Rehabilitating Costa Rica’s soil through research, dialogue, and theology
“Soil is the foundation of our lives, but it is dying,” warns Mónica Cortés, a graduate student in organic agriculture at the National University in Costa Rica. Her country is renowned for its biodiversity, but commercial timber plantations are degrading the soil through the use of synthetic herbicides and inorganic fertilizers. Although sustainable alternatives exist, Mónica notes that their adoption has been slow and soil conservation is inadequately covered in forestry engineering courses.
Collaborating with ECU, the IFES movement in Costa Rica, Mónica used research, dialogue, and theology to raise students’ awareness about environmental stewardship, particularly soil management.
At the School of Environmental Sciences, Mónica surveyed forestry students to gauge their perspectives on sustainable forestry and the interplay between religion and the environment. She collected and analyzed soil samples from an experiment with five vegetation covers, yielding evidence of the positive impact of sustainable forestry practices on soil quality.
Mónica presented her findings to more than 25 students at her drop-in “outreach lab” in the faculty hallway. The students were able to brainstorm sustainable forestry solutions, dialogue about science and religion, and discover what the Bible says about stewarding God’s earth, for example the concept of a “Sabbath year for the land” outlined in Leviticus 25.
One forest science student remarked: “I gained a greater perspective on the link between science and faith that motivated me to read more about this and its relationship with my academic career.”
Within ECU, Mónica worked with an interdisciplinary team to produce a Bible study guide, containing biblical perspectives on creation care and ideas for practical action. She also led a workshop at the national camp, assisting 77 students in identifying opportunities to integrate their faith with their academic expertise. She guided them in developing pilot projects to be implemented on their campuses.
“Leading this workshop allowed me to see myself as a Catalyst: teaching and motivating others to have a voice in the midst of social or environmental problems,” explained Mónica.
Brayan Chaves, General Secretary of ECU, the IFES movement in Costa Rica, says he’s grateful for Mónica’s project:
“I hope this kind of workshop marks the beginning of many such spaces where students are encouraged to think beyond traditional Bible study groups and to contextualize the gospel in their academic careers.”