We are

Green
Communities

What

We do?

To bring sustainable development to the Los Santos region by converting conventional coffee farms into organic ecological coffee farms. With the involvement of student volunteers, Green Communities will protect the cloud forests, raise the economic status and awareness of ecology in local communities, while creating mediums for cultural exchange.

How we

Started

The organization saw its beginnings in 2003 with Jonathan Cerdas’s and Carlos Marín’s vision to put lesser-known regions of Costa Rica on the map for rural eco-tourism. Their home region, Los Santos, is known for its green cloud forested mountains, cool climate and coffee production. Inspired to share the beauty of this part of Costa Rica, they created Santos Tours, an eco-tour company that made the Los Santos region a significant destination for rural tourism.

After several years of success they took their organization to the next level by implementing a new mission to bring sustainable development to the region. For thousands of local farmers, coffee is the main crop and source of income. Jonathan and Carlos realized that a sustainable development model is crucial to the future of the forest and the people.

They developed one that could support the growing number of farmers economically, conserve the natural cloud forests and water systems, and educate and create an awareness of ecology in rural communities. With a deep concern for the community, social issues, and environmental conservation, Santos Tours combined rural tourism with sustainable development with the foundation of Green Communities in 2009.

Today Green Communities partners with educational institutions and volunteer organizations to offer student volunteers an opportunity to be part of this project vital to the sustainable development of Los Santos.

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COSTA RICAN

Biosphere Reserve

The Biosphere Reserves constitute a network of territories that develop and strengthen models of sustainability where biodiversity and local economies flourish jointly.

UNESCO’s MaB Program and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves have built a vision of a world where people reconnect with nature and act collectively to build prosperous societies in harmony with the biosphere.

By being awarded the Costa Rican Biosphere Reserves brand, we aim is to take advantage of the recognition and prestige that Biosphere Reserves have to create opportunities for local entrepreneurship, as well as promote, nationally and internationally, the products and services that are generated under criteria of Sustainability in the Biosphere Reserves of Costa Rica.

This brand not only reflects natural and cultural wealth, but also a commitment and responsibility. It distinguishes the initiatives that live the values ​​of the Biosphere Reserves.

The development of the guidelines for the use of the Biosphere Reserve brand is a joint effort of the National MaB Committee of Costa Rica and the four local Management Committees of the Biosphere Reserves of Costa Rica, with the facilitation of the Manduca Audiovisual team, the support from the Costa Rican Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO and financing from the UNESCO Participation Program.

Meet

The team

Jonathan Cerdas

Co-Founder

Carlos Marín

Co-Founder

BRIAN BUNTZ

U.S. Outreach Director.

Organic

Farmers

Providencia de Dota

Altitud: 1600 - 2000 msnm

San Pedro de Tarrazú

Altitud: 1600 - 1900 msnm

Bajo San José

Altitud: 1500 msnm

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