PROJECT: LA LAGUNA REFORESTATION PROJECT

La Laguna is an eighty-hectare farm located in southern Costa Rica, approximately four miles north of Wilson Botanical Garden, situated near the towns of San Vito, Aqua Buena, and Rio Claro, that up until recently existed as a beef cattle farm. It lies at approximately 1350 - 1400 meters elevation in cloud forest area. Approximately forty years ago the entire farm had been a cloud forest; however, at the time, farmers had been encouraged to cut and clear the cloud forest for cattle grazing. Most of the native trees had been cleared and burned to make way for pasture except where waterways existed or where the slope was too great for cattle to graze. The current state of La Laguna is about 65 hectares in pastureland and the remaining amount in remnant forest. One hectare is currently being utilized by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) for reforesting research. Also, two ponds are present on the farm.

The surrounding areas that encompass La Laguna are in a likewise state with cattle grazing. Only now does the government of Costa Rica restrict the cutting of old growth trees; however, some nearby areas are still being cleared for pastureland.

The goal of this project is to restore native tree species to La Laguna and to provide an example, along with knowledge and resources, to other local cattle farmers who want to convert the land to replicate its original state.

The benefits of this project would include controlling erosion by eliminating the ruts created by cattle on the land and thereby protecting the watershed, improving soil quality by planting tree species that enhance nutrients in the soil, re-establishing habitat and food sources for animals by planting tree species that provide nuts, fruits, and cover for resident mammals and birds, and assisting in creating a wildlife corridor between natural areas in Costa Rica.

The plan of the La Laguna project is multifaceted. The first objective of this project is to restore and protect the watershed to the ponds by controlling erosion. The watershed comprises approximately twenty hectares of which fifteen hectares were just until recently cattle pasture. The second objective is to reforest the remaining cattle pasture land. The third objective is to establish an onsite greenhouse so local forest tree nuts and seeds can be utilized for the project in addition to trees that are purchased or donated. The fourth objective is to establish involvement from local Costa Ricans to gain knowledge of tree and animal species, both currently residing in the area as well as those species that have been eliminated from the area due to deforestation. The last objective of the project is to provide education, as well as resources, to other local farmers who want to plant trees and help in creating the much needed wildlife corridor.

With the generous help of GAIAculture, the La Laguna Restoration Project began in late October, 2008. With the coordination efforts of Dave Gertner of GAIAculture, approximately one thousand tree seedlings were donated by the GAIA nursery including Cedro, Cocoa, and Balsa species; approximately one thousand Juniper tree seedlings were donated by ICE; one hundred and fifty tree seedlings were donated by the The Finca Project – Agua Buena; and 250 Poro species branches (to root in the ground) were personally donated by Dave for this project. Transportation of these seedlings and branches was somewhat problematic as the road to La Laguna was impassable for most vehicles in parts of the road at the time and Southern Costa Rica was receiving unusually heavy rains. Transportation was done mainly by the generous help of Rod Peterson and his tractor, by 4 x 4 vehicles (where the road was passable), and by foot. Transporting the seedlings to the heavily saturated fields was through mud, cattle ruts, and hills, by foot early in the morning before the rains started for the day. Most seedlings were in larger black plastic bags, which were quite heavy, so relatively few could be carried at one time.

The first area planted was one to protect the watershed on La Laguna. It encompasses approximately six hectares on a hillside. One slope receives more sun whereas the other receives more shade. Thirty head of cattle were allowed to graze the area for approximately thirty days prior to planting to mow down the vegetation (cows have since been removed altogether from Finca La Laguna). Hand planting of the trees commenced in November, still in the heavy rainy season. It took approximately five weeks to plant the 2400 tree seedlings and branches on both slopes of the hillside.

Since the initial planting, approximately 500 more trees have been donated by GAIAculture and have been planted. Species included Ceiba, Ron Ron, Cedro, and Mayo. In addition, approximately 400 more Poro branches have been planted in pasture areas.

After planting, the area surrounding the new tree seedlings must be cleared of the aggressive pasture grasses. This is mainly done by hand using machetes so as not to accidentally cut the seedlings with a motorized weed cutter. In addition, fertilizer is applied routinely as the pastures are nutrient deficient at this time.

One greenhouse has been fabricated on the La Laguna property to establish tree seedlings. However, two to three more greenhouses will be required to provide enough seedlings. Because La Laguna is located at a higher elevation and has a unique climate, the nurseries in the area do not have many of the species that are indigenous to this area. Therefore, it is very important that nuts, fruits, and seeds are gathered from the surrounding forest areas. The goal is to establish 2000 – 5000 seedlings of Roble, Quina, Ira Rosa, Maria, and the mountain variety of Cedro. With the help of a local Costa Rican neighbor and farmer, several nearby areas have been identified where these species exist. The Costa Rican landowner has given his permission to collect seeds from these trees on his land for this project. So far, approximately 1500 tree seedlings have been established from nut and seed collection. Species included Roble, Maria, Guanacaste, Cortez, Quina, and Amarillon. Of these, approximately 500 have been planted already. In addition to the reforestation of the pastures, a tremendous amount of work has been done to clean up the smaller of the two ponds. Because cattle had previously been raised by the ponds, and in nearby pastures that drain into the ponds, a great amount of buildup was created in the pond bottoms. This led to many aggressive pasture grasses invading the ponds and threatens to enclose them. In the beginning of 2009, the grasses, some as long as 20 feet, have started to be pulled out of the lower pond by hand. Mechanical means were tried; however, because the grasses were so long, these means did not work. This is very strenuous work as one has to stand on a raft and pull out the grass while on the water. After areas have been freed of the grasses, a pump has been used to remove the sediment from the bottom of the pond. This process also takes a long time and is very strenuous as the sediment is quite deep. Four geese are being tried on the upper pond to remove the grass. They were placed in the pond in July, 2009. It appears they are taking the grasses out by their roots so hopefully will be a worthwhile addition to the pond cleaning effort.

Since the beginning of this project, mammals that have been spotted on Finca LaLaguna include armadillos, jaguarondis, white-faced capuchin monkeys, coatis, rabbits, otters, pacas, agoutis and squirrels. Howler monkeys can be heard at certain times of the year, but are a few miles away. Neighboring farmers report they have seen peccaries and a jaguar cub in the past few years. Our hope is to extend the habitat in which species, such as these, can live.

We hope you can appreciate the importance of this project and ask for your financial support. The La Laguna restoration project has the ability to create a better environment for both people and animals. Animal species that have left the area, due to deforestation, may be able to reenter the area and thrive again if proper cover and food are reestablished. Your help will assist in establishing and maintaining the trees necessary for this to occur.