Honoring Marie: Caterpillars & Climate Change in Costa Rica

Brittany Anascavage Start Date: Aug 28, 2017 - End Date: Feb 27, 2018
  • Costa Rica

My Travel Story

by: Brittany Anascavage Start Date: Aug 28, 2017 - End Date: Feb 27, 2018
My grandmother, Marie, touched so many lives. She invested herself in giving back to the world, and she taught me that when you see something unjust, you do something about it. She drove an Access bus, and visited her often lonely riders to keep them company when she was off work. She became a volunteer senior citizen at the police station to fight crime in her community. She trained  and became certified to join the search and rescue team. She was a dedicated philanthropist, faithfully giving to organizations like Project Cuddle, Boys Town, and World Wildlife Fund, whose mission was to save endangered species.

When I was a child, she ordered catalogs from Earthwatch Institute, an organization seeking to "engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment." They create an opportunity for regular citizens to travel and get involved with scientific research. She would go through the different trips and circle the ones she wanted to go on, and told me that as soon as I was old enough, we would go together. She always loved the trips that involved butterflies.

She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's before we were able to go. I always vowed to go on a trip in her honor when she passed, and that time has now come. I was happy to see that Earthwatch is still thriving and they have a trip to study climate change and caterpillars in Costa Rica. I know she would be upset at the current state of the government and the complete denial about environmental concerns. I know she would want to do something about it, and I'm here to do it for her.

I would be honored to accept any donations that would assist me in reaching my goals. All donations will go towards the program fee and airfare.
  • Costa Rica