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I n s t i t u t i o n a l
R e p o r t : B r i e f
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Mensaje del Director Ejecutivo
Since its inception, the
Fundación Neotrópica
(FN) positioned itself as
conceptual and technical
pioneer in Costa Rica and
internationally.
The reality in 1985 featured Central
America in a political en economic crisis
and seeking alternative development
paths.
The aim was to consolidate a system of protected areas that was created with the strenth of dedicated environmentalists. This effort was happening as a response to the process of transforming the country’s productive system in line with “structural adjustment” plans dictated by the World Bank. This transformation provoked rural migration. The regional wars made it unattractive to consider visiting the natural beauty of the country, so that ecotourism was not the economic powerhouse it is today.
In addition to the turmoil from this trasnformation, the southern region of Costa Rica had great difficulties to adjust to other disruptions like United Fruit Company departures from the region, land reform settlements location, new conservation areas were created such as Corcovado National Park and the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, and the largest logging company Osa Forestal, was expropiated. The communities of this region were not prepared for so many changes, of course affecting significantly their quality of life.
Amid this reality, FN actually pioneered the use of the concept of sustainable development and establishes itself as one of the most credible technical voices in the country and the region. At this stage there was great learning (of dos and don’ts) that defined the character and reputation of FN. Several iconic projects, in the Osa region and other regions of Costa Rica, were initiated at this time: BOSCOSA, POCOTSI, La Gamba, Tropical Youth Center, among others.
Today FN works with complex conflicts where the distinction of environmental and social problems is almost impossible. Thus, it embraces a series of tools from emerging multidisciplinary scientific areas: ecological economics, political ecology, environmental sociology, among others.
Likewise, FN is challenged to convert its field stations into Centers for Studies and Community Empowerment (CEEC, in Spanish) where appropriate local staff is dedicated to the empowerment and training of surrounding communities in order to promote sustainable management of natural resources for the benefit of local and regional conservation initiatives. To do this, our CEECs also attempt networking with local, national and international organizations to help us procure the resources for participatory action-research projects and attract experiential education or educational tourism groups who are interested in learning from these processes and have a close relationship and dialogue with the communities in which we work, as part of our Global Environmental Citizenship Program.
Thus the issues we embrace also respond to the needs of social environmentalism that we believe should be applied in the neotropical region, ensuring a fair distribution of the costs and benefits of conservation and sustainable development in order to ensure, aside successful conservation models, healthy, educated, prosperous and empowered communities. For this, we consistently support small and medium green entrepreneurs. Of course we do this, without leaving technical aspects of sustainability, sustainable production systems and other areas that have been a successful part of the FN brand for over 28 years. The reality we face today, where cooperation and philanthropy have taken different shades according to the times, represents an additional challenge. However, nearly six years into this route we feel that several indicators suggest that the path chosen is correct. We have already developed several projects that have validated our technical reputation in various areas. We have achieved a leading position in the areas of community wetland conservation/blue carbon, ecological and economic assessments, rural tourism and socio-environmental conflicts that extends beyond Costa Rican borders. Accompanying these areas, we work with silvopastoral systems, ecological footprint evaluations, environmental education and others. We see clear indicators of approval from the communities and community groups we work with (including ASOPEZ, COOPEMANGLE, COOPETURIC, AGASOSA, Colopez, Pájaro Campana Biological Corridor, ASMOCICU, ASOPROCA, and others). We have also reactivated partnerships with several universities, NGOs, local governments and national conservation authorities in Costa Rica.
We are members of three regional and local councils of the conservation areas where our centers are
located. This process also has been enriched by the development of a specific agreements with the University of Costa Rica that is building, in our CEEC in Osa, an interdisciplinary regional laboratory that will become a valuable resource for researchers, students and surrounding communities. The installation of meteorological and seismological stations by the national OVSICORI and IMN have strengthened our CEEC in Osa too. Gradually, we are developing infrastructure at the Sundt field station in Coyolito of Puntarenas, moving towards making it the second CEEC with the support of the School of Environmental Science and Forestry, of the State University of New York.
We also contribute with the Costa Rica´s carbon neutrality goal through the preserved forests in our Richard and Pearl Crowther Station in Atirro, Turrialba in the heart of the Río Tuis Protected Zone
In the area of communication and corporate image we have completely reinvented ourselves. This has led to a significant increase in the number of our media appearances, endorsements and national and international visits to our pages on the Internet. These advances in technical expertise, community empowerment and communication and corporate image have resulted in an influential role through incidence in several of the most important socio-environmental conflicts in Costa Rica. These have included conflicts on the effects of development projects on the Térraba-Sierpe National Wetland, the RAMSAR protected border wetlands between Costa Rica and Nicaragua and the “Crucitas” mining project. The specific results of these actions of social environmentalism are expressed today in public policy, management plans and others.
