Cloudbridge  North An extension of the Cloudbridge Reserve In the valley below Mt Chirripó in Costa Rica, a unique conservation venture is getting under way.

Above: The highest point of Cloudbridge North Left: Secondary regrowth in foreground, primary forest behind.

The Cloudbridge Reserve Project The Cloudbridge Reserve is a private nature reserve in Costa Rica. It was created to preserve and reforest an important gap in the cloud forest adjoining the Chirripó Pacifico river on the slopes of Mt. Chirripó, the highest mountain in Costa Rica. In October, 2002 the Reserve was extended to Cloudbridge North. It encompasses most of the eastern half of a mountain, Cerro Skutch, and extends about two kilometers north of the original reserve, across the Rio Chirripó. A large part of Cloudbridge North consists of primary forest, particularly in the less accessible steep upper elevations. Like Cloudbridge South, it borders the vast Chirripó and Talamanca mountain reserves. Most of it remains unexplored, but gradually we are penetrating deeper into its fastnesses and to our delight, discovering new waterfalls and vistas. As we ascend the steep jungle slopes, we find ourselves in different ecozones, each dominated by a different cluster of species. One little enclave might be where ferns or palms rule; another may be dominated by oak trees in an almost orchard-like setting, the oaks shorter than their relatives further down the mountain. In yet another, every tree will be festooned with lichens or bromeliads, the trunks of the trees garbed in a verdant attire of mosses. For background, see The Project Context. Learn more at The Project Plan or find related information at Resources . See the trees and the waterfalls and animals and birds and the hiking trails. To to be part of this, click on Volunteering or Contributing .

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Copyright ©2004 Ian Giddy. All rights reserved.
 Last updated 31st January 2005 (jo'g)