Read and sign up

On Thursday, April 16, something special will take place at Onder de Linden: a lecture by Martin Havik about the rainforest in Costa Rica, accompanied by a screening of our documentary ‘Eufonia’. There is no admission fee, but we ask all visitors to become donors at the end of the event or to make a generous donation, 100% of which will go to the project.

The splendor of the rainforest and how we protect it

Born and raised in Beemster, Martin Havik takes you on a passionate journey through his adventures and the lessons and successes of the Adopt a Rainforest Foundation. With great enthusiasm and energy, Martin will take you on a journey to the project in the beautiful rainforest of Costa Rica. He promises an entertaining evening with beautiful images and many wonderful anecdotes. This time with lots of new stories, because he will be returning from a trip to Costa Rica to visit the project on March 30.

To top it all off, you will also get to see the short documentary Eufonia, which tells the story of the foundation through the eyes of local guide Gerald. The documentary premiered at the Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam.

About the foundation’s project

What began in 2011 with the purchase of 3.5 hectares of rainforest in Costa Rica has now grown into a thriving reserve of more than 275 hectares with an active research project. Success stories such as the return of the howler monkey and the nesting box project for the endangered Buffon’s macaw (Ara ambiguus) show what commitment can achieve. Intensive research into biodiversity is being conducted in the reserve by students from all over the world. The flora and fauna are inventoried on a daily basis, leading to some very special observations.

Date: thursday 16-04-2026
Time: 19:30 – 21:30 (entrance 19:15)
Location: Onder de Linden Middenweg 150, 1462 HL Middenbeemster
Spaces available: 65

Het bericht 16 april: Film screening and lecture Martin Havik verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.

His involvement in nature conservation did not happen overnight. “I can’t pinpoint the exact moment when I decided to start donating,” says Laurens. However, his environment did play a role. His girlfriend Denise had been a donor to the WWF for a long time, which made him think.

At the same time, his life was (and still is) pretty full. Working as a soldier in the armed forces, teaching, and also working on a PhD program: it leaves little room to actively organize something for a good cause. “I simply don’t have the time to do that properly. That’s why I prefer to support people and organizations that can,” says Laurens. What was important in this regard was a shared preference for nature conservation goals. Together with his girlfriend, he came to feel that nature conservation is not an “extra,” but a necessity.

The feeling of a ‘point of no return’

Why nature in particular? For Laurens, the answer is clear. “I strongly feel that we are heading toward a point of no return. Once certain natural habitats have disappeared, they will never return.” That makes nature conservation goals fundamentally different from many other charitable causes. “Other causes sometimes feel temporary: you help improve or solve something, but then it’s done. With nature, it feels different. If we don’t take action now, it will only continue to deteriorate.” That urgency was the deciding factor. Not later, not someday, but contributing to protection now, before it’s too late.

Via Costa Rica to Adopt Rainforest

The road to Adopt Rainforest ran through Costa Rica. Due to COVID-19, a planned trip had to be canceled twice. During the preparations, he read extensively and searched for information about nature in the country. That’s how he ended up at Adopt a Rainforest online. “The website immediately appealed to me.” What stood out in particular was the broader approach. Not only protecting what is still there, but also investing in education and employment for the local population. “That felt like more than just sticking plasters. It’s not a short-term solution, but something that can really last.” That vision inspired confidence and led to a monthly donation.

“Since I’ve had children, I’ve become much more aware of this. You automatically think more about the world you’re leaving behind.”

Being a parent changes your perspective

The arrival of children changed something. There are now two young children in the family, and that brings a new perspective. “Since I’ve had children, I’ve become much more aware of this. You automatically think more about the world you’re leaving behind.” The first period with one child felt relatively straightforward. With two young children, time becomes scarcer, but motivation grows. Precisely because the future suddenly takes on a face. The idea of starting a fundraising campaign around the birth did not come out of nowhere. Through friends, there was already a family that had done this. “That stuck with me,” says Laurens.

A different kind of baby gift

The idea took shape when their daughter was born in January 2024. Even before she was born, her parents decided they wanted to do something similar. Not more stuff, but something that would have a greater impact. “We wanted to teach her right away that having lots of stuff isn’t the most important thing,” says Laurens. “That consumer society is not what we want to teach our children.” That is why they opted for a fundraiser for Adopt Rainforest as an alternative baby gift. A call was added to the birth announcement: anyone who wanted to give something could contribute to the protection of the rainforest.

