We promote the protection and conservation of our natural resources
Our environmental programs support Miches as a sustainable tourism destination, and involve collaboration with local authorities and community organizations in support of the protection and care of coastal and watershed ecosystems.
WALKING THE TALK
Fundación Tropicalia promotes environmentally friendly practices within its own operations as well. Whenever possible we avoid using plastic, styrofoam or disposable materials in our community activities.
Reduce and reuse: The utensils we use are reusable instead of disposable; so, we fulfill a dual function: to reduce our impact by reusing materials and to raise awareness among community members to avoid using plastic and foam. We also try to maximize the opportunities offered by technology to reduce the use of paper by sending invitations and other institutional communications through digital platforms.
COSTA ESMERALDA BEACH RESCUE
The Costa Esmeralda Beach Rescue is an initiative led by Fundación Tropicalia in collaboration with local authorities and Tropicalia to enforce environmental regulations and beach conservation efforts. This partnership conserves 200 linear meters of coastline in Costa Esmeralda by staving off motor vehicle traffic, reducing inadequate solid-waste management and littering, and raising environmental awareness. Costa Esmeralda Beach Rescue designated a parking area for vehicles and strategically placed trash bins and informational signs to encourage ecofriendly behavior from visitors.
Some of the activities carried out through this program are:
- Operations to clean the beach with the help of volunteers.
- Restoration of the parking area of the beach and its path, with a capacity of up to 30 vehicles, made from local natural materials.
- Designation of Coastal Ambassadors to inform and raise awareness regarding the responsible use of the beach.
- Supply of waste containers to support the waste collection process and its coordination.
- Patrolling the beach by the police to ensure the safety of visitors during peak seasons.
PLAYA ARRIBA BEACH RESCUE AND ADMINISTRATION
Fundación Tropicalia works together with the Playa Arriba Beach Rescue and Administration Committee, made up of local authorities, businesses and community members, to coordinate the responsible and sustainable management of this natural tourist attraction through the design, execution and supervision of policies, norms, strategies, and projects.
Every year, starting in early February, we work on the planning and organization of beach recovery efforts, which include sawing and removing large tree trunks washed up by the river during cyclonic seasons, and protecting the vegetation in an increasingly efficient manner.
We have established ‘Green Points’ on the beach where we have donated trash containers, and work with local artisans to create and maintain all educational and welcome signage.
Other efforts include the installation of benches and tables available to visitors, the maintenance of the aforementioned Green Points and provide free parking spaces 60 meters from the coastline, with signage and awareness messages. This is done in order to restrict motor vehicles from driving through the dunes, and thus preventing chemical spillages from automobiles that are then absorbed by the sand and pollute the sea.
SUPPORTING THIRD-PARTY PROJECTS
Fundación Tropicalia seeks to support projects that positively impact the environmental sustainability of the region in partnership with local stakeholders.
Thus, in 2017, the Fundación Tropicalia team joined the environmental projectBrigada Verde (The Green Brigade) to clean up Miches’ La Yeguada river and a reforestation day in its surroundings. Volunteers from government entities, local schools and other organizations planted approximately 300 trees.
Similarly, Fundación Tropicalia identified an opportunity to support Montaña Redonda’s waste management processes, as one of Miches’ main tourist attractions, located adjacent to Laguna Redonda and Limón Wildlife Refuge. The main aspects of this partnership included:
- Establishing three green areas at the top of the mountain, placing six garbage containers and shelters for waste made from 100% recycled material.
- The owners maintain the green areas so that they’re clean and available, and facilitate the collection of waste with local authorities.
AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATION
Fundación Tropicalia installed the first Automatic Weather Station in Miches, which records wind direction and speed, humidity, dew point, air pressure, temperature, solar radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and rainfall. Data is uploaded to an online weather platform every minute on www.wunderground.com
The climatological data will be a great contribution to tourism, agriculture and the Miches community in general by providing accurate, up-to-date local weather information and tracking capabilities over time.
