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Current Projects
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Sea Turtle Conservation - July through January yearly since 2009. The turtle project is a significant scientific endeavor. We are evaluating the sea turtle activity on a recreational beach (Playa Tortuga), and using the data gathered to determine the steps necessary to maintain turtle nesting areas (primarily of the species Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivaceae) and allow for sustainable recreational use of the beach.
Of course, one major goal is to rescue and restore the population of this endangered species. Another goal is to educate the local population, including school children, about wildlife conservation and habitat restoration. SEASONAL
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Flora and Fauna Inventory - Is being conducted so that we may gain a clearer understanding of the biodiversity of species in and around Reserva Playa Tortuga- a sort of biological asset accounting and valuation. It aids us in resources management and helps us identify potential study areas and species in need of conservation/protection work. In this study volunteers participate in birdwatching, kayaking in mangroves, insect collection, and night walks.
See the documents section for more info.RUN ALL YEAR
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RIVER PROJECTS
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Water Quality Testing - extensive work is being done in this area- testing sites can include Terraba River, Tortuga River, Balso River (primary analysis already concluded), local streams, the Ocean (pollutants, changes in salinity, temperature, sedimentation), and homes in the Ojochal area. Studies of special importance are the effects of uncontrolled black and grey waste water, pesticides - pineapple plantations, banana plantations, and palm industry. Another study of paramount local and worldwide importance is -THE EFFECTS OF PLASTIC- in the ocean and in local freshwater sources. SEASONAL |
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Neotropical River Otter (Lontra longicaudis) Monitoring Project
Research on otters. Home range, the amount of area they need to live. It should identify the places where otters live in Ojochal, and study water quality in these sectors, the state of the habitat and others. Population dynamics study to determine the status,composition and viability of the population.
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Caiman Monitoring Project
Research on caimans. Home range, the amount of area they need to live. It should identify the places where caimans live in Ojochal, and study water quality in these sectors, the state of the habitat and others. Population dynamics study to determine the status,composition and viability of the population. |
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4 R's Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover Pledge/Project- A Pledge/Commitment document created around the 4 R's (there are actually many more than 4),with explanatory table for each "R", with actions that people can commit to take to reduce the impacts caused by each individual.
Seasonal Beach Clean Ups - We perform various Clean Ups during the year.
Reforestation of Reserva Playa Tortuga property and areas around Tortuga River in co-operation with Costa Rican Universities, and other community organizations. Conduct investiagtions/studies of forest/mangrove recovery/re-growth time- from various impacts, such as illegal logging,poisoning and burning. Reporting on status of endemic species and those of greater importance (ecological succession). We are also conducting a study to determine the health and viability of our diminishing mangroves on Playa Tortuga. Mangroves are fountain of life for marine and terrestrial animals and a very important filter system for pollutants and sediment. We will analyze the ecological relationships that exist between the mangrove and adjacentareas.
GIS Mapping and Photographing RPT propert and Terraba-Sierpe basin--ongoing sub-project of Inventory.
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Sustainable Fishing and promotion of sale and consumption of local Artisanal seafood. None of our local stores and few local hotels and restaurants currently support/buy from local small scale fisherman, instead supermarket fish and most fish consumed in the area is imported from Nicaragua, Panama, and 'San Jose'. There also is a great need for training of local fisherman in sustainable fishing practices. As a part of sustainable fishin project we also will launch the - Sustainable Seafood Project. We are working to design a card for restaurants and hotels as well as a pocket card for consumers. This card will name seafood items which are safe to eat A) with regard to their abundance in the sea B) for acceptable levels of contaminants. We are sourcing info for this project from various marine scientists and institutions. However we are still looking for additional help and funds. This project will be both a great source of information for Costa Ricans, residents and tourist who visit Costa Rica and an excellent source of revenue for RPT. |
Some of Our Future Projects
Studies of the effects of the presence or disappearance of predators e.g. crocodiles & caiman , hawks & eagles, wild cats, capuchin monkeys, sharks, and certain river fish. Food webs in general, predator/prey relationships. "Trophic cascades occur when predators in a food web suppress the abundance of their prey, thereby releasing the next lower trophic level from predation (or herbivory if the intermediate trophic level is an herbivore)" (Wikipedia). Trophic cascades are also altered by humans, studies of the extermination of large/predator animals reveal loss of cascades. The potential of conservation efforts to restore predator populations but also the ecosystem-level effects that directly correlate to their presence.
To study the effects of pollution, (chemical, light and sonic) in the forest, mangroves, rivers and ocean around The Terraba-Sierpe basin.
Identify the consequences of human impact on various ecosystems in the area. List the functions that these ecosystems provide to human populations in the area, such as economic and natural benefits.
Research is to be conducted on populations of Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao), food, forest use, number of individuals, population viability, and others.
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