After CR Tree Plantation harvested their teak last April 18, 2016, they donated the land–277 acres (112 hectares) to the organization Kids Saving the Rainforest (KSTR). KSTR is known for its rescue and release of wildlife, but also works to earn its moniker, buying and restoring the rainforest of Costa Rica.
This beautiful rainforest property is in the hills of Parrita, Costa Rica and will reconnect the corridor on 3 sides when finished reforesting.
KSTR met with the Costa Rican Government (FONOFIFO) to plant 30,000 native trees on the newly acquired land. The organization will create a nursery on the property and subsequently plant 40,000 native seeds.
Two years ago, my family and I moved to Costa Rica from California. We were ignorant. Foolish. Selfish. Just like many of the people here for the first time. We went for kayak rides, and following advice from our tour guides we reached out eagerly with a piece of fruit in our hands, waiting for the monkeys to come down and grasp it in their tiny paws. We were unaware of the fact that it’s harmful for many reasons to feed wild animals, both to humans and the animals. We didn’t appreciate our flora, pulling at its leaves and trampling it with our sandal-clad feet. Most of all, we let things happen. We watched, but did not know what to do about it. Until we met someone who did.
Did you know that Kids Saving the Rainforest manages a Bed & Breakfast to help raise funds to save the rainforest and wildlife in the area?
We realize that very few people do! KSTR has been managing the Blue Banyan Inn (BBI) for over 3 years now!
BBI (www.bluebanyaninn.com) consists of 3 luxury cottages with a panoramic view of the mountains, a spectacular swimming pool, and a beautiful restaurant for daily breakfasts, just10 minutes from Maxi Pali, 15 minutes from Quepos and Marina and 30 minutes from the National Park/main beach.
By Elena Crouch
Social Media intern, Student of Northeastern University
For an organization that in 2015 alone, has rescued over 218 animals and planted over 7,000 trees since they began, it’s hard to believe the modest roots of Kids Saving the Rainforest (KSTR). KSTR was started over seventeen years ago by two nine-year old girls whose mothers lived in Manuel Antonio. The two girls, Janine and Aislin, were witnessing the steady destruction of the rainforest in their backyard and decided to create their own organization and make a change. KSTR began as a reforestation organization, and has since grown tremendously and has developed into four main projects: reforestation, the monkey bridge program, the KSTR Wildlife Sanctuary, and the KSTR Wildlife Rescue Clinic.
Hi, my name is Will and I’m here to tell you all about Kids Saving the Rainforest and the fantastic educational programs that we are currently running.
Kids Saving the Rainforest (KSTR) began in 1999 in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica when Janine Licare and Aislin Livingstone were 9 years old. Janine and Aislin saw the rainforest disappearing from their beloved home and the negative impact it had on the animals, particularly the squirrel (mono titi) monkeys. They were kids who were inspired to save the precious rainforest and thus, Kids Saving the Rainforest was born!
Now, 17 years later, KSTR operates a variety of projects, including: reforestation, installation and maintenance of monkey bridges, a wildlife rehabilitation clinic and terrific educational programs.
Hi, my name is Delilah Barnfield and I am 14 years old in the 9th grade. I have been a Girl Scout since I was in 1st grade in troop 6805 from Redondo Beach, CA. I love what I have learned being a Girl Scout. To me it is about friendship, giving back to the community and being a good citizen. In Girl Scouts we earn Bronze, Silver and the Gold Award. The Gold Award is equivalent to an Eagle Scout rank for Boy Scouts.
Kids Saving the Rainforest is in the process of establishing a reintroduction program for squirrel monkeys. Central American squirrel monkeys, also known as Saimiri oerstedii, are nearly extinct in Panama and are threatened in Costa Rica. Although there have not been resources available for a thorough count recently, it is believed there are only a few thousand individuals living in the wild. They are mainly found in Manuel Antonio and Corcovado National Park, located on the central and south pacific coast of Costa Rica. The low population makes reintroduction programs of these species very important to sustain the population and help reproduction. In order for the release to be successful, the monkey’s behavior and its predator responses are tested to see what chance the animal has to survive in the wild. The project requires sustained long term observations and research to ensure a successful reintroduction into the wild.
Even if you don’t usually make New Year’s Resolutions, please do so this year by becoming more conscientious of saving energy so that we can all contribute to create a healthier planet! The average American ecological footprint is 5 times more than other parts of the world. Living in Costa Rica, we use less, but it is always good for everyone to cut back.
By Elle McGraw (Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern at KSTR)
No one enjoys losing. Especially when losing means life or death of beautiful animals. Everyday at our wildlife sanctuary, Kids Saving the Rainforest (KSTR), we embark on the battle of life or death in the case of each animal we receive. For some animals the battle is the immediate intervention between life or death; and for other, less severe cases, it consists of preparing goals in order for them to return to the wild. For all of us here at KSTR, we put our heart and soul into every animal that comes through our clinic.
