Our morning began with picking up the Youth Ambassadors. The Panamanian Youth Ambassadors are similar to us in that they are a U.S. government-funded program that has allowed them to travel to the U.S., specifically Washington DC, New York, and then half went to Michigan while the other half went to Idaho, in which they learned about recycling, environmentalism, and leadership. Our groups traveled together to a beach along the Atlantic coast to clean up. When we arrived we got to hear the U.S. Ambassador to Panama speak. Then we worked side by side with the Youth Ambassadors to pick up trash along the beach shore. After working in the sun we got to hear from Marianne, a tropical plant specialist from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. She walked up down one of the piers and pointed out the importance of mangroves for the beach environment. The mangroves make the ocean a safer place for all kinds of wildlife to exist as well as protecting much of the land from surges. We also observed from afar the coral reef which created a wall that protects the shores. During lunch we had the chance to interact with the Youth Ambassadors and hear about their experience in the US. It was rewarding as well as relaxing to clean and then enjoy the beach on such a bright, hot day. Once we got back to the City of Knowledge, where we are staying, we got the chance to visit a nearby cafe in which we drank smoothies and coffee and ate churros, empanadas, and carrot cake. Happy International Youth Day to all those out there reading.
-Fuego Watch Group
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