Faculty Advisor
Plummer, Jeanine D.
Faculty Advisor
Skorinko, Jeanine
Center
Costa Rica
Sponsor
Konrad Sauter, CEO of Berlitz Language Center
Abstract
The Mala Noche River Estuary in Playa Samara, Costa Rica has been damaged from sediment accumulation and contamination. This damage has affected the estuary, the mangrove forest, and the aquifer that provides drinking water for the community. We surveyed and interviewed community members to assess community awareness of the importance of the estuary and problems in the estuary. Results showed that residents are not fully aware of the negative effects of sediment accumulation on the ecosystem and their water supply. Thus, we developed an environmental education program for local schools to help increase awareness of these issues. The hope is that increasing awareness of the importance of the estuary will encourage the community to support future estuary restoration efforts.
Publisher
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date Accepted
December 2011
Project Type
Interactive Qualifying Project
Copyright Statement
All authors have granted to WPI a nonexclusive royalty-free license to distribute copies of the work, subject to other agreements. Copyright is held by the author or authors, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.
Accessibility
Unrestricted
Advisor Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Advisor Department
Social Science and Policy Studies
Project Center
Costa Rica