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 1972 under the threat of homesteading in the surrounding rain forest, visiting scientists George Powell and his wife joined forces with long-time resident Wilford Guindon to promote the establishment of a nature preserve. The Tropical Science Center was receptive to these efforts and accepted institutional responsibility for ownership and management of the protected areas. An initial land purchase of 328 hectares formed the core of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, Costa Rica.
In 1975 the 554-hectare community watershed reserve, founded in the mid-60s by members of the Quaker community and named Bosque Eterno S.A., was annexed under an administrative contract to the Preserve.
After the Preserve's creation, the Tropical Science Center continued to secure the financial and human resources necessary to expand, consolidate, and properly protect and manage the non-profit Rainforest Preserve's current 10,500 hectares. |
 The Children's Eternal Rain Forest (CERF) is located in the Tilarán mountain range, in northwestern Costa Rica. This range presents a steep sinuous topography which is characterized by peaks and mountain ridges, valleys and canyons as well as abundant rivers of rapid currents that drain both Pacific and Atlantic slopes of the country.
The CERF is 22,000 hectares (54,000 acres) in size and encompasses primary and secondary forest as well as regenerating areas. The CERF, along with other private reserves and the Arenal National Park, forms a forest block under protection of about 50,000 hectares (110,000 acres).
In general CERF can be categorized into three forest types: seasonal evergreen forest, Cloud forest and aseasonal rain forest. This latter type being the most representative within the reserve. However, within the CERF area 6 out of 12 life zones present in Costa Rica are found, as well as a great variety of habitats between 450 and 1,800 above sea level.
Within CERF we have management areas where we maintain infrastructure for research, education and protection. We also have experimentation areas with native species of trees and forest restoration treatments. In addition, we maintain trails to be used by ecotourists, students and researchers. | 
The Arenal Volcano, is an active andesitic stratovolcano in north-western Costa Rica (10.5N, 84.7W), around 90 km north-west of San José, in the province of Alajuela, canton of San Carlos, and district of La Fortuna. Recognized as a volcano since the 19th century, it was known by foreign investigators as "Volcan Costa Rica, Rio Frio", "Canastos" Volcano and "Cerro de los Guatusos". Arenal is the youngest and most active of all the mountains in Costa Rica. Scientists have been able to date it back to more than 4000 years ago. The area remained largely unexplored until 1937, when a documented expedition took place to reach the summit.
