ARBOFILIA
Nuevo Mundo

HISTORY
In 1976 Arbofilia began as a small farmers’ committee on the Osa Peninsula at approximately the same location as Corcovado currently resides.  In 1987 Arbofilia gained legal status as a non profit organization and quickly began projects like watershed management and fruit tree propagation.  Over the last 3 years Arbofilia began emphasizing  self sustainability in an effort to allow the organization to exist in a greater capacity than simply managing projects.

MAIN OBJECTIVES AND CURRENT PROJECTS
Arbofilia’s main objective is to create economic space in order for the organization to sustain itself and to prosper.  Currently, Arbofilia’s most profitable project is its apiary.  Arbofilia’s 140 beehives produce enough honey to keep the organization moving forward, yet greater economic space is needed for profitability.  Reforestation through seed planting, fruit tree harvesting, beach clean up, and working with uneducated and underprivileged women of nearby rural communities are the goodwill projects currently underway with Arbofilia.

It is Arbofilia’s intention to support these projects with profitable, environmentally friendly money making efforts.  Arbofilia is looking to gain economic space for the organization by offering educational tours to student groups and other interested tourists.  Arbofilia’s goal for tourism development is to create economic space that would support other projects like the volunteer program, yet allow the organization to remain independent from tourism efforts as its primary function.  According to Miguel Soto, an original founder of Arbofilia, “ tourism is sustainable only if it remains a component of the economic space, otherwise the communities may lose everything to tourism.”
 
TOURISM AND HOSTING STUDENT GROUPS
Arbofilia is in the process of constructing an additional building to accompany the biological station.  The plans are to have a facility which will provide more accommodations and in which lectures and discussions can be held.  Arbofilia is taking steps towards this goal and has planned 25 courses dealing with biodiversity and ecosystem management subject matter.  The idea for the new addition to the biological station is to provide a place for the exchange of ideas and rainforest education.

Arbofilia intends to have the facilities in place to host 8-12 person student groups and tourist groups by the end of March and would like to make educational opportunities available to all tour groups rather than exclusively to student groups.  Currently Arbofilia has the capacity to host a maximum of only 5 people with its current facilities.

VOLUNTEERS
Arbofilia is capable of hosting volunteers but needs to charge for meals and accommodations.  Accommodations may be at a reduced rate or perhaps even free, but it is likely that individuals would need to pay for accommodations and food (rates to be determined).  There is an immediate need for volunteers with construction, honey harvesting, and beach clean up.

DETAILS FOR HOSTING STUDENT GROUPS
Local guides will accompany all rainforest trail hikes and educate groups on the biodiversity and ecology of the local environs.  Miguel Soto will participate in guiding rainforest walks and will deliver educational lectures as well.  Transportation is a limiting factor for Arbofilia as there is transportation available for only 5 passengers.  Arbofilia intends to provide 3 meals a day to all visitors and can begin hosting tour groups as of February or March.  Sample activities include: classes on local ecology, biodiversity, and agriculture, forest walks, visits to local waterfalls, the apiary, and local beaches, and possibly community involvement activities like beach clean up.