In Costa Rica we are going to plant 27,500 trees in order to restore tropical rain forest. In this project we co-operate with our partner, Adopt Rain Forest Foundation and local population. In this way we bring nature back to life and create an unbroken natural habitat for innumerable animals.
trees planted
rain forest restored
different species of trees
people who have work & income
people in total benefiting from the project
By means of this project we connect two existing nature reserves. We plant trees on 25 hectares of meadowland, situated exactly between Adopt Rain Forest Foundation’s nature reserve and Barbilla National Park.
In Adopt Rain Forest Foundation’s reserve only, hundreds of species of birds and butterflies occur. Moreover, it is a home for extraordinary animals, such as jaguarundi, ocelot, puma, silky anteater and strawberry poison frog. But small-scale agriculture and cattle farming have caused large sections of rain forest to disappear. Because of this, Barbilla National Park has become isolated from other nature reserves in northern and western Costa Rica.
In places where forest has been felled, large open spaces have come into being. Without shelter from trees, animals do not feel safe and prefer to avoid these places. The habitat for these animals gets fragmented and is simply too small, making it difficult for them to find mates and to breed. Several species are included in the Red List of endangered animals, such as Buffon’s macaw.
By means of this project we make sure that the region becomes one large uninterrupted forest again. The new forest will also procure better water management, sound soil and more CO2 storage in the area.
Hundreds of animal species live in Costa Rica’s tropical forests, including the margay, toucan, glass frog, hummingbird, helmet basilisk, pit viper, butterflies and the Blue Jeans frog
Together with Adopt Rain Forest we are going to reafforest 25 hectares of meadowland with 7 indigenous species of tree which are all native to the region.
In the first phase we will plant many fast-growing trees, also called pioneers. These fast growers cause shady circumstances and correct humidity. In this way we create perfect conditions for the slower-growing species, the so-called climax species.
We also plant trees whose fruit attracts seed spreaders, such as birds, rodents and monkeys. These animals bring seeds from other trees into the forest, enabling even more species of trees to take root. A diverse tropical lowland forest arises in which animals may settle and move freely.
Apart from the species of tree selected, nearly 4,000 Almendro trees will be planted. This typical tree is indigenous to Costa Rica, but is slowly disappearing as a result of deforestation. The tree is highly important for the seriously endangered Buffon’s macaw, which builds its nests in it. Only 1,000 of these splendid green birds do still live in the wild.
The endangered Buffon’s macaw (photo by Adopt Rain Forest)
In the project we co-operate as much as we can with local communities. It offers work and income to eight families for at least one year. They will receive education about planting trees, maintenance and monitoring of the forest. By involving people, we hope to enlarge awareness in the communities of the importance of tropical rain forest.
The parcel where we are going to plant trees is situated in eastern Costa Rica’s lowlands, Limón province. Almost 50% of the Limón territory consists of protected natural reserve and national parks. This project is a contribution into reconnecting various areas.
In this project we co-operate with the Dutch Adopt Rain Forest Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to preserving rain forest in Costa Rica by means of acquiring plots of rain forest. They protect their purchases and the biodiversity within them. Their ultimate goal is to protect 2,000 hectares of rain forest.
All young trees are purchased from nearby Costa Rican Universidad EARTH. This is a forestry college cum tree nursery. Besides, eight members of the local community will be appointed as project workers and a ranger is employed for protection of the rain forest.
“Adopt Rain Forest has financed the acquisition of 25 hectares of land, which can be replanted through donations via Trees for All. In this way we provide jobs to eight families and protect Costa Rica’s towering biodiversity. Both nature and the local community will profit by this prize project.” – Adopt Rain Forest & Trees for All