Moreover, the recognition of our work has resulted in follow-up projects that demonstrate the progress of our technical credibility. For example, the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union currently funds CIVI.net Project (€1.8 million) which is evaluating, with the help of European expertise, the effectiveness and transferability of our work in community-based wetland conservation along with other similar case studies in Btazil. Also, our Blue Carbon Community Program, sponsored by corporate donors recently received a Ford Conservation Award.
Because of this last accomplishment and their continuous support It would be unfair not to honor our corporate partners who contribute decisively to the achievement of our mission. To all of them we send our gratitude for their support and their respect for our
mission and accomplishments.
We´ve had strong challenges in these recent years. The departure of our unforgettable team members, Carlos Leon-Perez and Jose Oduber Rivera-Romero left a huge void. However, in honor of their legacies, we continue to work enthusiastically as they would have wanted to see us.
The future presents new networking opportunities like the Biodiversity Partnership as Mesoamerica. In 2014 we will be spearheading the Conference of the Mesoamerican Society for Ecological Economics. Some of the challenges for this event are the launching of a new Masters Program on Ecological Economics in which we partner with the University for International Cooperation. We also expect the implementation of our cooperation agreement with our sister organization in the U.S., Earth Economics, which will extend our projection in Latin America. In an attempt to increase our international presence, we currently work in acquiring a nonprofit status in the U.S.
We also execute work today, in line with our mission, in Cerro Punta, Chiriqui in the sister Republic of Panama for the National Environmental Authority (ANAM) with the financial support of the UN Global Mechanism to Combat Desertification. Similarly, we maintain ties with sister organizations in Europe and Latin America such as the Leibniz Centre for Landscape Research (ZALF) of Germany, the Organization for International Dialogue and Conflict, of Austria, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the Foundation for the Sustainable Development in the Netherlands, FUNDAG and the Ecologica Institute from Brazil.
In all of our challenges we have been supported by our extraordinary Board of Administration and the commitment of our amazing team. With all I am eternally grateful and to them the credit for our accomplishments.
Also, to all of you who have supported us in any way, we appreciate your generosity. We look forward to your continued support in order to achieve our goals for the benefit of the country and ecosystems of the Neotropical region. We will try to continue to grow, but as in nature, at the pace that allows us to be sustainable.
Yours truly,
M.Sc. Bernardo Aguilar González, Executive Director
Fundación Neotrópica in 2012:
G r o w i n g l i k e N a t u r e
A message from our Executive Director
“Fundación Neotrópica
actually
pioneered
the use of the concept
of
sustainable
development
and
establishes itself as
one
of the most credible
technical voices
in the
country and the region”
“Today Fundación
Neotrópica works
with
complex conflicts
where the distinction
of
environmental
and social problems
is almost impossible.
Thus, it embraces
a series of tools
from
emerging
multidisciplinary
scientific areas
:
ecological economics,
political ecology,
environmental
sociology...”
Photo: Mangrove seedlings - Community Blue Carbon Program Nursery, Osa Peninsula
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Lo que somos y hacemos: Visión,
Misión, Valores Impulsores, Objetivos
Estratégicos y Programas
VISION
A Neotropical region where
development is based on
the valuation and the fair
and equitable sharing of the
benefits of conservation and
sustainable development
MISSION
Fundación Neotrópica
promotes social dialogue
and self-management for
conservation and the fair
and equitable sharing of
benefits generated by natural
resources.
WHAT WE ARE
AND WHAT WE DO
Photo: Community Blue Carbon Program reforestation, Osa Peninsula
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Solidarity
It implies that our attitudes
and actions are permanent focused on
the wellbeing of all forms of life.
Tolerance
Listen, evaluate and discern with
respect to everyone’s opinion.
Equity
Act aiming to achieve that
ideas, opportunities, services
and benefits are accessible
to all.
Constructiveness
Always take positions that
contribute, add and enrich
reality.
Partnership
Our institutional construction
is based on tangible attitudes of
good relations and mutual aid.
Perseverance
It involves a constant effort to
achieve institutional objectives,
assuming a critical and thoughtful
attitude.
Visionary
It implies that our ideas and actions target medium
and long term goals
Innovation
institutional commitment to consider new ways
of doing things or ways that add real value
to what is already done.
Environmental Justice
Ensure the fair and equitable
sharing of the costs and benefits of
conservation and sustainable
development
Socioenvironmental
Participation
Achieve that local communities
have greater influence and get
the benefits of biodiversity´s
sustainable use, with special
emphasis on those who are
disadvantaged.
