Ecology and the
Environment in Talamanca

In the Talamanca region of Limon province, Costa Rica, we face many environmental challenges. Last year a great victory was won for the cause of environmental protection in Talamanca when the government of Costa Rica decided to stop foreign oil expansion off the Caribbean coastline. Local people had been lobbying for years with the slogan "no petrolera" to stop offshore oil drilling.

People in the Talamanca region realize that it is important to preserve the cleanliness of our beaches. Much of the local economy is supported by ecotourism, for one thing, and for another, the local people tend to be very environmentally conscious. A number of local organizations exist to promote rainforest conservation, including the Talamanca Initiative and ADELA.

The Talamanca Mountains are home to the Bribri tribe of indigenous people. They have a large reserve set aside for their use by the government, but it is constantly being encroached upon by squatters and poachers. The Bribri people need all the help they can get to protect what remains of their land. Please do what you can to support indigenous people and rainforest conservation, in the Talamanca region and in your part of the world.