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Partners
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Éco-Aventure
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Rural communities
Quebrada Grande, Santa Elena and Garabito are made of groups of farmers organized in producer associations, like for instance the Women Association of Quebrada Grande and the Association of Producers of Santa Elena. These organizations work towards the protection and the integral durable management of the forests on their territory which were declared Biological Reserves. These reserves, since their creation, had never benefited from a management or protection plan. Today, thanks to management from these organized groups, a planning model is being put into place, while keeping in mind the principal objectives; the protection and the sustainable development of forest resources along with the development of their potential in terms of education, recreation and production.
Quebrada Grande is a small farmer community established in 1995 and has 54 parcels of about 4.5 hectares each. Its present population is approximately 82 people distributed in 27 families. This farmer group is located on the North side of the Toro Amarillo River and covers a natural forest area of 119 hectares, out of which 10 hectares are cultivated with eucalyptus trees that reach 20 meters in height. This plantation had been started by the last owners, a little over eight years ago. Santa Elena was established by the Institute for Farmer Development (IDA) in December 1989 and groups over 92 parcels of around 4.5 hectares each. Today, this lovely community maintains a population of 382 people divided into 99 families. The community jealously protects a forest area of 70 hectares on the riversides of Río Tres Amigos. The general panorama around these farmer groups is dominated by estates of superior dimensions in which the main crops that are cultivated are manioc and pineapple plantations at large commercial scale; other than that, they are used as pasture and teak and gmelina commercial tree plantations are also frequent. In Quebrada Grande & Santa Elena, organized groups work on five principal action themes: protection of the forest, ecological reconstruction, diversified gardens, cultural tourism promotion and environmental education. 
North American Representation Richard Vinet 219 Chemin Park, Hudson, Québec, J0P 1H0, Canada Telephone: (450) 807-0824 E-mail: richard@ecoaventura.co.cr
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