Ottawa's Pangea Partnership Brings Straw Bail Museum to Nicaragua

Straw bale construction has proven to be efficient and cost saving way of building throughout the world for centuries.   Leading the way in Nicaragua, the Pangea Partnership has inked plans for a new straw bail Museum in Nicaragua.   Director of the Pangea Partnership is Rob Stone, who's organization has worked closely with the Fundación A. Jean Brugger and Pelican Eyes Hotel and Restaurant, states on their website that "it's gratifying to see the benefits of one community project contributing to the completion of another. This is exactly the kind of sustained momentum we want to demonstrate through sustainable, community-based programs."

The Pangea Partnership is a non-profit organization located in Ottawa, Canada. They are dedicated to promoting the adoption of ecologically and economically viable techniques for constructing buildings essential to the well-being of communities throughout the world. Its programs are designed to bring ethically-minded tourists together with disadvantaged populations to contribute directly to educational, culturally and environmentally sensitive development projects.

Located on a nature reserve overlooking the Pacific Ocean in San Juan del Sur Nicaragua, the new museum project is designed to celebrate local flora and fauna through a facility that operates in harmony with the environment. As a sustainable straw bale structure, the museum will offer local youth the opportunity to study and understand the importance of their environment and how sustainable design can help to maintain it.

This is a wonderful step forward and a true example of sustainable development in Nicaragua. Planned for completion early in 2006, Museo de la Naturaleza will be a significant local landmark illustrating the adaptability of eco-building for the developing world. During construction, a series of week-long workshops will allow up to 80 participants to gain hands-on experience in the construction of safe, ecological and economic straw bale buildings. Trained instructors will work side-by-side with local volunteers and development tourists.

For information about volunteering or to see how you can be involved in supporting the Pangea Partnership, visit their website at http://www.pangeapartnership.org.