Concerted action
and social
self-management
Implement self-management
and concerted action for
decision-making about natural
resource conservation.
Global Environmental
Citizenship
Achieve effective educational processes
for global environmental awareness linking
diverse
social and institutional
stakeholders, at a national and
international level.
Financial self-sufficiency
Strengthen financial and technical
mechanisms to ensure required resources
for Neotrópica’s operation.
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It seeks to generate
knowledge and skills
for the communities
to be able to make
proper use of natural
resources
It seeks to promote
productive and
sustainable activities
and practices that
enable communities
to use natural
resources without
exploiting them
It seeks to promote
good relations,
knowledge and
concerted actions
among local and
international parties,
to promote the
development of a
global environmental
citizenship.
OUR PR
OGRAMS
Community
Empowerment and
Socio-Environmental
Management
Networking with local organizations Community Conservation and Sustainable Use Strengthening self management capacity Social-Environmental Conflict ResolutionGlobal
Environmental
Citizenship
Neotropicourses Neotropiweekends AcademicCourses Urban Environmental Education Program
Sustainable
Productive
Solutions
Wetlands Management and Conservation Silvopastoral Systems Community-basedRural Tourism AgroeforestrySystems
Sustainable
fisheries EcologicalFootprint
“Neotrópica and other ‘crazy people’
have made our country embrace a blue
agenda and turn our eyes to the sea.
Slowly, not just the eyes, but the whole
body of this nation will be taking care
of their waterways. No has been little
contribution from them to put numbers
on environmental goods and services”
René Castro - Minister of Environment
(2011-2014)
“For us as fishermen, mangroves are
too appreciated, because our fishing
depends on them, and that’s why we
are reforesting now, caring about
them, protecting them, because the
survival of the sea depends of it”
Ronald Valverde - President of Local
Fishermen Association ASOPEZ,
Osa Peninsula
“The kids had a great time with
Neotropica. Each of them did not want
to leave Costa Rica. They still talk about
their experience in Costa Rica being the
greatest experience of their lives. I, too,
feel the same way”
Mike Freidlin - Abington Heights
Middle School. Clarks Summit, PA
Photo: Atirro River, near our Center of Studies and Community Empowerment Richard and Pearl Crowhter
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OUR WORK
| 2011 - 2012
Some insights about our most recent initiatives:
Initiative
Funder
Key Ideas
Community Blue Carbon
Program
Corporate Sector
Foundation Pour la Nature
et l’Homme, France
Mangrove Community
Conservation, Environmental
Education and Awareness
CiVi.net
7th Framework Program
European Union
Civil Society Organizations and
their role in community based
environmental management.
Community Wetland
Conservation.
Mangle-Benín
Programme for South-
South Cooperation
The Netherlands
Mangrove Community
Conservation, Environmental
Education and Awareness.
Transfer of experiences with
EcoEcolo from Benín.
ECOTICOS
Blue Moon
Technical, Institutional and
Conceptual Solutions to
promote Térraba-Sierpe
National Wetland sustainable
development
REI
The Nature Conservancy
Management through local
Silvopastoral Systems
organization and training
Community based Rural
Tourism
Debt for Nature Swap USA
Community based Rural
Tourism Promotion for
Forest Conservation.
Community Empowerment
and Sustainable Productive
Activities.
Photo: Local fishermen collecting mangrove seedlings
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Community Blue Carbon Program
ASOPEZ fishermen working as part of our team on one of the program’s mangrove nurseries
they have helped to build and develop
CiVi.net Project
Transfer of experiences between Golfo Dulce and Golfo de Nicoya community leaders,
sharing their knowledge and their life stories with mangroves
Mangle-Benín Project
Participantes on the Sustainable Productive Alternatives Trainings,
little children, teenagers and grown-ups learning together
Community Based Rural Tourim Project
Alice and Enrique’s family and their project “Rancho Verde” are part of COOPETURIC,
the first Community Baed Rural Tourism Cooperative in Osa Peninsula.
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Organization
Website
Our status
ECOSOC
Economic and Social
Council, United Nations
un.org/es/ecosoc/
Organization with
consultative status
CONSOC
BID
iadb.org
consultative status
Organization with
WAVES
Wealth Accounting
And The Valuation Of
Ecosystem Services
wavespartnership.org
consultative status
Organization with
BPM
Biodiversity Partnership
Mesoamerica
bpmcentroamerica.org
Founding Member
CT-CBO
Osa Biological Corridor
Technical Coalition
www.ctcbo.org
Founding Member
GWP
Global Water
Partnership
gwp.org
Member
Wetland Protection
National Front
misionhumedales.org
Founding Member
SMEE
Mesoamerican Society
of Ecological Economics
smee.codigosur.net
Headquarters &
Presidency
2010-2012
Global Footprint
Network
footprintnetwork.org
Member
SMBC
Mesoamerican
Society of Biology and
Conservation
sociedadmesoamericana.org
Founding Member
We are aware of the importance of
networking.
