Sustainable Development ● Habitat Reforestation ● Environmental Education

Sustainable Development

The future of eco-tourism, and therefore our community’s economic stability, is directly tied to the fate of our natural environment.

In Manuel Antonio, increased and unchecked development threatens the very core of what makes our community thrive – the expansive, unique, and inspiring flora and fauna.

Through programs directly promoting Sustainable Development of the area, and by educating local businesses on the principles of eco-tourism, we work to ensure responsible growth and a thriving economy.

This year we are coordinating efforts with the Rainforest Alliance to educate local area businesses on the principles of eco-tourism.

Habitat Reforestation:

Río Naranjo Biological Corridor

Improving Genetic Viability

There are two known locations of the mono tití (squirrel monkey) in the Manuel Antonio area. The two populations are unfortunately disconnected, making it impossible for monkeys from one geographical area to travel to another.

This is a genetically dangerous situation.

When monkeys are separated from other family groups, inter-troop breeding and genetic disabilities result, and contribute to the downfall of the species.

Beginning in 2001, Titi Conservation Alliance has worked with local schools and property-owners along the Rio Naranjo river basin to create a biological corridor that will connect these two populations of monkeys. We plant groupings of trees that are indigenous to the area, and that the mono titís use to feed. So far we have planted over 35,000 trees to create this corridor. We still have 10,000 to go.

We are fortunate to have local farmers who supply us with small saplings that the local schools use to cultivate and take care of in their tree nurseries for one year. After that year has passed, we purchase these saplings from the schools, (funds go towards materials needed at the schools), and the school children help us plant these saplings along the biological corridor. The children learn about conservation through this invaluable program, and they take this knowledge back home to share with their families. We are very excited to complete this corridor by the end of 2010, for not only does it serve the mono titis, but it also improves the viability of other flora and fauna in our region.

In addition, we involve member businesses in the planting process along the Corridor. This not only enhances our educational benefits for our members and their employees, but also offers an opportunity for local businesses to work to off-set their carbon emissions, reducing their carbon footprint, by their involvement with this project.

Environmental Education

Environmental Education is an important compliment to our Sustainable Development and Habitat Reforestation projects. We work with both businesses and schools alike in our education efforts, ensuring a wide range of knowledgeable citizens of all ages within the community.

For adult education, we provide seminars and other educational opportunities within the community. We also offer environmental consulting and guidance for our member businesses, with access to forestry engineers; an invaluable aid in the process towards fulfilling environmental requirements for the Certification of Sustainable Tourism (CST) and Rainforest Alliance's Buenas Practicas certification.

For education of the younger generation, we currently work with eight local elementary schools, focused primarily on fourth- and fifth-grade students. Our environmental education program with these students has four main components:

Classroom Lessons

Our environmental educator conducts classroom lessons once a week with each school and grade-level in participation. Through presentations and exciting hands-on activities, students learn about everything from the Biodiversity of Costa Rican flora and fauna; local and country-wide ecosystems; Costa Rican species in danger of extinction; and more.

Organic Tree Nurseries

The local schools raise native species of trees for the Naranjo River Biological Corridor. With a hand in every level of growth, the students at each school are truly able to reap what they sow – from preparation of the organic soil, to the construction of their school’s nursery, to caring for the seedlings in that nursery throughout the year. When the trees are ready to be planted, Tití Conservation Alliance purchases them from the schools, creating resources for educational materials. Since 2003, the students have produced more than 9,000 trees for the Biological Corridor!

Reforestation

Our environmental education comes full-circle when the students take the seedlings they have nurtured in their school’s nursery to the site of the Naranjo River Biological Corridor to plant them. With the help of the Environmental and Educational Ministries of Costa Rica, local students have planted over 6,000 trees!

Environmental Field Trips

Our field trips provide local students with the opportunity to learn about the area’s flora and fauna, and how to help preserve the rich biodiversity. Over 800 students have been able to participate in field trips to the Savegre Wildlife Rescue Center, the butterfly farm at Hotel Si Como No, the National Biodiversity Institute, and Hacienda Baru.