Terra Reserve is a private nature reserve located adjacent to the middle basin of the Reventazón River, near the area flooded by the Reventazón hydroelectric project 10 years ago. This strategic location serves as an integral component of the Barbilla-Destierro biological sub-corridor, playing a critical role in protecting and restoring vital forest habitats for wildlife movement. Furthermore, this reserve sits within the most critical stopover and refueling site in the region for the Cerulean Warbler during its autumn migration—a species currently facing severe threats due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation.

A great first highlight of this alliance took place during the month of June, 2026. A multigenerational group of more than 40 volunteers—including children and adults—worked side-by-side with the dedicated Terra Reserve team and our crew. Together, they successfully planted 550 trees of 35 native species ecologically adapted to the local soil and climate.

The carefully selected species planted by our volunteers include:

• Vachellia ruddiae

• Pseudosamanea carbonaria

• Inga marginata, I. ruizana, I. sapindioides, and I. leiocalycina

• Carapa guianensis

• Hura crepitans

• Miconia longifolia

• Minquartia guianensis

• Lonchocarpus sp., Dussia sp., and Virola sp.

This hands-on community effort directly accelerates landscape restoration. By combining local knowledge with scientific rigor, our volunteers and partners are successfully building resilient, biodiverse habitats to safeguard future generations of wildlife.

We express our deepest gratitude to Terra Conservation Reserve for generously providing their property and opening their doors to host these vital planting events. This flourishing relationship is just beginning, and we are confident that by continuing to combine our strengths and resources, this partnership will yield outstanding, long-term conservation benefits for the entire ecosystem.

The benefactors of the Foundation are Luis Rodriguez and Sharon Cheever, husband and wife. Luis was born in Costa Rica and considers it his second home. Both Sharon and Luis felt the need to make a meaningful impact on wildlife conservation, after their first visit to Africa. With the biodiversity of Costa Rica, its environmental focus and Luis’ ties to Costa Rica they chose the Reserve and its Mission.

The Reserve is strategically located in the Barbilla-Destierro Biological Corridor (Corridor). The Corridor is a critical connector between the Central Volcanic Cordillera of Costa Rica and the Cordillera de Talamanca that stretches into Panama. The Corridor acts as a link between these two large mammal (Jaguars and Pumas) habitats. The Corridor has been highlighted by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) as a priority for conservation at both a national level and a regional level within Latin America. The Reventazon River Valley which lies at the heart of the biological Corridor provides a safe passage for large mammals migrating between the two Cordilleras.

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CSG works to finding solutions to:

• Minimize the harm and reduce the threats to our most vulnerable species

• Protect people and wildlife from human-wildlife conflicts

• Provide and protect crucial habitat for declining species

Program examples include:

• Research: Wildlife tracking to inform threats and mitigate human-wildlife conflict

• Conservation: Voluntary lead-free ammunition distribution programs to protect scavenging wildlife

• Education: Educational events to inform the public about the effects of lead ammunition on scavenging wildlife

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Our Mission: MCHF advances the conservation and appreciation of forest, fish and wildlife resources by applying financial resources to the priorities of the Missouri Department of Conservation in collaboration with donors and other partners.

Access to the reserve is only possible via a legal right-of-way that crosses several privately owned properties. Reaching the protected area requires walking several kilometers through forested landscapes that are both breathtaking and ecologically rich. For those of us dedicated to conservation, this journey is always an opportunity to reconnect with the land we work to protect.

We departed early in the morning to maximize daylight hours and carried the materials needed for the planned improvements. Upon entering the access road, we noticed something unusual: the path was wider than normal and showed fresh tractor tire marks. While concerning, we continued forward.

Soon after, the reason became evident. Along the road, we found large logs from commercially valuable tree species, freshly cut and left in place, ready to be chained and transported for logging.

This discovery was deeply troubling. Deforestation and the resulting degradation of forest habitats remain among the most serious threats to Costa Rica’s biodiversity. These activities undermine ecosystem integrity, disrupt water regulation, and accelerate biodiversity loss driven by human pressure.

As we continued, we identified the source of the timber: mature, large-canopy trees that had been felled on a neighboring property. The damage extended beyond tree removal, including the clearing of forest areas to create access tracks for heavy machinery, further fragmenting the ecosystem.

Although this logging did not take place within our reserve boundaries, it served as a stark reminder of the constant pressure facing Costa Rica’s forests. Despite existing environmental laws and forest protection policies, enforcement is often insufficient to prevent habitat loss at the local level.

This is why private conservation initiatives are critical. Organizations like the Cerúlea Environmental Association work directly on the ground to protect remaining forest cover, maintain ecological connectivity, and serve as a buffer against expanding deforestation.

Support from international donors enables us to:

• Secure and manage private conservation lands

• Monitor forest health and human pressures

• Restore degraded areas

• Strengthen local conservation capacity

Together, we can ensure that Costa Rica’s forests continue to provide refuge for biodiversity and essential ecosystem services for generations to come.