Ancient Roots to Sustainable Futures

I've traveled with Ecothropic to Chiapas. The
program enriched my understanding and left me contemplating the multi-faceted impact of climate-change and the approaches needed for communities to adapt and thrive. While visiting a coffee farm, the farmers shared how they had formed a co-op, engaged with fair trade buyers to sell their coffee, and diversified their crops, all while meeting social challenges in their community. From the city markets to the farms and from the coast, along the river, and in the jungle, we met people from different communities who shared their perspective, experience, and knowledge.

This trip with Ecothropic gives students the opportunity to see conceptual changes to the environment and culture applied to real people and their livelihoods. The concepts of watershed management and community based solutions are embodied in the people and experiences that Ecothropic connects students with. Whether that be learning about the history of a city through a scavenger hunt or taking a canoe ride with a local indigenous leader and hearing stories on the lake of their ancestors. I got to speak with local leaders and especially local indigenous and female leaders of their communities which was especially rewarding. The relationship that Britt has with each of the community members showcases the respect they have for each other which is incredibly gratifying.