ABOUT US
501(c)(3) Non-Profit
Rainforest Conservation Organization
In 1991, Eco Era was founded as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to protect the 10,000 acres of the Cerro Nara rainforest and watershed in Costa Rica. Our organization is dedicated to the stewardship of both privately owned and government-owned lands. Our projects aim not only to protect the rainforest but also to provide meaningful humanitarian benefits through access to clean water and therapeutic wellness programs in nature.
Eco Era was originally created to protect biodiversity and endangered species by preserving critical habitats in a pristine state, while also educating people about the importance of safeguarding the Earth to ensure a sustainable future for all living beings.
Our lands have been studied extensively by international biologists due to the region's biodiversity, critical habitats, pure watersheds, and endemic species. Our current global environmental crisis underscores the urgent need to protect our rainforests to ensure a future for life on Earth.
Since 1991, our organization has expanded to include partnerships with organizations that promote health and wellness through immersion in nature. Our programs take place at our retreat center, Posada Natura, located just a few miles from Cerro Nara. By offering programs that heal and foster a healthy emotional connection to nature, we hope to create a global culture that recognizes our species' dependence on the natural world and the importance of protecting it.
OUR PARTNERS
Why protect Cerro Nara?
CLIMATE REGULATION
The forests of the Cerro Nara region play a crucial role in regulating the local, regional, and even continental climate. They contribute to atmospheric moisture and rainfall patterns, helping to stabilize temperatures in the surrounding areas. These forests provide essential water and climate-related services, including the recycling of precipitation, cooling of the environment, purification of water, and promoting infiltration and groundwater recharge. However, these critical ecosystems face threats from illegal deforestation, particularly driven by the demand for coveted tree species such as the endangered Guanacaste, Manu, and Ocotea Monteverdensis, whose wood is highly prized. The loss of these trees not only jeopardizes the biodiversity of the region but also undermines the forests' ability to regulate the water cycle and maintain environmental balance. Protecting Cerro Nara’s forests is vital to preserving both the ecological integrity of the region and the well-being of local communities that depend on its resources.
CRUCIAL HABITAT PROTECTION
Multi-year biological studies conducted by the University of Costa Rica have revealed several endemic species within the Cerro Nara rainforest, underscoring the region's exceptional biodiversity. However, this rich diversity faces significant threats, including poaching, which puts vulnerable species such as sloths, monkeys, jaguars, and other endangered wildlife at risk. The preservation of these habitats is crucial to maintaining the diversity of entire ecosystems. A habitat provides all the environmental conditions an organism needs to survive. For animals, this means access to everything they need to find and gather food, select a mate, and successfully reproduce. For plants, a healthy habitat must offer the right combination of light, air, water, and soil. By safeguarding the unique ecosystems of Cerro Nara, we help protect these endemic species from poaching and other threats, ensuring the long-term health of the region’s biodiversity.
PRISTINE WATERSHEDS
Cerro Nara is home to the Savegre and Naranjo rivers, whose watersheds are known to contain some of the cleanest water in Central America. These vital watersheds provide clean drinking water, which is essential for all life to thrive. In addition to serving the needs of local ecosystems, the watersheds support the water supplies for four nearby towns, underscoring their importance to the well-being of local communities. Healthy watersheds offer a broad range of ecosystem services, including nutrient cycling, carbon storage, erosion and sedimentation control, increased biodiversity, soil formation, water storage, water filtration, flood control, and the maintenance of healthy forests. Protecting these critical watersheds ensures both the ecological health of the region and the continued availability of clean water for people and wildlife alike.
