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| MVI and the Monteverde Zone |
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As a community-based organization, the Monteverde Institute strives to engage and involve the broader Monteverde community in all its endeavors, whether it be working with local faculty and community experts – both academic and grassroots – to provide course content; addressing research questions identified by local organizations, government institutions, and grassroots groups and involving them as citizen researchers; or working with these same stakeholders to advance and address issues important to the Monteverde zone, including land use planning and regional growth, watershed protection, and community health, to name a few. Our goal is be relevant both locally and globally, addressing issues that help advance local-decision making while at the same provide academic richness that benefits both visitors and community members alike.
What is Monteverde?
Monteverde can be defined in several ways, depending on one's reference point:
- The District of Monte Verde. This political definition, which is two words, represents the boundaries of the municipal district. This district was established in 2003, with a local governance structure established that same year. Monte Verde pertains to the province of Puntarenas.
- The Monteverde village. The village of Monteverde was settled in 1951 by North American Quakers, who went on to establish the famous Monteverde Cheese Factory. Today, the village of Monteverde, with approximately 250 residents, still reflects a strong North American influence. The main entrance to the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve is located in the Monteverde village.
- The Monteverde Zone. A relatively recent moniker, the Monteverde “Zone” encompasses the area of economic activity related to tourism; in the past, the main economic driver of this zone was dairy, and was popularly known as the “milkshed.” The Zone transcends both district and village boundaries. For example, many major “Monteverde” attractions actually fall outside of the political boundaries of Monte Verde and are technically part of different provinces, despite the fact that the services and businesses supporting them are located in the district.
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 Supporting Local Businesses and Economic Development
In all activities MVI strives to work with local businesses and families to provide services for our programs. This includes contracting local transportation services; using locally-owned, small scale hotels and lodges; using local contractors for construction and other services; hiring local guides and experts for our educational needs; and incorporating lesser-known, community-based attractions and activities in our programs.
Additionally, our homestay program, wherein international students stay with local families, not only provides an opportunity for rich cultural exchange but also generates income for Monteverde residents. Over the years, MVI has paid over a half million dollars directly to local families to house, feed, and care for MVI students. |
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Community Programs
Tax-deductible donations to MVI not only support MVI’s activities but also the community at large. Your donations can help support one of the following:
- Educational outreach programs for local students and residents. Because of the cost, many local residents do not have the educational opportunities afforded to paying study abroad students. Funds allow us to offer these same activities – field experiences, talks and workshops by experts, and low-cost English programs – to Monteverde residents and Costa Rican university students.
- The John and Doris Campbell Library. The MVI Campbell library is a resource for local residents and students, researchers, and study abroad students. Support for the library will help grow the
physical collection, procure equipment for the library, and help expand the services offered.
- MVI digital libraries initiative. Access to information is fundamental to informed decision-making and relevant research. MVI is undertaking an ambitious project to create an open access, full-text digital library on Monteverde related to our thematic foci. The first piece, the Monteverde Water Inventory, includes grey literature, maps, research papers, and other information on water in the Monteverde Zone. This far-reaching project, with local, national, and international implications, benefits residents, local institutions, students, and researchers alike.
- Monteverde Adopt-a-Stream Program. This project involves local high school students in monitoring the biological, physical and chemical stream health of key Monteverde rivers. In collaboration with four schools and a local scout troop, the project will create a long-term database on stream health and promote environmental awareness among young people and the community.
- MVI Integrated Water Program. Water is both one of the fundamental needs and one of the most complex issues facing the Monteverde Zone. Demand for potable water for residents and tourists, grey water and sewage treatment, potential impacts downstream, water rights, and watershed management and protection are only some of the challenges. This project integrates MVI’s academic, research and community interests under a single program, with the goal of disseminating information, promoting collaborative research, and involving local stakeholders in every aspect.
- Dwight Crandell Memorial Reserve. Dwight Crandell was a much loved conservationist and supporter of MVI and the Monteverde Zone. Following his passing in 2008, MVI, in partnership with the Costa Rican Conservation Foundation (FCC), has turned what was once land owned by MVI into a conservation land trust administered by the FCC, formally named the Dwight Crandell Memorial Reserve. Donations for the reserve will help in land and trail maintenance, reforestation efforts, and administration of the 32-acre reserve.
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Contact us |
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Want to know more about the Monteverde Institute?
Interested developing a study abroad program?
Want to visit our facilities? Please Contact Us |
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