KSTR has a lot to be thankful this year! We have been able to continue our mission of saving the rainforest and the wildlife in it a day at a time! We want to thank those of you who have supported us through the years, and to give people visiting a chance to help too by taking a tour of our Sanctuary, where 100% of the proceeds go to the wildlife in our sanctuary. See below for more information.
KSTR’s wildlife educational tour is growing by leaps and bounds. The tour is from 9 to 12 noon every day except Tuesdays. You will get to see lots of wildlife that cannot be released back into the wild and you will have a view of a baby sloth eating breakfast behind the clinic windows.
Jennifer Mooney came to Costa Rica with a desire to see “a real jungle.” She left with a desire to change the world.
After traveling to Manuel Antonio and learning about the efforts of Kids Saving the Rainforest, Jen realized two things. The first was that the rainforest is a vital and vanishing resource that must be protected.
“My heart will forever remain with the amazing creatures of Costa Rica and their fight to survive in a world filled with change and development,” she noted.
The darkness was setting in on the “secret” garden. The night’s grasping fingers had finally prevailed over the shining rays of the sun. My mind swam in a sea of uncertainty. Panic was overcoming me. Questions surfaced from the depths of my consciousness like so many crashing waves in a tempestuous ocean. Would she ever come down? Would she sleep in the tree all night? What would happen if I lost her? Will she die?! A bloodthirsty swarm of mosquitoes now descended upon me in the twilight dusk, buzzing in triumph at having secured a new host. Now I questioned whether I would make it through the night.
In March 2015 Kids Saving the Rainforest launched their monthly kid’s camp. Kids from throughout Quepos/Manuel Antonio and surrounding areas participated in an educational day about conservation and animal welfare. Throughout the day the kids took part in activities developed to teach them the importance of the local biodiversity in the forest and how they can help with the conservation of their local area.
The day was also about getting an introduction to some of the animals native to their country as well as some foreign ones. They were given a tour of the KSTR sanctuary and animal clinic which is the temporary home of some soon to be released rehabilitated wildlife, as well as some permanent members which unfortunately cannot be released into the wild for reasons such as injury or inability to cope in the wild.
As a research assistant studying the behaviour of two-toed sloths at KSTR I have had to make the transition to a nocturnal lifestyle working between 6pm and 6am. Two-toed sloths are nocturnal so the only way to study them was to become nocturnal myself. Approaching this job with the idea of spending the night out in the jungle amongst the crickets and the stars seemed a very pleasant change from the bright lights and constant bustle of the London night. Now three months into this role I am happy and comfortable but the first few weeks were a steep learning curve. I found out that night time in the jungle is very mysterious and can even be deadly.
What’s so different now? The Wildlife Sanctuary Tour is from 9 AM until 12 Noon, everyday (except Tuesdays). We have extended the tour so you can now relax by the pool @ Blue Banyan Inn where the sanctuary is located.
Two of the biggest draws and it’s what people have requested: INLCUDES TRANSPORTATION and… drum roll please… YOU SEE A SLOTH!!! (Sloth will be seen from behind glass only.)
The tour will still include snacks/refreshments at the end and of course you get to see the following animals in the sanctuary: Spider Monkeys, White Faced Monkeys, Squirrel Monkeys, Tamarins, & Marmosets, Nocturnal Kinkajous (if they are awake), Parrots, Parakeets, Sloth & White Hawk (coming soon).
Minimum Suggested Donation per person: $60 for adults and $45 for children under 12, (3 and under), free. All proceeds go toward the animals! Want to take a little memory of your visit with us? CHECK OUT the KSTR Store when the tour is over! We have great sloth towels, monkey pillowcases and much more!
By Jennifer Rice
By Lexi Baca
Did you know that Kids Saving the Rainforest manages a Bed & Breakfast to help raise funds to save the rainforest and wildlife in the area?
By Volunteer Margarita Samsonova
Kids Saving the Rainforest is in the process of establishing a reintroduction program for squirrel monkeys. Central American squirrel monkeys, also known as Saimiri oerstedii, are nearly extinct in Panama and are threatened in Costa Rica. Although there have not been resources available for a thorough count recently, it is believed there are only a few thousand individuals living in the wild. They are mainly found in Manuel Antonio and Corcovado National Park, located on the central and south pacific coast of Costa Rica. The low population makes reintroduction programs of these species very important to sustain the population and help reproduction. In order for the release to be successful, the monkey’s behavior and its predator responses are tested to see what chance the animal has to survive in the wild. The project requires sustained long term observations and research to ensure a successful reintroduction into the wild.
By Elle McGraw (Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern at KSTR)