The responses were positive. Many people thought it was a nice and original idea. “Most people responded very positively and enthusiastically.” At the same time, there were also people who asked questions. Why would you do that? Why not give a ‘normal’ gift? It was precisely those questions that proved valuable. “It sparked conversations,” he says. Conversations about what we find important, about sustainability, and about the world we are passing on to the next generation. A friend who had previously set up a similar campaign later said how special he found it to see that his idea had inspired others. That chain reaction felt like an added bonus for Laurens and Denise.

This choice has now been made twice. A fundraising campaign was set up for both children. This is no coincidence, but a conscious decision. “It’s important that the children can look back on this later. That they know: this was something we considered important from the start.” It’s not about perfection, Laurens emphasizes, but about intention. To show that you can make choices that go beyond yourself. That a gift can also consist of protecting nature, creating opportunities for local communities, and building a future.

Inspiration for others

This donor story shows that impact does not always have to be big or complicated. Sometimes it starts with a personal choice, at a special moment in life. By offering an alternative, you invite others to think along with you, and perhaps even join in. Adopt a Rainforest is proud of donors who contribute in this way. Not only by giving, but by telling a story. A story about caring for the earth, about responsibility, and about what we really want to leave behind for our children.

Would you also like to contribute to the rainforest in a special way? Be inspired and discover what your impact can be!

Also give rainforest as a baby gift

Het bericht Donor story: Rainforest protection as a baby gift verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.

When you talk to Kjetil van den Berg, owner of ‘Ecoloog op Maat‘, one thing immediately stands out: his passion for nature runs deep. “It started in the womb,” he says with a smile. From an early age, he was outside: catching woodlice, chasing birds, exploring nature with his parents. It was always in him. That dedication grew with him and eventually took him on long journeys, including to Costa Rica at the age of thirteen. Today, Kjetil has translated his life’s mission into a successful ecological consultancy firm, which recently became a proud partner of Adopteer Regenwoud.

Searching for impact

Kjetil began his studies with the ambition of becoming a veterinarian, but gradually shifted his focus to applied biology at Aeres University of Applied Sciences in Almere. “I wanted to do something in ecology; that felt most logical,” he explains. However, while graduating, the big question arose: how can I make a real impact?

The answer turned out to be starting his own business, with an intrinsic motivation to help nature. “It just happened naturally,” he says. His practical attitude, customized approach, and clear vision quickly made Ecoloog op Maat a household name. The common thread: always going the extra mile for nature, beyond what is required by law. “If we always do the minimum, we’ll stay in the same situation. Going the extra mile can yield so much more.”

This is also evident in his projects. For example, he works with clients to strengthen the habitats of house sparrows, bats, and other species groups. According to him, many companies are open to going the extra mile, especially when they see how committed the team is.

Kjetil van den Berg in 2018 tijdens zijn stage bij Adopteer Regenwoud

A bond that dates back to 2018

It had been clear for years that Ecoloog op Maat would become a partner of Adopteer Regenwoud. The bond began in 2018, when Kjetil had to arrange an internship abroad for his third year. Costa Rica had always been his first choice, which is how he ended up at Work With Nature, the initiative that later became Stichting Adopteer Regenwoud.

He spent four months in the reserve, where he conducted research on land crabs. At the time, the area was only thirty hectares in size. However, he saw the foundation grow rapidly in the years that followed. “Even then, you could see the ambition to expand towards Barbilla National Park, so that a corridor could be created for animals. When you follow that year after year—the research, the collaborations, and the impact—it gives you so much energy.” That involvement remained. Two years ago, he attended a meeting for all those directly involved in the foundation and said: if the opportunity arises, I want to contribute again. Now he does so as a partner, with pride.

Preserving core values

What started as a one-man business has now grown into an organization with two permanent employees and an extensive team of field specialists every year. Yet quality always remains central. “If growth comes at the expense of nature, you should slap me,” jokes Kjetil. This approach ensures that he can still look at himself in the mirror. “95% of my work is just fun. Being able to do so much for nature… there’s no better feeling.”

