Educational Reforestation in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Erasmo and Noilen Gonzalez, owners of the reforestation area

Project summary:

The project area is located close to La Fortuna and has an area size of 0.5 hectares (1.24 acres). The project will turn grassland into a native forest area with approximately 500 trees that includes around 100 different native tree species. On the project site is also a pond creation in progress. This pond will create habitat for wildlife, such as aquatic bird species, reptiles and more. The project will be used for educational purposes and for organic food production that will be used at the ranch. Student groups will be given tours and information on how organic crops/fruits are grown in and around the area of the ranch, including the new project site. Also available for educational purposes is a medicinal garden. This will raise awareness for our future generations and local people. The reforested area will be connected to a creek, which adds important environmental benefits, such as erosion control, water management and a corridor for animals.

This picture shows the pond in the center surrounded by reforestable area on the project site

Funding Amount:

$1,225.00

Donation Options:

$20 – pays wages of one worker/day for planting and preparing the land
$25 – will pay for 50 native tree seedlings to be planted
$40 – will pay two workers for one day for planting and preparing the land
$50 – will pay for 100 native tree seedlings to be planted
$120 – pays the wages of all 6 planters for one day of land preparation and planting
$250 – pays for 500 native tree seedlings to be planted

 

This pasture land will be reforested

The trees in the background consist of a tree line that separate this empty pasture from the creek

What is the problem:

Between the years 1961 and 1992 the northern zone of Costa Rica lost over 90% of its tropical, humid forests. The lands were deforested for cattle farming and cultivation of crops. Vulnerable locations are rivers and creeks. Water contamination by herbicides and pesticides cause a considerable amount of damage to flora and fauna that directly and indirectly depends on creeks and rivers. The lack of knowledge on organic farming, reforestation and mitigating climate change needs to be improved.

Another view of the area to be reforested

How will the project solve the problem:

Creating buffer zones along creeks and rivers is of high importance for the protection of these vulnerable waterways. Creating a native forest around a pond and close to a creek will greatly increase the local biodiversity. Many local people and students will learn a great deal about reforestation and organic farming, which is becoming an important issue not only in tropical countries, but all over the world. This project will only reforest a small area, but it will have a high impact on educational goals. It will also improve and increase the amount of organic food the ranch can use and grow. Every bit of reforested area will help to mitigate climate change, which we should act upon now.

One of the gardens at ranch Arenal Vida Campesina

Potential Long-Term Impact:

The 500+ native trees will reforest 0.5 hectares. Because of the great variety of tree species it will create a habitat for much wildlife in the years to come. Combining this with a pond will make the location very diverse. This part of the creek will be protected and the chance of erosion will be reduced. The reforested area will also contribute to mitigating climate change, by sequestering CO2. The organic food will be used on the ranch which will create an income for the family of the owners and the reforested area will be used for tours and educational programs for students and locals to learn more about reforestation, climate change mitigation and the work of LRFF.

Garden path at Arenal Vida Campesina

Quote:

Reciban un cordial saludo Roberta Ward, departe de Arenal Vida Campesina, gracias por tomarnos en cuenta en el proyecto de reforestación para nosotros es de suma importancia el rescatar especies nativas en peligro de extinsión y brindar alimento a diferentes especies, tambien contribuir con el fenomeno del calentamiento global. A continuación le detallo la siguiente información:

Thank you Roberta for taking us into account in the reforestation project. For us at Vida Campesina it is of supreme importance to rescue native species in danger of extinction and to offer food to different species, also to contribute to the mitigation of the phenomena of global warming”. Noilen Gonzalez, daughter of Erasmo Gonzalez and partner in the Vida Campesino farm

Personnel:

Roberta Ward Smiley

CEO and Founder of La Reserva Forest Foundation

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 Appendix

• Appendix I– Budget for “Educational Reforestation, La Fortuna” project