Selva nueva Eco-development in Costa Rica

1. Selva Nueva
Finca Rio Oro: The Last Gr eat Pacific Estate in Costa Rica

2. Executive Summary
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1134 ha (2800 acres) +/- of contiguous titled land
200 ha (500 acres) parcel of primary forest bordering Corcovado National Park
41 ha (101 acres) of Z.M.T. (maritime/beachfront concession)
4 km (2.5 miles) of beachfront
2% of Earth’s biodiversity—more than all of N. America
Reforestation project planted 20,000 new trees (native hardwoods and fruit trees)
Multiple freshwater spring sources, creeks, and the Rio Oro River
Spring boxes at several sources and PVC distribution, gravity-fed water supply
Internal roads providing year round access to the property
Private airstrip (registered with Aviación Civil)
15 minutes to Carate airstrip, accommodates STAL aircraft
Multiple waterfalls, including one measuring 30m (90 feet)
300+ grass fed cattle (Nelore/Brahma/Semental breeds)
Surfing, hiking trails, horses
All organic agriculture
Cold pressed coconut oil processing facility
Nesting ground for 3 species of endangered sea turtle
Largest population of Scarlet Macaws on the planet
Resident jaguars and other wild cats; scientifically monitored camera trap program

3. A World of Nature
Jaguar captured by camera trap on the property.

4. Unspoiled Beaches…
4 km (2.5 miles) of beach frontage.

5. …That Stretch For Miles
Looking North and West towards Corcovado National Park at sunset.

6. Restoring the Balance in Nature’s Favor
The plan was simple but audacious: Buy out the various landowners to unite
both sides of the Rio Oro into one protected estate, and utilize the emerging
science of permaculture to maximize agricultural productivity while minimizing
outside inputs. The new owner, an American music industry professional with a
family background in ranching and agriculture, did just that. Over 20,000 trees
were planted in the reforestation effort, from native hardwoods positioned to reestablish forest corridors, to tropical fruit trees that would provide food for the
animals and economy for the human guardians, trees which would also provide
an understory canopy to facilitate the later growth of native species. Existing
pastureland was reduced in size and reorganized under Management Intensive
Grazing (MIG) principles; riparian areas were fenced to keep cattle from
negatively impacting the lush lagoons. Rice and vegetable crops were added
to feed workers and domestic animals. All of this was done under the auspices
of 100% organic agriculture methods.
Active management of the back forest, a huge swath of primary that borders
the magnificent Corcovado National Park, discouraged those who had illegally
hunted the jaguars and their preferred food source, the white lipped peccary.
Intensive camera trap placement allowed scientists to track the health of the
jungle ecosystem, and the local turtle patrol was given unfettered access to
ensure that the three species of turtles nesting on the property’s beaches were
better protected from human predators. Loggers and gold miners were chased
off the property as better coordination with police and environmental officials
sent a strong message that Nature was to have the upper hand.

7. Amazing Views
Looking West from the Mesa, across Pejeperrito Laguna.

8. Between Two Lagoons
Composite showing location between Pejeperrito and Pejeperro Lagunas.
The Rio Oro bisects the property, rising into the mountains where it is born.

9. Integrated Management
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Given the size of the property, with over 1300 ha (2800 acres) of
contiguous primary and secondary forest, lagoons, rivers, humedades, and
pasture, management had much to take into consideration. Broken forest
that connected to strong sections of primary forest was fenced from cattle
and replanted with the idea of restoring corridors for animals; all waterways
were given space for flood and erosion concerns; biodiversity was
encouraged by maximizing “edges,” those areas where pasture, forest and
water came together, and which provide the richest abundance of diversity.
A top Costa Rican environmental consultant was hired to study the flora
and fauna and devise a management strategy to protect this priceless
resource.
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Of course, this was already an incredibly biodiverse area: 2% of the world’s
biodiversity—more than all of N. America combined—is contained on the
Osa Peninsula. While visitors flock to the Corcovado National Park, which
borders a section of the property, one can find the same diversity of
species within the ranch’s borders.

10. Natural Boundaries
Laguna Pejeperro, a large salt water estuary, keeps access to the beach limited.

11. Pristine Ecosystem
The stretch of beach along Pejeperro is a vital turtle nesting ground.
Saltwater crocodiles and caimans patrol the inner sanctum.

