Striving for Harmony: The Reventazón Model Forest of Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, the traditional centralized approach to natural resource management has been challenged by the establishment of the Reventazón Model Forest (RMF) in Cartago Province. This new model of forest landscape governance empowers local communities and stakeholders to actively participate in collaborative territorial management. Operating within the International Model Forest Network (IMFN), the RMF facilitates collaboration among government, private sector, and local populations, representing a significant step toward community autonomy. Importantly, the RMF’s inclusive efforts extend to Jameikari communities, acknowledging their expertise and involving them in activities such as cultural tourism guided by indigenous youth. The IMFN’s horizontal structure offers an alternative approach to governing forest landscapes and watersheds in Costa Rica, addressing limitations of conventional debt-for-nature agreements that have shaped the country’s national parks map. Alongside legislative measures, the RMF has contributed to Costa Rica’s significant biodiversity recovery.