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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Aggie M. Windig-Meekel" <amwindigmeekel at juno.com>

A MESSAGE FROM A PERSON CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBLE EXTINCTION OF SEVERAL
SPECIES OF BIRDS DUE TO THE ONGOING DEFORESTATION IN COSTA RICA.

I recently spent 7 1/2 weeks in and near the Cloud Forests and
Rain Forests in the Monteverde area of Costa Rica, 5 weeks of which as a
volunteer. Although not an expert birder, I was able to determine some 75
species of birds that I had not seen before (if you are interested in a
list, let me know!!!). Some of these birds, such as the Resplendent
Quetzal and the Three-wattled Bellbird are in danger of extinction, due
to the ongoing deforestation. Since the 50's, several private
organizations have been able to collect sufficient funding to set aside
certain areas for conservation and have thus been able to protect
considerable plots of land, such as The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve,
The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, The Children's Eternal Rain Forest,
The Ecological Farm, etc. However, since some of these species of birds
cannot cover the relatively large distances between the area where they
spend one part of the year and the area where they spend another part of
the year without resting and feeding, biological or "green" corridors
between these areas also need to be maintained and recreated.

I was happy to hear of the efforts of Yolanda and Mario Villegas,
(who have for years provided simple and very affordable housing, $5-$8
p.p.p.n., to the many volunteers, students and low-budget tourists in the
area), to help protect a 33,000 square meter plot of land in an area that
is critical for the migration of birds. Since the management of the land
will be in capable hands, I fully support their efforts and I would like
to ask you to consider encouraging their efforts in any of the ways they
suggest below.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS WONDERFUL PROJECT.
Aggie Windig, 6 Olympia Drive, Rochester, NY 14615, ph. (716) 663-1139,
e-mail amwindigmeekel at juno.com

Here follows their information:
---------------------
Yolanda and Mario Villegas
Tel. (506)645-5080
Cerro Plano de Monteverde
FAX (506)645-5517
Apartado 115655, Santa Elena de Puntarenas
e-mail<mviimv at sol.racsa.co.cr>
Costa Rica, America Central

Help us create and protect the

Refugio Silvestre Manakin, Cerro Plano de Monteverde

Behind the Pension Manakin in Cerro Plano de Monteverde lies a piece of
forest in regeneration that we, Yolanda and Mario Villegas, owners of the
Pension, propose to buy and convert into the Refugio Silvestre Manakin
under terms of a conservation easement. Such an easement is a legal
agreement through which landowners commit themselves to protect the
ecological future of the land, and particularly never to cut trees. It
will allow us to create a biological corridor for the area's unique flora
and fauna, and will give our children, neighbors and friends the
opportunity of stepping directly from the Pension into the forest to
enjoy the animals, birds and vegetation.

Volunteers of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, or students of the
Santa Elena High School or the Monteverde Institute will help us with
managing and monitoring our compliance with the easement rules. The
Institute is a local non-profit organization that for more than 12 years
has hosted courses in Topical Biology, Environmental Protection, and
Sustainable Development, and has recently begun a program on Women's Role
in Rural Development. It also participates in numerous community
projects.

Since we are trying to obtain financing for the project, the Monteverde
Institute has graciously allowed us to use their US bank account for
collecting donations. Please, contribute according to your judgment and
resources. The value of each square meter is $5, and the entire area
measures about 30,000 square meters. We have made a deposit that assures
us time to develop financing of the purchase (lots #1, #2, and #4,
property P-3717494, Registry Volume 2786, Document 575). Feel free to
request legal proof.

Here are three ways of proceeding with a contribution:
Either write a US dollar check, payable to the Monteverde Institute,
Acct. # 910-1-666320, specify Refugio Silvestre Manakin, and mail to
Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., PO Box 92965, Rochester, NY 14692-9065; or
for wire transfer, wire to the bank routing number #021000021.
In either case, FAX or mail a copy of your check or wire transfer form to
the Monteverde Institute, SJO #0065, TNT Mail Service, 1641 NW 79th Ave.,
Miami, Fl 33126-1105; or FAX (506 Costa Rica country code) 645-5219.
Make out a check to Yolanda Carballo Rojas, indicating that it is for
the Cuenta 166-3, Banco Nacional de Costa Rica, Agencia 127, Santa Elena
de Monteverde, and send it to the address above by registered mail.

Thank you for your help, be it by offering a donation or by spreading
information on the Refugio Manakin to friends and other interested
people.

_____________________ _____________________
Yolanda Carballo Rojas Mario Villegas Fonseca