Private Nature Reserves of Costa Rica Network

Costa Rica covers an extension of 51,100 km2, equivalent to 0.001% of the planet's surface and is home to 500,000 species (4%) of all living beings of the world. Furthermore, the country has an enormous base of information and research about its rich biodiversity and an extensive road network that allows access almost everywhere. Costa Rica’s appeal is complemented by a large variety of lodging and food services and the friendliness of its people.

The biological richness of Costa Rica is mainly found in primary forests - a humid, dry or cloudy bio-system - which covers 25% of the country. Many of these forests are protected by the Costa Rican government as National Parks and Biological Reserves. However a large percentage of primary forests belong to private owners who have dedicated their private land as nature reserves.

What is the Network? Who are we?

We are the owners of Private Nature Reserves in Costa Rica. We can be categorized into four groups:

  • The NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations: Foundations, associations, universities, etc.) often are owners of large land extensions dedicated to conservation, research, education and tourism. Revenues are obtained from donations and sale of services.
  • Ecotourism (hotels or hostels) generally handle medium-size tourism’s demands, conservation, education and research. This sector’s operating income comes from tourism and often these businesses are privately owned.
  • The Agro Producers own the largest number of reservations. This group includes agricultural businesses and farmers who have preserved natural areas within their farms. Many, especially the farmers, are motivated not by profit but by the love of the land. The income comes from selling the farm’s products.
  • There are also those who have inherited or purchased property with a natural area and are motivated by the desire to preserve these areas for generations to come because they feel it is their duty to protect the biological richness.
What is the Network?

The Private Nature Reserves of Costa Rica Network was established as an initiative to unite into one nonprofit association a significant number of private reserves. Some of these reserves have been established in Costa Rica for decades, without an organization to work for their common goal of preserving the wilderness areas. In 1995, the Network filled this need, and now it consists of more than 140 affiliated private reserves. The Network overall protects more than 100,000 hectares of land, 5% of the country’s protected areas, mostly primary forests.
These reserves are engaged in various activities, including:

  • Research
  • Ecotourism
  • Environmental education
  • Biological research
  • Sustainable use of non-timber forest resources
  • Absolute protection (not even for research)
What is a Private Nature Reserve?

A Private Nature Reserve is a property that includes, at least partly, a virgin area that is exploited and at the same time protected and conserved. Natural areas include: primary forests, secondary forests, natural forests used in the sustainable management, forests planted exclusively with native species to enhance biodiversity, moorland, wetlands (including mangroves, lagoons, rivers, sea coasts and estuaries). Agricultural land, non-natural pastures, forest plantations for use, or fruit plantations are not considered natural areas.

Term: Ecological

The reserves are located in seven different bio-climate areas starting from the tropics (10 ° north latitude) and including an ecosystem of lowland rain forests, cloud forests, tropical dry forest, evergreen and deciduous forests, oak forests, and wetlands. For example, in two of our largest private protected areas sharing the same climatic region, there have been identified 2,500 species of vascular plants (including 420 orchids) 1,200 butterflies, 120 species of reptiles and amphibians and 450 species of birds.

Objectives

The objectives of the organization are:

  • Represent and defend the interests of Private Nature Reserves to the government, international agencies, NGOs and private entities.
  • Divulge information about the Private Nature Reserves
  • Strengthen the relationship between Nature Reserves, through information exchange, mutual support and a forum to express the concerns of members
  • Promote education, training and awareness on conservation, environmental impact, case-management plans, safety and productivity of the private nature reserves for both partners and the local community
  • Promote the recovery of the forest and other biological resources in all aspects related to biodiversity, watershed protection, carbon sequestration, the use of genetic material, maintenance of scenic beauty, water and energy

The Reserves Network has influenced and contributed to the country's environmental legislation and environmental policies in order to take into account the importance of Nature Reserves in Tourism’s marketing, through the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).