One strategy that Friends of the Rainforest is actively involved in is the Bellbird Biological Corridor project that is trying to create continuous habitat for birds such as the Quetzal along their migration routes.

Another approach is to improve their survival chances up here at their breeding sites. To do this, many local landholders, including reserves have provided nesting boxes. A number of species use these boxes including the resplendent quetzal.

These boxes help by providing more nesting sites, particularly in regenerating forest since suitable hollows are more common in more mature trees. The boxes are also designed for the birds to be able to nest but make it hard for a toucan bill to reach the nest. And they are strong, so it is difficult for a predator to tear it open and get at the eggs.

However, one year a reserve put a webcam in a nesting box so that people could watch the quetzals raise their young. People around the world watched in horror as the nest was raided and tried to make emergency calls to the reserve to rescue the nest. So the nesting boxes don’t have webcams any more!

A while ago I attended a lecture on the changes in rainfall patterns associated with climate change in Monteverde. The lecture was given to tropical ecology students by Alan Pounds, an climate change expert who lives locally.

The main change he talked about was that while overall rainfall does seem to be increasing it is falling in heavier showers with longer dry spells in between, and less of the mist that typifies cloud forest. Those mists enable a proliferation of epiphytic life and associated ecosystems to live up in the canopy, the defining feature of cloud forest.

He and Karen Masters have been conducting a study looking at how tiny orchids of the Monteverde cloud forest respond to longer dry periods. What they are finding if that these orchids are struggling to survive the length of dry periods we are already getting. Alan Pounds thinks that what this means for the forest as a whole is that the cloud forest will gradually turn into rainforest.

Cloud forests may be among the first two ecosystems, along with coral reefs, to become extinct worldwide due to climate change. Better come and see them while you have the chance!

Collecting and identifying specimens

Local botanical expert, Willow Zuchowski, recently ran a tree identification course at four top tree locations in Monteverde. Willow is best known for her books, Tropical Plants of Costa Rica and  An Introduction to Cloud Forest Trees Monteverde Costa Rica, which we used for the course. Willow also runs ProNativas, a native plant garden service, in partnership with Monteverde Conservation League.

See those interpetiole stipules?

A group of enthusiastic locals, including guides and academics, spent four Saturday mornings in the forest learning to identify the most common tree families in the Monteverde zone. The second week we went to Bajo del Tigre.

The first thing was finding out the identifying characteristics of the different families. The easiest to get were leaf arrangement (eg opposite or alternate), vein pattern (venation, eg pinnate, palmate, netted), whether leaves are compound or simple and whether leaves have toothed or lobed edges. But then we came on to the trickier, more technical characteristics. Stipules are only occasionally obvious enough for the amateur, I really doubt I could find an extra-floral nectary by myself and t- or star-shaped hairs and oil glands (yellow, translucent dots) are only visible with back to front binoculars (and maybe imagination) and latex production requires injuring the plant, a bit of a no-no in a reserve.

Netted venation

Is it really this complicated?

Even if you can recognise these traits, it quickly gets a lot more complicated. Only about 10 of the local families can be definitively identified this way. For most of the families a trait may be frequent, or typical, I felt very unconfident to go beyond these more straightforward families. Which is, of course, why we have experts!

But for me, it was an interesting and enjoyable way to see the forest with other interested people. And since, I have an extra awareness of the complexity of what I see as I walk through the forest.

Join Us!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
THE LIVING WORLD, SAINT LOUIS ZOO

OUR FIRST ANNUAL CONSERVATION
AWARENESS AND FUNDRAISING FORUM

Saving The Forest, Saving Ourselves
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF
CONSERVATION SUCCESS

FEATURING GUEST SPEAKER
DR. PETER RAVEN

Join us for drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The event is free and open to the public.
Dress is business casual. Parking is free.

Registration is required. Please register online at: friendsoftherainforest.org/10years

Saving the Forest, Saving Ourselves
An awareness and fundraising forum
BY DR. PETER RAVEN
Keynote speaker: Dr. Peter Raven, one of the world’s leading botanists and advocates of conservation and biodiversity, is described by TIME magazine as a “Hero for the Planet.” He is President Emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden after serving 40 years as Director. In addition, he is chairman of the National Geographic Society’s Committee for Research and Exploration, and chair of the Division of Earth and Life Studies of the National Research Council.

Click Here to Learn More and Register for Free

Friends of the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, formerly known as Monteverde Conservation League U.S., is an independent 501(c)3 tax exempt organization, 242 Old Sulphur Spring Road, Ballwin, MO 63021.

Photo: Joe Middleton

In November last year the guards reported that they were conducting a joint investigation into illegal logging in Arenal National Park, adjoining the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, with MINAET, the environment ministry. It is important for MCL staff to reciprocate with MINAET over these anti-logging operations even when the logging is not in the CER itself in order to stop the loggers before the start logging in the CER and because the biodiversity is dependent on the conservation integrity of the whole region.

