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Illar Muul, PhD
President
Integrated Conservation Research, Inc. Almost everyone agrees that tropical rainforests need protection. Yet, every day more forested areas are developed for economic benefits. In Brazil and Peru, forests are converted to pasture to raise beef. In Indonesia and Malaysia logging for timber and conversion to tree plantations, such as oil palm are leading causes of deforestation. Remaining protected forests are heavily poached everywhere as human populations increase.
Our organization, Integrated Conservation Research (ICR), has tried for 20 years to provide economic incentives to conserve rainforests. The most widely accepted part of ICR’s strategy is nature tourism (ecotourism). We have completed 11 demonstration projects in China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guyana, Malaysia, and Peru.
However, tourism alone can help save only a small percentage of the forests. Much more needs to be done. Our strategy offers other possible economic incentives, such as, rainforest beef, ecologically sustainable logging, sustainable harvest of a wide array of forest products, etc.
Our most recent venture uses the economic power of real-estate to help provide financial support for rainforest reclamation. Our demonstration area is in a rapidly developing region in Costa Rica. Real estate sales are booming as retirees and investors from Canada, USA, and Europe are attracted by the stability of Costa Rica’s government, ideal climate, low crime rate, and hospitality of the people.
Tourism is rapidly growing because of a wide variety of attractions: beaches, surfing, white-water rafting, nature, volcanoes, fishing, etc. Natural attractions include different types of rainforests, cloud forest, mangroves, each with large numbers of species of birds, butterflies, flowering plants, and unusual species, such as the sloth, monkeys, and macaws.
The most popular real estate areas are along the Pacific coast. Our demonstration site is 5km from the ocean, offering incredible views from 500m elevation. Our plan is to reclaim the tropical forest on what is now primarily a tree plantation of teak. This is a valuable timber tree, but it is not native to Costa Rica.
With capital derived from selling a small number of building lots, we plan to re-establish native tree species, especially those used for food by animals. The area is located very near Carara National Park, which is a “genetic bank” of original rainforest.
By attracting animals from the Park, we benefit from the seeds they carry from the original forest that pass through their digestive tract. Our property also has some original forest along Tarcolitos River, which forms our southern boundary. Here we plan to install a canopy walkway and “canopy cabins” for use by lot owners and tourists. Tarcolitos River will have interpretive nature trails, picnic areas, and has several pools suitable for swimming.
Every day we see scarlet macaws, toucans, and other colorful birds. Clownish coati-mundis (relatives of raccoons) seem unafraid of people and show as much curiosity about people as people are entertained by them. Several species of hummingbirds flit from flower to flower.
Our property is near Jaco Beach and Los Suenos (Marriott Corp. marina community), and other resorts. Though living in a natural “Garden of Eden,” you would be near medical facilities, banks, supermarkets, etc. San Jose airport is 1.5 hours away and a new highway is planned to reduce the trip to 1 hour.
Our ocean view lots are 5000 square meters (1.25 acres). Carara National Park view lots are on a public road and are smaller. Both electrical and telephone connections are available. The ocean view lots will be served by a private road and utilities will be provided. “Pura Vida Botanical Gardens” can be reached in a 5-10 minute walk. This spectacular attraction offers views of Bijagual Waterfall, a huge variety of flowering plants, and a small restaurant. The owner, a former Texan, is a local legend.
As part of the human species, we are all part of the environmental problems. But, this is an opportunity to be part of a solution, investing in the world’s first rainforest reclamation project, while enjoying your own piece of paradise.
Illar Muul, PhD
President
Integrated Conservation Research, Inc.
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