Alvaro Jenkins, owner of the reforestation area
Project Summary:
This project will return to native forest 24 hectares (59 acres) by planting approximately 24,000 trees on old pastureland. The project will connect two wide forest strips increasing habitat and mobility for wildlife, raise local awareness by providing employment and hands-on education for area residents. The new corridor begins at the pristine wetland, Caño Blanco and stretches along 24 hectares of pasture between two existing forests that total 150 hectares. Alvaro Jenkins bought the land over 50 years ago when it was forest. He hired Maleku workers to help him deforest it to create cattle pastures. Now he is working with LRFF and the Maleku to replant it.
Caño Blanco wetlands, where the corridor will begin
Funding Amount:
$70.654.00
Donation Options:
| $20 – pays wages of one worker/day for planting and preparing the land |
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| $25 – will pay for 50 native tree seedlings to be planted |
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| $40 – will pay two workers for one day for planting and preparing the land |
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| $50 – will pay for 100 native tree seedlings to be planted |
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| $100 – pays for 1/5th (200 meters) of the fencing necessary to protect the newly restored forest |
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| $120 – pays the wages of all 6 planters for one day’s work of land preparation and planting |
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| $250 – pays for 500 native tree seedlings to be planted |
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| $985 – will pay 10 workers for 5 days to dig the post holes and install all of the fencing |
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Beginning of the pasture to be restored to forest,
Caño Blanco in the background
More of the pastureland to be restored
with one of the forest strips in the background
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. Alvaro’s land is in Buena Vista de Guatuso, just east of the Maleku villages. Alvaro used Maleku workers in the 1960s to deforest his land. His right hand man was named “Panchito”. Panchito was Jimmy Acosta Elizondo’s (LRFF’s field supervisor) grandfather.
Jimmy Acosta Elizondo, LRFF field supervisor and Panchito’s grandson
How will the project solve the problem:
24 hectares of native tropical forest that were lost in the past 5 decades will be recovered. “Reforesting the Deforestation” will return 24 hectares of ancestral Maleku lands back to native forest, subsequently helping to mitigate climate change by sequestering and storing approximately 480 metric tonnes of CO2/year, recuperate lost habitat and forest resources that local people depend upon for their traditional lifestyle.
The planting area, looking down the corridor between the two forest strips
that will be connected with native forest
Potential Long-Term Impact:
The 24,000+ trees will replace 24 hectares of tropical forest that Alvaro deforested in the 60s. The new forest will remove about 480 metric tonnes/year of CO2. The project gives employment to local workers and Alvaro and his family will create a tree nursery of 24,000 trees to be used to replant. After six months of development LRFF buys the trees from the nursery owner at planting time as an incentive. This creates a lasting appreciation for the new forests.
Quote:
Roberta asks Alvaro whether the land had forest when he bought it in the 60’s. “Yes, and with the Maleku helping me we were able to clear it and create these pastures. It was a lot of work but now I want to replace the forest that I destroyed.” Alvaro Jenkins, owner of the farm that will be reforested.
Brandon, Alvaro’s son-in-law and farm manager, at Caño Blanco
Caño Blanco, home to resident and migrant bird species,
the garfish and other endangered species
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:
Starting the New Year Off Right
2011 – Thank You, Look What You’ve Done
To contribute to this project you may make a tax-deductible donation online at the following link:
U.S. tax deductible nonprofit number EIN# 26-3595528
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