Why a partnership?

For Kjetil, the partnership is more than just a business decision. He knows the organization from the inside and understands how sincere and purposeful its work is. “The story behind it is genuine. It’s a vision that started small, with big dreams, which are being realized step by step. And all the money is being put to good use.”He sees how the passion that Adopteer Regenwoud started with is still palpable. “It’s literally a boyhood dream that has grown into a mature organization. But the core values and mindset have remained the same.” According to Kjetil, ultimately it’s all about the impact you can have as an entrepreneur. At Adopteer Regenwoud, you can also see immediately what impact you are making.

Shared mission for nature

The shared passion between Ecoloog op Maat and Adopt a Rainforest is clearly palpable. Both organizations are driven by a love of nature and the conviction that ecology should be given more space. Kjetil hopes to return to the reserve soon, together with his parents, who ultimately raised him with a love of nature. “It would be great to see Maarten (my internship supervisor and the founder of Adopteer Regenwoud) again.” Through his company, he also sends students on internships, so that new generations can also become involved in rainforest conservation.

With Ecoloog op Maat as our partner, we are not only strengthening the rainforest, but also a network of passionate professionals who believe in real, sustainable impact.

Adopt rainforest for your business!

Het bericht Ecoloog op Maat: Partnership for Nature verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.

Since the 2022 census, there has been a lot of activity surrounding the Buffon’s Macaw project. Due to different censuses being conducted by different organizations, it is difficult to track exact developments. Every time a census is organized, Adopt Rainforest participates. However, there are plenty of signs of change coming from the reserve:

From 0 to 25 Macaws!

When Maarten and Matthijs started the foundation in 2017, macaws never came to this area, San Miguel. A few years later, occasional sightings began. Nowadays, from September to December, we have a group of about 16-25 Buffon’s macaws that live permanently in and around the reserve. At the end of December, they leave again for the north to breed.

Maarten: “We have noticed that more and more macaws are coming to our area. They are creatures of habit, both in terms of feeding and breeding behavior. Most of the macaws in Costa Rica breed in the north of the country, between January and April. After that, the young birds fly the nest and in the second half of the year, the macaws migrate to the foothills, areas such as the Adopt Rainforest reserve.”

Help to protect the Macaw!

Breakthrough in 2025: two couples

However, this year two pairs remained in the area throughout the year. They seem to be making use of the adjacent Barbilla National Park, Nairi Awari Indigenous Reserve, and the Adopt Rainforest reserve. They are clearly two pairs, but no one knows yet whether they have stayed here to breed. Maarten: “In any case, it’s another indication that the macaw feels at home with us. Now we just have to wait and see if they will use the nesting boxes!”

Nest boxes in use?

Nest boxes have now been placed high up in the trees, an exciting operation as no crane can drive into the reserve. In true Costa Rican style, the nest boxes were hung using rope and (will)power. In the video, you can see how this was done in 2024.

Maarten: “Normally, macaws use cavities in almond trees, for example where a branch has broken off and the wood has started to rot. Since many almond trees have been cut down and it takes a very long time (about a hundred years!) for them to grow large enough and reach nesting cavity size, breeding sites are scarce.” As an experiment, Maarten and his team are installing nesting boxes to see if the birds consider them a good alternative. In the north, these boxes have already been used by macaws (Cinco Ceibas). There is also a population in Manzanillo, on the Costa Rican coast, where confiscated macaws have been released, rescued from illegal animal trade. This population breeds exclusively in artificial nesting boxes. The design of these nesting boxes is now also being used in the Adopt a Rainforest reserve. “No one knows whether macaws outside their usual breeding areas would use an artificial nest box; it’s something new. We do know that the area (the reserve, Barbilla National Park, and the Indian reservations) is suitable for macaws.”

Macaw feathers spotted under a nesting box

The first successes have been achieved, such as macaw feathers under a nesting box. During a maintenance round, the team also found breeding barn owls and toucans in the nesting boxes. The research team will continue to keep a close eye on the nesting boxes in the coming period. Thanks to the new observation tower, it is now easier to monitor the birds in and around the reserve, including the Buffon’s macaw, of course. Our foundation can also make a greater contribution to bird counts. The research is ongoing, and we are hopeful that the Buffon’s macaw will make a permanent return to this area!

