Overview

Las Casas de la Selva Rain Forest Enrichment Project consists of 1000 acres of spectacular rainforest land in the central highlands of Puerto Rico. The project's mission is to research and demonstrate the economic use of rain forest land using methods that do not destroy the forest ecology.

Programs are offered to both local and international youth to experience and study the rain forest biome first hand. Outreach programs are being developed to encourage sustainable practices in the use of forest resources and forest management. Over 50% of the project property is held completely undisturbed as rainforest reserve. 

Tropic Ventures Education & Research Foundation
Mission Statement

1) To carry out research into the raising and processing of valuable hardwoods as part of a project looking at a total systems approach to Rainforest management emphasizing sound ecological practice and economic sustainability. 

2) To maintain as a natural rainforest reserve, without human disturbance, approximately 800 hectares of secondary growth forest land at Tropic Ventures' " Las Casas de la Selva " project site. The remaining 323 hectares being used to experiment with species enrichment and restoration of damaged areas as well as the raising of hardwoods. 

3) To research and maintain a collection of ethnobotanically important rainforest plants, including fruits, ornamental plants, medicinal plants, culinary herbs and plants used for construction and handcrafts. Use of these plants will be researched as economic alternatives to logging. 

4) To promote and carry out research and education in ecologically sound use of all forest resources including the utilization of "waste woods" ordinarily deemed not valuable, promoting rainforest preservation and sustainable forestry practice. 

5) To hold conferences and workshops on rain forest ecology, including vectors of ecotourism, value added work on timber, economic alternatives and viability of rainforest communities, and sustainable use of rainforest resources.