Katherine Watier (S. T. E. P. Box 3705 Union

Maine 04862

Dear Katherine Watier

Thanks for everything you are doing with the enthusiastic group - S.T.E.P. I enjoyed speaking with the young women at the booth at the Common Ground Fair.

There are still many acres to purchase for Bosque Eterno de los Ninos in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica. The enclosed article "Protected Forest United" (Tapir Tracks, February-April 1992) specifies the plans for future purchase.

The Children's Rainforest U.S. is a sister organization of Children's Tropical Forests U.K. With several other "Children's Rainforests" we are member of an International Children's

Rainforest Network. We stay in contact and in some cases work together on the same projects. (The common project that linked us originally is Bosque Eterno de los Ninos.)

To date we (The Children's Rainforest U.S.) has focused on

Bosque Eterno de los Ninos in Costa Rica. Sometime this year we will be

gathering information on the projects you mentioned (Thailand,

Guatemala, and a new project in Ecuador). Then, depending on decisions

of the Board of Directors we may set up ways for donors here to

contribute to those projects. Until we do so, unfortunately it would be

necessary for you to work with Children's Tropical Forests U.K. to

contribute to the projects in Thailand and Guatemala. I know this poses

some difficulties in fund transfers; it would be best to write to Robin Jolliffe to learn if funds can be wired from your account to theirs

(Tina Jolliffe passed away recently).

The other questions you ask I'll answer briefly here; they are best answered more specifically by Ree Sheck, Public Relations Director of the Monteverde Conservation League(Apartado 10165-1000, San Jose, Costa Rica). I am forwarding to her a copy of your letter (with the questions highlighted), as well as a copy of this letter. (1) "When will the Children's Rainforest open?" Right now it is possible to visit portions of Bosque Eterno de los Ninos that are contiguous to Monteverde. Some other portions of BEN are quite remote. The Monteverde Conservation League will be determining when those areas are "open." I have not heard from the League recently on this question and expect to learn more when I am in Monteverde in March 1993. (2) "In the re-forestry program, are a diverse group of species . . . ?" Ree Sheck should be sending you printed information on the reforestation program. Several native species are used. Most of the reforestation sites are on farms where windbreaks can provide multiple-use benefits. (3)

"Are indigenous people . . . ?" The region of Costa Rica in which BEN is located has not been home to native people for some time. Apparently, Costa Rica's population of indigenous people always was sparse. The native groups extant in Costa Rica reside predominantly in eastern and southeastern Costa Rica (especially in the La Amistad Biosphere Reserve).

I look forward to hearing more about your project. I will be out of the country for most of March - August. Perhaps you could give me a call immediately should we need to talk. Your work is tremendous; we have long been a fan of S.T.E.P!

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