Almond trees planted in 2021

The macaw’s main food source is the fruit of the almond tree. Since 2021, the Adopt a Rainforest team has planted hundreds of almond trees. This is where human patience comes into play; it takes at least 8 years for these trees to bear fruit. This is one of the reasons for the disappearance of the macaw, because the trees simply do not have time to grow. In the foundation’s reserve, they do have time; we are waiting patiently…

Help us protect more rainforest!

Het bericht Update: Great Green Macaw returns verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.

Nature lover and birdwatcher Nienke recently visited the breathtaking rainforests of Costa Rica. In the coming period, she will recount her experiences in vivid detail in a series of stories. Enjoy reading this second blog!

There is something magical about discovering a foreign country, a feeling that you are on the verge of something bigger than yourself. Patrick and I travel not only to see, but above all to feel. To find those moments as human beings when we can encounter nature. Often harmonious, sometimes painfully contrasting.

While I am aware of the global environmental crisis, I am still driven by my passion for nature and birds. That passion takes us to places like Costa Rica. Because we are aware of the impact of such a long journey, I want to give something back. That is why I support local projects that contribute to nature restoration and protection. This time, I donated to Adopt Rainforest, through which we symbolically adopted our own piece of rainforest. What I couldn’t have imagined beforehand was that during this trip I would be so directly confronted with the necessity of this initiative, especially in a country known as one of the most biodiverse in the world.

Plantations, plantations, plantations

We traveled by car. Anyone who knows Patrick knows that he has a soft spot for alternative routes. Zooming in on the map until a thin line appears, often challenging routes to navigate without a scratch. Unfortunately, more than once, such a route led us past plantations: a stark contrast between biodiversity and monoculture. Pineapples, bananas, and palm trees as far as the eye could see. The lush jungle we had been in just a short while before had given way to a green desert. Neat rows without the singing of birds. Anyone who didn’t know any better would be amazed by the sight, as banana plants and palm trees conjure up images of the tropics. We missed the kind of nature that makes us feel humble and reminds us that we are only a small part of a greater whole.

Other initiatives

Fortunately, we always find places of hope, love, and connection. During our trip, we visited The Nest Nature Center, a private nature reserve dedicated to the conservation and restoration of ecosystems through nature education, ecotourism, and scientific research. The owner, Juan, bought the land from his father when it was still a coffee plantation. Through experimentation, trial and error, he has restored the ecosystem bit by bit. As a result, animals (now 225 bird species registered on eBird!) are returning and the land is able to sustain itself naturally. His goal is to inspire the region and show that restoration is possible, and he hopes to connect different nature reserves through collaboration so that animal migration can take place, as in the Adopt Rainforest reserve.

During our visit, we had the opportunity to observe birds up close from carefully placed observation huts and platforms. I could talk endlessly about encountering two striped owls, mother and child. Or about the white-collared manakin, which I heard before I saw it, with the recognizable flapping of its wings as part of its dance. But the real magic lay hidden in the story of this powerful, individual initiative: a small paradise on a former plantation where life is finding its way back. At the same time, it also became clear how fragile recovery is. At the neighbors’, we saw a hectare replanted with European subsidies, but with only one fast-growing tree species. Juan explains: chosen for its timber yield, but this does not help nature here.

Small change for a big difference

What this experience showed me is that change often starts small. With one person deciding to do something. That is what Adopt a Rainforest stands for: giving nature back its space. Every protected piece of rainforest ensures that life can return. This trip has shown me that every contribution counts, and that it is mainly about simply starting somewhere.

Help up by adopting rainforest!

Het bericht Nienke’s story: ‘The necessity of this initiative’ verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.

Introducing myself

I am Annemarie Silkens, 56 years old and I live in Hilversum. I have a family with 4 children, I work at the social neighborhood team of the municipality of Soest. I also row, do yoga, walk and read a lot. Since September 2022 I work as a volunteer for the Foundation Adopt Rainforest.

Particpate and adopt rain forest!

Why did you become a volunteer?

