At Green Mountain we provide our guests with a unique opportunity to experience the premontaine cloud forest. Nestled in a forest reserve, bordering a national park, our grounds provide shelter to a wide array of flora and fauna. The cloud forest is an important area for the well being of our planet, although it compromises only 1 percent of all types of forests, it originates over 30 percent of the water that flows down to the valleys. Hundreds, if not thousands, of animals and plant species call Green Mountain their home. Thanks to our location, a variety of birds find food and shelter all year round. We are visited by at least 8 species of hummingbirds throughout the year, some coming from as far away as the Northeastern US.
Due to our altitutude, our flora is very diverse. Plants that are typical to both higher and lower regions flourish in our habitat. Roughly half of the property consists of a pristine primary forest watered by thousands of bromelias, orquids, ferns, mosses and other epiphytes that capture tiny drops of water from clouds as they drift by. These tiny drops tricle to the ground creating springs which in turn feed our creak and river. Our waters feed into the Caribbean through the Reventazon basin, an important source of fresh water and electricity. The intensity of the water flow changes depending on weather conditions and our cascades can be heard from afar.
Weather patterns can be unpredictable since our micro climate changes constantly. Weather conditions are greatly influenced by wind patterns flowing from the Caribbean creating a constant playful dance between the Sun and the clouds. Northern hemisphere Winter time is characterized by constant whiteouts providing a white Christamas in an otherwise green scenery. In many ways words, and even pictures, fail to capyure the magic of our grounds. Some guests have compared us to Narnia, lol.
Conservation is an overall costly proposition. In a society which views everything as a commodity, trees are valued for their lumber and land for how much crops it can yield. It is much more economically feasible to cut down an oak and sell its wood than to conserve it. In order to help fund our conservation efforts, we offer various services to offset costs. We offer guests unique experiences such as weddings in the gardens, luncheons for those wishing to escape the cement jungles, hikes to the waterfalls where you feel like you have traveled back to a prehistoric time in which the force of Nature is still the primary landscaper. Our primary source of advertising is word of mouth.
The important role played by the cloud forests is virtually unreported and unknown to most people. Some people are aware of the rain forest's importance but are clueless when it comes to the cloud forest. Unfortunately, the world's cloud forests have been neglected and are disappearing. Trees are being cut and more farm lands and homesteads are popping up instead.
Although we are a small endeavor, we strive to be a model of effective ecosystem management and balance. Our frogs keep the mosquito populations in check. Our water lilies purify the waters in the ponds. Our plants harbor numerous species of animals. Our forest creates oxygen and water.
Contact us if you would like to receive more information about the cloud forest, our projects or of how you can help preserve this wonderful treasure.
