La Guacima's Murals & Sister Cities
On account of butterfly farming being pioneered in Latin America in La Guácima, the many people in town who have been involved with butterfly farming over the years and the identification locals have with the 43 butterfly-themed murals that adorn the town’s walls, La Guácima has been designated by the Municipality of Alajuela as “La Comunidad de Las Mariposas.” It is through La Guácima’s relationship with butterflies that Alajuela is today a sister city of the communities of Montegrotto Terme and Bordano in Italy and Bendorf-Sayn, Germany.
Dream Night at the Zoo
Each year in June The Butterfly Farm’s staff takes it upon itself to organize Dream Night at the Zoo. Dream Night is a worldwide voluntary association of zoos and parks that throw open their doors to handicapped, chronically ill children and their families. The whole-day event at The Butterfly Farm draws upon the contributions of many of La Guácima’s businesses, and social service organizations (fire department & the Red Cross), as well as talanted artists. With each passing year the question is posed, “Who benefitted more from the day, the farm’s staff or the children?”
La Guácima's Red Cross
The Red Cross is the principal purveyor of ambulance service and emergency response in La Guácima. Staffed by volunteers from the community, this vital service is dependent on donations from local residents and businesses. The Butterfly Farm has long been a regular contributor.
Student Scholarships
Education in Costa Rica is free and mandatory through 6th grade. This is why Costa Rica's literacy rate is among the highest in Latin America. Unfortunately, the cost of school uniforms and supplies must be born by the families. For too many families in La Guácima this expense is unbearable and as a result children have been known to be deprived of learning how to read, write and acquire other basic skills necessary to function in society. The Butterfly Farm provides assistance to such families in need.
Recycling Program
The Butterfly Farm recycles all waste products. Aluminum cans and plastic bottles are recycled as well as white paper after using both surfaces.
Conservation Programs
On its own land, The Butterfly Farm is currently designing and implementing its waste water treatment facility. Worm farming (vermiculture) is an integral practice, allowing the gardens to be maintained with superlative soils.
The Butterfly Farm is also instrumental in an extensive reforestation project at the Sat Yoga Ashram in southern Costa Rica. 40 hectares (100 acres) are being planted with thousands of trees to preserve watersheds, encourage insects, mammels & bird species, foster the survival of endangered tree species and improve the areas' scenery.
Sat Yoga Institute
Albert Einstein once said, "No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." We believe this to be true! At a time when society is facing unprecedented challenges that threaten the survival of civilization -- if not our species -- we are called to undertake the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced: to complete our own metamorphosis individually and become adult (human) butterflies. In addition to its financial support, The Butterfly Farm is working in conjunction with The Sat Yoga Institute, an institute for human psycho-spiritual upliftment), in conveying the metaphysical understanding of the butterfly.
