By Emily Kalnicky, Director of Science Education and Research; Jordyn Melino, Exhibit Coordinator

Today we began the long journey back to Havana, with a few stops along the way. We first visited a unique and somewhat eccentric botanic and herb garden owned by Carmen and Caridad Miranda. We learned that their father planted the...

By Emily Kalnicky, Director of Science Education and Research; Jordyn Melino, Exhibit Coordinator

This morning started with a guided hike through Viñales National Park, a biodiverse area that is federally protected, with use of natural resources heavily monitored. For example, residents of the national park need to get...

By Emily Kalnicky, Director of Science Education and Research; Jordyn Melino, Exhibit Coordinator

Today we left Soroa and drove west to an ecologically protected area called Mil Cumbres (Thousand Peaks), which is home to the highest concentration of endemic species in Cuba. Our guide, Osbaldo, met us and we hiked along a path...

By Lorren Kezmoh, Outreach Coordinator, Phipps Science Education and Research

A resource of Biophilia: Pittsburgh, #bioPGH is a weekly blog and social media series that aims to encourage both children and adults to reconnect with nature and enjoy what each of our distinctive seasons has to offer. From the...

By Emily Kalnicky, Director of Science Education and Research; Jordyn Melino, Exhibit Coordinator

This morning we toured the local orquideario, or orchidarium, run by the University of Pinar Del Rio; they have 48 employees, ten of whom are gardeners, and two of whom are orchid specialists. Our guide mentioned that Cuba is home...

By Emily Kalnicky, Director of Science Education and Research; Jordyn Melino, Exhibit Coordinator

Today we packed up and left Havana to head west to Soroa. Along the way we stopped at Las Terrazas, where we met Daniel, who told us all about the 5,000 hectare reforestation project and community. Las Terrazas, or “the...