At the annual assembly we were shown a video of another logging incident and the investigations. Unfortunately, I can’t share that video with you yet as it is evidence in a criminal investigation. But that investigation has moved on. Milled wood has been found at an up-market hotel in La Fortuna and the wood is being DNA tested to confirm our information that the wood comes from the national park. The test will be able to show which individual trees the wood originates from. This will be crucial evidence in securing a conviction.

Wendy Brenes, our information officer, attended a public meeting about the incident in La Fortuna which was well attended by local people who supported MCL in preventing logging in the reserves. They expressed concern about the damage to the environment, erosion and effect on water supplies. We have many allies who are helping keep us informed when people are seen behaving suspiciously, for example with logging equipment in the reserves.

In a smaller incident, the guards also received a tip-off about logging inside the CER and an investigation has led to a formal complaint being lodged with the police against person suspected of being responsible.

Having good relations with networks of local people and their good will is vital in being able to prevent these incidents and to be able to hold the people accountable and prevent further damage when they do occur. There are thousands of eyes out there watching our forest for us.

These investigations are ongoing, so check the blog for updates.

Dear Friends of the Forest,

It is hard to believe that we are almost at the spring equinox! In mid-February, our board members visited the Children’s Eternal Rainforest (CER) to learn more about its unique ecosystems, abundant life and the Monteverde Conservation League’s (MCL’s) work to protect and expand the forest. We were impressed!

From improving trails to designing a community environmental education program, from resolving legal disputes to patrolling miles of the CER’s borders, we saw the countless tasks that comprise MCL’s daily work. The board members and staff in Costa Rica are persistent and passionate in their care of this forest.

In this newsletter, you will read about a “big cat” conservation success story – discovered on the evening of our board’s night hike in the CER. It proves that long-term protection pays off! We are honored to partner with MCL to protect the CER’s biodiversity – a forest full of animals and plants nearly unmatched worldwide.

For the forest,

Laurie Waller
President
Friends of the Children’s Eternal Rainforest
laurie.waller@friendsoftherainforest.org

A Conservation Success Story – First Ever Jaguar Sighting!
by Rowan Eisner in Monteverde, Costa Rica

In February, during the visit to Costa Rica by FCER’s board, they spent the night at the Pocosol field station and went on a night hike. Earlier that day, Jim Wolfe, biologist, film maker and MCL board member, set up his camera overnight near the trail from the lake down to the waterfall at Pocosol. This camera has a motion detector so it can act as a camera trap. Jim was expecting to capture small noctural animals like birds or rodents, so he set it down low near the ground. The morning after the board’s hike Jim went back to get his camera and checked to see what images he had captured. Imagine his amazement (and those who were on the night hike) when the image he captured was of an adult Jaguar on the path! Mark Wainwright, president of MCL, said, “This discovery of a Jaguar in the CER is a wonderful story showing the impact of conservation efforts in the CER.” You can see the captured footage by clicking on the link below. You will need to have the ability to watch video on your computer.

Click here to view video (18MB .mov file format)

UK Reserves Manager contributes to CER
by Rowan Eisner in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Meet Joe Middleton, Reserves Manager for Avon Wildlife Trust who has just spent 2 months volunteering in the CER. Joe manages 35 nature reserves in South-west England, and thanks to Joe, we now have accurate trail maps to all the field stations in the CER.

Click here to read more…

MCLUS has a new name and a new look!

We are getting great feedback about our name change to Friends of the Children’s Eternal Rainforest (FCER). Thanks to the international design firm of Rivet Global, we have a new look that keeps elements of the water drop logo of the CER, including two of the creatures that find safe haven in the forest – the playful Capuchin monkey and the Resplendent quetzal – thought to be the most beautiful bird in the world. We are grateful for the extensive design work generously donated by Rivet Global.

Together with MCL, our Costa Rican partner, we will continue the important conservation work that safeguards these creatures and push forward new initiatives to expand and protect the forest. With your help, we look forward to making the FCER known worldwide as a symbol of hope and compassion that will continue to inspire individuals around the globe to take action to protect life on our planet.

FCER Board takes a trip to Costa Rica
by Cindy Waller, FCER staff

February 2012 saw eight FCER board members, plus twelve family members and staff choose to travel to Costa Rica in order to learn more about the Children’s Eternal Rainforest.

Jeremy Crandell - FCER board member and son of founders Rachel and Dwight plants a tree in the CER

Everyone enjoyed wonderful accomodations, meals, weather and company. We were also fortunate to have two great guides, Eduardo and Chico, from Natural Solutions, our tour company in Costa Rica. All who went on the trip can attest to the magificance of the forest and MCL’s dedicated care of it.

