The rainforests are the lungs of the Earth and benefit the entire planet. Yet rainforest conservation projects often bring relatively few benefits to local communities. Local community members are key to tropical rainforest conservation, and we help rural communities of Sarapiquí to protect and sustainably use their natural resources.

We focus our efforts in three ways: forming future environmental leaders through our educational programs, planning for local sustainable development and conservation, and connecting ecotourists to the local community. Your contribution will support our programming involving local communities.

To make a Donation send a check payable to Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center to:

El Centro de Apredizaje para la Conservation en Sarapiquí

PO Box 92-41-001

Puerto Viejo, Sarapiquí

Heredia, Costa Rica

Central America

Or make an environemntally friendly donation though our Pay Pal account!

Here are just a few ways the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center, in conjunction with donor support was able to make a difference in 2010:

• 3,000 feet of new sidewalk is keeping local children safe as they walk to and from the Center. This extension was made possible by the generosity of Avalon Junior HS from Edmonton Canada, Global Explorer NGO and the community members who donated their time to lay the sidewalk and minimized the labor expenses.
• More than 100 students are receiving weekly English classes, and a new partnership has been established with UNA (Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica) and UCA Sarapiquí (Union Cantonal de Asociaciones de Sarapiquí) to implement a new EFL curriculum.
• The Bird Club has recruited 30 potential tour guides with a new partnership established with La Selva Biological Station (OET). Every other weekend students have the opportunity to go on a guided walk or assist a visiting scientist in REAL field research.
• Our Scholarship Program is aiding 30 local high school students including 3 at University level, enabling them to attend high school and college, something they otherwise could not afford.
• Our After School Program continues to grow and educate more than 120 children from three public elementary schools.
• Thanks to the new exchange program with EARTH Ltd. one of our scholarship students was able to spend 10 days with the Southwick Zoo Discovery Center in Massachusetts learning about conservation and animal protection.
• Over 500 trees were planted when the SCLC participated in the world wide event to flight Global Warming on 10/10/10.

Here are just a few ways your donation can make a huge difference:

• Ÿ $10 will buy school supplies for a child for the first semester
•  $25 fund one semester of the actives which make Bird Club so successful!
•  $50 can support the after-school program for an entire month
•  $175 covers the stipend that goes to a local family to house a volunteer
•  $500 will allow internet access for the community and staff for a year

Personal checks should be made payable to:

Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center

P.O Box 92-41001

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí

Heredia, Costa Rica

Or look to the sidebar to donate electronically.

The SCLC is a US non-profit organization, tax ID# 59-3286423.

Thank you, and please remember that you are making a big difference for children and families throughout the region along with a great impact on the rainforest and the wildlife that relies on us for its survival.

With sincere appreciation,

Gerardo Vega Chavarria