MAQEnvironmentalDefense's Xanga

OK...where were we?

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 18:06:58 GMT

I think I'll start with a letter I just sent to tourism business owners in the nature tourism destinations of Puerto Viejo de Limon and Osa. Here it is:

Dear Friends,

I am writing to follow up on the proposal I sent to all of you to fund Environmental Defense Patrols in your area. I haven’t heard back so I wanted to stress the urgency of establishing these patrols immediately. I have included two links to stories which have been published in the online newspaper AMCosta Rica about the serious environmental problems which are now coming to light in Tamarindo. Although the focus of the Tamarindo stories is the level of sewage pollution on the beach, this catastrophe is closely linked to the larger problem of uncontrolled development.

Tamarindo Awaits Word on Massive Ocean Pollution, Oct 24, 2007

http://www.amcostarica.com/102407.htm

Getting a Straight Story About Tamarindo’s Pollution Woes Is Not Easy, Nov. 6, 2007

http://www.amcostarica.com/110607.htm

It is clear that both local and national government institutions are not acting to protect the environment of Costa Rica’s most popular tourism destinations. Thus, it is up to the tourism business owners ourselves to act. Environmental Defense Patrols are an important first step toward defending your community’s forests and beaches. These assets are the foundation for the success of your businesses. Also, the financial support which the Fund for Costa Rica is requesting to defend your environment is reasonable and affordable.

Time is running out both for your businesses and for our ability to help save the tourism industry in your communities. As a new entrant in Costa Rica’s nature tourism industry, I am deeply distressed about the seriousness of the problems facing the industry. Here is an email in its entirety which I received a short time ago from a client:

“Hello Matt,

I am very much looking forward to working with you in the future and bringing my students to Costa Rica but I felt that I should write to you to express a concern that I have. This may affect my decision as to where to take my students in their leisure time.

I was recently visiting Manuel Antonio National Park and I have learned some disturbing information concerning the environmental protection of this area and the safety of tourists. None of my guide books indicated that I would have to cross an open stream (or tide pool) to enter the National park. When I approached the area it was clear that local men were offering to cart tourists across in small boats for a small fee. Considering that I noticed the "Crocodiles" sign across the way this seemed the only option. That said, I witnessed many people braving the water (likely because they didn't want to pay to cross) and they waded in up to their armpits to get across. So I took the boat across and took it back again after spending an enjoyable day in the park.

Later that day, speaking with locals I was told that in actuality the stream outside of Manuel Antonio park is full of raw sewage and that the Crocodile sign is merely there to scare tourists into taking the boats. I suppose it really would put a damper on the scene if the sign said "Raw Sewage" so something MUST be done! I am shocked that nothing has been done to resolve this issue. It is clearly a health concern for those tourists that have no idea what they are wading into when they choose to brave the waters. How can anyone turn a blind eye to this? Additionally it is clearly an environmental concern and will undoubtedly effect the surrounding National Park.

It is clear that tourism has begun to take over this beautiful part of Costa Rica but I am saddened that it has not been approached in a sustainable or safe manner. It is simply disgusting, shocking and just plain criminal that developers in this area are not working to make it more sustainable and safe. Why do they not invest in the sustainability of their own investment? If more people find out about the raw sewage stream flowing past the gates of Manuel Antonio I am sure less people would visit.

What can be done to resolve this issue? I know that you have done extensive work in this area and before I bring my students I would like reassurance that this problem is being addressed and that we are not further contributing to an environmental crisis.

Thank you for your time.”

Please let me know as soon as possible your thoughts about our proposal and if you and your fellow business owners are willing to support us in taking a stand to protect your businesses and to stop uncontrolled development before it is too late.

Sincerely, Matt

Matthew M. Cook
The Fund for Costa Rica
506.224.5703
monotiti@racsa.co.cr
www.fundforcostarica.org

Tamarindo has gotten some well deserved bad press, especially in AM Costa Rica, about its horribly polluted beaches. Looks like Costa Rica's reputation as an environmental paradise is starting to take some hits. Will changes happen before this story is picked up by a major newspaper in the US or in the guide books? -Matt

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 10:57:56 GMT

The Fund for Costa Rica at ExpoVerde

As I mentioned previously, the Fund for Costa Rica participated in ExpoVerde last week. ExpoVerde was a tourism tradeshow related to environmental protection and ecological products which ran at the same hotel where Costa Rica's largest tourism tradeshow, ExpoTur, was being held. It must be said that visitation to ExpoVerde by tourism wholesalers and operators was weak. However, the Fund for Costa Rica was lucky to have the support of two students and a teacher from Quepos High Shool. All three, Kenneth (teacher), Kenneth (student), and Vanessa did a great job passing out literature and informing ExpoTur participants about the serious threat environmental destruction is posing to the tourism industry. As a result of their hard work we were able to make contacts with a number of business owners in Osa and Monteverde who want to explore establishing environmental defense patrols in these important destinations.