Celebrate 10 Years of Conservation Success with FCER!
by Cindy Waller, FCER staff

FCER is hosting a conservation awareness and fundraising forum on Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Saint Louis Zoo. FCER board member, Dr. Peter Raven, one of the world’s leading botanists and advocates of conservation and biodiversity, will be speaking on how tropical rainforest habitats and global conservation issues impact your life in a talk entitled Saving the Forest, Saving Ourselves. Dr. Raven is described by TIME magazine as a “Hero for the Planet”. He is President Emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden after serving 40 years as Director. In addition, he is chairman of the National Geographic Society’s Committee for Research and Exploration, and chair of the Division of Earth and Life Studies of the National Research Council. If you are interested in joining us, please register at: http://friendsoftherainforest.org/10years/. We are grateful to our supporters: Academy of Science – St. Louis, Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center at University of Missouri St. Louis, Saint Louis Zoo, and Missouri Botanical Garden.

Meet Joe Middleton, Reserves Manager for Avon Wildlife Trust who has just spent 2 months volunteering in the CER. Joe manages 35 nature reserves in South-west England, and thanks to Joe, we now have accurate trail maps to all the field stations in the CER.

Luis Solano (Maintenance and Operations Coordinator) helped Joe brush up his GPS and GIS skills and he was off, GPS in hand to record the route of every trail, checking distance, elevation and assessing the difficulty. The new maps are easier to read, accessible for people of all ages and abilities, and more informative about the work of the MCL and the specific wildlife interest and geography of each station. While on the trails Joe also recorded and surveyed all the birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians he saw. All this wildlife data is now entered into a database that all future volunteers can add to so as to help monitor and check species records in each station.

Whichever field station he was at, Joe helped with whatever needed doing. He re-painted signs and helped rebuild a lookout at Bajo del Tigre, inspected illegal logging with Hernan Chacon (Protection and Monitoring Officer) and Marcelino Rodriguez (Finca Steller Officer) and rescued injured animals such as iguanas that were reported to the MCL offices. Joe had these parting words about his experience:

“The work of the MCL in managing the Children’s Eternal Rainforest is extremely valuable for protecting and educating people about this sensitive and extremely bio-diverse part of the world… MCL is extremely well placed to use the resources they already have, with the help and skills of both staff and volunteers, to reach thousands of current and future visitors and supporters for many years to come. The MCL has the potential to be one of the most forward thinking environmental organizations in Costa Rica. Maintaining ecotourism and conservation whilst being sustainable will always be a fine balancing act, and that future will always lie in environmental education of both children and adults.”

Laurie from Friends of the Rainforest sent me some initial photos of the construction work and I could see people working on green wood and I thought the new platform was being made out of steel, so I thought I’d better go and check it out for myself.

Sure enough, the new structure is all steel and concrete. You know what it reminds me of? A hang gliding launch ramp – now there’s a new adventure sport of the CER! People could soar with the vultures.

I think the pictures Laurie sent me were of the salvageable wood from the old platform being prepared for reuse.

I snuck around the cordon and went somewhat gingerly up to the edge of the ramp. It was pretty scary with no handrails and a precipitous drop from the end of the ramp and the actual platform not built yet. But already from that point the views to the gulf were great.

Bob Law has been taking pictures at every stage of construction and is making a slide show, so when it’s finished I’ll post it on here and you can watch the whole thing go up, from start to finish.

The next morning he went back to get his camera. He has to take out the card and put it on his computer to see what’s on it. Can you imagine his amazement when this is what he found?

Click here to view video (18MB .mov file format)

It seems like the jaguar came twice in the same night: the first time during daylight and the second time was after dark, shot in infrared. Occasionally researchers have found jaguar footprints in The Forest and it was thought that jaguars pass through but there was no evidence of any living here. This is the first time one has been captured on video. And to think, so close to the Poco Sol station! Better be careful if you are going for a walk around the lagoon alone at night!

You are invited to join us!
April 26, 2012
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
SAINT LOUIS ZOO

Join us for drinks, hors d’oeuvres and a discussion about how tropical rainforest habitats and global conservation issues impact your life.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Details and registration at: friendsoftherainforest.org/10years

Saving the Forest, Saving Ourselves
An awareness and fundraising forum
BY DR. PETER RAVEN
Keynote speaker: Dr. Peter Raven, one of the world’s leading botanists and advocates of conservation and biodiversity, is described by TIME magazine as a “Hero for the Planet.” He is President Emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden after serving 40 years as Director. In addition, he is chairman of the National Geographic Society’s Committee for Research and Exploration, and chair of the Division of Earth and Life Studies of the National Research Council.

Click Here to Learn More and Register for Free

Friends of the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, formerly known as Monteverde Conservation League U.S., is an independent 501(c)3 tax exempt organization, 242 Old Sulphur Spring Road, Ballwin, MO 63021.