Locust Coqui (Eng), Coqui Martillito (Spanish) (Eleutherodactylus locustus)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 13257601

Tropic Ventures Research and Education Foundation conducts ecological research and public education at Las Casas de la Selva, a 1,000 acre sustainable forestry project founded in 1983 in the mountains of Patillas, Puerto Rico. The land currently known as Las Casas de la Selva used to be highly degraded coffee plantation, but is currently covered in 30-40 year old second growth tropical forest. The mission of TVREF is to demonstrate that the second-growth forests of Puerto Rico can be utilized economically as a sustainable timber industry using methods that protect the integrity of the tropical forest ecosystem. Puerto Rico currently imports $100 million USD worth of timber per year. Not only is this a massive amount of money for a poor country to spend, but the shipping creates large amounts of carbon emissions and other forms of pollution. The goals of our organization is as follows: 1. To promote the responsible management of the second-growth forests throughout Puerto Rico through demonstration of sustainable timber tree growth, management, and harvesting techniques at “Las Casas de la Selva”. 2. To promote public education about the ecosystems, natural habitats, and flora & fauna of Puerto Rico, as well as to educate the public on the need for responsible development and conservation. 3. To manage 700 acres of the 1,000 acre tract of forest known as “Las Casas de la Selva” in Patillas, Puerto Rico, under permanent conservation management. 4. To serve as a scientific and conservation research center for professional development for life-science students in Puerto Rico.