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Jungle Air / Ultralite Conservation |
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Costa Rica’s International conservation reputation is one of the best in the world. Costa Rica is the “buzz” word when it comes to national Parks, bio-diversity and eco-tourism. Millions of people come to Costa Rica each year to vacation with their families, see monkeys, dolphins, zip through the canopy, fish and learn about bio-diversity and also global warming concerns. Southern Costa Rica is a travelers paradise with 4-5 national parks to choose from. The Osa Peninsula “ Costa Rica’s Jewel” is the second most bio-diverse area in the world. |
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About Us |
National Geographic calls our backyard the second most bio-diverse area in the world. Currently habitat loss & deforestation are the most critical issue plaguing the rainforests of the world, and especially the Osa Peninsula. With continued development pressure from the north, The bio-diversity of the Osa is at risk and is in crisis. In order for park officials to patrol and to catch people engaged in illegal activity requires dozens of vehicles, employees, GPS equipment, offices, and administrative expenses. Due to the fact that most of Southern Costa Rica is in the rain forest, and we receive 20-40’ of rainfall annually which blocks access on the rural roads leading into the forest. Much of Minae’s time is spent driving to and from areas that are inaccessible 7 months out of the year. Most times they are unable to reach their destinations due to weather, under-staffing and under-funding.
In the small communities surrounding Corcovado National Park is an immediate need for action in order to reduce logging and poaching. Even though Costa Rica claims the forest is protected, I assure you it is not. Every evening dozens of logging trucks leave the Osa at dusk. At this moment there are dozens of endangered species in Southern Costa Rica, including the Jaguar, Puma, Harpy Eagle, Tree Frogs, Peccaries, loss of culture as well. Due to climate change and habitat loss these species are disappearing at an alarming rate – right in front of our eyes. Not in our children’s generation…right now ! Only 20-30 jaguars exist on the Osa today, and they will be extinct along with 100’s of other species within a few years.
Up in The Air
In regards to deforestation of pristine rainforests, more tourists and ex-pats move to Costa Rica each year, continuing need for lumber and precious hardwoods. If we keep buying wood, they will keep cutting it. Currently foreign policies are making their way down the Costa Rican coast, the time could not be better for Jungle Air to begin these conservation combat surveillance missions in 2009.
As we see it, there is no better way to patrol the rainforest. Jungle Air’s “2 eyes in the sky” advantage is the only way to make a difference. Currently Minae is under budgeted and under staffed to control illegal activities. Our facility is located in the heart of the reserve, near the community of Canyaza, only minutes away by air. Patrolling these areas by foot with limited vision and accessibility is difficult- impossible at best. Jungle air’s daily patrol would eliminate the need to search for illegal activity as our reports would be filled daily with the Minae Authorities. 1 Minae official in the air for 2-3 hours would be equal to 3 vehicles and a staff of 6-8 park guards. Working with Minae in partnership, we are certain, based on the experience of similar operations, that we can eliminate illegal activity in the Corcovado Reserve. Flying gives us an advantage to patrol the entire reserve in just a few hours.
There is no more effective way to patrol the reserve! Minae officials can focus on arraignment of people & businesses involved in illegal logging vs. spending all their time searching for people involved in logging, digging their vehicles out of the mud filled roads left by logging trucks already on their way to San Jose. Minaes utilization of Jungle Air’s reports, videos, photos, and GPS readings, all they have do is follow the map. Jungle Air provides the map, Minae puts people in jail…it’s that simple ! That’s what their supposed to do. And lets not forget Jungle Air is the most cost effective way to patrol large tracts of rainforest in only a few minutes, camera and video rolling. Pilots flying our aircraft can speak with Minae ground crew on 2 way radios, while we catch the bad guys. Tourist will pay top dollar to help us “Catch the bad Guys “ 2-3 Ultralites could patrol the entire reserve daily in 6-8 hours. And it will be the most popular tour in Costa Rica. An authentic eco-tour at last!
During 2009, Jungleair’s first year of operation, we anticipate there will be an interest in duplicating our model in communities surrounding national parks near Arenal, Guanacaste, Monte Verde, and Amistad National Park, and eventually at the head waters of the Amazon. In our second and third year in business, those interested in flying and helping us with our mission to reduce habitat loss in Costa Rica can participate as sponsors, contributors, licensee or franchisees. During this time of global climate change, Costa Rica’s ability to patrol the borders of their national park system effectively is in the hands of current conservation efforts underway, local authorities & Jungle Air. There is no other way to locate and stop illegal logging !
Jungle Air offers daily deforestation surveillance & trips on the Eastern side of Corcovado, Drake Bay, Punta Banco and Piedras Blancas. Offering Minae ( Forest Service ) volunteer flights from 6-9 am & 3-5 pm.
Find the loggers before the trees are cut !
Daily activity report – uploaded to Minae daily. Air combat & surveillance, documentation, photos & film of daily illegal activity (location of deforestation hot spots as well as license plates of trucks and private vehicles documented daily. )
Daily morning route will include passing over Palo Seco, Barrigonnes, Agujas & Dos Brasos water sheds, ( Reserve – East of Corcovado ) continuing the early morning journey out and over the gulf, passing over Mogos, flying past Piedras Blancas coastline, landing on the water to snorkel and relax, enjoy a nice tropical lunch. The ultimate conservation, educational and adventure tour! All flyers will have the opportunity to witness the destruction of the rain forest first hand, assist in recording illegal activity, photographing and helping pilot provide critical data for Minae to control, reduce, and eliminate illegal activity near Corcovado.
