It is my pleasure to greet you as the new Operations Director of CIRENAS I joined the organization in November and I am very excited to form part of this amazing team and the implementation of projects and initiatives in 2023
I am a Costarican eater metropolitan country I have a ons and have ten years experience working with national and international NGOs advocating for human rights and social development
In the first month of working in CIRENAS and reviewing its mission and principles, I feel very inspired and driven by the opportunity to continue to work in education, human rights and community development I feel honored by the opportunity to integrate my professional interests and past experience with the environment and challenges we face with climate change. I am very excited about working with the CIRENAS team and leading the organization's projects and initiatives with passion and commitment And we are off to a great start!
At the core of the organization, I see a great opportunity for deeper integration and development of individuals working with the organization by improving the working conditions, work-life balance, compensation, and professional development.
As a team, we continue to improve the quality of the current and future projects and programs which include marine and terrestrial conservation, permaculture and food production systems, waste management, biological corridor and watershed restoration, experiential education, community outreach and engagement, along with our campus operations priorities
Partnership strengthening and fundraising for financial stability are associated priorities for CIRENAS. We understand alliances for development are at the core of our work, and we are very happy to have recently developed a new partnership with the Eden Project from the UK which is beginning to support a range of conservation and development activities in the southern Nicoya Peninsula, as the first step in what promises to be a long-term initiative in the region This new relationship has already resulted in CIRENAS obtaining core funding from one of the organization’s supporters, and we anticipate collaborating on various initiatives in the future I’m also pleased to report that we have also deepened our relationship with the Allan Savory Institute, which we are working with to promote holistic cattle management in the area and beyond, and with local NGOs and universities Alliances we will keep nurturing and stewarding, aiming for long-term collaboration
In 2023, we will focus on structural and operational adjustments to improve the quality of our programs for growth and impact in 2024 We will conduct a follow up strategic planning process in which will provide an objective-driven path moving forward
All of these opportunities would not be possible without our loyal supporters We appreciate your trust and commitment, which have helped CIRENAS to endure challenging circumstances, including the COVID global pandemic, and now position the organization for growth and larger impact Your support and commitment are an integral part to the collective efforts to develop and implement critical solutions for a more regenerative and sustainable livelihood that integrates people and planet
Sincerely looking forward to the work ahead,
CIRENAS exists to create transformative connections between people and the environment through education, research, integration and innovation
Our goals are to:
To help steward and act as a catalyst for the conservation and social and environmental regeneration of over 22,000 hectáreas of marine ecoystems and tropical dry forest, undeveloped coastland & richly diverse river valley encompassing the vital Bongo and Ario watershed to ensure freshwater resources for the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica
Co-create sustainable learning experiences for 10,000 visitors & researchers over the next 10 years to instill environmental consciousness, effect positive behavioral change toward sustainable living practices and inspire personal growth aligned with ecological wellbeing
Serve as a replicable, sustainable model for tropical regions worldwide by providing practical solutions for climate change resilience, conserving natural resources, protecting biodiversity and restoring existing environmental imbalances
Since its origins, CIRENAS is committed to the preservation of the land through conscientious, responsible and sustainable land stewardship for future generations.
We are driven by the regeneration of the landscape and quality of life for all living species
1
Experiential Education & Volunteering.
To create transformational environmental education opportunities for national and International students and visitors through the CIRENAS program
Strategic alliances with academic institutions (UNA, UCR, Earth, Cornell)
Partner with local schools public and private; Hermosa Valley School, Futuro Verde, new Waldorf School
3
Biological Corridor and Watershed Management.
To restore the Ario and lower Bong Watershed through regeneration biological corridors, baseline studies an monitoring, improved land manageme practices and community engagement
Biological corridor restoratio (native tree plantings)
GIS mapping and base line da generation
Water quality studies hydrological studies
Education programs supporti local partnernship with Nico Península Waterkeeper
2
Terrestrial and marine conservation.
To increase the conservation areas and biodiversity of the existing Caletas Ario Wildlife Refuge
Consolidation of biológica corridos throughout region Marine ecosystem and turtle conservation program
Biodiversity baseline data monitoring with camera traps
To partner with the local communities and public and private schools in the region through environmental education, volunteering and outreach
Visits local schools communities and businesses
Host programmatic events
5
To develop and implement alternative regenerative agricultural practices to address climate change and be more self sufficient
Regenerate soil and biodiversity
Water captation and infiltración
Seed bank for local distribution
Resilient food production
PROJECTS
Experiential Learning & Volunteering
750 volunteers participating.
$125K group revenue
Terrestrial & Marine Conservation
Plant 2500 trees for reforestation program.
Partnership with Costas Verdes for coastal restoration via nursery and plantings
Increase turtle nest protection in relation to previous season.
90% accomplished 672 volunteers participation.
99% accomplished $124K group revenue.
500 native trees planted on Playa Ario section of the Caletas Ario Wildlife Refuge
1000 trees donated by Costas Verdes
500 trees in nursery
20% increase of turtle release from year 2021 to year 2022 during high season
35 beach clean ups
Biological Corridor and Watershed Management
Biological corridor restoration via planting of native trees
Water quality studies/ hydrological studies.
300 trees donated from Min of Env't -SINAC Nicoya Peninsula Biological Corridor Program
2 hydrological studies in Ario Beach showing no contamination and 2 in Arío River showing severe to high contamination.*
Partner with Nicoya Península Waterkeeper and educate local businesses and community
Waste Management and recycling workshop
One joint campaign for beach clean up and plastic recycling at CIRENAS.
