Biodiversity in danger
Costa Rica is a true biodiversity hotspot with just under 500,000 proven species and is one of the most biodiverse countries on earth. However, despite numerous conservation efforts, the flora and fauna here are also negatively affected by numerous external influences: agriculture, hunting, deforestation, pollution, invasive species and, in particular, climate change are also causing problems for the flora and fauna here, according to scientists. Many of these factors can be counteracted by purchasing land and thus permanently protecting the forest - and this is precisely where our work comes in.
Our project in Costa Rica
In order to continue to preserve biodiversity and promote species exchange, we are creating a rainforest corridor between two globally important national parks. The Corcovado and the Amistad National Park. Corcovado National Park is about 42,000 hectares of wild nature on the Osa Peninsula, located directly on the Pacific Ocean. It is the only national park where a jaguar can still hunt turtles or sea birds on the beach.
We want to connect the Corcovado Park with the Amistad National Park in the interior. The national park ranges from 100 m to 3,594 m above sea level. There are different ecoregions, ranging from lowland rainforest to secondary forest in the highlands to tundra. Very rare species occur here.
Project areas
During the project visit, among other things, the areas that can be protected thanks to the climate partners of the Blue Planet Certificate were inspected. These are two plots of land of just over 176 hectares, almost completely forested, with about 80 percent being primary rainforest. Various small mountains along with two waterfalls create a unique landscape here. 24 additional hectares of farmland adjacent to the two properties are also currently for sale.
The three properties are strategically very important. They are the last forests that directly border the Inter-America, the major international road from North to South America. And on the opposite side of this road, there is also some forest that extends into the hinterland to the Fila de Cal mountain range - currently the only place where forest borders on forest. Here, therefore, there is a unique opportunity to connect the forest, to build up the corridor further and to reforest degraded areas.