The Team
He is realizing a dream of some 15 years in beginning the purchases and construction for the lodge and conservation project you see unfolding on these pages. Trained as a biologist, Doug actually started his first career as a carpenter, contractor and architect. He later became an international science teacher in “American” schools and has done some publishing of natural science materials and birdsounds recorded in several countries. The dream for an Andean eco- lodge probably began as long ago as the early 90s, when he first stayed in the lodges of others.
His experience and innovation are invaluable to the project. Doug and Daniel make a powerful design team, capable of tackling the trickiest of engineering and lay-out problems!
An ornithologist he works as a guide with several bird touring companies and is a well-rounded ecologist in the region. He serves as local representative for the property and valued adviser in several aspects of the La Esperanza project. José is involved in the community and is currently doing conservation education work with the municipality of Jardín.
A botanist and taxonomist of the black pepper family (Piperaceae) Mr. Callejas is an associate professor at Universidad de Antioquia where he teaches plant evolutionary morphology, biogeography and cladistics and is much beloved by his students. He has recently published a major treatise on the Flora of Antioquia: Catalago de las Plantas Vasculares de Antioquia, available at Tropicos.org.
A botanist and ornithologist of some repute who hails from the Bogotá area. Mateo will be conducting a botanical and general ecological survey of the La Esperanza site in September. His previous work includes co-authorship of Aves de la Sabana de Bogotá, The Woody Plants of Colegio Nueva Granada (With Douglas Knapp and ABO) and extensive botanical surveys of the Subachoque area and Río Claro. He has also been working with the NGO OpEPA for about 10 years. Mateo has a key role at La Esperanza; his expertise is needed to identify existing vegetation and help develop a plan for reforestation of the property.
An ornithologist, science teacher and accomplished photographer and water-color nature artist. Dan will be one of the featured artists for the project. To this end, he should be making his first visit to La Esperanza in 2012 to start collecting photos and notes, and the lodge will feature a number of his original works. Go to www.DanDimages.com for a taste of his outstanding paintings.
A fine artist who will also be illustrating resident birds of La Esperanza. We are currently negotiating for a commissioned work on the Yellow-eared Parrot, one of the prime endemic species birders always hope to see in this area. Robin is a Guatemalan who has lived and worked for over ten years in Colombia with organizations such as the Humboldt Institute and ABO. Robin’s work can be seen on his own website or at Fine Art America.
An ornithologist who runs specialty bird tours through his outfit colombia birding. He is an expert in local birds and neo-tropical birds in general. We hope to attract some of Diego’s tours to La Esperanza eventually. He is also a serious photographer and has generously offered his images for use on this site.
The Construction Team
Roofing Cabin #2, and Harley so serious.
(Maybe he thinks he will fall…)
Lunch with the crew Adians, Daniel, Douglas, Erwin, Esteban.
Hmmmmm……..Now just WHERE was that bathroom supposed to go?
Little did they know, that they would have to dig that baby up again…
Of course you knew you could fall off a roof, but did you know a roof could fall on YOU?
Either he’s got a head full of gold, or some kind of powerful static-refraction phenomenon generated by it . . .
He’s got the whoooole moo-oon, in his branches,
he’s got the whoooole moo-oon, in his branches . . .
