{"id":4069,"date":"2017-05-10T13:49:46","date_gmt":"2017-05-10T13:49:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tropica-verde.de\/projects\/monte-alto\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T23:39:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T21:39:16","slug":"monte-alto","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tropica-verde.de\/en\/projekte\/monte-alto\/","title":{"rendered":"Monte Alto"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height_tablet=”” min_height_phone=”” min_height_last_edited=”on|phone” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”RESERVA NATURAL MONTE ALTO” subhead=”Deforestation leads to water shortages in the region” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|800|||||||” title_font_size=”70px” title_line_height=”0.8em” subhead_font=”Source Serif Pro Semibold||||||||” subhead_font_size=”36px” subhead_line_height=”1.2em” background_color=”rgba(0,13,53,0.24)” background_image=”https:\/\/tropica-verde.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Huegellandschaft_Monte_Alto-scaled.jpg” background_position=”top_center” background_vertical_offset=”30%” background_blend=”multiply” transform_translate_linked=”off” min_height=”464px” min_height_tablet=”” min_height_phone=”” min_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”180px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”60px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” title_font_size_tablet=”56px” title_font_size_phone=”43px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” subhead_font_size_tablet=”30px” subhead_font_size_phone=”24px” subhead_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”56px||85px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”65%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”41px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#006B46″ header_font_size=”36px” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#006B46″ header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Reforestation became necessary<\/h2>\n

Originally, large parts of the Pacific coast of Central America were covered by species-rich, tropical dry forests. But between the 1930s and 1980s they were almost completely cut down. This led to a loss of natural biodiversity and a drastic water shortage in the annual dry season, because the rivers dried up!<\/p>\n

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The population reacts<\/h2>\n

Only the protection of the remaining forest areas and reforestation in the headwaters of the Rio Nosara promised to reverse this development. In 1992, citizens in Hojancha founded the local organization Fundaci\u00f3n Pro Reserva Forestal Monte Alto. Two years later, a 924 hectareas, largely deforested basin was designated as an official protected area. By 2022, over 60 % of this area will have been reforested with natural mixed forest. The streams in the headwaters of the Rio Nosara carry water all year round again today, and the protected area is home to a steadily increasing diversity of species. A special aspect of this project is the combination of forest protection and small-scale agriculture (coffee and oranges), so that nature conservation and fruit plantations can coexist.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tropica-verde.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/kinder_monte_alto4.jpg” alt=”Pupils are proud of their planted forest” title_text=”Pupils are proud of their planted forest” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||1px|||” custom_padding=”||6px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”2px||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”3px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ specialty=”on” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”0px” admin_label=”Image Gallery Section” module_class=” et_pb_specialty_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ inner_width=”100%” inner_width_tablet=”100%” inner_width_phone=”” inner_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” inner_max_width=”100%” inner_max_width_tablet=”100%” inner_max_width_phone=”” inner_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tropica-verde.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Bruellaffe2.jpg” alt=”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!” title_text=”Howler monkey” show_in_lightbox=”on” use_overlay=”on” overlay_icon_color=”#ffffff” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.3)” hover_icon=”0||divi||400″ force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|||” box_shadow_style=”preset7″ box_shadow_horizontal=”0px” box_shadow_vertical=”0px” box_shadow_spread=”8px” box_shadow_color=”#ffffff” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ specialty_columns=”2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tropica-verde.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Lodge-Monte-Alto-\u00a9-Stefan-Rother-Faunity-.jpg” alt=”The Monte Alto Lodge is very simple but located in the middle of the reforested forest. You almost sleep in the treetops.” title_text=”Lodge Monte Alto” show_in_lightbox=”on” use_overlay=”on” overlay_icon_color=”#ffffff” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.3)” hover_icon=”0||divi||400″ force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|||” box_shadow_style=”preset7″ box_shadow_horizontal=”0px” box_shadow_vertical=”0px” box_shadow_spread=”8px” box_shadow_color=”#ffffff” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tropica-verde.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Monte_alto_ameisenbaer.jpg” alt=”The tamandua (small anteater) in search of its favorite food” title_text=”The tamandua (small anteater) in search of its favorite food” show_in_lightbox=”on” use_overlay=”on” overlay_icon_color=”#ffffff” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.3)” hover_icon=”0||divi||400″ force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|||” box_shadow_style=”preset7″ box_shadow_horizontal=”0px” box_shadow_vertical=”0px” box_shadow_spread=”8px” box_shadow_color=”#ffffff” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column_inner][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tropica-verde.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Miguel_Baumschule_Monte_Alto3.jpg” alt=”Project manager Miguel Mendez with the healthy saplings from a tree nursery in Monte Alto” title_text=”Project manager Miguel Mendez with the healthy saplings from a tree nursery in Monte Alto” show_in_lightbox=”on” use_overlay=”on” overlay_icon_color=”#ffffff” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.3)” hover_icon=”0||divi||400″ force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|||” box_shadow_style=”preset7″ box_shadow_horizontal=”0px” box_shadow_vertical=”0px” box_shadow_spread=”8px” box_shadow_color=”#ffffff” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Feature Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”29px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Feature 01 Area” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”35px|0px|0px|0px||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tropica-verde.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Victor_Finca_Alicia.jpg” alt=”Forest engineer Victor Esquivel catalogs and evaluates the growth of the reforestation on Finca Alicia” title_text=”Victor at Finca Alicia” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||26px|40px||” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_intensity_slide=”8%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#00512C” header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_color=”#00512C” header_font_size=”36px” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#006B46″ header_2_font_size=”35px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||15px|” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”64px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” animation_direction=”left” header_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_phone=”27px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Reforestation of several pasture areas<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” max_width=”525px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_direction=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Together with pupils and the local population, Tropica Verde has reforested over 50 hectareas of pastureland in the Monte Alto valley. Here one can see forest engineer V\u00edctor Esquivel cataloging and evaluating the growth of the species-rich plantations on Finca Alicia.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”Feature 02 Area” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#b8d79e” custom_margin=”|auto|12px|auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}” padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#00512C” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#006B46″ header_2_font_size=”36px” background_layout=”dark” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||15px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_direction=”left” header_2_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Local tree seeds<\/h2>\n

