Rara Avis
	Rainforest Lodge & Reserve, Costa Rica
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Research and conservation projects taking place in Rara Avis

Sustainable use of canopy orchids
Because of its species richness, the canopy offers unparalleled potential to yield valuable products. The treetops house medicinal organisms, ornamental plants, useful fibres, chemicals like colorants, fragrances and flavourings, biological pesticides, genetic resources for agricultural and biotechnological use, and many other useful items. However, this potential remains virtually untapped. Bioproca Foundation carries out pilot and research projects that are aimed at the conservation of rainforest. 

Another objective of our project is to create a living collection of the orchids in the area for canopy farming experiments and cultivation.  All the orchids we collect for this purpose originate from branches and trees that have fallen to the forest floor.  To insure that the orchids grow well, are pollinated and produce seeds, we keep a significant part of this collection in its natural habitat, the canopy.  By mounting the orchids on a lightweight grid substrate [see image above] that can be lowered and raised using pulleys, we maintain easy access to this collection. 

If you want to know how to help our orchid project please visit our Adopt-an-Orchid page.

Sustainable development of the endemic 'Stained Glass Palm' (Geonoma epetiolata)
Discovered in Panama in the late19th century, this beautiful palm species was driven to extinction through over-collection by ornamental plant collectors. Only decades ago, Geonoma epetiolata was rediscovered in a narrow altitudinal belt on the slopes of the Cordillera Central in Costa Rica - most of its distribution range falls within the boundaries of Rara Avis.
The 'Stained Glass Palm' owes its common name to the beautiful coloration of its leaves, when the sunlight shines through. For several years now, Rara Avis has been researching the biology of this rare plant and investigates the possibility to sustainable grow seedlings in an attempt to demonstrate that rainforest conservation can be economically viable.     

Butterfly Project
With kind support of the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), Rara Avis has initiated its butterfly project. With no disturbance to the local ecosystem, we are producing live butterflies for export to North America and Europe for greenhouses and zoos. We are at a break-even point in this program and are delighted that the idea has subsequently been put into action by local farmers in our area.

Bioproca photograph © Koen Verhoeven, Caligo Butterfly © Sandy Wiseman