The University of Georgia Costa Rica 2014-2015 Sustainability Report UGA Costa Rica 2014 - 2015 Sustainability Report | Page 23

GOAL: Grow the carbon offset program to reach
a total of 60,000 trees planted in the Pájaro
Campana Biological Corridor by 2015.
The reforestation program at UGA Costa Rica has two
primary objectives: offsetting carbon emissions, and
creating a contiguous mosaic of forest patches and
corridors from the cloud forest to the mangroves. This
forest network is critical both to support the migration
of species vital to the health of the Mesoamerican
region and to protect the regions’ water sources. As
part of this program, each student enrolled in a UGACR
study abroad program contributes to the carbon
offset reforestation program. Tourists and other
student groups have the same option. Activities
include transplanting seedlings, nursery maintenance,
monitoring reforestation sites, and planting trees.
Trees are planted throughout upper elevation zones of
the 664 km2 Pájaro Campana Biological Corridor, which
houses the UGACR campus, as well as a diverse range
of tropical species, including 500 species of orchids,
83 species of mammals, and 900 species of birds, 29 of
which are endemic to the region. More details on the
carbon offset reforestation program can be found on
the UGACR website.

UGACR set a goal of planting 60,000 trees throughout
the corridor by 2015. As of December 2014, 34,054
trees have been planted as a result of this program,
representing 56.76 percent of the established goal.
Tree planting in the last two years has tapered off
since nearly all of the area surrounding San Luis that
landowners are willing to convert to forest has already
been planted. UGA Costa Rica plans to address this
situation by expanding the reforestation project.
Creating additional nurseries at middle and lower
elevations within the corridor is being considered,
which would allow UGACR and its partners to raise
and plant tree species native to these areas. Such an
expansion would allow students and researchers more
opportunities for research on topics such as species
migration patterns and spatial analysis using GIS
techniques, and would further engage land owners
throughout the region to re-establish forested areas.

40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0

Au
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08
Ja
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0
Ju 9
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0
No 9
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09
Ap
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10
Se
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Fe
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Ju
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1
M
ay
12
Oc
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M
ar
.1
3
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13
Ja
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14
No
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Ap
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15

Number of Trees Planted

Number of Trees Planted through
UGACR’s Reforestation Program by Location

UGACR

Guacimal

Monteverde

San Luis

INVU

Santa Elena

Tree planting in the last two years has tapered off since nearly all of the area surrounding San
Luis that landowners are willing to convert to forest has already been planted.

2014 – 2015 Sustainability Report

23