We live about half the time in Matapalo, Costa Rica and the other half in Austin, TX, USA, but our goal is to live in Costa Rica full time. We have been married for 24 years and have raised two great kids, Calla (23) and Ross (18), and we've been in several businesses. Eleven years ago, while visiting friends on the Osa Peninsula, Kirk found his heaven and Lyn began overcoming her snake phobia. We bought four acres of overgrown cow pasture by the Golfo Dulce, cleared it of brambles and weeds, and began to transform it. Kirk planted 1,000 trees (now part of the monkey trail!) and built Casa Bambu with the help of local friends. He just completed a second bamboo house, Casa Linda, in September, 2002. Both houses are solar- powered with artesian wells, beautiful tropical yards and on a pristine beach. Back in the U.S. Kirk is a "green" builder and home designer in Austin, TX. His builds his houses to be ultra efficient - utilizing passive solar techniques, proper siting and other applications that conserve energy while providing comfortable shelter. His heart, however, is in Costa Rica, where he relishes life in the rainforest and can fulfill his lifelong love of the sea. Here he, Lyn and their two children, love to gather with friends and family, when life permits. Lyn is a freelance writer whose work has been published in several magazines and web sites. She also helps Kirk with his building business and with the Costa Rica project. They both love the outdoors, animals, children and art. Having lived in Costa Rica part time for ten years, and with Kirk speaking fluent Spanish (and Lyn bad Spanish!) we have developed many strong friendships with the local people and know virtually everyone in the area. This has given us the opportunity to gently educate them about the need for conservation. It doesn't always work, but slowly I think we are making a difference. Kirk & Lyn conduct EarthFoot's "Wildlife, Tours & Things to Do at Casa Bambu" program