Savegre Forever!

We don't have much to report this quarter on our work in the Savegre Watershed.... As I shared with you in our least update, our phenomenal executive director, Andrea Herrera was involved in a terrible car accident and was badly injured.  She is still in rehabilitation and making progress but has a way to go to be fully healed.  Given that Andrea is our only staff member, work in the Savegre has pretty much come to a standstill....

In anticipation of Andrea's recovery, however, we have managed to solicit and receive a generous donation from CRUSA to restart our community consultation work in the Watershed so that we can finalize the UNESCO Biosphere proposal. We're hoping with CRUSA's support, 2016 will be the year that the Biosphere get approved!

Thanks for your continued support of ASANA's work in the Savegre Watershed!

First of all, I wish to thank you wholeheartedly for your past support of ASANA’s work in Costa Rica’s Path of the Tapir Biological Corridor and Savegre River Watershed in the past… Most of 2015 was an extraordinary year for us and I want to share two huge achievements and one piece of very unfortunate news…. I very much hope you can find space in your year-end giving to make a donation to ASANA before the end of 2015, if you haven’t already!

First, the good news….

Savegre River Watershed Protected!

Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís signed a presidential decree banning hydroelectric dams from the Savegre River for 25 years. This is a huge achievement and supports ASANA’s work to conserve and protect the Savegre River Watershed. It also opens the door for the Costa Rican government to bolster ASANA’s programs in sustainable development in the region. It is a real win for local communities and nature. (Go here to see an article in the Tico Times)

ASANA Wins Prestigious Global Award!

After competing against many, many other worthy organizations, ASANA was recognized by The PeaceJam Foundation as the global “Best Non-profit Act”.  Our executive director (and only employee!), Andrea Herrera was invited to receive the award in Monaco in June of this year from Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel of Argentina. (Go here to see PeaceJam’s announcement and footage of Andrea receiving the award!)

Now, the unfortunate news…

Just a few weeks ago, while on her way to a Path of the Tapir local council meeting, Andrea was in a horrible car accident that nearly claimed her life….  She suffered four broken limbs and various other injuries.  As we have noted many times in the past, Andrea is the heart and soul of ASANA and is responsible for almost every bit of success and progress we have enjoyed since she joined ASANA almost 5 years ago… We ask for your thoughts and prayers for Andrea.

While we are gravely concerned about Andrea and focused on her recovery, all of us in ASANA also want to take this opportunity to thank you and wish you and yours peace and happiness in 2016. 

Warm regards,

Richard Margoluis

Vice-president, ASANA

P.S.  To make a donation, please do so through our Global Giving project site (Go here) to take advantage of tax deductions before the end of 2015. Or, go to Global Giving at www.globalgiving.org and search for ASANA. Thanks!