In 1992, Lovett purchased a piece of cloudforest property in Ecuador for the purpose of creating a protected preserve and establishing a research center to support tropical conservation education. The 850-acre Siempre Verde, which translates to forever green, offers U.S. and Ecuadorian students an opportunity to learn through research and the exchange of ideas. Students may also visit Siempre Verde for language immersion or service learning trips. 

Siempre Verde just celebrated 20 years of conservation and education with a reunion and anniversary celebration on September 29 at the Rogers & Westmoreland Activity Center at Lovett. Over the last two decades, Siempre Verde has had more than 1,500 visitors, mostly members of the Lovett community. However, Siempre Verde is open to students and families outside of Lovett, and has hosted visitors from Atlanta Girls’ School, Ravenscroft School, Porter-Gaud School, Campbell High School, Paideia School, Pace Academy, The Galloway School, Virginia Episcopal School, The Westminster Schools, and Wheeler High School. Professionals from colleges and universities and the Atlanta Botanical Garden also have made visits to Siempre Verde. 

The anniversary party brought together long-time friends who shared stories and memories of a place far away, but close to our hearts. The room was decorated with familiar items from the market at Otavalo, photos of the many trips, old articles detailing the history of the project, and even journals from the station. The highlight of the event was hearing from Founder Bob Braddy and former Headmaster Jim Hendrix, who both thanked the many board members, faculty, and families who made the creation and growth of Siempre Verde possible. 

Thirteen Lovett sophomores visited Siempre Verde October 13 – 24. For more information about Siempre Verde, including upcoming trips and a video about the experience, please visit: www.siempreverde.org.