More than 300 mangrove seedlings were planted with the support of Asociación Proparques and the National System of Conservation Areas in the Sipancí Wildlife Refuge, in the province of Guanacaste.
According to Luis Baltodano, Quality and Environment Manager, «in Costa Rica, mangroves are ecosystems with very particular characteristics and their reforestation must include studies of water, ocean current inputs and soil salinity, among others».
For Cementos Progreso, being part of this project was a valuable experience, as wetlands are an ecosystem that captures on average 4 to 5 times more CO2 than other types of forests and are one of the most threatened ecosystems on earth.
The partnership between the company and Proparques allows it to contribute financially, logistically, and with human resources in prevention, control, environmental education, reforestation, mangrove rehabilitation, research, and biodiversity monitoring in the Cipancí National Wildlife Refuge and areas near its operations.
The joint work will make it possible to continue recovering ecosystem services such as fish, bird, mollusk, and crab reproduction sites, storm protection, soil stability, sediment retention, and hydrological regulation, among others.
Cementos Progreso Costa Rica is making continuous efforts in different areas to recover mangrove cover. It focuses on rehabilitating and conserving Níspero and San Buenavanetura-Colorado Wetlands which belong to the Cipancí National Wildlife Refuge and its areas of influence.
