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January 25, 2010 |
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Open Pit Commercial Gravel & Gold Mining On The Osa ! |
 We have just learned that dozens of open pit commercial gravel mining operations have been approved by The Costa Rican Government here on The Osa. In the coming months, from the Rio Rincon all the way to the Rio Tigre, expect to see dozens of international companies mining their way through our rivers with 100’s of trucks per day destroying our river estuaries water sheds and the end of “Pura Vida”! This will also choke the gulf as it is expected that this gravel will be used for all future construction projects on or near the Osa as well (i.e the proposed new international airport in Palmar Norte). EVERY Osa river has concessions lined up for approval. A privately hired geologist believes there might be an equal amount of gravel just a few meters below the surface of flat pasture land here on The Osa, and he is looking into more sustainable solutions and alternatives to extracting materials from our rivers and watersheds. Please help pay for the fight against the destruction of the rivers on The Osa, Contact Liz Jones www.riotigre.tripod.com. |
Paradise is Officially Paved ! |
 And wow that was fast! yup…from Puerto Jimenez to Rincon, workers hurry to get the bridges done and finish the remaining pavement before the rainy season begins in May. While we all appreciate a smoother drive to town, (mechanics excluded ) just North of Puerto Jimenez is the Rio Tigre, where the gravel is extracted from the river, and hauled away to supply our new super highway with needed gravel to make concrete and asphalt. The mining has caused irreversible environmental damage up and down the Tigre. 3-4 Km. of aquatic life gone forever and erosion banks as high as 20’. The mangrove estuary and coral reef system downstream have absolutely no chance of recovery, affecting the fish & bird populations as well as local sustainable fishing practices. In the next 3 rivers over, new commercial gold mine and gravel permits are being granted within the reserve adjacent to Corcovado National Park. How can this be? 4-5 of these permits are already approved and it could be only a matter of days / weeks until the next river is destroyed by dredging, trucks, oil, large equipment, noise, dust and destruction. Its obvious The Osa has been sold to the highest bidder and right now there is little help on the horizon to slow progress down. Where else will they get materials to build a new airport, new marinas, condos, and roads? Everyone who has been to The Osa, thinking about coming to the Osa, or living here on the Osa, should pay attention. Once they start mining, you can kiss all the fish, flora and fauna away. It won’t be so fun or Pura Vida anymore, that’s for sure. Now is the time to help keep the Pura in Our Vida ! PLEASE donate to the cause to save our rivers. www.riotigre.tripod.com. |
Rainforest Aid in March - April 2011 |
 Should we continue RainforestAid on The Osa? Last June the Osa community came together is support of a 3 day music festival www.rainforestaid09.com , and most people in our community are interested in doing it again next year! Last year RFA09 reached a global audience through internet, television, La Nacion, CR Traveler, Tico Times, radio, Youtube, Canal 6, Facebook and our message was broadcasted through environmental news groups in both USA, Canada and UK. RFA09 brought global attention to our beach disaster on Playa Preciosa, tuna farm crisis, deforestation, and mining on the rivers. RFA09 also provided a great platform for our conservation partners to continue networking together. Through our festival website – 1000’s of people learned about Osa’s landfill and conservation needs and everybody had a blast as 30 bands played for free in support of conservation on The Osa Peninsula. RFA09 also rocketed through the internet and music industry and musicians from all over the world want to see the festival continue as well. RainforestAid continues to support the ongoing battles to keep Pura Vida on The Osa. Stay tunes for our 2 nd. Annual Rainforest Aid Festival in March or April 2011. In 2012 there is a proposed Rainforest Aid event planned near Hacienda Baru just North Of Dominical. For more info - Contact Justin Brothers - justin@rageunlimited.com ,or Ron Killin ron@rainforestaid09.com For RFA updates, location and volunteer info. Check our website www.costaricarainforestaid.com |
What we can do today ? |
 In support of keeping Pura Vida On The Osa, there are several ways we can all help as a community now. For example in the areas of :
Preservation
Help raise $ for the legal battle to Save the Rivers Of The Osa www.riotigre.tripod.com. 0r
Help put up a few monkeys bridges across our new super highway. This is an inexpensive way to re-connect biological corridors that have been cut off by the new road on The Osa. Contact www.monotiti.org and www.kidssavingtherainforest.org. ICE ( electric company ) has already offered to assist and help install them across important river corridors.!
Health
If you are a lodge owner, manager or employee, suggest and encourage your guests and visitors to bring 10-20 re usable / recyclable grocery bags per person traveling and encourage them to give them away to Tico families at the grocery stores. They are light weight, don’t take up any room in your guests luggage, and your guests will feel good about helping our local community. If you are planning a trip to The Osa this year, offset your footprint. As a community, we can support this effort now just by asking our guests to bring the bags. Those of you that live off the Osa, bring as many bags with you as possible when you arrive, and then give them away or leave them at your lodge for employees.
Education
Donate school supplies or sponsor a child in our private school www.nuevahoja.com and continue to follow www.rainforestaidcostarica.com for updates as we gear up for our second annual music festival on The Osa Peninsula in 2011
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How Many $1000's of dollars will be spent ? |
 This year alone...fighting environmental crimes and never ending environmental bureaucracy. How many years will the tuna farm lurk “literally” on the horizon “ or the continuation of commercial logging & mining throughout the reserve? Don’t forget destruction of beach habitat and river estuaries. The list goes on….. How many truckloads of hardwood trees sneak off the Osa at night and on weekends. Our Osa Peninsula has not faced challenges like this since Alvaro Ugalde created Corcovado National Park many years ago. I think everyone agrees, RainforestAid is a great awareness vehicle that creates immediate international attention. These environmental crises are upon us today. Help Preserve Pura Vida ! |
Benefit Art Expo in Puerto Jimenez |
In Feb 2010, We will be hosting a benefit art show, auction & informational fun evening in support of the legal battle against mining on The Osa!
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