In the heart of Costa Rica's Pacific coast, a story of transformation unfolds, where a surfer's quest for shade has blossomed into a green revolution. This is the tale of how one man's vision, combined with community effort and environmental policy, has turned barren shores into thriving oases. The story begins with Gerardo Bolaños, the executive director of Costas Verdes, standing before a stark contrast: a dry, brown stretch of long grass once known as Playa Guiones, and now a lush, verdant paradise. This isn't just a change in scenery; it's a testament to the power of reforestation and the resilience of nature.
Bolaños, with his colorful tattoo of a turquoise-browed motmot bird, is a man driven by a passion for the environment. He joined Costas Verdes as a volunteer in 2011, and three years later, he became project director. In 2024, he took on the role of executive director, a position that has allowed him to witness the profound impact of the organization's work. The story of Playa Guiones is a microcosm of the larger struggle against deforestation and the triumph of community-driven environmentalism.
The origins of this green oasis lie in the determination of Max Tattenbach, a former Costa Rican university student and surfer. Tattenbach, a keen surfer himself, was frustrated by the lack of shade at his favorite spot, Playa Hermosa. This frustration led him to found Costas Verdes in 2009, with the goal of restoring the shoreline at Playa Hermosa. But his vision was broader than just one beach; he wanted to restore forests along the entire north Pacific coast.
The north Pacific region of Costa Rica was once blanketed in coastal forests, but by the 1970s, deforestation had taken its toll. The primary culprit was the expansion of cattle farming, which led to the burning of ecosystems and the growth of grass to feed cattle. This aggressive and poorly planned approach devastated the beachfronts, leaving behind barren shores. The 'hamburger connection', as it's known, extended beyond the north Pacific, affecting large areas throughout Central America.
However, the decline of international beef prices in the mid-1980s led to a gradual withdrawal of government support for the cattle industry. This shift, combined with the strengthening of environmental policies in the 1970s, set the stage for restoration. The 1977 maritime zoning law recognized the 200-meter coastal strip as state property that must be protected as part of national heritage, and guaranteed public access to the first 50 meters. The 1996 Forestry Law and the 1998 Biodiversity Law completed the state's arsenal to prevent environmental degradation, setting the stage for restoration.
Despite these policies, the soils lost their fertility and resilience due to extensive farming practices on poor soils. With no government programs or funding to restore these areas, Tattenbach stepped in. He worked with park rangers to unofficially start a tree nursery in Nosara and enlisted friends to help plant trees, with the first reforestation project taking place in Playa Hermosa in 2010. This was the beginning of a community-driven environmental movement that would change the landscape of the north Pacific coast.
The projects have been successful in reviving wildlife habitats and combating decades of deforestation. The return of animals such as the howler monkey in the beach area of Guiones in 2022 and the variegated squirrel in the trees planted in Nosara and Hermosa is a testament to the effectiveness of the reforestation efforts. However, planting trees on such a scale is not without its challenges. Despite planting native species, Bolaños estimates that only 40% of the trees have survived at the Guiones project, due to genetics and human activity.
The projects require substantial funds, and Costas Verdes is hoping to raise $295,000 this year through donations, tree-planting tours, and merchandise sales. Another challenge is securing the active involvement of coastal communities and sustaining commitment beyond the initial kickstart. People have their own lives, and the projects need maintenance, follow-up, and funding.
Despite these challenges, Bolaños has an ambitious goal for Costas Verdes: to plant 300,000 trees across 100 beaches. He believes that the success story in Guiones shows the world that bringing back a coastal forest ecosystem in such devastated land is possible. But it can only be done together as one. This is the essence of the green revolution in Costa Rica, where a surfer's quest for shade has blossomed into a green oasis, and a community's determination has transformed barren shores into thriving ecosystems.
