A private nature reserve such as Cloudbridge is a refuge for biodiversity. Though many people don´t value the myriad species that make up an ecosystem, all play their part in creating vibrant, living communities. This curculionid was beautifully captured by Anthony Garita on the reserve, and demonstrates how even small or commonplace things can be beautiful if you look at it with curiosity. The specialty field courses we offer at Cloudbridge offer a great opportunity for people to learn more about the wonderful diversity of the natural world. On September 26 – 28 of this year we will be again hosting José Ramírez for a mammals course, please write research@cloudbridge.org.
The first edition of the Ultramarathon Valle del Chirripó took place this month, with the participation of over 150 athletes over four distances, the longest of which covered 50 km through rugged terrain, including through Cloudbridge Nature Reserve. Other distances included 32 km, 17 km and 6 km, as well as smaller children´s races in Herradura de Rivas. The event was dedicated to the two private nature reserves along the course: Cloudbridge and Talamanca Nature Reserve, and it is with great appreciation that we receive this honor.
The athletes entered Cloudbridge near the limit with Chirripó National Park, descended the Montaña Trail all the way to an aid station at the welcome center. From there, they had to turn back and go up the main trail again to the lookout, from there descend onto the Rio trail and continuing to the don Victor waterfall before entering the Talamanca reserve and continuing on their long journey.
Pictured here towards the end of the race, at Cerro Paraguas, the “king of the Chirripó race” Juan Ramón Fallas poses with the first woman finisher Katelyn Tocci and with Herradura local Roy Jiménez. Congratulations to all of the runners!
As always, we are thankful to be able to count on our researchers and volunteers to participate and give assistance in the trail maintenance and other preparations for the race, in addition to their usual tasks on the reserve. Thank you all for your help!
Coming up, we have a number of exciting activities in July and August, we will be offering support at some local environmental fairs and the 50th anniversary of Chirripó National Park. We are also excited to announce the 4th edition of the Cloud Forest Festival, which will be taking place on September 6th. Also in September, given the success of the recent mammals course with José Ramírez, we are very excited to announce the dates for another mammals course, coming up on September 26-28! If you are interested, please save the dates and contact research@cloudbridge.org, and we hope you may be able to participate!
To conclude this months blog, we might as well share the certificate that we have recently received from the National Forestry Office for our participation in planting trees over the past year, and participating in their “plantathon”. Though we have limited space when compared to years past, we are still able to plant and care for some trees, as well as support other neighbors or organizations that would like to plant trees in the area. Please contact us if you are interested in supporting these efforts, or if you have an area that you would like to reforest!
