Project Report
| Apr 9, 2013
Getting a handle on dams and transmission towers
By Richard Margoluis | President, ASANA
As we finalize preparation of the final proposal for the Savegre River Watershed Biosphere Reserve, we've been asked to document the impacts of the hydro dams and high tension transmissions lines and towers that have been planned by the Costa Rican Government for the Savegre River Watershed. We have been fortunate to get some volunteer assistance from a semi-local organization CAVU (www. cavusite.org), which provides over-flights in key conservation areas as a monitoring tool. CAVU will be photographing the construction site of one of three dams that are to be built on the Savegre. In addition, CAVU has generously offered to photograph a critical part of the Path of the Tapir Biological Corridor – a very narrow portion currently under threat of dense development. For jaguar and tapir to be able to move between the Corcovado National Park and the Talamanca Mountain range – through the Corridor and Savegre Watershed – we must protect this critical habitat.
To all of you who have contributed to our Savegre campaign – a huge thanks. And if you wish to check out our new GlobalGiving website that supports the general operations of ASANA, please go to http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/help-asana-conserve-costa-ricas-pacific-coast/ .
Un abrazo!
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Jan 9, 2013
Preparing for Final Push for Biosphere Reserve Status
By Richard Margoluis | President, Board of Directors
ASANA has spent the past few months bolstering the cornerstones of the Savegre Biosphere Reserve application with UNESCO. In particular, we have worked with the UNESCO/MAB committee (responsible for approving the application here in Costa Rica) to revisit and update certain technical aspects of the proposal we compiled last year. We have also reengaged with some of the communities in the lower Savegre who were skeptical about the establishment of a biosphere reserve in the watershed. These are all necessary investments as we work towards the final submission of the proposal in 2013. By reinforcing the foundations of our work in the Savegre, we will greatly increase our probability of success.
We greatly appreciate all the support we received in 2012 and hope you will continue to help us make the Savegre Watershed Biosphere Reserve a model for participatory and sustainable conservation and development – and a reality in 2013!
From the staff and Board of ASANA, we wish you all the best in this New Year.
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Oct 5, 2012
Savegre Update #3: Support of Costa Rica Congress!
By Richard Margoluis | President, Board of Directors
Hello everyone -
Thanks for your continued support of ASANA's work in the Savegre watershed. We've made some significant process over the past few months - all thanks to our new dynamic Executive Director, Andrea Herrera (Andrea@ASANAcr.org). After an initial meeting with one congresswoman from San Isidro Perez Zeledon, Andrea worked with her and her staff to get the support of the entire Costa Rican congress.
In all, 57 signatures of support were secured - that is 100% of congress! Where in the world can you find a congress that can unanimously agree on anything??? This clearly is going to carry a lot of weight with the UNESCO committee in Costa Rica that receives proposals for biosphere designations and then passes them on to the central UNESCO office.
Andrea has also managed to get the support and engagement of the Costa Rican System of Protected Areas (SINAC, kind of the equivalent in the US as the US Park Service). And finally, Andrea is working with a variety of community groups to keep them engaged in the process of designating a biosphere reserve in the Savegre watershed. For us, community engagement, responsibility, and authority are what will make these efforts successful.
As you can see, things are moving along quickly and well. Again, thanks for your continued support!
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