FUNDACIÓN ABUELA ECOLÓGICA

Trees and feathers for the rainforest

When an idea becomes a movement

What began with a grandmother continues to grow today – tree by tree.

Laura Gonzáles’ mother – known as the “Abuela Ecológica” – started collecting seeds and planting trees when she was over 70 years old. Out of her own conviction, without great means, but with a clear goal: to protect nature on her doorstep. Today, the Abuela Ecológica family has set itself the task of continuing their idea. Step by step, this initiative has developed into the Fundación Abuela Ecológica. Today, numerous people are working together to preserve the forests in the region – supported by the local community, knowledge and a genuine connection with nature.

Protecting the rainforest in northern Costa Rica

The Fundación’s work focuses on the San Carlos region in northern Costa Rica – an area of high biodiversity that is also under severe pressure: Deforestation, agricultural expansion and the loss of natural habitats are threatening the ecosystems.

Together with local partners, Tropica Verde is committed to reversing these developments. The aim is to plant around 8,000 trees by mid-2027 and thus secure habitats in the long term. The project focuses on protecting the greater soldier macaw (Ara ambiguus).

This impressive bird is dependent on certain tree species that have become rare. Both for foraging and nesting. If these trees disappear, so does the macaw. The targeted planting of precisely these species creates new habitats, not only for the soldier macaw, but also for many other animal and plant species such as the motmot (photo: Electron platyrhynchum).

Pupils are proud of their planted forest

Árboles y Plumas

The “Árboles y Plumas” project shows how holistic nature conservation works: From collecting rare seeds to growing them in the tree nursery and planting them in ecologically important areas, new rainforest is being created step by step. This is not just about individual areas, but about restoring contiguous habitats so that forests, animals and water resources are protected in the long term.

The project combines several levels:

Protection of biodiversity
Restoration of ecosystems
Environmental education and awareness-raising
Strengthening local and indigenous communities

Especially in a region that is severely affected by environmental changes, this approach creates long-term prospects for people and nature.

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Video about the work at the Fundación Abuela Ecológica

You can get an insight into the project from a volunteer in this short video

The little howler monkeys can be heard throughout the valley. But it is a peaceful roar and they're just showing off: This delicious tree is already occupied by us. So you don't have to fight!

The Monte Alto Lodge is very simple but located in the middle of the reforested forest. You almost sleep in the treetops.

Project manager Miguel Mendez with the healthy saplings from a tree nursery in Monte Alto

The tamandua (small anteater) in search of its favorite food

Forest engineer Victor Esquivel catalogs and evaluates the growth of the reforestation on Finca Alicia

“A tree is a gift for those who are yet to be born. Let us continue to sow life.”

– Abuela ecológica (The Ecological Grandmother)

Active together: involving and empowering people

A key success factor is the active participation of local people. The Fundación works closely with communities, schools, volunteers and indigenous groups. Cooperation with the indigenous territory of the Maleku in Guatuso is particularly important.

Tree seeds first had to be laboriously collected in the forest and germinated before trees could be grown in the nursery

Stefan Rother, Alexis Obregon & Miguel Méndez (from left) with camera trap in Monte Alto © Víctor Esquivel

From local commitment to concrete impact

The work is already showing tangible results:

Collection and cultivation of rare tree species
Restoration of degraded areas
Strengthening biological corridors
Active participation of children, young people and communities
growing environmental awareness in the region.

What is created here is more than just reforestation. It is a living process of learning, acting and growing together.

WHAT DOES TROPICA VERDE DO?

The work of Fundación Abuela Ecológica has received national recognition: project manager Laura and her commitment to nature and community conservation have been honored by the United Nations Development Program (PNUD), among others.
Environmental education campaigns are an important component of the project. Together with schools, families and local groups, environmental education measures, planting campaigns and awareness-raising activities are carried out to pass on knowledge about biodiversity and local ecosystems. Knowledge is not only imparted, but also directly applied.
A particular focus is on cooperation with the indigenous Maleku region in Guatuso. The project combines nature conservation with cultural exchange and strengthens local participation.
In addition to planting, the project supports other measures such as local greening campaigns, waste collection campaigns and initiatives to restore ecologically important connections between forest areas – so-called biological corridors.
Valuable tree species that are important for the food and nesting sites of the greater soldier macaw are cultivated in the tree nursery. More than 20 native species have already been collected and over 2,700 young plants have been grown.
Together with communities in the San Carlos region, seeds of important forage and nesting tree species are collected. To this end, central seed boxes for rare native tree species have been set up in several locations. Rare species such as the titor tree (Sacoglottis trichogyna) have also been secured in this way.
Around 8,000 trees are to be plantedby mid-2027 to create ecological stepping stones and habitats for the greater spotted macaw and many other animal species.
Since 2025, we have been supporting the project “Árboles y Plumas para la Zona Norte e Inclusión Cultural con Territorio Indígena Maleku en Guatuso” of the Fundación Abuela Ecológica to preserve habitats for the endangered Great Soldier Macaw, protect species and empower local people.

News about this project

NEW PROJECT | Árboles y Plumas – Trees and feathers for the north

22. August 2025 | Educational work in Costa Rica, Fundación Abuela Ecológica, SDG 13: Climate action, SDG 15: Life on land

Interview: Laura Alfaro Gonzalez presents the project What is the "Árboles y Plumas para la Zona Norte" (Trees and Plumes for the North Zone) project? This is a project for the ecological restoration and protection of biodiversity in the canton of San Carlos,...