Cloudbridge, situated in a beautiful and remote cloud forest on the highest mountain in Central America, is a private nature reserve in Costa Rica. It was created to preserve and reforest an important gap in the cloud forest adjoining the Chirripó Pacifico river on the slopes of Mt. Chirripó. The picture above left shows part of the deforested section straddling a ridge that bisects the primary forest of Chirripó National Park.



The reserve has three purposes:



To help rebuild a deforested part of the tropical cloud forest, thus bridging a gap between two mountainside forests. As well as protecting the existing forest and allowing natural regrowth, we are planting a mix of native trees, thousands of them, to turn pasture back into forest.



Restoring and preserving the native forest protects the biodiversity for which the neotropical forests, and those in Costa Rica in particular, are so famous. Deforestation is causing the loss of about 100 species every day -- 4 species per hour. Preserving forest and planting trees also helps offset air pollution. As they grow, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air. This project is but a tiny step to counteract global climate change, but every tree matters. Cloud forest foliage and epiphytes also have a unique capacity to capture moisture in the air. Thus through their impact on the air, water and soil quality, flood control, climate patterns, and numerous known and unknown plant and animal species, cloud forests profoundly affect life surrounding them and life around the planet.



To demonstrate that reforestation can improve lives and sustain livelihoods. A small part of the reserve is dedicated to "sustainable forestation," which means creating a permanent forest that will generate economic value.

This will create employment for the local community in a way that enhances the environment of the area. Mixed stands of indigenous trees will be cared for and selectively harvested as each type reaches maturity, ensuring continuity of the forest canopy.



To create a place where people can come and visit -- to hike and breathe fresh air, drink pure water and enjoy the mountains, the trees and the rivers.



Only by experiencing it, can people truly gain an understanding how precious are our diminishing tropical forests.



We also wish to provide a place for volunteers and scientific researchers where they can contribute to the well-being of the planet by helping to plant trees and conduct research studies. The type of research needed is on the ecology of the area, rehabilitation of pasture land, water quality, the different species of plant, animal and bird life, from the lowly slime molds to the resplendent quetzal, the most glorious of birds to grace the forests of Central America