to assess damage and talk to inhabitants of a remote area. More conferences and lectures, and teaching of skills for ecologically-sound practices.
October 1997
Students go on an ecology hike, Ruben is interviewed on radio and deals with the result of illegal use of endangered orchids in Rio Negro, teaches farming, and continues to give lectures and conferences, including a 3-day conference given to police in the state of Tungurahua.
November 1997
Ruben lectures to about 2,800 people (mid-October to mid-November), organizes an ecology club and prepares for a trip into the Llanganates.
1998
February 1998
On March 3, 1998, Craig Downer reports from Baños on his and Ruben's work for February (posted on Tapir Talk March 22). This report details challenges of the project.