In April 2022, I unexpectedly got the chance to go to Costa Rica. A friend was going and asked if I wanted to come along. Well, of course I wanted to! It had been a long time since I had taken a faraway trip and a long time since I had been in the jungle. What an opportunity! I immediately started investigating what I would like to see in Costa Rica.

On the map I found the Parque Nacional de los Quetzales. Wow! Now it so happens that I am a big bird lover, and especially wanted to see the quetzal. So I had to go there. I wanted to go into the rainforest anyway. And what I already knew about myself became clear again…..I love the rainforest!

Movingly beautiful, impressive, vivid, colorful, in a word: fantastic! A peace came over me, a kind of serenity. It was – and this sounds crazy, but it is really true – very special that a softness came over me, which I did not have in the busy life in the Netherlands. Even the face ID of my mobile phone didn’t work anymore… Bizarre right?

What did you experience in Costa Rica?

With a guide, we were able to set off through the rainforest in search of the quetzal, other birds, insects, frogs and many other animals. Enjoying the sloth hanging from a branch just along the path, the beautiful colors and smells, swarms of hummingbirds, the roar of the howler monkeys, the sounds of the forest, of life.

In Costa Rica I totally came to rest, and a world opened up for me! The beautiful and impressive nature. Because I speak Spanish, I was able to converse with the locals. And what struck me most; all of them are proud of their country and of nature, of the rainforest. And all of them want to protect it, they are outraged about the felling of precious old trees and forests for the construction of palm oil plantations, among other things.

Back in the Netherlands

Once back in the Netherlands, I really had to get used again. To the structure, the busy life, the full schedule. But something in me had changed. I knew I wanted to stay connected to this beautiful and impressive piece of earth. I knew I wanted to dedicate myself to raising awareness and preserving the beautiful and indispensable nature.

With this experience, I set out to find. What could I do! How could I contribute something? I started searching and soon came across the Adopt Rainforest Foundation. I came into conversation with Matthijs Bol, who told me how Maarten and he realized their boyhood dream years ago in Costa Rica. How they made their way through the jungle in search of a place from which to shape the Foundation. When I heard his story, I was sold….ja, this is what I want to contribute to! The boy’s dream has now grown into a beautiful reserve, where students come for research, where volunteers work, where the local population is involved, where education is given, where in the meantime beautiful cooperation has been created with Trees for All and the University of Utrecht, with the TUI Care Foundation, among others. And a foundation that works well with the government in Costa Rica, so that protected rainforest is and remains protected. Yes, I would like to contribute to that as well.

Still active!

And so it came about, now I am already 2 years active as a volunteer for the foundation. We have a nice team of volunteers who contribute in many ways. For example, you can follow our news on Facebook and Instagram, or you can read our blogs on the site. I feel proud to be associated with this enthusiastic team at the Foundation.

Have you become curious? Would you also like to contribute something? You can always sign up as a volunteer. Or you can adopt a piece of rainforest yourself. Or give a piece of rainforest as a gift, and in this way give even more publicity to the work of the Foundation.

Particpate and adopt rain forest!

Het bericht Volunteer Profile: Annemarie verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.

Jaguar Tree

Locals call the recently acquired area “Palo Tigre.” This means “Jaguar tree.” In fact, on this plot there is a tree with several jaguar markings on the trunk. How cool: This tree is used as a scratching post by the Jaguar!

Cooperation with the local government

Quite soon after purchasing the new plot, we were approached by the Costa Rican government (SINAC). They needed to plant 10,000 trees to compensate for the widening of the highway between San José and Limon. Palo Tigre would be a perfect location to carry out this project. The foundation regularly has good contact with SINAC for different conservation initiatives. Thus, our good rapport created a new collaboration. The Costa Rican government, together with the coordinating party CCT ( Tropical Science Center) and the local team from the Indian reservation that we trained last year will plant the trees. This will provide additional employment again this year.

Planting trees with a scientific design

Professor Edwin Pos of Utrecht University also heard of the plan to plant trees, and suggested that it be done according to a specific research design, with the goal of studying ecological succession in tropical forests. The effects of density and diversity on tree growth and interaction will be examined. This information will help to decide with how many trees of which species the most natural and diverse forest is generetad, and thus how to make reforestation projects in the tropics successful in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Why is this research needed?

