Midterm evaluation of the forest resources for a stable environment project (FORESTA)

The project has been implemented by the Foundation for the Development of the Central Volcanic Cordillera (FUNDECOR). The evaluation covers the period 6/91-10/94. The project has established FUNDECOR as a strong and respected institution. FUNDECOR"s performance has been impressive; despite major challenges, the Foundation has implemented innovative, professional, and cost-effective activities in the ACCVC. The project"s most impressive achievement has been the promotion of sustainable management of a large amount of the country"s natural forest through the preparation of logging guidelines, streamlining of forest management plans, and the sale of timber through an innovative auction system. In addition, the project has improved national park management through the improvement of visitor facilities and services. Parks are now moving toward self-financing, a rare achievement, through a system of user fees and concessions for park facilities and services. The project is also developing a native species planting program, providing technical and financial support to fledgling nursery businesses, and has been highly successful in organizing landowners and other residents to develop the native species reforestation program, although a systematic program activity is needed to facilitate broader conservation and improved land use practices. FUNDECOR"s excellent performance is attributed to a well-trained and highly qualified staff, and a high level of executive leadership, which resonates throughout the organization. The new Costa Rican government is already learning much from FUNDECOR as it pursues its aggressive pro-conservation agenda. Additionally, FUNDECOR has brought outstanding creativity to the task of linking conservation and development, particularly in the areas of project design and problem solving. In fact, the methods FUNDECOR has used to manage natural forests for production are among the most innovative observed in tropical forestry, its methodology for defining "critical ecological areas" indicates its skill and intellectual rigor, and its "Eco-Camps" proposal, which will ensure that large forests remain intact and that local forest landowners will benefit, is an innovative form of ecotourism that has not been observed elsewhere. However, financially, FUNDECOR is still a somewhat fragile structure with limited time to strengthen itself; unfortunately, examples of successful institution-building projects of less than five years are rare. If it is to survive, FUNDECOR must quickly take steps to generate a financial base beyond the endowment, which will establish an important core structure, but be insufficient to fulfill the project"s objectives or to meet daunting challenges within the ACCVC.