Rio Sol, Across the River, Maleku Reserve, Guatuso, Costa Rica

Ever Fonseca, property owner

Project Summary:

The project is located in the Maleku Reserve and has an area size of 2.5 hectares. The project is a 10-meter wide corridor along the Rio Sol on Ever’s property. Last year on the other side of the Rio Sol, LRFF planted 35,000 trees with success on the Rio Sol Biological Corridor project. We saw the trees we planted last year from Ever’s side when we surveyed it. The habitat for flora and fauna along the river will expand and the Maleku will slowly regain their lost native forests.

Property to be reforested 

Funding Amount:

$5,480.00

Donation Options: 

$10 – will pay for 20 tree seedlings (2500 required)
$15 – will pay for 30 meters of fencing (posts, wire, staples, etc) (1000 meters required)
$20 – will pay 1 worker for 1 day for Labor-post holes and installing fencing
$20 – will pay 1 worker for 1 day of planting and land preparation
$25 – Will pay for 1 inspection (10 inspections required)
$25 – Will pay for expenses (Food and gas) for 1 day (4 days required)
$30 – will pay for 1 hour transportation (4 hours required)

$210 – Will pay for 1 scheduled maintenance (8 maintenances required)

The border of Ever’s property along the river

What is the problem:

Between the years 1961 and 1992 the Guatuso area, which includes the Maleku indigenous communities, lost over 90% of their tropical, humid forests. The lands were deforested for cattle farming and cultivation of crops. The Rio Sol river banks degraded, causing erosion to swipe away the river’s vulnerable banks and herbicides and pesticides found their way to the rivers in the area of Guatuso, polluting them and causing destructive damage to flora and fauna.

This photo shows one year growth of a Gallinazo planted in the Rio Sol Biological Corridor in 2011. It was less than a meter tall when planted.

How will the project solve the problem:

Reforesting the river banks along the Rio Sol by creating a buffer zone of 10 meters will only restore a small part of the majestic forests that once were, but it’s a start. Erosion of the riverbanks will be countered, conserving the river and all the environmental services it has. The 10-meter buffer zone will act as a corridor that flora and fauna can use for habitat and migration, increasing the biodiversity.

Maleku worker planting a tree in the Rio Sol Biological Corridor

Potential Long-Term Impact:

The 2500 trees that will be planted on the 2.5 ha. will retain the soil along the river banks in the near future, countering erosion. The trees will sequestrate CO2 for which the landowner has the possibility of earning an income for environmental services to combat climate change. By creating an income on CO2 sequestration, it will increase the chance the forest will be protected and conserved. The forest can be used for non-timber forest products, such as fruits and medicines.

A resident along the Rio Sol, thankful for the increase in habitat

Quote:

“I would like to reforest all of my farm but I need a dependable monthly income and consequently must continue to rent the remaining pastureland along my Rio Sol property to my sister to graze her cows.”  Ever Fonseca Marin, owner of the project property and 100% Maleku

Personnel:

Roberta Ward Smiley

CEO and Founder

As project leader Roberta oversees all phases of LRFF’s forestry projects. She is administrator for the projects, paying participants and 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 with 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 family’s tourist project receiving hundreds 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!! 

Links:

Something To Be Proud Of

Starting the New Year Off Right

2011 – Thank You, Look What You’ve Done

Nothing But Progress

To contribute to this project you may make a tax-deductible donation online at the following link:

Or you may contact us at either of the following addresses or telephone numbers:

La Reserva Forest Foundation

117 E Winston St. #302

Los Angeles CA 90013

La Reserva Forest Foundation

Apartado 63-5710

Tilaran, Guanacaste

Costa Rica, Central America

Telephone: (011) 506-8856-2977

Please see the following Appendices I and II

• Appendix 1 – Budget for “Rio Sol, Across the River” project
• Appendix II – Loss of forest cover from 1961 – 1992 Maleku Reserve