In January, my mother and grandmother and I returned from an inspirational eco-tour of the Sarapiquí region of northeastern Costa Rica, where we met Alex Martinez, a pioneer in conservation efforts of critically endangered Great Green Macaws and the Wild Almond (nesting) Trees that their survival depends on.
We were deeply moved to take action to help Alex, and the nonprofits he works closely with, to conserve the macaws’ critical habitat, the 200-year-old Wild Almond (nesting) trees.
A farmer in the region recently died and divided his land among his children who have subdivided it into 24 lots — many with Wild Almond nesting trees — and the lots are being sold (approximately USD$35k each). We want to buy and conserve as may lots as possible with trees, and our ultimate fundraising goal is to be able to purchase all the lots (approximately USD$1,180M, as of January 2023), and convert the farmhouse into a Great Green Macaw interpretive center!
We were so lucky to be able to tour the land with the lots with Alex and experience seeing Great Green Macaws and Scarlet Macaws returning to their nests at dusk.
We also want to bring awareness and touch the hearts of others to this effort and to raise as much as we can towards purchasing as many lots on the land as possible. It’s an ideal location, just 2 kms away from the renowned Organization for Tropical Studies' La Selva Research Station.
Thank you for any amount you can give. If we don't raise enough to funds to purchase one or more lots, all funds will be put towards the Tropical Science Center's ‘adopt a tree,’ program, which pays farmers to NOT chop down the 200-year-old nesting trees on their land — and a plaque will be added in honor your donation.
If you would like to visit the land and see the macaws flying to their nests or if you would like more information, please contact my mother, Stacy De La O (stacy.delao@wsu.edu) or Alex Martinez (alex6265@hotmail.com)
