The Rivers and Forests Alliance (RAFA)
Pacuare River Conservation Initiative
The Rivers and Forests Alliance is taking action toward:
River Conservation
We are committed to protecting the Pacuare River Basin from its headwaters to the river mouth at the Caribbean Sea so that it will always be wild and free-flowing. We join the National Alliance of Rivers and Watersheds of Costa Rica and other national and global conservation organizations in advocating for permanent legal rights and protection of the Pacuare River and watershed.
Reforestation and Land Conservation
We are reforesting the Pacuare River Basin with native tree species and restoring wildlife habitats. For example, we plant mountain almond trees to restore the habitat for critically endangered Great Green Macaws, and we are partnering with the Macaw Recovery Network to reestablish the macaws’ migration corridor along the Pacuare. We plan to purchase land for conservation and assist private landowners with forest and watershed conservation practices.
Biodiversity Protection
We are working to preserve and regenerate wildlife populations by expanding and connecting biological corridors in and around the Pacuare River Basin and eradicating illegal hunting. We partner with organizations such as Panthera Costa Rica, the Barbilla-Destierro Biological Subcorridor Committee – Paso del Jaguar, and the Costa Rican National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC).
Scientific Research
We promote scientific investigation in the Pacuare region, including water quality monitoring and mapping projects. We collaborate with researchers in ongoing studies to show the Pacuare River Basin’s importance in Costa Rica for conservation.
Community Involvement
In all our endeavors, we seek to unite communities in preserving the Pacuare River Basin through environmental education, scientific research, conservation tourism, reforestation and land protection, regenerative farming, and other projects to ensure a sustainable future for all.
Our Partners