Water seems to be everywhere in Costa Rica: in the rivers, waterfalls and iconic cloud forests. But the nation also deals with some severe water-scarcity and water-quality challenges, owing to the push of development and climate change, which is making droughts more extreme.
The nation has pioneered a variety of solutions, including water use fees that encourage conservation; a permit system to regulate groundwater extraction; and multimillion-dollar investments to modernize water treatment and cut down on pollution.
But biologist Luisa Moreno is convinced one of the most important solutions is helping the next generation understand freshwater and its limits.
Moreno researches water quality at Costa Rica's Monteverde Institute. The institute's “Adopt-a-Stream” program is a partnership with local schools that teaches students how to test the quality of water flowing through area streams.
Just like adopting a pet, students can adopt a stream to take under their care. “If you see a pet having an illness, you take it to the veterinary. That’s the same idea,” Moreno says. When they see negative changes in local waters, students can work toward the search for community-wide solutions. It's a practice Moreno hopes will stay with them for a lifetime.