In addition to supporting us at ExpoVerde, the Quepos High delegation were also able to enter ExpoTur and see first hand how destinations like Quepos/Manuel Antonio are marketed.

Here's a picture of Kenneth (teacher) at our table in ExpoVerde:

And here is a picture of me, Kenneth (student), and Vanessa at the FCR table.

Kenneth and I are holding up stickers FCR produced for the event. Here's one of the them:

The stickers and our table were a big hit and a lot of folks were very happy to see us at ExpoTur warning about the very serious threat being posed by uncontrolled development. Thanks to all of you who visited our table and thanks for your words of encouragement. I hope we will be working together with you soon to help stop illegal deforestation in Costa Rica.

-Matt

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:29:27 GMT

World Environment Day 2007

Our generation is the first to recognize the crisis of global warming and mass extinctions, so we have a special responsibility to act. But as we think about all the environmental problems facing us and our children, the task before us can seem daunting. Therefore I would like to focus on one simple idea: the nature tourism industry needs to step up and help stop the destruction of the environment in its backyard.

In places like Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica the marketing of wild rainforests and pristine jungle-lined beaches is at an all time high. Tourism businesses absolutely depend on these assets in order to sell hotel rooms and nature tours. And while we may think it is sad to see the forests being destroyed, it is not enough to see this problem in purely emotional or philanthropic terms. This is a business problem and tourism businesses must invest in solving it. Tourism businesses in Costa Rica spend thousands of dollars on marketing the country as a natural paradise, yet they are putting almost no money in guaranteeing the protection of Costa Rica's forests and beaches. However, if Costa Rica's forests are to be protected, the "users" of those forests need to help pay for their protection. That is the only truly sustainable solution to the problem of environmental destruction.

If you own a tourism business or property in Costa Rica, I invite you today to join with other tourism business owners who are supporting the Fund for Costa Rica. Illegal developers have a lot of money at their disposal, and we need your help to stop them. Invest in your business and the future of your industry. Please support the Fund for Costa Rica. You can click on the PayPal button above or email us at monotiti@racsa.co.cr. Thanks. Matt

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Thu, 31 May 2007 09:18:25 GMT

Raising the Alarm about Development

Yesterday was the first full day of ExpoVerde at the Hotel Herradura and we continue today. I will be posting pictures soon. On Tuesday evening we joined up with other environmental conservation organizations and students from the Liceo del Sur High School for an action at ExpoTur's official opening at the beautiful National Theatre in downtown San Jose. It was a great event to display our concern about environmental destruction to some of the most important people in Costa Rica's tourism industry.

Even President Oscar Arias stopped by to look at our banners and talk with some of the students.

Sorry the picture is a bit blurry, but that is President Arias. Yes!

We have gotten a lot of positive feedback about our action at the National Theatre and our stand in ExpoVerde. Let's hope that feedback turns into some solid financial support from nature tourism businesses. We need it!

-Matt

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Sat, 26 May 2007 02:27:15 GMT

This is our theme for the upcoming ExpoVerde trade show this May 30-31. The Fund for Costa Rica will have a stand where we will be educating tourism wholesalers and others involved in Costa Rica's tourism industry about the problem of uncontrolled development. Of course we will also be urging concerned business owners to support our efforts to protect Costa Rica's biodiversity and nature tourism industry.

We will be joined by two students from the Tourism Program at Quepos High School. Here's a picture of the meeting where the students were selected.

Umm...kind of glum faces. I guess thinking about the damage being done to Manuel Antonio by unscrupulous foreign developers gets you down. Well, we look forward to having students with us to talk to tourism trade representatives about how they see the impact of uncontrolled development on their community. Also, it will be a great experience for these young people to see first hand how tourism in Costa Rica is marketed both at home and abroad.

