Many of your have followed our exciting development of La MICA Biological Station in central Panama from the ground up with limited funding exclusively from small donations from people like you. Also, some of you are aware that I have a severe visual disability that has greatly reduced my central vision. A lot of people have worked hard to give me the opportunity to study in the tropics. I feel that the tropics are something that everyone should experience, if only for a week or two, whether as a student, researcher, or general tourist. Obviously many people with a variety of disabilities are limited in their adventures because of logistics and a lack of facilities/opportunities. I have been investigating and exploring the idea of constructing lodging in association with La MICA Biological Station (although located off our current campus to allow vehicle access) that would facilitate people with a variety of physical disabilities. I also envision constructing an interactive trail within the local forest that would be handicap assessable. Although an experience for a disabled person may be limited, it would still be amazing and allow so many others to explore the diversity of the tropics. We then would develop programs to assist our visitors in exploring the local environment. I envision this experience being available for foreign visitors, but also for a number of local Panamanians, mainly children, who have physical disabilities and are typically left behind when their school class visits the national park. I am seeking suggestions on anything related to this topic, including feasibility for any physical disability and associated available equipment/accommodations, interest in partaking in such a project, and ideas for potential funding sources to help us in the development of the project. I realize that this may be a challenge, but I feel strongly about developing this project and welcome any and all suggestions. To find out more about La MICA Biological Station please visit www.lamica.org. Thank you. Julie
Julie M. Ray, MSc, PhD Director La MICA Biological Station La Montaña para Investigación y Conservación Ambiental El Cope-La Pintada. Provincia de Cocle. Republica de Panama Amigos Support La MICA. c/o Julie Ray, 12458 132nd Street, Chippewa Fall,s WI 54729 Fundación Centro de Investigación Biológica El Copé, S.A. (Panama) telephone: 011-507-6707-8900 www.lamica.org [email protected] Amigos Support La MICA is a project of International Humanities Center, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
