the eighth grade and matriculated 130 students, more
than half of whom were on scholarships (Cloud For-
est School Foundation 1998, R. LaVal, pers. comm.).
The Monteverde Zone has inspired six books and
materials that provide environmental education for
children. Biologist Adrian Forsyth's book for children,
Journey through a Tropical Jungle (1988), describes
a trip from the Pan American Highway to the MCFP
and into the Penas Blancas valley; he emphasizes
ecology and conservation. Martha Moss, a long-time
resident of Monteverde and owner of the original
pension, created an audio tape in which she tells
Animal Stories from the Cloud Forest for Children of
All Ages (1988). Her stories are based on real events
involving animals, their human caregivers, and their
rehabilitation and release into the wild. A story from
this tape (translated into Spanish) is included in the
illustrated Cuentos del Bosque Nuboso (Stories from
the Cloud Forest; Gorini et al. 1996). Stories deal with
forest ecology, impacts of deforestation, and the im-
portance of protected areas. Children Save the Rain
Forest (Patent 1996) focuses on the ecology of BEN,
the way children helped buy it, and MCL's programs
in forest protection and environmental education.
Another children's book describes Monteverde forests
through the eyes of scientists working there and em-
phasizes interactions between researchers and con-
servation activities (Collard 1997). Flute's Journey
(Cherry 1997) portrays the migration of a wood thrush
between Maryland and the MCL's BEN, and explains
how both of its "homes" have been preserved.
10.8. Conclusion: Lessons from
Monteverde and Topics for
Future ResearchThe Monteverde Zone has produced a rich set of case
studies in conservation and sustainable develop-
ment, including promotion of community coopera-
tion (Monteverde 2020; see Burlingame, "2020,"
pp. 378-379), community projects in sustainable de-
velopment (El Buen Amigo, San Gerardo, Enlace
Verde), and ecotourism projects (Monteverde Butter-
fly Garden, CASEM, and La Campesinita). Most of
these case studies are success stories, but some illus-
trate good ideas that have not worked out in practice.
Success and failure in conservation are relative
terms. Quantitative data on the amount of forest that
has been preserved are available, but whether that is
enough to sustain the biodiversity of the Monteverde
Zone and whether the Monteverde Reserve Complex
is in danger of becoming an isolated island are un-
known. Data on the number of trees that have beenplanted for windbreaks and in watershed restoration
projects exist, but determining the success of these
trees in countering environmental degradation is
problematic. We tally how many children have been
exposed to environmental education programs in the
area, but how this education affects their behavior as
adults is unknown. Data on the number of visitors to
the reserves and estimates of the amount of money
ecotourists spend in Monteverde exist, but we do not
know whether ecotourism will create more harm than
good. Further research should evaluate progress in
these areas and those discussed below over short- and
long-term time scales.10.8.1. Successes of Conservation
Organizations
(1) One aspect of conservation success is the amount
of forest that has been acquired. By 1998, MCL's BEN
included about 18,000 ha (excluding Penas Blancas),
the MCFP included about 10,500 ha (including Bos-
queterno and Penas Blancas), and SER included 310
ha, making a total of about 29,000 ha in the Monte-
verde Reserve Complex (Fig. 1.7). These are all part
of the larger Arenal Conservation Area, including the
new Arenal National Park, which gives a measure of
protection to 800,000 ha. Wolf Guindon (Fig. 1.2), a
Quaker settler who played a role in land acquisition
for BEN and MCFP, recounted:I emerged onto a ridge with a super view of
Arenal volcano some 8 km away as those with
wings travel, or 14 km, as those without wings
travel. The volcano looked its majestic self, but
it was those dozens of forested wrinkles be-
tween us that impressed me. At that moment,
the realization hit me that this scene, with all
of the forest I could see as I turned full circle,
was now owned and managed by organizations
that have as their number one commitment the
preservation of this area. (MCL Tapir Tracks,
vol. 9, no. 2, 1994)(2) The use of local residents as unarmed guards
to patrol and explain the importance of protected
areas to local people has been successful in curbing
squatting, poaching, and tree-cutting (Lober 1990,
1991). Reserve administrators realize they cannot build
walls around protected areas, so it is crucial to de-
velop constructive relationships with people living
around them.
(3) MCL's "Forests in Farms" project initiated the
idea of linking forest fragments on private property
to create corridors for altitudinally migrating fauna.
Two other corridor projects are under development,372 Conservation in the Monteverde Zone