About The Firestone Center

The Firestone Center for Restoration Ecology (FCRE) provides opportunities to engage with a part of the most biodiverse and active tropical forests in Costa Rica. FCRE strives to meet student needs, teach engaging environmental and cultural coursework, and offer its space to fellow educators.

History

The Firestone Center was established in March 2005 through international ecologist Diane Firestone's generous gift of her farm, Finca La Isla Del Cielo, near the town of Dominical, CR. Originally, settlers in the early 20th century cleared large swaths of forest to plant pasture. In 1972 only a few scattered parcels of primary forest remained on the property. In 1993, Ms. Firestone bought the property and dedicated over a decade of active restoration to bring the farm, once an overused cattle ranch, to a state of natural restoration. In 2005, the property was handed over to Pitzer College's stewardship, as she believed that her vision for tropical restoration would continue to be realized and have a wider educational impact.

Today

Through close monitoring and active research for continued restoration, the site now has been restored to hold its original 20% primary forest, as well as an additional 69% of secondary forest. As part of the UNESCO Savegre Biosphere, the site sits in one of the most biodiverse areas in Costa Rica and acts as a habitat corridor to the neighboring active conservation site Hacienda Barú.

FCRE Team

Program Director, Juan Carlos Araya
Program Coordinator, Marisol Barrantes
Farm Coordinator, Francisco Hernandez
Farm Manager, Carlos Mora
Housekeeper & Cook, Dinora Siles

Research Library

Access these papers on research being conducted at FCRE via The Claremont Colleges Library: