Summer Solstice, 2009
June 19-21st.

Rainforests are the earth’s lungs and thermostat. National Geographic calls the rainforests of the Osa Peninsula “the most biologically intense place on earth,” home to more than  4,000 plant species, 375 kinds of birds, and 140 mammals,including jaguars, pumas, tapirs and anteaters. In 2009, we will host the first annual RainforestAid09 to help protect the Osa’s incredible biodiversity and safeguard the air we and our children breath. With your help, we can raise awareness, increase the standard of living for local Costa Ricans, fund existing conservation and educational programs, and help stop habitat & cultural loss in “The Reserve.“ Existing conservation groups are working hard to protect regional biodiversity, and are chronically underfunded. RainforestAid09 aims to change that. We project that this festival will fund 50-80% of the region’s existing conservation needs annually, increase rainforest awareness on a global scale, and empower participants to make better “Life’ choices about nature and with each other.   RainforestAid09 invites you to participate in this globally important event. We are currently inviting musicians, entertainers, artists, event organizers, team leaders, guest speakers, bilingual volunteers, hotel owners, concert promoters, and media partners (internet, print, TV, radio, etc.) to join our efforts. Our children’s right to breath is at risk. Our Planet’s clock is ticking.  If Not Now … When ?

100% of the profits from The Festival will benefit these important local conservation initiatives:

• Programs in support of eliminating Illegal logging & deforestation
• Osa Landfill, waste & recycling center
• Corcovado Park / Sirena station  building improvements
• Funding for Minae park guards & pilots
• Funds for rural public education
• Funding for improvements of existing public water systems in rural areas within “The Reserve“
• Puerto Jimenez water treatment facility study
• Resources for computer education for La Palma & Puerto Jimenez Public High School
• Basic medical supplies for local hospital 
• Sustainable grocery & merchandise bag program in Puerto Jimenez & La Palma
• Friends of The Osa
• Women of The Osa
• Silvestre Wildlife Refuge
• White Hawk Conservation efforts in Carate
• ……and a dozen other organizations that are active in conserving our biodiversity

In addition, the annual festival will potentially generate $1- $2 million in tourism revenue to local businesses during the month of the festival.  RainforestAid09  will educate & empower people to make sustainable & responsible lifestyle choices that benefit our planet. We encourage your ideas and solutions regarding community, health, food and water.   The festival will focus on better choices regarding energy, air, climate & transportation. We are designing the Festival to provide clear examples of choices in each of these areas. 

We are working hard to lead by example and addressing tough questions like:

How do we…

• sustainably bring 2000-3000 festival goers to the Osa?
• limit and dispose of waste created during the festival?
• offset the festival’s carbon footprint?
• accommodate 2000-3000 participants?
• balance international publicity and education?
• promote sustainable and safe interactions with the rainforest among festival participants (watch out for those snakes!).

The Winning Solution Is  RainforestAid09  - Everybody Wins !

From jaguars, turtles, sloths, and mono titis to rural Costa Rican communities and area businesses, including hotels, taxi drivers, rental car companies, local tour operators, buses, airlines, and more. There is one key ingredient needed to pull off this festival…your input and support!  We invite you to become a Festival Partner and voice your opinions and concerns (preferably by offering solutions and suggestions), add your own ideas, and participate in whatever way you can. Become a Festival Partner and help shape this festival.

With your help, RainforestAid09 can be as successful and beneficial as FarmAid was 20+ years ago. In previous years, rainforest aid concerts with Sting, Elton John, Bruce Springstein, Jackson Browne, Billie Joel, James Taylor, John Mayer and Nora Jones have raised millions of dollars for conservation.  But these festivals have always been held in places like Carnegie Hall and Central Park, where the message can get lost in the glitz, champagne and concrete.  The message only gets clearer when held here in the rainforest.

We plan to celebrate and help protect the rainforest in the rainforest. It’s time for all of us to get back in touch with nature in nature !

Have questions? Visit www.rainforestaid09.com. Your can read our management and mission statement and learn about our fundraising objectives, cross-cultural homestay  programs, festival dates, location, ticket prices, transportation, accommodations, camping, parking, green zone and partnership opportunities. Contact -info@osapeninsulatravel.com    Let us know how you would like to help make this a successful fundraiser. We welcome your positive ideas and solutions.

Part of a regional conservation group? Please feel free to submit your group’s mission statement, and we’ll include you as a sponsor, exchange links, and contact you about fund-raising opportunities.