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Tree seeds from over 30 tree species were collected in the forest, germinated in the tree nursery and then after further 15 months planted out in the reforestation area. In order for the trees to grow, it is necessary to cut back the aggressive pasture grass for a further 5 years.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tropica-verde.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Baumsamen-Bank-Monte-Alto-\u00a9-Stefan-Rother-Faunity-4-scaled.jpg” alt=”Tree seeds first had to be laboriously collected in the forest and germinated before trees could be grown in the nursery” title_text=”Monte Alto tree seed bank \u00a9 Stefan Rother Faunity-4″ force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-20px||-100px|” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”8%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_blur=”80px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”Feature 01 Area” _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”602.8px” min_height_tablet=”” min_height_phone=”” min_height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”3px|0px|0px|0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tropica-verde.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Stefan-Alexis-Miguel-mit-Kamerafalle-in-Mo-nte-Aoeto-\u00a9-Stefan-Rother-Faunity-Kopie-scaled.jpg” alt=”Stefan Rother, Alexis Obregon & Miguel M\u00e9ndez (from left) with camera trap in Monte Alto \u00a9 V\u00edctor Esquivel” title_text=”Stefan Rother, Alexis Obregon & Miguel M\u00e9ndez (from left) with camera trap in Monte Alto \u00a9 V\u00edctor Esquivel” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”34px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||40px||” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_intensity_slide=”8%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”36px” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#006B46″ header_2_font_size=”36px” max_width=”525px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”112px||15px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_direction=”left” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_phone=”28px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Camera traps<\/h2>\n

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In Monte Alto, camera traps financed through crowdfunding have been used for several years to continuously document biodiversity.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Watch movie” url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GtWIwq6KlX0″ use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#006B46″ icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ header_text_color=”#006B46″ header_font_size=”32px” body_font_size=”18px” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Video recordings from camera traps in the Monte Alto area<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Listen & watch podcast” url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=czJkDBjW7us” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#006B46″ icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ header_text_color=”#006B46″ header_font_size=”32px” body_font_size=”18px” link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=czJkDBjW7us” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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(Video) podcast from the Frankfurt Palmengarten about Costa Rica, the Monte Alto bed & environmental education in nature conservation projects<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/tropica-verde.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lodge-Fundacion-Monte-Alto-0043.jpg” custom_margin=”70px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”wmtvbox” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0a0a0a” link_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_2_font=”Source Sans 3|800|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” background_color=”rgba(161,198,17,0.9)” custom_margin=”||||false|true” custom_padding=”55px|55px|55px|55px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|20px||20px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|20px||20px|true|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_text_color_tablet=”” text_text_color_phone=”” text_text_color_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_phone=”28px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

WHAT DOES TROPICA VERDE DO?<\/h2>\n