PROJECTS
Community Engagement
Host local community for programmatic events
Regenerative Agriculture
Development of alternative food crops & campus permaculture systems
Visits from Nantipa, Flor Blanca, Trópico Latino and Nicoya Waterkeepers.
1 full-time person hired for greenhouse maintenance
2 greenhouse structures built and 2 vegetable plots
775 USD worth of vegetable, herbs, fruit and compost production from August to November 2022.
14 crop varieties.
CATIE- CIRENAS - Eden Project - Land Stewardship Co-Ario SA- Ethiks Group Actions of Environmental Restoration and Green Economy in Nicoya Península
Campus maintenance & repairs
Priority mapping for maintenance efforts and urgent repairs
100 cacao trees planted
19 farms participation on baseline study of Quality of Life in rural communities of the Nicoya Peninsula Biological Corridor
Fumigation of CIRENAS campus and ranger house. Mattresses sanitization Overall campus cleaning. Water system restoration plan.
A yearly review.
Historically, years 2018 to 2020 where the highest in turtle conservation results for CIRENAS Year 2021 had a significant decrease due to the COVID pandemic Year 21-22 showed an improvement in protection efforts. Half season in of year 22-23 we can observe positive results.
43k
The nesting results in the high season (June to December 2022) show 65% (82 nest) protected at hatchery, 20% (25 nest) were poached, 8% ( 9 nest) protected at the Beach, 7% (10 nest) correspond to the depredated by animals
82
Accumulated releases since 2018
Olive Ridley Turtles Released
6000
Chart 1: Historic turtle release from year 2018 to 2022
Rescued Nests in Hatchery Y2022
Chart 2: Classification of reported nests June to December 2022
Rescued Nests
Two year comparative results of high season from June to December.
The number of turtle releases increased month to month during the hight season of 2022 compared to previous year. Having two full time guides leading the process more turtle patrols were programed and an increase in volunteers collaborating in the monitoring of the nest also contributed to this results.
There is a 20% global increase of turtle release for year 2022 from previous season 2021. The month of September shows the biggest growth with almost 600% increase from previous year At the time of this report December data has not been included hence the negative results.
Chart 3: Comparative monthly turtle release from year 2021 to 2022
Chart 4: Variation from year 2021 to 2022
In June 2022, CIRENAS entered a collaboration agreement with Eden Project UK and Land Stewardship Co for large scale land stewardship and systems-thinking based regeneration on the Nicoya Peninsula. The first stage of the project is focused on biological corridor consolidation & regeneration and exploring complementary and alternative agroforestry-based green economies such as shade grown cacao.
The partnership involves three strategic sites throughout the Southern Nicoya Peninsula and through integrated efforts aims to consolidate over 65,000 hectares (160,618 acres) of tropical dry forest biological corridors , of one of the most endangered habitats in the world
This partnership led to a recent project with The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) on carrying out a Quality of Life Study of communities in the Nicoya Peninsula Biological Corridor and three districts; Cóbano, Paquera and Lepanto
Research criteria was set to define the quality of life index for people living on livestock and agricultural farms in the area. Some of the investigated variables included: nutrition, health, housing, community involvement, recreation, security, ecosystem productivity and sustainability, among others.
The research identified key strategic and priority areas that need to be addressed.
A key conclusion of the study is that the southern Nicoya Peninsula and Peninsular biological corridor, even with the limitations identified, has a very high potential to become a working laboratory and future national and international reference for efforts to demonstrate and promote an integrated approach to development and conservation.
In March of 2022, CIRENAS and Land Stewardship Co hosted 25 leaders of the Savory Global Network for an important nine day workshop on the CIRENAS campus.
"The Savory Global Network team traveled to Costa Rica to facilitate a Discovery and Opportunity (DO) Session. With Savory Hubs and Accredited Professionals from across Latin America in attendance, they shared updates on current efforts and focused in on opportunities for collaboration, ensuring that all the various players within a region have not just visibility but a collective shared responsibility to build capacity for land regeneration In addition to the DO Session, EOV monitoring and Holistic Management training was conducted for the upcoming Costa Rica Savory Hub and two key partners working in conservation, small-holder farmer livelihoods, and climate change.
A large country-wide effort is being designed to bring policy, education, and landscape level management to protect and regenerate key watersheds of the country "
*Extract from Savory International Website
CIRENAS thank to all the contributions of the people who worked tirelessly on our projects
Board of Directors: Frank Hicks, Max Villalobos, Carla Baltodano, Daniel Grew, Annette Grew, Carine de Meyere.
Operations Team: Priscilla Bogantes, Keylin Torres, Yaret Torres, Mariana Luján, Limberg
Rodríguez, Iris Torres, Danfred Reyes, Hedder Herrera
Local and Partner Organizations: Eden Project, CATIE, Ethiks Group, Land Stewardship Co, Ario
SA, Jakera, Exeter University, Savory Institute, Putney & Smithsonian, United World College, Alma Travel, AIESEC
Donors: Ric Scalzo, Eden Project, Larry Lunt, Annemiek Nooteboom and others.
Donate: www paypal me/cirenas
Playa Arío, Manzanillo, Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
www.cirenas.org
info@cirenas org
thank you for your ongoing support of our program