That’s why we are members of:
Wetland Protection National Front
Launching of “Mission Wetlands: Life for All” Campaign
From left to right: Mariano Salas and Randall Otárola, Presidents of Costa Rica’s most important Public
Universities Student Federations FEUCR and FEUNA; Felipe Castro, Poder Magazine; Bernardo Aguilar-González,
Fundación Neotrópica’s Executive Director; Rocio Carranza, actress and environmental activist; Gustavo Gutiérrez,
Director School of Biology, University of Costa Rica ; Gino Biamonte, President of Flora and Wildlife Preservationist
Association APREFLOFAS; and Randall Arauz, President of the Sea Turtle Conservation Program PRETOMA.
First Civil Society initiative at a national level, related to Wetland Conservation and Awareness.
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NEOTROPICA’S FACES
Board of Directors
Juan Carlos Crespo - President
Businessman. President and General Manager
of Tienda La Gloria, a recognized costa rican
company. He worked several years with the
National Park Foundation in the 80s and has
been member of Neotrópica’s Board since its
inception as a founding member.
Carlos Valerio
Doctor in Zoology from the University of
Florida, has been biology professor at the
University of Costa Rica and other colleges
like University of California. It has integrated
several organization boards such as National
Museum of Costa Rica and Organization for
Tropical Studies, among others.
Warren Crowther
Advisor and professor. He completed a PhD
in Political Science with emphasis in Public
Administration and Transport Economics at
the University of California. He has developed
his experience and research in eight Latin
American countries.
Azur Moulaert
Forestry and agriculture expert, has worked
as a natural resource analyst, director and
coordinator of outreach projects for institutions
such as the Gund Institute for Ecological
Economics, the University of Vermont and
Earth Economics. Azur currently resides in
Vermont, United States.
Olga Emilia Brenes
PhD in Education and Masters in Finance, has
made notable contributions in Environmental
Education and Science with a constructivist
approach.
Headquarters San José
Bernardo Aguilar González
Executive Director
Ecological Economist and Environmental
Lawyer leading Neotrópica since 2009.
Mesoamerican Society of Ecological
Economics President.
Nelson Aguilar Alfaro
Financial-Administrative
Manager
Karla Córdoba Brenes
Communications and Corporate
Liaisons Coordinator
Lorena Erbure Cardozo
Analysis Coordinator
Ligia Umaña Ledezma
Educational Programs, Volunteering,
Environmental Recreation and
Community Coordinator
Alexander González Vega
Field Stations Director
Sylvia León Koberg
Donor Relations
María Estelí Jarquín Solís
Executive Direction Assistant
Adriana Fernández
Technical Assistant
Ilse Lücke
Technical Assistant
Mariana López Fernández
Enviromental Education
Marcos Perez Leiva
Accountant
Daniel Alfaro Mejias
Accounting Assistant
Adriana Hidalgo Chacón
Reception
Danilo Elizondo Cerdas
Legal Advisor
Rafael Loaiza Arce
Security and Maintenance
Seidy Mora Mesén
Cleaning and Maintenance
Jocsan Quesada Cabrera
Messenger
Center for Studies and Community
Empowerment
Álvaro Wille Trejos
Osa Peninsula, Puntarenas
Marco Hidalgo Chacón
Director
Ifigenia Garita
Subdirectora
Marcia Carranza Vargas
Community Blue Carbon Program
Ebénezer Houndjinou
International
Volunteer
Isaac Gutiérrez Funes
Security and Maintenance
Mireya Godinez Muñoz
Cooking and Cleaning
Jorge Alvarado Cascante
Security and Maintenance
Center for Studies and Community
Empowerment
Arthur & Mary Sundt
Coyolito, Puntarenas
Emilieth Alvarado Carrillo
Security and Maintenance
Center for Studies and Community
Empowerment
Richard & Pearl Crowther
Atirro, Turrialba
Johanny Barquero Segura
Security and Maintenance
Jorge
Juan Carlos
Azur
Carlos
Bernardo
Nelson
Lorena
Karla
Olga Emilia
Warren
Alexander
Ligia
Daniel
María Estelí
Sylvia
Adriana H.
Adriana F.
Jocsan
Rafael
Marcos
Mariana
Seidy
Danilo
Ilse
Marco
Ifigenia
Ebenezer
Marcia
Isaac
Mireya
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2 0 1 2 F i n a n c i a l s
Photo: Térraba-Sierpe National Wetland
