Tracing Darwin's Path Essay

Submitted By Margaretau
Words: 2172
Pages: 9

Omora Ethnobotanical Park is located on Puerto Williams Island at the very southern tip of Chile. The park is neighbor to a small town. The towns interests are mainly tourism and government projects. The people that live here are a mix of government employees, locals, transplants, and indigenous peoples. Omora is known to be one of the most pristine areas of the world. It is home to some of the cleanest water in the world, supplied from the humble Robalo River. The Robalo River supplies Puerto Williams with its drinking water. The river forms high up in the Dientes de Navarino Mountains from the cold frozen peaks it then gains size while flowing through the park forming waterfalls, lakes, and streams. The river meets the ocean at the base of Puerto Williams. The park is also home to many species of mosses, lichens, invertebrate, and birds that only reside in this area. Within the park, paths explore many different habitat types of the region coastal coigue forests, lenga parks, irre forests, peat bogs, invasive beaver wetlands and alpine heath. There are markings along the paths to identify certain species. These signs are in Yahgan, Spanish, English, and also have the scientific name. The idea is to expand the visitors horizons and become familiar with new languages and cultures. The paths are easy to follow and well kept, yet have an understated, natural look. The paths are very organic looking, they flow into the rest of the land creating the idea that the visitor and nature are seamless. This park was designed and created with great care from scientists, conservationists, philosophers, musicians, locals, artists, and others. The broad scope of minds coming together to collaborate was an intentional move to make the park well rounded. Visitors of the park have experiences on many different levels. A visitor may take in the beauty of the park by walking the trails, visiting Miniature Forests, exploring the Robalo River, taking a moment to reflect on the paths and observing the birds. While visiting Omora Ethnobotanical Park I was able to take part in all of these experiences and even others. As our class made our way exploring through the park, guides shared stories about the origin and folk lore of the local plants and animals. These stories were told in Spanish and English. Our class members consisted of those who knew English, Spanish, both, and even other languages. Sharing the stories in a native tongue for some, but alien to others created many emotions and triggered further understanding and discussion. This is just one example of how the park educators hope to stir the mind and heart of those who visit. My stay at Omora Park and newfound understanding of ecotourism, ornithology, fresh water invertebrate, and creating emotion and relationships support my own ideas on how to further tourists experiences at Omora Park. In order for any visitor of the park to appreciate the vast role Omora Park has in biocultural conservation they must first be introduced to the basics. I will proceed to write a detailed outline of how I would present tourists with educational information, activities, and an experience to remember for a lifetime. At the entrance of Omora Park is a wooden gate and archway. It is surrounded by trees, flowers, insects, and seems far away from everything. Accompanying each guest is a journal/notepad, graphite pencil, colored pencils, and magnifying glass. What do you see Background Omora Ethnobotanical Park is diverse in habitat types. Each habitat interacts with one another to sustain life in the region. The habitat types include coastal coigue forests, lenga parks, irre forests, peat bogs, invasive beaver wetlands and alpine heath. Purpose To understand how diverse the region is, as well as understand how one object can be seen in multiple ways. Objective Visitors will be able to correctly identify each habitat. And share their experience with those not there. Directions While walking the trails of