The Monteverde Conservation League–U.S. will soon rename itself the Friends of the Children's Eternal Rainforest.
The name change won't change the purpose of the group. It will remain dedicated to raising funds, buying land and educating people in efforts to preserve the Children's Eternal Rainforest near Monteverde, Costa Rica. The preserve is the biggest private conservation reserve in Central America, said Laurie Waller, president of the non-profit organization.
The U.S. chapter of the organization was founded by the late Rachel and Dwight Crandell of Town & Country in 2002.
"It, when founded 24 years ago, was largely supported by small donations from school children around the world, but other donors have come in over the years, so now it's a magnificent preserve of some 55,000 acres, one of the best and most secure conservation projects in Central America," said Waller, of Ballwin.
Waller's organization has several hundred supporters throughout the country. Waller recently talked about the league and the rainforest, their past and its future.
QUESTION: How did you get involved with the league?
ANSWER: My connection began in about 1994, when cofounders Rachel Crandell and her husband, Dwight, a director of the Science Center, had been involved for years in helping with the expansion and protection of the Children's Eternal Rainforest through the 25-year-old Monteverde Conservation League in Costa Rica. Rachel used to travel around the country talking about this amazing place, and, in 1994, she came to Houston where I was living and gave a talk at my daughter, Josie's, school.
I was so awestruck. I'd always wanted go on one of Rachel's eco-tours to the rainforest, but it wasn't until after we moved here in 2006 that I had the opportunity to travel with her in 2008. But we'd corresponded for years before that, and I'd done fundraisers for the rainforest at my children's schools.
Q: Can you tell me about how Rachel and Dwight Crandell first got the league in the United States going?
A: They were tremendously inspiring in their passion and care for humanity and the planet, and their lives were completely devoted to service. They were inspired to form the U.S. league when they retired in 2002, as a result of many years traveling to and learning more about the rainforest, beginning when Rachel, in about 1990, began to teach her second-graders at the Principia about the rainforest.
Q: Why is important for people here to care about a rainforest in Costa Rica?
A: In the big scheme of things, it's because we all share the same water and air and we all can share in that wonderful opportunity to care for some part of the planet. Water we use up here cycles through the rainforest there. Half of all the water in our global system cycles through rainforests, so they're incredibly important.
It's the same with air. Tropical rainforests are incredible regulators of global climate, giving off huge amounts of oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide. They're the lungs of the planet. In addition, for those who love the biodiversity of the planet, there's more different kinds of life forms in rainforests than almost any other place. It's just staggering.
In this 88-square-mile rainforest alone, there are 450 different species of birds, 700 different kinds of butterflies, and more than 3,000 different kinds of plants, including 800 species of trees and more than 500 different types of orchids. This is not just any ordinary speck of land on the planet.
Q: What's been the most interesting or scary thing that's happened to you in your own travels to Costa Rican rainforests?
A: I love our night hikes, and it's fascinating to see what comes out after dark, the myriad kinds of insects and amphibians and snakes and birds. It's like a whole new world after dusk. But things there don't scare me too much. I look for snakes on night hikes, and I was so thrilled to see a beautiful bright yellow pit viper one and a half feet above my head. He was just doing his snake thing, so beautiful and not looking for people to strike at.
Q: What is your favorite wild animal in the rainforest?
A: There are so many. I absolutely adore the red-eyed stream frog — it's iconic of the forest. It lives in the streams near their source and needs pure, clean water. It's a little bit elusive, so it's exciting to find one. They have beautiful red eyes.
Q: How is your organization funded?
A: Through individuals caring and donating toward the rainforest project. It's absolutely vital for our survival. We also have the support of Whole Foods Markets, New Chapter (a kind of organic vitamins), and NBO Shoes, but the many individuals are our lifeblood and very critical to us.
Q: What projects are on the front burner for the league right now?
A: We're raising funds for our next land purchase, deciding between two different tracts. Also, we urgently need money for guard salaries. And we want to expand environmental education opportunities for those living around the rainforest. If kids say to their father, "don't take the dogs and rifle into the forest and kill the sloths," that will make an impression. We regularly have eco-tours to the rainforest. And we're preparing for an April 26 event, where Dr. Peter Raven (retired president of the Missouri Botanical Garden) will give a talk, "Saving the Forests — Saving Ourselves," to benefit the rainforest. People can find out more and contribute by going to www.mclus.org.
Q: What's been the most satisfying thing for you about being involved with this group?
A: Working for a cause that truly benefits the planet and working with a team of people who are really dedicated. Our board is wonderful, as are people down in the rainforest, such as those who've been guarding it for 24 years. They're an inspiration, understaffed but so passionate, knowing what's in the forest. If this rainforest disappears, it will be a blot to civilization and a travesty. Working with people who feel this passionate urgency and are willing to give of their time, money and talents, to me, is a great privilege.
Editor's Note: This article has been changed to reflect the correct last name of Rachel and Dwight Crandell.