12. Primary Forest
Aerial showing property’s vast stretches of forest.

13. Rio Oro Watershed
Virgin forest protects and nourishes the Rio Oro.

14. A Natural Refuge
The property is located between the Pejeperro and Pejeperrito Lagunas.
Pejeperro is a large, long, saltwater lagoon and estuary; when the rains
build to a crest, it pushes out into the ocean, releasing young fish and other
marine life into the sea. Pejeperrito does the same, only it is freshwater—
the only freshwater lagoon of its size on the entire Pacific coast of Costa
Rica. Large (4m) saltwater crocodiles inhabit the Pejeperro, while smaller
(1-2m) caimans frolic in the Pejeperrito. Several species of snook and many
other species of fish are abundant. All manner of wading birds, from Great
Blue Herons to Roseate Spoonbills explore the marshes and rivers. Raptors
like the White Hawk and Crested Caracara scour the pastures and
secondary forest for prey. Jaguars, the iconic apex predator of the jungle,
and one of the most endangered species on the planet, make their home
here as well, searching among the undisturbed forest for peccaries and
other game. They are jointed by the five other species of wild cat that exist
in Costa Rica and call this area home. All four species of monkey thrive
here as well. The rivers and streams are filled with shrimp, crayfish, and
crabs, which are happily feasted on by otters and a host of other
opportunistic predators. Of course, the ocean in front is filled with
everything from migrating humpback whales and giant pods of dolphins to
magnificent marlin and other game fish, while three species of turtle nest
on the beaches. It is no wonder the government of Costa Rica declared the
ocean area in front of the ranch (between the lagoons) to be a National
Marine Refuge, only the second on the Pacific Coast.

15. Clean, Abundant Water
Large (30m, 90ft) waterfall from spring source on property.

16. South/East Side of Rio Oro
Note the old landing strip, which is registered with Aviation Civil.
It can easily be restored and permitted.

17. North/West Side of Rio Oro
At left, the tendrils of Laguna Pejeperrito extend into the farm; center, the road
to the mesa. Note the large pocket of virgin forest S and E of the mesa road.

18. Pejeperrito Laguna
The freshwater laguna seen from above, nestled among more primary forest.

19. View Back to Pejeperro Laguna
The saltwater estuary/laguna seen from afar. Forest tumbles down the hillside,
meeting pasture land and forest corridor which touch the great Pacific Ocean.

20. Room For Development
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Though conceived as a nature reserve, the owner also imagined one day doing a
sustainable development on the property, and as a result, the consultant group was
instructed to identify areas that could be developed without unduly affecting the flora
and fauna. There are literally hundreds of acres with ocean and forest views on
which to build, from the beachfront to the mesas. In particular, the mesa on the North
side of the Rio Oro is an attractive site: 20ha of flat land with an elevation of 100m –
150m, it commands sweeping views of the sea and lagoons, and looks down on a
protected pocket of primary forest filled with massive Ceiba, Espivel, and Matapalo
trees. A road was cut that followed an existing cattle path; the cattle were removed,
and access is now easily provided. The secondary forest here has been allowed to
grow, but eventually one could remove the scrub brush and pioneer species of trees
to leave behind specimen trees and enhanced vistas.
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Unlike the North of Costa Rica in the Guanacaste Province, the Osa is rich in water,
and the Rio Oro Ranch is no exception. Aside from the namesake river, there are
several natural springs and creeks that meander through the property, and which
could support any reasonable development of the land.

21. Hundreds of Tree Species

22. Majestic Specimens
The Ceiba or “Bonga” tree, largest and tallest denizen of the jungle.

23. Mighty Bonga
The same Ceiba tree, shown with a human for scale. Photo by Roy Troft, taken
from Trond Larsen’s book, “OSA: Where The Rainforest Meets The Sea.”

24. Undisturbed Old Growth
The Matapalo, or strangler fig, decades after vanquishing its host.

25. Reforestation & Agroforestry
Over 20,000 trees have been planted in the reforestation effort. Extensive
orchards of tropical fruit trees are in production. Rice and vegetable crops
provide food for the workers and commercial value. All are 100% organic.

