Talamanca Interactive Education Experiences is a Canadian based social enterprise that makes nature your classroom. We operate out of the beautiful Talamanca mountains in Costa Rica, partnering with local tourism entrepreneurs who are trying to make a living for themselves and their families through ecotourism. Through engaging student travelers on environmental, social and economic themes, we strive to not only strengthen the local economy but inspire tomorrow's leaders to be environmentally and socially conscious consumers and citizens.
As a new social enterprise venture, we are seeking out support to help us raise start-up funds to spread the word.
We are two young Canadians, Allison and Heather, who live and work in Turrialba, an agricultural region that is not known for the booming eco-tourism like other parts of the country. We fell in love with the region for its mountains, beautiful rivers, friendly people and authentic Costa Rican lifestyle. But we saw the challenges the region was having too, environmentally, socially and economically. Families with incomes based solely on agriculture are struggling, and the most innovative are trying to turn to tourism as a solution. At the same time, eco-tourism companies are struggling due to a lack of promotion of the region and limited marketing experience, and as result are at risk of failing.
What is Talamanca Experiences all about?
We saw that bringing the right kind of tourism to the area could make a meaningful and positive impact to the region. At the same time, providing some basic business coaching could help entrepreneurs stand on their own two feet.
Talamanca was built as a means to build the capacities of rural entrepreneurs, create a network amongst local partners, to share information and advice and promote their offerings to Canadian high schools and universities.
So far, we have brought together a group of extremely passionate, innovative and environmentally conscious rural entrepreneurs, who got engaged in tourism to help diversify their incomes while living in harmony with nature. Together, over a series of workshops, we have designed Sustainability Strategy Plans and helped strengthen each business through advice and development with the network's synergies in mind.
Why students? Students are the government employees, business people, lawyers, foresters and consumers of tomorrow. We believe that education is key to building a more informed, conscious and sustainable global society, so our trips are dedicated to providing students at the high school and university levels with practical experiences based on the same curriculum they are learning in school. We put put textbook theory into field practice. We believe that this type of interactive learning, combined with a new culture and exciting confidence-building experiences inspires students to change the way they see the world and their place in it.
How to Contribute:
- Purchase a beautiful artisanal product from our campaign for yourself or to give as a gift. Included will be a story about the product and its maker.
- Share our page with your family, friends, and colleagues.
Your generous contribution to the campaign will pay a fair price to the local Costa Rica producers and artisans, with the remaining going towards marketing to reach out more students and schools and design more educational experiences.
Finally, each group that comes on a trip with us helps rais funds to put towards specific community sustainability projects identified with our partners, local Universities, local government and NGO groups. For example, sewage and used water treatment, green energy projects, capacity building for entrepreneurs, English skills and resume building.
We welcome your comments and feedback, introductions and ideas. Reach us at info@talamancaexperiences.com, like us on Facebook or Linkedin, follow us on Twitter and visit our site www.talamancaexperiences.com
Perks
- 1 claimed
With your contribution, you will receive a 250g bag of Café Aromas coffee. This coffee was cultivated, hand-picked, sun-dried, roasted and packaged by the Gamboa family. This delicious coffee is grown at 900-1300 meters above sea level, on a small farm on the mountain slopes of El Humo, in the central province of Cartago Costa Rica. Señor Ramiro started this family business in 2012 in order to add-value to the coffee grown on the farm, and now buys coffee from 20 other families in the region. He is still involved in each step of production, and as the business grows, his children, brothers and sister-in-laws are all included in the production, marketing, sales and administration of the business. The coffee has an intense aroma and almond notes. It is available in a light, medium and dark roast, either whole beans or ground.
- 1 claimed
Organic sugar with your Fairtrade coffee? Enjoy a morning cup of Fairtrade & Organic Coffee from Café Naturalba with a spoonful of Azukar organic sugarcane. Both products are produced by the Turrialba Organic and Sustainable Producers Association (APOYA, which means "to help" or "support" in Spanish). Feel good about your morning cup!
- 0 claimed
Costa Rica and Canada share many things in common, one being the bright, beautiful butterflies that call each country home. Costa Rica is home to over 1,200 species of butterflies, one of the most beautiful being the Blue Morpho, palm sized and bright blue, these majestic insects are found along the banks of rivers and streams. In Canada of course it is the stunning Monarch, who makes a 3000km journey every year from to Mexico. In our 'save the butterflies' box, you will receive stunning handmade jewelry, made from the wings of butterflies at the end of their lifecycle. This jewelry is made by local a sustainable family-run business that exports butterflies. You will also receive photos of these stunning and delicate insects, as well as seeds for Milkweed and ornamental flowers indigenous to Canada, to plant in your garden to help preserve the Monarch population by creating much needed habitat for the Monarch larvae. Help save our beautiful butterflies!
