For The Monkeys, Upala, Costa Rica

White-­faced monkeys, one of the three different monkey species spotted in the project area.

Project summary:

The project is located in two different areas of Upala, Costa Rica. The first project area is located around 5km north-east of Upala center and has an area size of 4 hectares and the second project area has an area size of 2 hectares. The project will consist of reforesting a 10 meter-wide buffer zone that is connected to an isolated forest patch, along the Guacalito River. Three different monkey species were spotted on this forest patch, the white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys and spider monkeys.

Elias Cruz, the property owner, showing the areas to be reforested

Funding Amount:

$15,990.00

 Donation Options:

$10 – will pay for 20 seedlings
$15 – will pay for 30 meters of fencing
$20 – will pay 1 worker a day for labor – posts, holes and fencing
$20 – will pay 1 worker a day for planting and land preparation
$50 – will pay for 1 inspection (10 required over 5 years)
$50 – will pay for 1 day of expenses (food and gas)
$100 – will pay for 1 trip of transportation
$530 – will pay for 1 scheduled maintenance (8 required)

Project area to be reforested

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. Forest fragmentation causes flora and fauna to be isolated on little forest patches. This isolation causes inbreeding which results in genetically weakened generations. For many species these isolated forest patches are too small to make a habitat, as food can become scarce and species cannot migrate.

Another area to be planted.

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. Expanding the habitat for flora and fauna will result in a higher survival rate. Planting native tree species on these buffer zones will create more options for animals to forage and migrate, also the trees will retain the soil, preventing it from being eroded by the rivers. This project will insure that these three species of monkeys trying to survive along the river will have an increase in habitat for the years to come.

The river Guacalito, located through and along the project property

Potential Long-Term Impact:

Once a decent canopy has been created, fauna will feel safe to travel and migrate along the corridor. In the future, other projects could expand the corridor even more, connecting them to other isolated forest patches. The landowner will be able to receive payments for environmental services such as carbon sequestration. The financial benefits will protect and conserve the forest and will reduce the risk of it being deforested.

Quote:

“Roberta, I need you to come and survey my two farms to validate the feasibility of LRFF creating a biological corridor along all of my two farms for the monkeys”  Elias Cruz Quintanilla, owner of the two farms

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 Appendix I

• Appendix I– Budget for “For the Monkeys” project