Sebastian Evans

Hello Folks! My name is Sebastian, I was born and raised in North Carolina surrounded by the Appalachian mountains. I love climbing, skiing, hiking, critters of all types, my small hodge-podge garden here in the states, and free time in the outdoors. Of course I won't be able to practice all of these things during my time in Mastatal, but the opportunity to explore new skills to build a foundation in sustainable living is incredibly exciting to me.

I graduated high school just two years ago in 2020, my senior year being cut short in mid-spring due to the pandemic. I went to Appalachian State University for a year immediately afterwards, but found myself struggling more than ever to thrive and seek engagement in academics considering the changes that Covid brought to schools. It was actually during my schooling here that a family member reached out to me and told me about Rancho Mastatal! It was immediately a tantalizing potential project, but amid school and relationships and the worldwide throes of plague, it fell back in my mind and I didn't act on it immediately. After the school year I returned home and enrolled in a local community college studying welding, which I also practiced for a year (and hope to more in the future!). Spring came again and suddenly the Ranch was almost all I could think about. One thing led to another and here I am, preparing to share this journey with my partner Emme and a handful of new people.

Costa Rica is not entirely new to me, although living there semi-permanently in a communal, agricultural space will be. I visited the country several times during my adolescence for short trips, staying with host families and following more experienced travelers on some wonderful adventures. During high school I also organized a trip here for myself in which I stayed with a wonderful family for some weeks and volunteered at Proyecto Asis, an animal sanctuary nestled in the jungle near La Fortuna. This was an incredible time and I cannot wait to return at some point. I got to see and help all kinds of jungle beasts, doing what I could to enrich their lives in preparation for the wilds. The experience was transformative and made me friends that I hope will last me a lifetime - and I was only there for a little less than two months! A year is a whole different game. I already know that I love the flora and fauna of this beautiful region on Earth and am so glad that I can start spending some serious time here.

Though I have a little experience with woodworking, gardening, and using my hands I know that I have not yet used these skills in long term practical applications. Natural building, sustainable agriculture, and existing as a real part of a community are all skills that I cannot wait to start building for the betterment of my life and others'.