The Cause
The San Rafael Reserve is protected by Paraguayan law, yet corrupt local people and foreign consumption continue to destroy it. Bribed police officers allow logging trucks to illegally enter San Rafael and extract old-growth trees, which often get exported to other countries including the United States.
Statistics: San Rafael is part of the remaining 7% of Paraguay's Upper Parana Atlantic Forest. It is home to 27 Mbya Guarani indigenous communities, more than 410 species of birds, and several endemic species of animals that exist only in San Rafael. They all rely on the remaining 172,973 acres (approx. 70,000 hectares) of this biologically rich, subtropical forest.
The San Rafael Reserve is part of the Atlantic Forest, which is officially recognized as one of the 34 Biodiversity Hotspots in the world by Conservation International. The reserve itself was named the 2nd Important Bird Area (IBA) in South America and the 1st IBA in Paraguay by Bird Life International. The San Rafael Reserve in the Upper Parana Atlantic Forest is the specific section of the Atlantic Forest we are dedicated to protecting.
When this was written less than 70,000 hectares remained in the San Rafael Reserve; over 93% of Paraguay's Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest has been lost, much of it illegally. Meanwhile, deforestation continues on private land within San Rafael-- and there are similar stories the world over.
Ride for the Trees is not only a fundraiser; environmental education is a primary component of the tour. Environmental presentations and media interviews will be conducted throughout South, Central and North America addressing local and global deforestation issues and solutions.
Now, after living in Paraguay as Peace Corps Volunteers and working with organizations dedicated to protecting San Rafael, we understand the situation well enough to know fundraising will make a significant impact. We aim to raise $100,000, which will support two non-profit organizations in Paraguay's Conservation Alliance: Guyra Paraguay and Procosara. Both organizations are currently fighting to protect the San Rafael Reserve with support from Bird Life International and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).