Newsletter
No. 23  June 2015

We celebrate World Environment Day (June 5th) with this year's theme: " Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care". It highlights the importance of a responsible management of the planet's natural resources for the well-being of humanity, the environment, and the functioning of the economy.

Many of the Earth's ecosystems are nearing critical tipping points of depletion or irreversible change, pushed by high population growth and economic development. By 2050, if current consumption and production patterns remain the same and with a rising population expected to reach 9.6 billion, we will need three planets to sustain our ways of living and consumption.

Ocotea Tours & Transfers invites you to continue to act against climate change, protect the environment, and make better consumption decisions at home and anywhere you are.
TOURS & SERVICES
Bat Tour
Bats play a key role helping restore deforested areas in tropical forests. With its 'yard work' they help disperse plant seeds that eventually will become new trees. Come learn about this important mammals in our awesome tour.
 
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Tour
In this important reserve has an amazing biodiversity which includes over 400 species of birds, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles, 490 butterflies, 100 of mammals and over 3000 species of plants.
 
SUSTAINABILITY
On May 28, 2015, Ocotea Tours & Transfers had its first induction on sustainability on 2015, where tour guides, drivers, and the sales, marketing and reservations departments participated. This activity began with a delicious lunch and then we analyzed important issues on service quality and sustainability, such as the revision of the Guide's Manual and the Driver's Handbook, as well as the influence of climate change in tourism activities, and on solid waste management in Monteverde to promote adequate separation.

 

As a thanks to the commitment and dedication of its employees during these seven years of tourist services, the company gave away a prize of three nights and two days at the XXXXXX Hotel. Jos? XXXX, who works as a driver was the winner of the raffle. We congratulate Don Jose XXXX for this wonderful opportunity to enjoy and share with his family.
Discussion on the Code of Conduct against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents
 
As part of the commitments made by Ocotea Tours & Transfers on the protection of childhood and adolescence, we had a discussion on the Code of Conduct against commercial sexual exploitation of minors on May 29th, 2015. This activity was in accordance to the Sustainable Tourism Certificate from the ICT and to good tourism practices. People from accounting, reservations, marketing, management and sustainability participated in this discussion.

During this activity, we analyzed the main aspects associated with the commercial exploitation of minors and the Company's policies regarding this issue. Using two case studies, we reviewed the protocol in case of suspicion of sexual exploitation in order to establish an action plan to follow from the various roles of the company. Additionally, some signs were given to one of the drivers that participated in the discussion group, to promote initiatives that seek ways to protect the best interests of minors.
 
On May 30th, 2015, representatives of Ocotea Tours & Transfers conducted an inspection to the Curi-Cancha Reserve, located in Monteverde. During the hike through the trails we were able to watch many of the bird species that are representative to this area such as the  Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) and the Three-wattled Bellbird (Procnias tricarunculatus) .

Lots of insects, plants and other groups of organisms were also observed during the hike, which was complemented the beautiful view of the lowlands of Puntarenas
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World Environment Day - June 5th

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We celebrate World Environment Day (June 5th) with this year's theme: " Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care". It highlights the importance of a responsible management of the planet's natural resources for the well-being of humanity, the environment, and the functioning of the economy. 

Ocotea Tours & Transfers invites you to continue to act against climate change, protect the environment, and make better consumption decisions at home and anywhere you are.
World Oceans Day - June 8th
 
We celebrate World Oceans Day to remind everyone of the major part the Ocean has in everyday life. They are the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe.
 
We join in this years theme ? Healthy oceans, healthy planet? to raise awareness about the negative impact on oceans and seas that some human practices have, including overexploitation, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, destructive fishing, as well as unsustainable aquaculture practices, marine pollution, habitat destruction, alien species, climate change and ocean acidification. 

Ocotea Tours & Transfers reaffirms its commitment to appreciate, protect and help restore our oceans and their resources through sustainable practices and proper management of solid waste. We invite you to be part of this commitment today.
National Tree Day - June 15th
 
In our country 'National Tree Day'  is celebrated on June 15th as established by President Alfredo Gonzalez by Executive Decree No. 14 on May 25th, 1915 .


In Costa Rica there are more than 9,000 known species of plants and about 2,000 of them are trees that grow throughout our precious territory.

Trees, among many other benefits, produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and so help to regulate the greenhouse effect, minimize the risks of flooding, prevent erosion, provide food and habitat for thousands of living beings, etc.

Unfortunately, deforestation, pollution and unsustainable development practices have damaged the forest cover and thus the health of our country and planet.

Ocotea Tours & Transfers invites them to take actions that contribute to the protection and regeneration of our forests.
 

Father's Day - June 21st
 
'Father's Day' is a celebration that honors fathers, fatherhood, parental relationships, and the influence of fathers in society.

On this day we congratulate all the fathers who look after the well being and health of their children, but also we congratulate and recognize those who assume with love a father figure in the life of others.

We hope that this day is an opportunity to share and raise awareness of the importance and responsibility of this privileged role. 
TIP OF THE AREA
Schedule for Route 606 Guacimal - Santa Elena
 
Th e MONTEVERDE ROAD COMMISSION announced that due to the type of work being done in the Guacimal -Santa Elena Road, total closures are not required, so the
closures schedule program is suspended until further notice.

There will be a regulated pass all day, as required for the machinery. Take advantage of this good news and come visit Monteverde!!!
 
Great Concert: L a Big Band de Costa Rica 
 
W e invite you to the great concert with 'La Big Band de Costa Rica' this coming 3 and 4 of July in the Cerro Plano Hall . There will be food sales and among all the tickets sold there will be a raffle of 100,000 colones.   See you there! !!
 
FREE trees for reforestation and protection of springs, and to plant on river banks and along creeks.
 
XI Latin American Congress of Private Reserves 
November 8-14
 

The Costa Rican Network of Natural Reserves (Red Costarricense de Reservas Naturales), invites you to participate in the XI Latin American Congress of Private Reserves, which will be held from November 08th to November 14th.

  

This itinerant Congress will visit San Jose (the capital of Costa Rica), Sarapiqui (northern plains, tropical rainforest), will pass through La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano), Monteverde (cloud forest and continental divide) and Punta Leona (Central Pacific Forest transition between tropical dry forests of northwestern and southern rainforests, and white sand beaches with waters ranging between 26?C and 28?C).