Adventure Conservation Tourism – Team Corcovado
This 2-4 hour adventure tour would raise conservation awareness, begin to reduce & stop illegal activity. In addition it would help local Minae officials patrol a part of the park that currently has minimal control. In accordance with Costa Rican law, and with Minae’s involvement, it would also put loggers in jail, impound their vehicles and chain saws and would be considered the best conservation / adventure tour in Southern Costa Rica. The most interesting, adventurous & most helpful eco-tour in Southern Costa Rica – Tourists get the opportunity to help the authorities capture the bad guys ! This type of tourism would receive International recognition in all forms of Media, and would bring name awareness to all sponsors involved. Daily flights leave from Canyaza in the morning and afternoon. Minae officials get first right to fly on these types of daily surveillance missions, with 2 planes and 2 passengers. Jungle Air’s pilots will file weekly / daily reports & upload video & photos and keep written logs of all flights and illegal activity.
Other possible conservation missions include patrolling beaches at night on full moons to reduce turtle egg poaching, and the surveillance of local poaching of endangered migratory fish species. The opportunities for Jungle Air are limitless, and in this case, the sky is not the limit, as all air craft are amphibious (water and traditional landings on the ground )
Where do you want to go?
Other services include helping port authorities, Coast Guard and government officials find and eradicate boats involved in illegal activity such as commercial fishing in marine sanctuaries near Ballena, Cano & Corcovado National Park. Jungle Air also offers emergency response services to local hospitals, remote communities, water rescues & evacuations of small communities in need. Jungle Air is on-call 24 / 7 as all of our aircraft have lights and can land on the water and land day or night.
No Fly Zones -
In order to respect the current eco-lodges and conservation efforts already under way in & near the reserve, Jungle Air has established no fly zones. Jungle air is sensitive to the needs of tourists, lodge owners and private homeowners here in Southern Costa Rica. Up in the air we do not want to interrupt tourists experience in the rainforest “Down There” with the sounds of ultra lite engines buzzing overhead. Down on the ground, the experience of breathing the freshest air on the planet, drinking the freshest water in the world, and coming face to face with the flora, fauna and biodiversity should not be interrupted by man made sounds.
This is why we have located our short 200 mtr. runway and hanger facility on the East side of the reserve near the gulf, right in the middle of the areas in the reserve needing the most protection from loggers & poachers. There are very few eco-lodges on the eastern side of the Corcovado national Park and “The Reserve” and disruptions will be minimal and the benefits unimaginable. We will fly freely through the reserve helping catch the loggers, and all of the hotels will be invited to participate -- eco-tour and sponsorship programs available. We will have positive relationships with all businesses in Southern Costa Rica.
Conservation Needs on the Osa Peninsula
Costa Rica’s International conservation reputation is one of the best in the world. Costa Rica is the “buzz” word when it comes to national Parks, bio-diversity and eco-tourism. Millions of people come to Costa Rica each year to vacation with their families, see monkeys, dolphins, zip through the canopy, fish and learn about bio-diversity and also global warming concerns. Southern Costa Rica is a travelers paradise with 4-5 national parks to choose from. The Osa Peninsula “ Costa Rica’s Jewel” is the second most bio-diverse area in the world. National Geographic calls our backyard the second most bio-diverse area in the world. Currently habitat loss & deforestation are the most critical issue plaguing the rainforests of the world, and especially the Osa Peninsula. With continued development pressure from the north, The bio-diversity of the Osa is at risk and is in crisis. In order for park officials to patrol and to catch people engaged in illegal activity requires dozens of vehicles, employees, GPS equipment, offices, and administrative expenses. Due to the fact that most of Southern Costa Rica is in the rain forest, and we receive 20-40’ of rainfall annually which blocks access on the rural roads leading into the forest. Much of Minae’s time is spent driving to and from areas that are inaccessible 7 months out of the year. Most times they are unable to reach their destinations due to weather, under-staffing and under-funding.
In the small communities surrounding Corcovado National Park is an immediate need for action in order to reduce logging and poaching. Even though Costa Rica claims the forest is protected, I assure you it is not. Every evening dozens of logging trucks leave the Osa at dusk. At this moment there are dozens of endangered species in Southern Costa Rica, including the Jaguar, Puma, Harpy Eagle, Tree Frogs, Peccaries, loss of culture as well. Due to climate change and habitat loss these species are disappearing at an alarming rate – right in front of our eyes. Not in our children’s generation…right now ! Only 20-30 jaguars exist on the Osa today, and they will be extinct along with 100’s of other species within a few years.
Philosophy
JungleAir believes that everybody wants to fly, we have dreamt about it since we were 4 years old. We faced our biggest fears climbing trees and dreaming about flying. Open your heart to the unlimited possibilities of flight. Sleep in the canopy, soar with Scarlet Macaws, and swim with the Humpbacks ! Help JungleAir support the most aggressive way to combat logging and illegal activity in Southern Costa Rica. With millions of tourist dollars coming to Southern Costa Rica each year, what better way to use the resources of eco-tourism to aggressively combat the destruction of rainforest. Don’t forget Children fly for free. Gift the gift of flight, and join Team Corcovado.
Getting off the Ground
Jungle Air SA. is a non profit' We are currently looking for a contribution of $275,000 to cover the costs of 3 ultra-lite planes, facility, salaries for our pilots, all permitting, maintenance and communications equipment, video & camera equipment, administration, and cash flow sufficient enough to bring us into surplus in our second year in operation. Whether you are a tourist visiting the Osa for the first time, or the editor of National Geographic Magazine, there is no better way to combat illegal logging than by making a cash contribution to a great cause. We are not re-inventing the wheel, as similar efforts utilizing ultra-lites to combat logging exist in other parts of the world, where logging and deforestation have been virtually eliminated in just the first few short years of implementation and getting our ultralites up and in the air.
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Contact Info |
Email: jungleair@gmail.com
Phone: 508-714-0622
 Contact Jungle Air / Ultralite Conservation
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