Kelsey, Pat, Teresa

LAND PRESERVATION AND ACQUISITION

In the 1950’s a lot of forested land was transformed into pastures and farmland

In the 1980’s the profi tability of agriculture and cattle ranching in marginal forest lands decreased

Costa Rica also introduced policies that created special conversation areas

HISTORY OF LAND PRESERVATION

Today more than 25% of Costa Rica’s land is in public parks and other such conservation areas

One of the most extensive systems of environmental protection in the world

Costa Rica provides supports and tax breaks for good forest management and conservation

IMPORTANCE OF LAND PRESERVATION

IS COSTA RICA STILL ACQUIRING LAND?

YES!Progressive

conservation policies

Help from organizations and government

PEACE WITH NATURE INITIATIVE

“…local and global vision for integrating environmental responsibility and sustainable development into all aspects of government activities in Costa Rica and challenging other countries’ to do the same”

Implemented by President Oscar Arias Sanchez

PROBLEMS WITH ACQUISITION OF LAND

44% of protected lands in Costa Rica is owned privately

Enforcement of these protected areas is minimal Public purchase is a step in the right directionLogging and agriculture has proven to be more

profi table for landowners, discourages the sale of their land.

Government owns and protects a lot of the land in the form of national parks, natural forests, ect.

Provide incentives for forest conservationPrivate groups also play a large role in this processhttp://www.osaconservation.org/

GROUPS INVOLVED IN LAND PRESERVATION

ENFORCEMENT

Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) Responsible for conservation, control, and use of

continental wildlife National Conservation Area System (SINAC)

A management system decentralized through MINAE Costa Rica’s national park administer

LAWS

Wildlife Conservation Act (Law # 7317) Controls trade of wild species or samples for cultural and

scientific purposes All research must be registered through SINAC

Biodiversity Act (Law # 7788) Provides some norms on biosafety, conservation,

sustainable use of the ecosystems and their species

POSITIVES OF ECOTOURISM

Economic benefits

Builds environmental awareness

Prevents further deforestation

NEGATIVES OF ECOTOURISM

Destruction of local resources to make room for ecotourism

Garbage and sewage problems in some cases

Cause an increase in the cost of living for locals

Overcrowding“Greenwashing”

SOURCES

http://www.benefitsofecotourism.com/benefits-of-ecotourism/eff ects-of-ecotourism/

http://www.govisitcostarica.com/sustainability/article.asp?atid=7

http://www.amigosofcostarica.org/programs/environment/peace-with-nature

http://www.eco-resorts.com/Archives/Wild-May23.phphttp://www.conservationmaven.com/frontpage/evaluat

ing-ecotourism-in-costa-rica.htmlhttp://www.costaricapages.com/blog/travel/ecotouris

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