Community Extension and Biological Corridor Program
(PGC-CB for its Spanish words)

In 2004, a process took place in Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTo) with the participation of personnel of ACTo and COBODES Project. At the first time, there were training, assessments, and preparation of a strategic plan. All of these ended up in the establishment of the Community Extension Program, which was extended to Community Extension and Biological Corridor Program later on.

17 communities were prioritized by the application of the following criteria: Rural, Composition, Location, and Importance. Additionally, a model for the determination of priority communities was applied. This model was based on a Sustainable Indicator for each community (Chuprine and Sisfuentes, 2004).

In the first stage, 5 communities were taken into account because of their proximity and impact over the Colorado – Tortuguero Biological Corridor. Later, the number of involved communities increased up to 9. These communities are: Palacios, La Aurora, San Gerardo, La Fortuna, and the settlements of Colorado, Línea Vieja, El Ceibo, La Lucha, and Monte Rey. An assessment was elaborated for each community.

As a result of these community assessments, the following problems were identified: water pollution (rivers, and creeks) because of solid and agrochemistry wastes; soil contamination as a result of application of chemistry products; deforestation, and illegal hunting.

The second stage was to prepare working plans with and for each community, according to the problems previously identified. As a result the following projects will be the most important ones communities will be working on:

• Environmental Education, specifically on solid waste management.
• Farm reforestation and restoration of damaged zone around rivers.
• Productive projects based on agro-ecological principles.
• Strengthen of the role of community denouncers.

To implement the projects listed above, staff of the Program is visiting and meeting each month in the interest communities. Also, there is a process that consists of conforming local committees which will be responsible of the follow-up of every project that the community has.

Finally, the Program develops its work according to three main and strategic principles: Sustainability, Gender Focus, and Community Participation.