School for Field Studies and Bocas del Toro, Panama

I arrived in Changuinola (the mainland access point to the Bocas del Toro archipelago) in January 2013 in one piece despite heavy rains and subsequent mudslides. I spent next five months living and working on Isla Solarte with the School for Field Studies Tropical Island Biodiversity Program. I had the privilege of spending my last month in the archipelago working with Bonöre Design (a sustainable design initiative representing Indigenous craftswomen) and the La Loma Jungle Lodge (an impeccably run eco-resort) on Isla Bastimentos. Upon my time to depart the Islands, this beautiful girl accompanied me home to Chicago. She's now quite accustomed to midwestern living.