Cooperation project

Karen Mogensen Reserve

Nicoya, Costa Rica

(2022-2023)

Description

Implementation of an environmental study program for 120 students from 10 villages and towns around the reserve.

The issues

Improved living conditions for targeted rural communities
Protection of the Karen Mogensen Reserve through environmental education of youth and promotion of sustainable tourism

The objectives

Capacity and knowledge building of local communities, with youth as actors of change, in the preservation of the forest and its biodiversity and the responsible use of its resources in the context of climate change challenges
Increased capacity of the local partner to support sustainable tourism development

The actions

Environmental Education Program

2 groups of 30 high school students from 4 towns in the region of Jicaral, Lepanto, Paquera and Cobano, will travel to the Karen Mogensen Reserve for a 1 night / 2 day interactive environmental education program. In addition, 2 groups of 30 primary school students from 6 small communities around the Karen Mogensen Reserve, will stay 1 night / 2 days, for the following interactive learning program. For most of the program, the students will be divided into several smaller groups. Each group will have a volunteer educator to guide the students in raising awareness on the following topics:

Learn about biodiversity in the forest with tropical animal guides as a tool
Raising awareness on problems faced by hunters in the region and to consider solutions
By learning about the importance of protecting forests and reforesting livestock lands, talking about solutions
Raising awareness on forest fire prevention
Learn proper waste management to implement in homes and teach family members
Climat change

Forestry work in the field

Dividing into small groups, volunteer educators will lead each group through the forest on separate trails in the Karen Mogensen Reserve with specific tasks:

Plant 1 endangered tree per group
Search for seeds of endangered tree species and plant them in the nursery in bags
Learn about the trees and plants that provide food to mammals such as the howler monkey and what they need to survive
Search for animal tracks in the forest
Knowing the importance of the connection between various forest areas, the biological corridors

Support of a sustainable tourism initiative

Certification and promotion of the Cerro Escondido ecolodge through the Vaolo collaborative platform.