lifestyle

New touch pool inaugurated at Punta Culebra Nature Center
by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

STRI and Fundacion Smithsonian de Panama inaugurated the new touch pool at Punta Culebra Nature Center on the Amador Causeway, Panama, on Friday, July 23.

The new touch pool was designed to promote direct and concrete learning on marine life, since the visitors will be able to touch all organisms inhabiting the aquarium. This exhibit strengthens the environmental educational program that STRI advances in Punta Culebra since 1992. Since then, the environmental educational program at Culebra has received more than 800,000 visitors from which 300,000 are students from public and private schools in Panama.

This project was made possible thanks to the contributions of Grupo Regency, Fundacio Alberto Motta, AES, Grupo Shahani, Panam Generating Ltd, CEMEX, Importadora Panama Empresa Vicsons, and Hormigon Express. Patrick Dillon from En Situ SA designed the aquarium and landscaping was done by Edwina Von Gal.

"This project reflects the joint efforts of a team of people with interdisciplinary interests, supported by the business community" said STRI director Eldredge Bermingham. "These beautiful facilities represent a significant asset to the environmental education of Panamanians and foreigners, and we feel very pleased to be able to do our small part for Panama, a country with which we have sustained a 100-year friendship."