La Nica | | La Reserva Forest Foundation Plants TreesLa Reserva Forest Foundation Plants Trees

Increasing Forest at Finca La Nica, Cucaracha, Maleku Reserve, Costa Rica

Two-toed sloth, a resident of the Maleku Reserve

Project Summary:

This project will increase the native forest by 2½ hectares or 2500 trees, increasing mobility and habitat for wildlife and raising local awareness by providing employment for local workers, nursery opportunities and hands on education. Within Finca La Nica’s primary forest is an ancestral Maleku burial ground. This project is a continuation of the Rio Sol Biological Corridor project of 2011.

First hole dug, second phase planting Rio Sol Biological Corridor, December 2011

Funding Amount:

$4300.00

Donation Options:

$10 – will pay for 20 of the native tree seedlings that will be planted in this old pastureland.
$15 – will pay for 30 meters of the fencing needed to protect the corridor
$32 – will pay two local workers for one day to prepare the land for tree planting.
$64 – will pay four local workers to planting 700 trees on planting day.
$128 – will cover the expenses of one of the 8 maintenance cleanings of the seedlings during the first 2 years.
$260 – will cover all of the local labor employed to plant the trees.

Red line shows border of area to be reforested

What is the problem:

90% of the Maleku were massacred in the 19^th century for their rubber trees and their ancestral lands were taken. The Costa Rican government recognized 3000+ hectares as the Maleku territory in 1977 but 33 years later hasn’t compensated and moved the non-indigenous landowners off, the ones who deforested it for cattle farming (see Appendix 2). The Maleku will buy the 3000+ hectares from these landowners and restore 2/3 of it to the native forest they depend upon for housing, food and medicine. This increase of forest will provide water, food and building materials.

Continuing on from the above photo, down to the creek below and around to next photo

How will the project solve the problem:

By reforesting Finca La Nica we are restoring 2 ½ hectares of Maleku ancestral lands back to native forest, increasing the aquifer levels that provide potable water for the Maleku communities and continue the recuperation of their territory for their use.

Long view of area to be reforested, continuing from previous photo

Potential Long-Term Impact:

An increase of 75% forest cover in addition to the 3½ hectares of existing forest at La Nica now. The 2500 trees will remove approximately 33 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere annually and the project creates employment for the Maleku people restoring their forests and culture.

Quote:

“There is an ancient Maleku burial ground in the existing forest on my farm. It is sacred ground that no one treads upon.” Alexis Flores, Owner of Finca La Nica

Alex Flores, owner Finca La Nica. Red line is coming across above previous photo and connecting to second photo in description

Personnel:

Roberta Ward Smiley

President and Founder

As project leader Roberta oversees all phases of LRFF’s forestry projects. She is adm. for the projects, paying participants & performing inspections. She founded LRFF in 2005. Everything she knows about the importance of tropical forests she has learned first hand in the forests of the world’s tropic w/25 years experience in native forest restoration and preservation

Coordinator of the Local Council of Biological Corridors Lake Arenal-Volcano Tenorio

Consultant and liaison for Maleku Tribal Council

Liaison for LRFF United States

Daniel Spreen Wilson

Project manager and LRFF Treasurer

Daniel has 25 years experience in native, tropical forest restoration and preservation. He manages the seedling nursery at La Reserva, identifying Mother trees for seed collection, identification of tree species and ensures that the nursery contains a wide variety of tree species (70+ native species). Daniel is in charge of the work crews who do the hole digging, planting and tree maintenance.

Portland State University – Accounting major

Active member of the Local Council for Biological Corridors Lake Arenal-Volcano Tenorio

Jimmy Acosta Elizondo

Field Director

Jimmy is 100% Maleku and an important member of the Maleku. He speaks, writes and reads fluent Maleku and Spanish. He is also director of his families tourist project receiving 100’s of international tourists monthly. He is an expert on tropical plants and trees and the medicinal uses of these. He brings to this project and all LRFF forestry projects innovative ideas on planting, maintenance and employee management techniques.

LET’S GET PLANTING!!