- 0 claimed
A stunning photobook of images taken in the Talamanca mountains, Caribbean and Pacific coasts, including flora, fauna and landscapes. All of the photos have been taken by a local photographer or ourselves, as we explore this beautiful and diverse tropical paradise. Perfect for anyone who has visited or would like to visit Costa Rica.
- 0 claimed
Don Orlando lives in a small pueblo outside of the town of Turrialba, and has been working with wood for more than 20 years. He carves custom pieces and makes beautiful furniture from local wood and fallen trees in the forest. We've included a few examples of his work. Each piece is carved for the donor, based on your generous donation.
- 0 claimed
Select from a variety photos taken by a young and local Turrialba photographer. The mounted print requires no framing, and will be delivered. Wonderful to hang in your home or to gift to someone. Size 16x20. Once you make your contribution we will send you a selection of photos so you are able to choose your favourite!
- 0 claimed
Receive two bags of freshly roasted Costa Rican coffee per month for a year! Try a variety of blends and roasts from our local partners, Café Naturalba and Café Aromas. Café Naturalba is a cooperative of 34 families in the Turrialba region, and form a apart of the Organic and Sustainable Producers Association. They offer a Fairtrade Organic certified coffee, as well as a sustainable and several special roasts (depending on the time of year!). Café Aromas is a family run business that takes pride in the entire coffee production process, from growing to packaging! With your coffee every month you will receive a letter, highlighting the stories of the local coffee producers and information about their farms, the Turrialba area and how your contribution is making a difference to their livelihoods!
Highlights
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- 1 claimed
With your contribution, you will receive a 250g bag of Café Aromas coffee. This coffee was cultivated, hand-picked, sun-dried, roasted and packaged by the Gamboa family. This delicious coffee is grown at 900-1300 meters above sea level, on a small farm on the mountain slopes of El Humo, in the central province of Cartago Costa Rica. Señor Ramiro started this family business in 2012 in order to add-value to the coffee grown on the farm, and now buys coffee from 20 other families in the region. He is still involved in each step of production, and as the business grows, his children, brothers and sister-in-laws are all included in the production, marketing, sales and administration of the business. The coffee has an intense aroma and almond notes. It is available in a light, medium and dark roast, either whole beans or ground.
- 1 claimed
Organic sugar with your Fairtrade coffee? Enjoy a morning cup of Fairtrade & Organic Coffee from Café Naturalba with a spoonful of Azukar organic sugarcane. Both products are produced by the Turrialba Organic and Sustainable Producers Association (APOYA, which means "to help" or "support" in Spanish). Feel good about your morning cup!
- 0 claimed
Costa Rica and Canada share many things in common, one being the bright, beautiful butterflies that call each country home. Costa Rica is home to over 1,200 species of butterflies, one of the most beautiful being the Blue Morpho, palm sized and bright blue, these majestic insects are found along the banks of rivers and streams. In Canada of course it is the stunning Monarch, who makes a 3000km journey every year from to Mexico. In our 'save the butterflies' box, you will receive stunning handmade jewelry, made from the wings of butterflies at the end of their lifecycle. This jewelry is made by local a sustainable family-run business that exports butterflies. You will also receive photos of these stunning and delicate insects, as well as seeds for Milkweed and ornamental flowers indigenous to Canada, to plant in your garden to help preserve the Monarch population by creating much needed habitat for the Monarch larvae. Help save our beautiful butterflies!
- 0 claimed
A stunning photobook of images taken in the Talamanca mountains, Caribbean and Pacific coasts, including flora, fauna and landscapes. All of the photos have been taken by a local photographer or ourselves, as we explore this beautiful and diverse tropical paradise. Perfect for anyone who has visited or would like to visit Costa Rica.
- 0 claimed
Don Orlando lives in a small pueblo outside of the town of Turrialba, and has been working with wood for more than 20 years. He carves custom pieces and makes beautiful furniture from local wood and fallen trees in the forest. We've included a few examples of his work. Each piece is carved for the donor, based on your generous donation.
- 0 claimed
Select from a variety photos taken by a young and local Turrialba photographer. The mounted print requires no framing, and will be delivered. Wonderful to hang in your home or to gift to someone. Size 16x20. Once you make your contribution we will send you a selection of photos so you are able to choose your favourite!
- 0 claimed
Receive two bags of freshly roasted Costa Rican coffee per month for a year! Try a variety of blends and roasts from our local partners, Café Naturalba and Café Aromas. Café Naturalba is a cooperative of 34 families in the Turrialba region, and form a apart of the Organic and Sustainable Producers Association. They offer a Fairtrade Organic certified coffee, as well as a sustainable and several special roasts (depending on the time of year!). Café Aromas is a family run business that takes pride in the entire coffee production process, from growing to packaging! With your coffee every month you will receive a letter, highlighting the stories of the local coffee producers and information about their farms, the Turrialba area and how your contribution is making a difference to their livelihoods!
