I thought I would write a blog post this week about the Pantanal Center for Education and Research, which we heard about a long time ago from Ethan, but haven't really talked about much in class since then. As part of my planning for this summer, I reached out to Ethan and talked with him a bit about what PCER does and thought it was super cool and worth sharing with everyone a bit more.
The goals of PCER encompass two major categories: social programs for the surrounding rural communities of the Pantanal and research opportunities for scientists and engineers in a variety of disciplines who would otherwise have a very hard time conducting research in this remote region.
On the social end of things, PCER is mainly focused on education efforts in a variety of subjects for locals in the region. English classes, public primary schooling, and courses on public health and emergency readiness area all organized by PCER. In addition to this substantial educational outreach mission, PCER also offers limited medical services in a small clinic that physicians periodically come to for appointments with pantaneiros. Through these efforts, PCER is dedicated to making a significant positive impact on the community of the Pantanal.
Another aspect of the work done by PCER is the facilitation of outside research, engineering and study through the center. In my discussions with Ethan over email he explained to me that an individual traveler/tourist in the Pantanal will end up paying around $250 /day because getting around in this undeveloped area can be very expensive and difficult. With this is mind, PCER provides outside researchers (and as we heard in class, student groups from University of Michigan) a variety of services to enable them to function in the Pantanal without paying this enormous cost. For around $350 a week the PCER will provide a visiting researcher or engineer with transportation, food, lodging, and even some guide or translational services in the area. The aim here is to allow more research to be done towards the enrichment and further understanding of this world-class wetland region so that improved stewardship and management might be achieved in the future.
One of the big projects that PCER has been working on recently is a campaign to distribute sustainable technologies to communities in and around the Pantanal. Along with organizing for the distribution of new equipment such as bio-sand water filters, small wind turbines, and bio-digesters, teams of engineers and volunteers will help install these devices and hold workshops to teach locals how to use them and why they are important and useful. This project represents an awesome way to enrich and aid the rural communities while also helping to sustain the rich and beautiful ecosystem that they live within.
If you are interested in learning more about the PCER, you can read more about all this on their website at: http://www.pantanalcer.org/home or you can email Ethan. He was super helpful and responsive to me, and I'm sure he would love to talk to anyone else as well!
Cole SC
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