Roberta's Forest Blog — Let's Get Planting

There are photos that I owe you from the previous blog and so here they are with some short explanations.

First meet the heroes of this tale.

Barry McConachie, Global Climate Strategies

Jeff Smith, Global Climate Strategies

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

The big meeting and the "agenda".

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Discussion at a workshop beneath the Arenal Volcano between, from left, Barry McConachie (GCS), Daniel Spreen Wilson (LRFF), German Aguilar (FUNDACA) and Garbriel Robles Valle (CATIE).

This is the biggest threat to the forests in the Lake Arenal area. DEVELOPMENT!!

Our first property inspection. The forest of David Alvarez in Aguacate de Arenal. We are all standing in the housing development that goes directly up to the primary forest of David.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Breakfast at the Hotel Tilawa. Left to right, Roberta Ward Smiley (LRFF), Michele Glenn (LRFF), Barry McConachie (GCS) and Daniel Spreen Wilson (LRFF).

Still raining. Today we are in the Bijagua/Rio Naranjo area and sign up five different forest properties, all on the flanks of the Miravalles Volcano. Juan Martinez Morun, one of the forest holders is on the left.

This is the biggest threat in the Bijagua/Rio Naranjo area. Lumber and furniture making.

Up there is the forest of Otilio Pilchardo, one of the owners that we signed up that day in Bijagua. The denuded pastures go right up to the forest on the ridge.

This is at the home of Gerardo Chavez, another signer on that day. Serious business, eh?

Friday, December 5, 2008

Around the other side of the lake again, past Tronadora, on the way to Viejo Arenal at Rio Chiquito. Again here is the biggest threat around the lake. Great bargains, as well.

Although the timber cutting threat is alive and well here around the lake.

On the way up to Fermin and Jose Villalobo's forest at Viejo Arenal. It was a 1 hour horseback ride in and 1 hour to get back down. Barry and Daniel admiring the distant forest.

Here is Fermin's cloud forest of over 100 hectares in the background.

We made it up to the "ranchito ". WHEW !! Jeff, Daniel, Jose Villalobos, Roberta and Fermin Villalobos.

Flor de Un Dia orchid in the forest growing wild and free. Imagine and with no human propagation.

Climbing up into the cloud forest on foot now.

Wild cloud forest flowers.

Panoramic view of Fermin's forest.

Back at the "ranchito" Fermin cooked roast beef on the open fire. After we ate he told us some very big stories. Fermin entertained us, cooked for us and guided us up the mountain and then back down.

We're almost back to the home front. Our rear ends will have a rest after this.

The last sunset in Costa Rica for Barry and Jeff.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

This double rainbow is a good omen on the morning of Barry and Jeff's departure from Costa Rica.

Good omen or not, they missed their international flight from Liberia and had to take this puddle jumper to San Jose. They did make it home to Austin that day, but a little later than expected.

SO COME ON EVERYBODY...

LET'S GET PLANTING IN EVEN MORE IN 2009!!