On January 22^nd, 2016 the Stanford Environmental Leadership and Language (SELAL) program celebrated the graduation of its third cohort of youth leaders from the Professional and Technical High School in Puerto Jimenez (CTP Puerto Jimenez). A total of 23 eleventh and twelfth grade students participated in the two-week, intensive program of hands-on activities, workshops, hikes, in-class lessons, and local business tours. As in past programs (SELAL I and SELAL II), throughout the experience students met and interacted daily with different environmental, sustainability, and local business leaders on the Peninsula. As originally requested by local businesses, the CTP Puerto Jimenez, and local families and students, SELAL continues to prepare youth in the region for real-world employment opportunities in the local “green” economy. The program consists of exposure to community mentors, sustainability and conservation education via a Stanford-designed environmental education curriculum, and immersion in English to increase confidence.

Over the 11-day SELAL III program, students participated in 13 hands-on workshops and tours with community leaders. These local leaders included (in order of event): Osa Wild, local naturalist guide Alberto Herrera, three workshops with Lapa Rios Eco Lodge, Danta Corcovado Lodge, SINAC-ACOSA, Luna Lodge, Bodhi Surf, the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), Iguana Lodge, a visit to the public SINAC-ACOSA Arboretum in Bahia Chal, and Finca Kobo. Many of the activities included academic and professional skills that not only prepared students to critically engage with their local community and environment, but motivated them to step outside of their “comfort zones” to envision being a part of creating positive change for the southern region.

As always, we would like to truly thank the entire administration at the CTP Puerto Jimenez for inviting us to work alongside them, their students, and community members. In SELAL, we constantly remind ourselves that we are guests in the community, and without their support we would not be there nor have achieved nearly as much success. It should not go without mentioning, as well, our continued and sincere appreciation of all individuals, businesses, and public and private organizations that donate their time, resources, and passion to local high school students. It is for these students that we all work together.

If you have any questions about the Stanford Environmental Leadership and Language (SELAL) program, or would like to get involved, please feel free to reach out to Austin Cruz (austincr@stanford.edu), Travis Bays (tjbays@gmail.com), or Emily Arnold Mest (ebarnold@stanford.edu).