26. Domestic Animals and Fruit Trees
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The previous owners treated the property as little more than an opportunity to log
trees and raise cattle on the cleared land. Under current management, the pastures
have been reduced in size, but remain as efficient because of the MIG principles
employed. All pastures were reseeded with several different species of grass in
order to ensure a varied diet. Breedstock was improved, with an emphasis on
parasite resistance and fertility; an organic herd needs to be hardy in a tropical
environment. Pigs were brought in from locals raising them in remote areas and who
had cultivated the wilder, more robust breeds. These are allowed to free range over
certain areas, where they help to weed among the fruit trees and forage the
abundant fruits that drop onto their snouts. Given the abundance of coconuts
growing throughout the properties, these lucky pigs have a ready and healthy food
source that is easily collected. Ten to fifteen horses reside on the ranch as well, and
are used for working the cattle or simply for pleasure riding.
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There is likely no better place than Costa Rica to raise fruit trees. The farm is filled
with mangoes, avocados, durian, mangosteen, carambola, acerola cherry, bananas,
breadfruit, and citrus, to name but a few. As well as obviously providing food for
workers and animals alike, fruit trees are crucial to any reforestation process in the
tropics, as the shade they provide creates an understory in which native species
may flourish. You can’t grow a rainforest tree in a pasture—there’s too much sun.
Under the shade of a mature fruit tree, however, one can reestablish the mighty
forest natives that were cut down so long ago.

27. Working Organic Herd
Brahman/Nelore/Semental 100% Pasture Fed Cattle

28. Nelore cattle moving through the pastures

29. Where the Jungle Meets the Beach
Nesting ground for three species of turtles.

30. Get Away From It All
Riding along the beach through the cresting Rio Oro.

31. Infrastructure and Housing
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Since the owner already had an award winning house a mere 40 minute
drive away from the farm (published in Architectural Digest, March 2008),
there was no real impetus to build a personal structure on the farm.
Instead, priority was given to worker housing and storage for equipment. A
galerón (garage) was built from commercial wood species taken from the
ranch, in order to store the tractor and other farm vehicles and provide
housing for 8 workers. As an addendum, a coconut oil “factory” was built,
which produces several gallons of cold pressed coconut oil daily, an oil
that is remarkably healthy and useful in cooking, and sold locally, where it
is transformed into a high quality soap.
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Spring boxes were built to provide clean water from a few of the water
sources, and PVC pipes laid to deliver said water. The water reaches the
cattle and crops via gravity and with significant pressure. Additionally, there
are a number of storage tanks to house water should there be any
temporary, unforeseen interruption in the flow.
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Several internal roads provide all year access to the vital areas of the farm.

32. Finca Rio Oro Map
1134ha (2800 acres) +/- of contiguous titled land,
200ha (500 acres) additional parcel of primary forest (titled),
41ha (101 acres) Z.M.T (maritime)

33. Refuge and Development Plan
Red Vial interna de finca
Red Vial distrital
Zona de conservación (ZC)
Río Nuevo
Zonas de protección
ZA
Zona de manejo (ZM)
Zona Administrativa
Fuente:
Imagen de satélite Spot 2003
Trabajo de campo. 2008
Gestor Ambiental
ZA
Part of management plan for the wildlife refuge and sustainable development.

34. Selva Nueva, SA “The New Jungle”
Wake to the sounds of Howler monkeys and pounding surf, look out upon
endless vistas of jungle and sea, go for a horse ride along the empty,
pristine beach, harvest exotic fruits and vegetables from your orchards and
gardens, watch migratory and resident wading birds and raptors, walk
amongst forest giants, savor the fresh ocean breeze, take a dip under a
hidden jungle waterfall…these are but a few of the day’s activities that will
restore your energy and satisfy your soul.
It is no overstatement to declare that there is no property like this anywhere
in the world. The combination of biodiversity, location, development
potential and favorable political climate is unmatched in the tropical zone.
Even within Costa Rica, it is a rare and precious jewel. Once you’ve walked
on the beaches and looked for miles in either direction without seeing
anyone other than the Scarlet Macaws squawking from the almond trees
that line the shore, you will know what a special opportunity this is. Whether
for corporate retreat, boutique hotel, sustainable development, or, perhaps
most ideally, a private estate and sanctuary, the land and its nature will
reward you and your vision.