FINCA ESPERANZA VERDE ECOLODGE, NATURE PRESERVE AND ORGANIC COFFEE FARM
Deforestation is a major environmental concern in this region due to agriculture and cattle grazing. The Nature Preserve at FEV protects 265 acres of tropical rainforest from deforestation. FEV is also a model organic coffee farm and the largest non-agricultural employer in the county.
FEV is an award-winning ecotourism destination created by SCSRN which features rainforest trails, world-class birding and incredible mountain views.
Built with income from our monthly coffee sales, FEV now generates income from ecotourism and the sale of the farm’s coffee crop to Counter Culture Coffee, a Durham roaster. Since FEV’s founding in 2000, 10% of income from ecotours has supported local construction projects.
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
During the dry season (Jan-June) all of Nicaragua is hot and very dry, which causes a lot of uncontrolled fires.
The new Volunteer Fire Department relies on SCSRN for gasoline every month. This is vital for them to be able to respond to emergencies in the rural areas of the county and serve as an alternate ambulance service. We also provided equipment for their office and truck maintnance supplies.
