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This
is the World Land Trust Web-Archive |
| Funding for this project has now closed and all land purchases have been made. For recent updates to this project please see past Newsletters. |
History and Background
Rainforest Action Costa Rica was the second project of the World Land Trust, and focused on the rainforests of Costa Rica, and in particular, the Osa Peninsula - one of the top twenty areas of greatest biodiversity on earth. To help save the Osa Peninsula and its tropical forests, the Trust has been working with the TUVA Foundation, whose Spanish acronym translates as "United Lands of Neighbours for the Environment". This project works with local people, who are under tremendous pressure to 'cash in' to commercial developers. Where land pruchase is not a possibility, conservation rights are being agreed using income generated from a variety of conservation initiatives, including a fallen timber project. Trees that have fallen as a result of high winds and hurricanes, are being removed using oxen, which minimalises the damage to the surrounding forests. Other incentives include providing basic equipment such as solar panels and radios to help improve living conditions. Local landowners are also being encouraged to develop other sources of income that are not detrimental to the forests they live in, and a newly formed vanilla-growing co-operation is particularly successful.
The Trust has already helped purchase 5,000 acres in the Esquinas Sector and is commited to protecting corridors of land between national parks, to ensure the survival of far-ranging animals, such as the Jaguar.
Over recent years much publicity has been given to the importance of conserving tropical forests, and we are all aware that although tropical forests are now reduced to a tiny percentage of the earth's surface they are a storehouse of biological wealth. They contain more than 50 per cent of all species, and are vital regulators of climate. And yet the destruction continues. Rainforest Action Costa Rica wasn't just talking about saving tropical rainforests - it was actually doing it. If you wish to join in such opportunities why not support one of the WLT's current projects such as the Reserva Ecologica de Guapi Acu, Brazil
Why Costa Rica ?
A peaceful country of great scenic beauty and remarkable biological diversity, Costa Rica has already come a long way in proving to the world that conservation is high on its list of priorities. Over the past fifteen years Costa Rica has been fortunate in having leaders dedicated to conservation -among them Mario Boza, former director of national parks, and Vice- minister of Natural Resources.
Between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica covers 51,000 square kilometres (approximately 20,000 square miles) - roughly the size of Denmark. Of this, 12 per cent is designated national park and reserve. However little more than 17 per cent is now forested (compared with 53 per cent in 1950) and forest is still being lost at an alarming rate. While focusing initial efforts on saving the most critical parts of the country, RACR also recognises the importance of avoiding creating conseravation 'islands'. And as supporters of Programme for Belize will know, the purchase of land between protected areas to form vital wildlife corridors is now taking place in Belize. Because we stronly belive in the 'corridor' principle, we have pledged our support to the concept of the Meso-American Biological Corridor, which is a huge project committed to creating a system of protected areas to form a biological corridor throughout the whole of Central America.
The RACR Representive in Costa Rica is Andrew Kendall, former Executive Vice-President of the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, in North America. He is liaising closely with Mario Boza, Costa Rican non-governmental conservation organisations and the local people, and is negotiating land pruchase for conservation within the 'corridor' framework.
The Threat Costa Rica's traditional exports are coffee, bananas and beef. All these have, in the past, taken their toll in the form of forest clearence for agriculture and cattle production. Now, in the 1990s, the world is witnessing the growth of a new boom industry - ecotourism - which in now Costa Rica's number one source of revenue. Rainforest Action Costa Rica aims to educate all visitors, as well as the local people, into recognising the value of the forests - left standing. However this influx of people will undoubtedly mean increased pressure of development schemes, inlcuding roads. RACR is identifying the most important areas at risk and is formulating a land pruchase and protection strategy.
Long Term Objectives While land pruchase for immediate protection is a priority, this is only one part of a total conservation effort. The needs of the local people must be taken into account at all times, and efforts will be made to promote conservation by local landowners using mechanisms such as purchasing the conservation rights (easements) where land pruchase is not an option. Additionally, RACR aims to link conservation with the needs of the local people by:
- providing employment and encouraging non-consumptive uses of the forests and its products.
- promoting understanding of the importance of, and an enthusiam for, tropical forests.
- co-operating with Costa Rican National Parks System in the protection and management of identifed zones.
- assisting in ecotourism assessments and ensuring that development does not result in loss of tropical forest.
- developing ecotourism for small groups, with a view to minimalising impact on the forest and its wildlife.
Saving Wildlife Too Costa Rica's tropical forests contains an enormous wealth of wildlife: its mammal species number over 200, its birds species 850, there are approximately 220 species of reptiles and 160 species of amphibians. Additionally, there are
more than 12,000 species of plants occurring, many of which are known to have potential as anti-cancer agents, and other life-saving applications.
The 'corridor' concept ensures long-term protection of tropical forest habitat for far-ranging species such as the five species of cat found in Costa Rica: the jaguar, puma, margay, ocelot and jaguarundi. Other favourites of the forest include four species of monkeys, spider monkey, white-faced (or capuchin) monkey, squirrel monkey and howler monkey, and there are two species of sloth, the three-toed sloth which is active by day and the two-toed which is nocturnal.
What The Experts Say "Without tropical forests the world stands to lose 60 per cent of biodiversity and the earth's climate would be completely out of balance. I see Rainforest Action Costa Rica as a true hope that something can be done to halt this destruction."
-Professor David Bellamy OBE, Trustee of the WLT.
"Man, the most arrogant and dangerous animal on earth, shares this fragile world with all living species; the elephant and rhino of Africa, and the Jaguar of the rainforests of Central America all have a right to survive on this planet. Man destroys a species every day of every year and if we continue on that path, we will destroy ourselves. Conservation is our own survival too, and if we do not learn this message today, tomorrow will be too late."
David Shepherd OBE.
"Costa Rica's threatened rainforests will finally be given the worldwide support that they deserve thanks to Rainforest Action Costa Rica and the World Land Trust. I am extremely excited about the opportunity to work with the group that has been so successful in Belize, in the hope that the forests of Costa Rica can be likewise protected for future generations."
Mario A. Boz, former Vice Minister of Natural Resources, Costa Rica.