About Costa Rica:

Bathed by two oceans and bordered by Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica is 19,700 square miles of forests, volcanoes, mangroves, mountain ranges and beaches. Costa Rica protects nearly 26% of its territory with national parks and private preserves, and holds around 6% of the world's bio-diversity, spread in twelve tropical habitats that range from the tropical dry forests in the north, to the densely wet rainforests in the south. However, there are few corridors of protected areas to link together the national parks and reserves. Another ecological problem is that there are logging and poaching endeavors which seek out farmers and landowners bordering national parks who will take bribes for access into the national parks. Not only does Costa Rica hold an amazing amount of diversity (6% of the world) and some of the most fragile ecosystems, it has a government that endorses preservation efforts and has a friendly attitude towards international environmental and educational non-profit organizations. However, there are few biological corridors of protected areas to link together the national parks and reserves, thus species are isolated in islands of forest between cattle farm, farmlands, urban centers, etc. Another reality is that there are organized logging and poaching groups that seek out landowners bordering national parks and offer them bribes for access into the national parks. Furthermore, many small landowners (agriculturalists, ranchers, etc.) are struggling economically and are being forced to sell their lands and migrate to the cities or the United States. Their lands then become part of an oil palm plantation, a large commercial cattle ranch, a resort/hotel, etc. In conclusion, although Costa Rica is on the forefront of conservation efforts relative to its neighbors, there is still much work to be done. IMPORTANCE OF AREA - Why Perez Zeled�n Region? The Division/Savegre River Valley, within the Perez Zeled�n region, in the Southern Pacific Lowlands of Costa Rica, is important for the following reasons:

1. Within the Mesoamerican Biological Hotspot, one of twenty five areas of the world being recognized by Conservation International and other organizations as holding most of the Earth's biodiversity. Mesoamerica contains some of the highest biodiversity levels in the world, containing about 8% of the world's known species in only 0.51% of the Earth's surface. Furthermore, there are currently at least 42 mammals, 31 birds, and 1,541 plants in this area that are endangered. The region is also a critical migration corridor for many bird species and the wintering grounds of the monarch butterfly. For more information, please visit: www.undp.org.ni/cbm and www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots/mesoamerica

2. Within the Corredor Biol�gico Paso de la Danta, an area identified by ASANA, the Nature Conservancy and others as critical for endangered species habitat, such as tapirs. These groups envision a communication route for the flora and fauna of the forests of the Corcovado National Park and the Los Santos Forest Reserve. This area harbors 13 endemic species of fresh water fish, 64 species of reptiles and amphibians, 191 species of birds, 5 types of wild cats (inc. jaguars), and 58 species of bats. For more information on this, read The Path of the Tapir by Quint Newcomer, Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at: www.umich.edu/~esupdate/julaug2002/newcomer.htm Also, please visit ASANA's website at: www.pasodeladanta.org

3. Within the Rio Savegre Watershed. Division River starts high up on the Cerro De La Muerte mountain peak in a town called Divisi�n, nearly 10,000 feet above sea level. The river works its way down through the southern edge of the biological reserve Cerro Vueltas and Los Santos Forest Reserve, past the rural towns of Los Angeles, Savegre Abajo, El Llano, and El Brujo, and connecting with the Savegre River, which pours out to the Pacific Ocean, near the coastal town of Savegre. This area provides an important watershed to wildlife, including many endangered and threatened species. With only 1.15% of the national territory, the Savegre watershed contains approximately 20 % of all the registered species of Costa Rica. Many groups have conducted studies in the area, including ARAUCARIA, INBio and MINAE. A new sustainable development zoning plan is going to be presented to government officials and local agents by 2005. Read an article about this important watershed that is also a biological corridor at: www.ots.ac.cr

4. On the southern border of Los Santos Forest Reserve. Created in November of 1975, the reserve totals 153,000 acres of pre-montane and montane rainforest. Premontane forests are the second most endangered life zones in Costa Rica, after tropical dry forests. With CRCT's efforts, these ecosystems can be expanded past the reserve borders. 5. Refuge for threatened and endangered species: The area is home to several endangered and near threatened species including jaguars, the resplendent quetzal, black guan, Baird's tapir, and the squirrel monkey.

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