LAS QUEBRADAS BIOLOGICAL CENTER

Due to the necessity in protecting the drinkink water which supplies  San Isidro Perez Zeledon and other valley towns, and to preserve the flora and fauna,this natural reservoir was opened.
It's administrative center is 6 5 km from San Isidro on the route to Quebradas. This ambitious  project, founded by Las Quebradas Biological Center Developing Foundation ( Fundación para el desarrollo del Centro Biológico Las Quebradas FUDEBiOL), has acquired 2.400 ha of mountain forest watered by more than 3.500 mm annual rains and adorned by bromeliads, Ferns, Orchids, Lianas and moss.

Among the variety of birds that take shelter here is the very beautiful Quetzal.

It has a network of paths which cover the most important points of the reservation, and also has designed research and study activities.

Services include: trails, signage, restrooms, drinking water and lodging.

"Las Quebradas" is managed by FUDEBIOL (Fundación para el Desarrollo del Centro Biológico Las Quebradas), which is a non- profit private community organization, whose mission is to stop the destruction of the Quebrada River basin, which is the source of drinking water in San Isidro del General (the main town in the area of Pérez Zeledón).

The project site is located 3 km uphill from "Las Quebradas", between 1000 and 2500 meters above sea level. The main reasons for starting the project on May 13th 1989, was protecting the Quebrada river which supplies water to the whole county of Pérez Zeledón, and trying to save the Pre-mountain rain forest. The Center was also built as an educational center for the community.

Today the main goals still are:

- Conservation of River Quebradas

- Development of environmental education for children and the community

- Establishment of different sustainable systems to guarantee conservation of flora, fauna and water resources in the area.

- To become independant financially through tourism.

The project is especially proud of the diversity of birds and butterflies that live in the forest.

They have already constructed a butterfly farm in order to present all the different types of butterflies to the tourists.

They also want to improve the possibility of bird watching in the area. Experts expect that there are about 200 different birds in the protected area. The Biological Center wants to observe the habits of the birds and create some leaflets about which birds can be found in the area and at what time of the year. The main work of the volunteers will be in this area; but of course, they also need volunteers to help them to maintain and improve the facilities of the project.

Phone: (506)7714131

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