If you are going to be in San Jose on May 30-31, stop by ExpoVerde to see us. It's at the Hotel Herradura and it's open to the public. And if you are going to be at ExpoTur, definitely stop by and say hi. -Matt

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Thu, 24 May 2007 23:57:04 GMT

Wow, It's been a month since my last post...

The big news is that according to the Nacion today a US real estate developer by the name of Manuel Torres was busted in Osa for completely deforesting 10 acres of rainforest (www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2007/mayo/24/pais1106804.html) He will have to pay a $100,000 fine, but the real question is whether or not he will be able to continue with his project. If not, this case is a big victory for Costa Rica. If so, this case is just another slap on the wrist for environmental predators. I'll find out and let you know. Also, I am trying to find out more about Manuel Torres and real estate projects he might be participating in near the Manuel Antonio area. We have fought hard in Manuel Antonio to make sure that Paul Lambert is criminally prosecuted for the damage he's done in the Poise Complete case. It is critically important that cases like these not be settled by the authorities, but the violators actually be punished. That is the only way to stop illegal deforestation in Costa Rica's popular tourism destinations.

Update June 1, 2007: Well, I found Manuel Torres through a development project called Punta Dominical. We just had a long phone conversation about the project written about in La Nacion as well as some of the Punta Dominical devopments near Dominical. For the record he says that the allegations about deforesting 10 acres are not true and he has invited FCR to see his project when he is in Costa Rica later this month. Of course, I am pleased he called and I look forward to seeing his project. I'll keep you posted. -Matt

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:37:34 GMT

Meeting with Grupo Manuel Antonio

On Tuesday April 24, I gave a presentation to about 25 members of the Manuel Antonio business association Grupo Manuel Antonio. The purpose of the presentation was to show GMA members the seriousness of the environmental threats which face the area and the urgent need for local tourism businesses to invest in environmental conservation. The presentation was very well received and we hope to establish very soon a close collaboration between GMA and the Fund for Costa Rica to protect Manuel Antonio's threatened biodiversity.

I want to thank the members of the Grupo Manuel Antonio for such a warm reception. Matt

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 14:26:09 GMT

Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, then names the streets after them. ~Bill Vaughn, quoted in Jon Winokur, The Portable Curmudgeon, 1987

http://www.latitude9.com/queposoceanclub.html

http://www.latitude9.com/Condominiums/losaltos.html

http://www.osapointe.com/conceptplan.cfm

http://www.century21cr.com/mod.php?set_albumName=album98&mod=gallery&include=view_album.php

http://www.century21cr.com/mod.php?set_albumName=albuq46&mod=gallery&include=view_album.php

Earth Day 2007: I don't feel like celebrating....Matt

Update 4/29/07: I wonder if what's happening in the US real estate market (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18335054/) will affect sales for the projects above?

Friday, April 20, 2007

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 22:32:50 GMT

FCR Now Has Full Time Legal Counsel!

Thanks to Wally and Scott, FCR has just brought on board Lic. Elias Carranza to provide us with much needed legal counsel. Legal counsel is critical to make sure that environmental crimes are stopped and prosecuted. Elias is a graduate of the University of Costa Rica and has worked with the Costa Rican government's Environmental Prosecutor (Fiscalia Ambiental) and CEDARENA. Also, Elias is committed to environmental conservation and stopping illegal deforestation!

I am very pleased to have Elias working with us in Manuel Antonio and I expect him to greatly increase the effectiveness of our environmental defense program.

And as for you real estate developers out there illegally selling and cutting Costa Rica's forests: We have an attorney now! Watch out!! Matt

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:05:17 GMT

Thank You Scott Pearson and Family!

It wasn't long after the $50,000 Challenge Grant was issued that folks began to step up to the plate. We have had a number of Q/MA citizens and business owners help us meet our challenge, but we are particularly grateful to Scott Pearson and his family. Scott has been a long time supporter of the Fund for Costa Rica's work in Manuel Antonio. And we are not alone in being blessed with his support. There are a number of other local organizations who have been helped through the generosity of the Pearson Family.

To meet the Wally Pereyra Challenge, the Pearsons have donated $8,000 to FCR. The Wally Pereyra match of $8,000 allows FCR to contract a young and highly motivated attorney trained at the University of Costa Rica. Our new attorney makes FCR even more effective in stopping illegal deforestation in Manuel Antonio. I'll provide more details in a future post.

Right now I want to thank Scott and his family for their concern about environmental conservation and for their support of our work. Thank you!! Matt