ANAI History
Phase 1: 1978-1985
Building the Foundation: Learning, Experimenting, Assessing, and Gaining Experience
Phase II: 1985-1987
Institutional growth and consolidation: Strong steps toward sustainable development in the region of Talamanca
Phase III: 1998-Present
Institutional Stability: Integration of biodiversity conservation with sustainable development on a broad regional level
Phase 1: 1978-1985
Building the Foundation: Learning, Experimenting, Assessing, and Gaining Experience
ANAI’s efforts began as a loose coalition of North American biologists and Talamancan farmers dedicated first to educating ourselves, later broadening our work into the foundation of pilot projects in Talamancan communities. Efforts were focused on an experimental farm, and in the surrounding community of Gandoca. It was a time of learning, experimenting, developing experience in community development projects, and assessing Talamanca´s needs, opportunities, threats, and who’s who. The emphasis was on issues of concern to all poor people everywhere. As the process became thoroughly entrenched in the communities, and as local people began to exercise an increasing level of “ownership”, some of the conservation-development linkages became apparent. As confidence in ANAI and the evolving land management systems grew, these linkages gained more attention. The first formal environmental accomplishement was done in collaboration with the Costa Rican government; it was the establishment of the 25,000-acre Gandoca/Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge in the coastal part of Talamanca in1985.
Phase II: 1985-1987
Institutional growth and consolidation: Strong steps toward sustainable development in the region of Talamanca
This period was a time of enormous change and growth at ANAI. It evolved from a loose coalition of founders with a very local and thematically limited focus, to a consolidated organization with a regional focus, working with rural communities of all ethnic groups. A broad menu of sustainable development alternatives and projects were established and promoted. By implementing this work together with Talamanca’s people, national and international credibility as pioneers in sustainable development and community conservation were gained.
Phase III: 1998-Present
Institutional Stability: Integration of biodiversity conservation with sustainable development on a broad regional level One of the goals of ANAI’s work in Talamanca is to create programs, facilities, and grassroots organizations, the management of which will be fully transferred to local communities over time. Since 1995, ANAI has accomplished this goal with many of the organizations established during the formative years. With these now self sustaining organizations, we currently act as a facilitator, providing logistical, institutional, strategic, and managerial support. We have also greatly expanded our efforts in biodiversity conservation, dedicated time to sharing our experiences in Talamanca with other organizations, and focused on strengthening the linkages between development and conservation.
