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2 reviews

Review for La Reserva Forest Foundation, Shelby Twp, MI, USA

Rating: 5 stars  

As a volunteer, I served as a founding member of the Board of the La Reserva Forest Foundation, watching it grow from an idea to a committed and energetic leader of reforestation efforts in the Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area, an area cited as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO as one of the most important watersheds in Central America. Inspired by what La Reserva was doing, we planted thousands of trees on our own property nearby and have been rewarded with the creation of a mini biological corridor for hundreds of species. This has been rewarding work indeed, and we applaud the persistence and dedication of La Reserva in creating a new culture of growth and conservation around Lake Arenal.

Would you volunteer for this group again?

Likely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

A lot

Did the organization use your time wisely?

Quite well

Would you recommend this group to a friend?

Definitely

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2008

Role:  Volunteer
 

Review for La Reserva Forest Foundation, Shelby Twp, MI, USA

Rating: 5 stars  

As a former board member and "volunteer," I was helpful in many ways in the founding and organization of La Reserva. It was intense work, because Roberta and Dan are intensely involved in this project, with a passion for living trees and creating forests to preserve the aquifers and offer opportunities for animal populations to migrate. Costa Rica is one of the most bio-diverse countries on the planet, and we are losing that diversity at an alarming rate. Just one example: the howler monkey population has dropped by 50% in just the last 15 years -- mostly due to loss of habitat, as well as the forest "bridges" that connect one habitat with another. Working with Dan and Roberta is an education -- not just about forests, but about what it means to be so dedicated and energetic in the pursuit of one's dream. Their trajectory over the past few years has been electrifying. They are now known everywhere, including among all the environmental institutions, both public and non-profit. They participate in some of these organizations and carry their message wherever they go -- especially in the local schools. They give tours of the forest they've created, collect seedlings, sell indigenous trees from their nursery, maintain the thousands of trees they've planted, and manage a thorough-going communications program. This is truly an organization worthy of support!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

deciding to dedicate the greater part of our farm to reforestation. La Reserva planted the seedlings -- they were tiny! -- but the miracle has been how fast they have grown. Many have been inspired by this plot and have decided to reforest themselves.

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

all great and all passionate about what they're doing.

How frequently have you been involved with the organization?

About every month

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2010

Role:  Board Member & As a former board member and "volunteer," I helped write grant proposals, presentations and informational materials -- in addition to translating back and forth, English to Spanish and vice versa.