Save San Luis Forest, Save This Family, Costa Rica

Mariano Monge and Alba, his wife, with their children

Preserving this 14 hectare primary tropical forest will save the Monge family who own it, and maintain the forest habitat which resident wildlife depend on in this vital forest corridor on the shores of Lake Arenal.

The San Luis forest from Google Earth

$513

Donation Options:

1. $20 – Will pay for one of the bi-annual inspections.
2. $30 – Will offset approx. 7 tons/CO2/year by preserving 5000 sq. meters (1/2 hectare) of this primary rainforest for one year
3. $60 – Will offset approx. 15 tons/CO2/year by preserving 1 hectare (2.47 acres) of this wet tropical forest for one year. The life within it is threatened by the development that is closing in.
4. $706 – Will cover the “payments for environmental services” to the Monges for the entire 14 has. this year and offset approx. 210 tons of CO2.

Mariano cleaning the pasture adjacent to the San Luis Forest with a machete

What are your CO2 emissions each year? Do you know? The Monges have conserved this 14 ha. rain forest for decades. Mariano Monge, owner of the forest, had 3 sons with his wife Alba. Josue, the eldest, died last year due to a degenerative disease, the middle son was born with Down’s syndrome and a serious heart defect. They have lived in the village of San Luis all of their lives. This forest is removing 210 metric tons of CO2/year from the Earth’s atmosphere. Offset your CO2 helping this family.

How will the project solve the problem:

Payments for environmental services to the Monges for the habitat and CO2 sequestration saves 14 ha. of rainforest from being sold and developed, the habitat necessary for the resident wildlife and the resources needed by this family.

Potential Long-Term Impact:

Preserving the Monge’s forest ensures habitat for the resident wildlife, absorbs over 210 metric tons of CO2 annually and gives this family the opportunity to improve the quality of their lives.

View of a portion of the San Luis forest from ground level

LRFF’s focus is remarkable; I just wish enough funding was available to make more of their dreams come true. Michele Glenn, friend and supporter of LRFF

Personnel:

Roberta Ward Smiley

President and Founder LRFF/CR

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 Treasurer of LRFF/CR and director of reforestation

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

Mariano Monge

Owner of San Luis Forest

Mariano has lived his entire 40+ years on the San Luis property. Before him were his father and grandfather.  He and his siblings, even Alba, played and worked in the forests and savannas. Mariano is a true “guardian of the forest”.

This orchid cannot survive without an undisturbed forest like this one in San Luis

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 1 – “Budget for Save San Luis Forest” project