Ecological Restoration at NATUWA: A Commitment to Biodiversity and Local Communities

Natuwa initiated ecological restoration (Active) in 2001, starting with 6.3 hectares, and today it spans 15 hectares, with 3 hectares still awaiting restoration. Currently, over 90% of the property allows ecological succession to progress after commencing an active restoration operation.

Objectives of ecological restoration:

General Objective

Restore ecosystem services for human well-being and the conservation of local biodiversity in the community of Aranjuez, Puntarenas.

Specific Objectives

  • Recover the processes that ensure the ecological integrity of complex communities and that persist over time.
  • Reduce human intervention and conflicts that disturb the recovered resources.
  • Document the restoration process to predict actions to be taken in areas intended for future recovery.
  • Involve local authors and community members in the restoration process.

NATUWA Santuario de Animales Silvestres
Thousands of trees rise majestically in the NATUWA Sanctuary

Native Vegetation of Costa Rica

The forest area of NATUWA was created with native plants from Costa Rica; primarily, trees that provide wildlife a place to shelter and feed. For almost two decades, the trees we have planted offer food, water, resting places, nesting, and refuge to dozens of macaws, parrots, sloths, iguanas, and howler monkeys that inhabit the Sanctuary in the wild.

NATUWA has 12 hectares of vegetation cover.

Similarly, they provide the same services to the animal species that permanently reside in the NATUWA Sanctuary and facilitate the process of releasing those that will return to the wild. Additionally, we have observed migratory birds that find in NATUWA an oasis to gain energy and hydrate before continuing their continental journey.

Macaw conservation NATUWA Costa Rica.
Las lapas disponen de alimentación en los árboles que les provee el Santuario.

Part of this wooded coverage is made up of trees from various species: beach almonds, jobos, guácimos, genízaros, cocobolo, and many more. This mass of trees also provides ecosystem services benefiting humans, creating a space for recreation, contact with nature, and beautifying the landscape.

Macaw conservation NATUWA Costa Rica.
Wild animals benefit from the seeds produced by trees.

Achievements in Ecological Restoration

At NATUWA, we are very proud to share with visitors, especially in surrounding communities, information on the proper use of natural resources. The ecological reforestation program generates valuable information that is utilized in the Environmental Education Program, raising awareness so that we can all participate in the conservation of biodiversity in Costa Rica.

Macaw conservation NATUWA Costa Rica.
Environmental education is vital for the conservation of natural resources.

Published by: NATUWA, 11/01/2016. All photos are the property of the NATUWA Wildlife Sanctuary; authorization is required for their use at the email [email protected].