Conservation of the tropical dry forest in Nicaragua

Los Madroños Nature-Reserve

Conservation of the tropical dry forest in Nicaragua

Forests in Nicaragua are disappearing at an alarming rate. The main reason for this is the advance of agriculture into once forested areas; with cattle ranches probably being the most destructive factor. The following figure shows the dramatic changes in the forest cover in Nicaragua in the last years; this is official data from the Nicaraguan ministry of the environment (MARENA):

The significant reduction in forest cover in Nicaragua has serious negative impacts on the environment and humans alike:

Landslides during the rainy season: over 2,000 people died in a single mudslide at Casitas volcano in 1998 in northwestern Nicaragua.
Floods during the rainy season: each year people, livestock, houses and other equipment vanish in floods in different parts of Nicaragua.
Drought during the dry season: rivers that used to maintain running water year-round become dry and many people don't have access to drinking water.
Increasing temperatures: The following figure shows the predicted temperature variations in the following years in Nicaragua; this is official data of the Nicaraguan ministry of the environment (MARENA):

Original distribution of the tropical dry forest in Nicaragua:

Conservation problems of the tropical dry forest: The tropical dry forest is the one of the Nicaraguan ecosystems most negatively affected by deforestation. In order to confront this problem, the government of Nicaragua established state nature reserves in different parts of the country.
The state reserves do not efficiently protect the forest. In most of the state reserves in Nicaragua there is no efficient control; in many of these reserves the forest is being routinely logged and burned. In some cases there is no forest left at all. In the photos below: Volcan Cosiguina nature reserve (left) and Volcan Telica nature reserve (right):

Private reserves are the most immediate and efficient strategy to protect the tropical dry forest: Unlike the state reserves, which are treated as "no-one's-land", private property is respected in Nicaragua, and can be effectively protected by its owners.
SONATI project to protect the tropical dry forest: At SONATI we work to establish a corridor of nature reserves, to promote both the conservation of the tropical dry forest and the development of rural eco-tourism. Los Madroños reserve is the first reserve in this corridor that we plan to establish through the communities of Santa Rosa de Los Parrales, El Sauce, Achuapa and toward Esteli.

Los Madroños Nature-Reserve

Los Madroños Reserve is an initiative of 6 local families from the community of Santa Rosa de los Parrales and SONATI. The 112 hectares of protected terrain preserve flora & fauna of tropical dry forest; 115 bird species have been documented in the reserve, including the elusive Collared Forest-Falcon. Among the mammals it is worth mentioning the Northern Tamandua (Ant-eater) and White-tailed Dear that inhabit the reserve. The reserve is managed by local families, who also welcome the visitors and guide them in the reserve.

The following activities are offered:

In the reserve:

Guided walks in the reserve.

In the farm:

Preparing traditional local food: cheese, corn bread, "tamales".
Milk the cows.
Take the cows out to the field.
Ride horses.
Relax on the hammocks, away from the city noise.

Accomodation:

So far accomodation is available only at Sandoval family. Basic private rooms and dorms are available, with capacity to accomodate up to 10 people. Bucket shower and toilet are outside the rooms.

Costs:

Cost is U$ 15 per person for a day. This cost includes 3 meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner), accomodation, any activity at the farm (preparing cheese, corn bread, etc.) and the entrance fee for the reserve. Renting a horse will cost U$ 5 for half a day.

How to get there:

From the bus terminal in Leon take a bus to "Sauce", ask to get down at "San Blass" (one hour to one and a half hours drive). The family representative will wait for you and will take you to the farm. Bus schdule from Leon to Sauce: 6:30am, 7:15am, 8:15am, 11:15am, 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 2:20pm, 3:45pm.