William Camancho Mendez is the owner and founder of Jardín Piarella Butterfly Farm, a six-hectare parcel of land in the Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica. The entire Sarapiquí region is mainly clear-cut agricultural land. Jardín Piarella specializes in raising butterflies to sell for export to zoos. He is dedicated to increasing the environmental biodiversity in this region, which has been lost in the last 30 years. William is extremely knowledgeable about the indigenous mammals, birds and specifically butterflies in this region.

Costa Ricans are aware of the benefits of education and conservation but lack funding for schools to train teachers or develop curriculum materials for students.

William is working, with EcoTeach's support, to develop a learning center, available to Costa Rican students as well as eco-travelers, to learn and see local animals in a naturalized setting.

EcoTeach worked with William to develop an environmentally friendly and economical design for the learning center and will provide some volunteer help for construction. EcoTeach will also work with William in creating the interpretive information and curriculum for his project in both Spanish and English languages.

This project will need a minimum of $3,500 to develop the construction phase of the project. Another $5,000 would allow most of the interpretive information to be developed and initiated.

Design plans are available and can be sent to anyone interested in this project.