Southern Nazarene University recently honored two couples by naming facilities at the university's Costa Rica Cloud Forest Research Project after them. Leo Finkenbinder and Wally Quanstrom and their spouses have been key figures in this 35-year effort to conserve a high altitude primary forest habitat for the Quetzal bird and other rare animals and plants.

In the early 1980s, Finkenbinder and his wife, Zana, pioneered the development of an area 60 miles south of Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The field station contains housing for visitors, students, and faculty, as well as laboratory space. The facility is named the Leo and Zana Finkenbinder Hall, and originally opened in 2001.

In addition, Don Ephraim and Caridad Chacon, the pioneer family in this remote valley, dedicated one of the most-traveled high mountain trails to the Finkenbinders. There were many Chacon family members present to honor this couple, who have been key players in the development of ecotourism in the valley.

Nearby, a two-story house with living and hospitality quarters for guests and researchers was named for Wally and Fay Quanstrom, the lead donors for the purchase of the facility. Ceremonies were held at both facilities on July 19 in the Rio Savegre Valley. Students, faculty, and visiting researchers from around the world, as well as residents of the valley, have benefited from the pristine ecological conditions in which to conduct primary research.

--Southern Nazarene University