Conservation of the emblematic Jicaro Danto tree in Costa Rica

Saving the endemic and Endangered Jicaro Danto tree (Parmentiera valerii EN) in the Guanacaste Mountain range in Costa Rica

Partner: Costa Rica Wildlife Foundation
Years: 2022-2025

This project aims at : increasing the population number and occurrence range of the Endangered tree species Parmentiera valerii endemic to Costa Rica; improving its protection inside and outside protected areas; increasing the capacity and knowledge of local stakeholders; improving the involvement of government and local NGOs to support its conservation; and increasing the scientific knowledge and availability of planning tools for the species.

The endangered Parmentiera valerii is an endemic species restricted to 600–1,500m asl in the Guanacaste mountain range in north-western Costa Rica. Its main threats are habitat loss, climate change, and low abundance of natural seed dispersers, this is aggravated by the lack of scientific information, awareness and conservation action on the species. It is highly probable that P. valerii could go extinct if no in-situ and ex-situ conservation efforts are made. The goal of the project is to establish an integrative conservation program for P. valerii that combines in-situ and ex-situ strategies, community awareness, and communication to protect and increase the current population of the species across its global distribution range. The Costa Rica Wildlife Foundation will work through most of the species distribution range, focusing on key communities in Bijagua, Dos Rios, Guayabos, and Rio Naranjo. They will increase the population number and occurrence range; improve the protection of the species and its habitat inside and outside protected areas; increase the capacity and knowledge of local stakeholders; improve the involvement of government and local organizations to support the project; increase the scientific knowledge and availability of planning tools for the species. They will set up a tree conservation network with partner organizations working on similar issues. All the key results, scientific findings, and lessons will be shared widely through social media campaigns, workshops and scientific papers.