Properties Acquired with Eco-Loan Financing A Quick Chronology

COSTA RICA

San Carlos River Watershed

Balsa River (sub) Watershed Juan Castro Blanco National Park for Water

Nectandra Institute works with the communities of the upper Balsa River Watershed.

These communities depend on natural springs for their freshwater needs.

The springs are fed by water that percolates into the ground within and around the overlap between the national park and the watershed.

In 1985, the communities began buying and protecting land in the springs’ groundwater recharge zone and around the springs themselves.

They have successfully acquired 1,700 acres of critical watershed land to date.

Including 490 acres since 2007, thanks to Nectandra Institute’s first 9 eco-loans. 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 7

Click on any of the numbers to see a picture of the corresponding property. 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 7

27 acres of severely eroded cattle grazing land purchased by the water management association of Angeles Norte and Alto Villegas in August 2007. Location of intake spring Zarcero River Aerial support provided by LightHawk

Locations of Pueblo Nuevo’s freshwater sources (intermittent springs and creeks). 151 acres of land purchased by the water management association of Pueblo Nuevo in February 2008. This site is located in the uppermost reaches of the local watershed meaning flows from the community’s nearby sources of water are susceptible to significant decreases from deforestation or lack of precipitation, even if short-term. As the forest grows back in areas where it has been cut down, a corresponding increase is expected in the land’s water absorption capacity along with more stable water flows throughout the year. Aerial support provided by LightHawk

10 acres of land land purchased by the water management association of Tapezco in April 2008. Prior to being acquired by Tapezco, the site was being used to grow cabbage and other crops and the community was afraid of contamination from chemical pesticides washing downslope towards the intake spring. Catarata River Tapezco River Location of intake spring Aerial support provided by LightHawk

11 acres of land previously used to graze cattle purchased by the water management association of La Palmita in October 2008. Additional land the community hopes to acquire and restore. Location of intake spring Tributary of Espino River Aerial support provided by LightHawk

247 acres of land purchased in June 2009 by AFAMAAR, a local citizens’ organization working to protect the upper Balsa River Watershed. Catarata River Aerial support provided by LightHawk

23 acres of partially deforested land purchased by the water management association of La Brisa, La Legua and Angeles de Tapezco in October 2010. Location of intake spring Aerial support provided by LightHawk

Espino River La Palmita Creek 2 acres of land previously used to graze cattle purchased by the water management association of San Luis in February 2011. Location of community’s intake spring. Aerial support provided by LightHawk

20 acres of partially deforested land purchased by the water management association of La Brisa, La Legua and Angeles de Tapezco in April 2011. Location of freshwater spring that may supply the communities in the near future. Aerial support provided by LightHawk

2-acre property purchased in August 2011 by the water management association of San Antonio. Half is covered by secondary forest, and the other half (visible here) is undergoing restoration. One of the community’s water sources is located on the property.