Costa Rica Real Estate Property Leads Beach Cleanup
Fort Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB) September 24, 2010
Hacienda Matapalo (http://haciendamatapalo.com), the most sought after gated community in Costa Rica with more than $60 million in pre-construction sales, recently helped lead an all volunteer cleanup of one of the world's most pristine beaches.
Several months ago, Playa Matapalo on Costa Rica's South Pacific Coast was awarded the prestigious Blue Flag designation (http://haciendamatapalo.com/downloads/BlueFlag.pdf), an honor bestowed on a select few beaches that maintain the highest level of ecological balance in the Central American country. The parameters for qualifying include high water quality, cleanliness from manmade litter and debris, having development levels within government guidelines, and of course, large populations of indigenous flora and fauna.
It took a good deal of work at the local level to ensure that Playa Matapalo qualified for the Blue Flag; even though it was a sparsely populated area, safeguards had to be in place to offset the impact of man. Factors such as having adequate signage for visitor information, a recycling program and the public safety aspect of maintaining lifeguard stations all had to be in place.
Recently an all-volunteer "Beach Cleanup Day" took place at Playa Matapalo, organized by Matapalo's Blue Flag Committee and spearheaded by Alberto Villarreal, staff biologist for Hacienda Matapalo.
"The goal was much like clean-up days on many U.S. beaches and waterways," explained Hacienda Matapalo executive Vice President Brian Albury. "Whether this entails picking up litter and removing fallen branches or gathering hundreds of coconuts from public areas, it's all part of the effort."
Also included was the addition of a couple of information signs directing visitors to beach areas with on duty lifeguards, along with maintenance on the lifeguard stands.
"The wonderful thing about this is that the beach's cleanliness is an ongoing effort largely accomplished through the work of volunteers," Albury said. "In July Playa Matapalo was also recognized by CNN Travel and Mother Nature News as the world's second most eco-friendly beach (http://www.prweb.com/releases/costaricarealestate/playamatapalobeachclub/prweb4296504.htm)."
Now that Matapalo has received these honors, an ongoing push is required to maintain what was started, and as with the original effort, the ongoing work of volunteers is essential.
"Activities like this can only take place when residents take an interest in improving their community and the day's event attracted both Ticos and transplanted foreigners alike," Albury said.
The beach cleanup was the latest in a long line of community projects that Hacienda Matapalo has been involved with including the creation and funding of the turtle protection program at Playa Matapalo, the funding of the lifeguard education and training program at Playa Matapalo, and the reforestation of Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge located just a few kilometers south of Matapalo.
started by Ed Sklar on 24 Sep 10
Fort Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB) September 24, 2010
Hacienda Matapalo (http://haciendamatapalo.com), the most sought after gated community in Costa Rica with more than $60 million in pre-construction sales, recently helped lead an all volunteer cleanup of one of the world's most pristine beaches.
Several months ago, Playa Matapalo on Costa Rica's South Pacific Coast was awarded the prestigious Blue Flag designation (http://haciendamatapalo.com/downloads/BlueFlag.pdf), an honor bestowed on a select few beaches that maintain the highest level of ecological balance in the Central American country. The parameters for qualifying include high water quality, cleanliness from manmade litter and debris, having development levels within government guidelines, and of course, large populations of indigenous flora and fauna.
It took a good deal of work at the local level to ensure that Playa Matapalo qualified for the Blue Flag; even though it was a sparsely populated area, safeguards had to be in place to offset the impact of man. Factors such as having adequate signage for visitor information, a recycling program and the public safety aspect of maintaining lifeguard stations all had to be in place.
Recently an all-volunteer "Beach Cleanup Day" took place at Playa Matapalo, organized by Matapalo's Blue Flag Committee and spearheaded by Alberto Villarreal, staff biologist for Hacienda Matapalo.
"The goal was much like clean-up days on many U.S. beaches and waterways," explained Hacienda Matapalo executive Vice President Brian Albury. "Whether this entails picking up litter and removing fallen branches or gathering hundreds of coconuts from public areas, it's all part of the effort."
Also included was the addition of a couple of information signs directing visitors to beach areas with on duty lifeguards, along with maintenance on the lifeguard stands.
"The wonderful thing about this is that the beach's cleanliness is an ongoing effort largely accomplished through the work of volunteers," Albury said. "In July Playa Matapalo was also recognized by CNN Travel and Mother Nature News as the world's second most eco-friendly beach (http://www.prweb.com/releases/costaricarealestate/playamatapalobeachclub/prweb4296504.htm)."
Now that Matapalo has received these honors, an ongoing push is required to maintain what was started, and as with the original effort, the ongoing work of volunteers is essential.
"Activities like this can only take place when residents take an interest in improving their community and the day's event attracted both Ticos and transplanted foreigners alike," Albury said.
The beach cleanup was the latest in a long line of community projects that Hacienda Matapalo has been involved with including the creation and funding of the turtle protection program at Playa Matapalo, the funding of the lifeguard education and training program at Playa Matapalo, and the reforestation of Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge located just a few kilometers south of Matapalo.
To learn more about these projects, Hacienda Matapalo, and a FREE upcoming Web-based seminar (https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/226357210) that will compare Costa Rica with other Latin American countries including Mexico and Panama, visit http://www.haciendamatapalo.com (http://www.haciendamatapalo.co