The Friends of the Pterocarpus Forest, also known as the Amigos del Bosque de Pterocarpus (incorporated as PHA Pterocarpus Forest, Inc.) are a group of citizens committed to the conservation and maintenance of the 50.18-acre Pterocarpus Officinalis* forest at Palmas del Mar. The mission of the Friends is to ensure that this rare Forest ecosystem remains accessible -- in perpetuity -- to the people of Puerto Rico and visitors to the island for passive recreation, environmental education and research. To this end, the Friends seek funds and other resources for educational and public benefit projects that promote awareness of and knowledge about this unique ecosystem, as well as funds with ... read more The Friends of the Pterocarpus Forest, also known as the Amigos del Bosque de Pterocarpus (incorporated as PHA Pterocarpus Forest, Inc.) are a group of citizens committed to the conservation and maintenance of the 50.18-acre Pterocarpus Officinalis* forest at Palmas del Mar. The mission of the Friends is to ensure that this rare Forest ecosystem remains accessible -- in perpetuity -- to the people of Puerto Rico and visitors to the island for passive recreation, environmental education and research. To this end, the Friends seek funds and other resources for educational and public benefit projects that promote awareness of and knowledge about this unique ecosystem, as well as funds with which to maintain and enhance for the benefit of the public, the Forest's website and presence on social media; its interpretative signage; and the 3/4-mile elevated boardwalk, rest areas, observation tower, visitors' center, and other facilities. The Friends, in collaboration with the Palmas Homeowners' Association, the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other committed parties began the restoration of the forest in 2010. Our efforts made it possible, in less than 5 years, to turn a devastated and moribund environment that had suffered decades of neglect (particularly since Hurricane Georges in 1998) into a lush and vibrant ecosystem and a unique ecotourism destination. *The Pterocarpus Officinalis is known as the Swamp Bloodwood tree in English. In Puerto Rico it is known as Palo de Pollo, or Chicken tree, because of the shape of its large aerial roots, which resemble chicken feet.
Each of GlobalGiving’s nonprofit partners is required to send quarterly donor reports detailing the impact of their work. Here are some of their recent updates:
By Gabriel Espasas | President, Board of Directors, PHA Forest
We pretty much have kept to our schedule for the first “installment” of the new Forest catalogue and guide. Phase I of the guide focuses on our over 70 species of fungi and should be... Read the full report ›By Roberto Soto | Project Leader / External Consultant
At a recent meeting of the leadership of the Friends of the Pterocarpus Forest (PHA Pterocarpus Forest, Inc.), there was a renewed commitment to seeing the "Promote Learning about a Unique Forest... Read the full report ›By Roberto Soto Acosta | Project Consultant
Pterocarpus Forest Species Inventory Project Update As we noted in our April report, the new Pterocarpus Forest species catalog has been initiated and substantial progress has been made. Dr. Ivelisse... Read the full report ›