A deforested area, if left completely alone, eventually becomes forest by itself, however, this takes an incredibly long time because of the often present stiff grass where tree seeds have difficulty germinating. Planting trees accelerates this process, but purchasing and planting trees is costly. Also, large quantities of native tree species for planting are not always available. Experts believe that if areas are partially planted, the empty spaces in between will develop naturally, ultimately creating a more diverse forest for less money. Win-win, in other words.

What we ultimately want to know is how many trees of which species we can best plant, and how big the empty spaces should be to get the best effect. Professor Edwin Pos of Utrecht University has devised an innovative experimental research design where this can be figured out.

Something to be proud of

Thus the new plot is not only an important bridge between the reserve and the National Park, but also an opportunity for scientific research. It also provides additional local involvement and employment and we are working with various parties on a beautiful form of nature restoration. We can all be quite proud of that!

Do you want to read more about the latest developments? Check out our news

Het bericht Big news: We are going to plant trees together with the local government of Costa Rica! verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.

For my Wildlife business management degree, I have done several internships, mostly revolving around animal care but this time I chose to visit a different type of organization. In August 2023, I landed in Costa Rica to spend 8 weeks with the research project of Adopt Rainforest.

I am waiting in Batán when a car pulls up with four happy faces waving to welcome me. They are Hanneke, her two children and Lewis, a volunteer. I immediately feel very welcome and that feeling has never left; it feels right at home here despite the huge difference. The busy student period has not started yet, so I have the luxury of first getting used to my place to live for the next few weeks in peace. There are only two volunteers present who immediately share some valuable tips such as, for example, that you should hang out your things as much as possible because this reduces the chance of mold due to humidity.

In my first week at the project alone I experience so much that does not fit in one blog. The following days there is an immediate tour of the huge garden which is full of all kinds of beautiful and edible things and where many insects and some lizards find a home. At dusk a giant toad visits, I see the largest grasshopper I have ever seen, a giant spider walks the wall and there is a good chance to see snakes. That last one has been causing me some anxiety for some time, I am not necessarily afraid of snakes but I am afraid of some of the dangerous species that live here. This first week a visit to the reserve is planned, frog pools are being created and we get to help. The climate takes some getting used to and soon I am dripping with sweat but what a beautiful place this is!

The following weeks I am awakened by the calls of a family of howler monkeys and the subsequent response of Zeus the dog. During my internship, I participate in mammal research by placing wildlife cameras in the reserve and by processing the data on a computer. Very cool to see what’s out here. Visiting the reserve is one of my favorite activities, even though I find it quite a tough hike at times. Among other things, we do butterfly counts here under the guidance of our project manager Hanneke. We note down every butterfly we encounter and by the end of my internship I already recognize quite a few species. The walks are different every time and the view from the mirador (the viewpoint) is beautiful. We also encounter quite a few cool animals along the way such as various snakes, the fer-de-lance, different types of racers and a hognosed pitviper. One day we even have a special encounter with a kinkajou that follows us high out of the trees with its gaze! These are nocturnal animals so it is very exceptional.

On the other days of the week I paint signs for the garden and sanctuary, create a mural of a prehensile porcupine and keep busy with my internship report. In addition, every week we spend an afternoon cleaning up trash in the streets of San Miguel after which we are rewarded with a nice ice cream, there is also the garden day where there are different chores on the program. Finally, I like to wander through the garden with my camera, there is a lot to see and occasionally the howler monkeys, different species of frogs, lizards and sometimes a sloth comes into sight! An if not there is always no lack of colorful insects.

Of course there is also free time, although my entire stay feels like an intensive vacation of sorts. The boat trip down the Pacuare River, early morning bird watching with Maarten, visiting the Irazú volcano and the welcome change from the dry air on the beaches of Puerto Viejo, Cahuita and Limón.

Thinking back on my time in Costa Rica, I would love to go back again. The memories of the high humidity, mosquitoes and sweat have disappeared like snow in the sun, making way for memories of the beautiful surroundings, good food and the tremendous hospitality of the project managers Hanneke and Maarten.

Did you read this and would you also like to come and do an internship in Costa Rica?

Please contact us!

Het bericht Internship at the Adopt Rainforest reservation verscheen eerst op Adopteer Regenwoud.