Comments on: San Gerardo’s passionate conservationist passes away

By: Daniela Lizano

Daniela Lizano — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:45:00 +0000

I remember that one of my first lichen field collection trips was to Cloudbridge Reserve, in 2003. Ian and Jenny welcome us (Ariel, Yi Men and me) with a very warm feeling and gave us all the things we need to carry on our research. Ian joined us during the whole field trip and help us giving us indications about the trails and showing us the beautiful landscape of the property (the waterfalls, the tree reforestaytion project. I have to thank Ian because that time, I fell from a rock, down the river (not on a deep zone, fortunately) and he helped me to go out and continue our walking back to the house.
Definitely, a great and passionate person. I will never forget this research fieldtrip. Places like Cloudbridge and persons like Ian are the ones that encourage you to continue in nature steps….
Thanks a lot!

By: robin desbiens

robin desbiens — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:32:00 +0000

i would like to send my sincere condoleance to the family, i didn t knew very well ian but i m sure about something he let a big part of his spirit and soul somewhere in san gerardo.

By: Folarin Alayande

Folarin Alayande — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:10:00 +0000

Hello Jenny,

I am the gentleman from Nigeria who Ian and yourself invited to Cloudbridge last March. I am so glad that I was able to make it to Cloudbridge before Ian passed on.

Ian had been my tutor at a 4-day course in New York after which he invited us to his home in the city, and subsequently invited me to Cloudbridge.

I was intrigued by his passion for life – his love for the Hudson River and for Cloudbridge and the talents the good Lord gave him.

I pray the good Lord grant you and the kids the courage and strength to keep up the good work.

Folarin

By: Wynne Geikenjoyner

Wynne Geikenjoyner — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:29:00 +0000

Dear Jenny,
Words can’t express how stunned and saddened I was to learn of Ian’s sudden passing. One can only imagine what a loss you must feel. Hopefully, you also feel much of what I do at this time: a tremendous gratitude to have crossed paths (briefly, in my case) with such a vibrant and inspiring individual. In the few short days I have encountered both you and Ian, both your energies captivated my soul & my intellect. How lucky we all are to have witnessed Ian’s brilliant dreams become the realities of Cloudbridge and Wildcliff. We can only hope that these tremendous legacies will grow to surpass even Ian’s lofty aspirations! My heart is with you, Jenny, as well as the many whose lives Ian touched.

By: Aileen Murphy

Aileen Murphy — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Dear Genevieve and the Cloudbridge family,
Please accept my condolences, the loss of Ian is great indeed. Even during my short stay at Cloudbridge, it was evident how well respected and admired Ian was– a man who could balance strength with compassion and intellect with humor. He leaves behind a great legacy and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you,
~Aileen

By: Chris Saker

Chris Saker — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:11:00 +0000

My heartfelt condolences to Genevieve and the whole Cloudbridge family. Ian’s passing is a great loss not only for his loved ones, but for the whole conservation community. Fortunately he has left behind an amazing legacy, not only in the beautiful environments and ecosystems he was able to protect but also in the message and example he passed on to so many students and volunteers.
I remember visiting Cloudbridge for the first time back in 2007 with a field course from York University. We were all fortunate enough to meet Ian and Genevieve and hear them tell the story of Cloudbridge. I will never forget the spirited lecture Ian gave to the class and the passion he expressed through his work. The experience was so positive that we continue to visit Cloudbridge every year with the annual field course, always taking time to re-tell Ian’s story.
Thank you for everything Ian. Your work and message lives on!

By: Jackie Medrano

Jackie Medrano — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:08:00 +0000

Ian did indeed touch so many of us in such profound ways. I can’t believe he’s gone, and Cloudbridge doesn’t seem the same. His legacy will live on, and I thank him for all the gifts he has shared with us, and for the passion he showed for conservation of the forest. But it wasn’t just that, it was the relationships he developed with each person who crossed his path, the way he gave up of his time and his self so selflessly to others, the way he cared for his family and work and everything he did, but with such joy and fervor. Ian, you lived your life and it was amazing, and we will miss you very much.
I personally knew Ian for a relatively short time. I volunteered at Cloudbridge for 3-4 months in 2006 and then another 4 months in 2007. What surprised me was the way he personally mentored ME…just one out of many volunteers, just one of his many other commitments. I found out how so many other aspects of his successful work, life, travels, lectures, etc. beyond Cloudbridge (all over the world, in fact) demanded his attention, and yet, he truly cared about me, took the time to know who I was. He helped me in my research as a young undergrad, fomenting my experience and personal growth. He did this not just with me but with every other volunteer who he encountered. And he had such fun too, learning about our projects, networking us to other volunteer researchers, hiking, sharing meals with us at the casa, and jumping into the frigid waters by the fall with the Global Works kids! Ian, through Cloudbridge you opened up so many doors for me, not just academically, but in my life. San Gerardo knows how much I loved it there and how living there changed my life. It’s there that I became part of a new family with Iris and Ulises, where Amy convinced me to go backpacking through Latin America, where I met my Diego…thanks to Ian and his Cloudbridge Project. It is a magical place that always draws me back, and I will always remember you whenever I go.

By: John Titan

John Titan — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:09:00 +0000

I remember blazing a trail with Tom and Ian to a spring. We hacked our way through thick undergrowth along a steep slope. I heard a gasp behind me and turned to see Ian cartwheeling in the air, hands and feet off the ground, falling 3 meters below. He grunted, stood up, brushed himself off, and said, “let’s head down here, shall we?”

I miss him.

By: Margie Brache

Margie Brache — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:11:00 +0000

My heart goes out every day to you, Genevieve. You re-met Ian later on in life and your time with him was too short.

I’m so sorry now that we kept missing you by a week or a month on our trips to Costa Rica. Now a month seems like a small obstacle that should have been reckoned with.

Peter and will probably be back next spring and would love to co-ordinate when you will be there to have a bit of a visit.

My thoughts have been with you everyday. I surround you in the light of strength, clarity, support, peace, acceptance, understanding, awe, and aliveness.
love and hugs
Margie

By: Chris Hedger

Chris Hedger — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:26:00 +0000

Whilst not having the pleasure of meeting Ian myself, i am incredibly thankful for the experience that Ian and Jenny Giddy provided when i visited Cloudbridge Reserve for a research project.
I could tell from this experience that Ian was clearly a man truly dedicated to protecting and restoring the complexity of the worlds diversity he so loved.
Your selfless efforts to this cause Ian will certainly not be forgotten by me, as im sure so many others.
My sincerest condolences to Jenny and Ians family, i hope i can return one day and help maintain Ians fantastic work