Green Acres Alive and Well in Costa Rica

Soon after I moved to Costa Rica, I was introduced to a Couple here, Victoria and Gerald Kirk , that represented my definition of a "global couple". Gerry from England was a Corporate Executive in Latin America and Victoria, from the U.S.,   a Former Pharmacist,  with a strong interest in Botany.

The couple threw lavish parties in  all social circles (The Chinese Event is still remembered), were generous in giving back to the the Community (People, Animals &  Environment) and always could be counted on for adventure as well as interesting conversation about life, living and latest happenings in Pura Vida.

After Gerry retired, the couple set forth to carve out their next chapter---what I like to call a Reverse Green Acres.   Gerry, while No Zsa, Zsa, is much more of a city boy, and found his heart in the French Quarter of New Orleans, alive with wine, music, antiques and art.  Victoria on the other hand , although most  glamorous at the black tie events,  is most alive and passionate  in her rubber boots, mucking  around in the forest-- accompanied by her menagerie of adopted strays, horses and chickens.

So these two citizens of the world planned a combination life that gives them both worlds--The City and the Country and they represent an example of many international residents of Costa Rica who live here part of the year.     The Kirks live part of the year in New Orleans, buying after Hurricane Katrina and investing in that amazing city's recovery,  and set down their country roots at Finca El Tigre in Costa Rica.         

Finca El Tigre is a private forest reserve located within the El Rodeo Protective Zone, purportedly the last remnant of primary premontane forest in Costa Rica’s Central Valley.  Finca El Tigre is located approximately 2 km from the University for Peace and 22 km West of San Jose, latitude 9-54-40 – 9-55-00, longitude 84-17-20 – 84-17-40, altitude: ranges 890 – 560 meters above sea level, area 44.6 hectares.  Barry and I had the chance to view the latest progress at Finca El Tigre on Friday! Accompanied by  3 friends and a 2 year old lass who had to be pried away from the chicken coop,we saw that construction continues on the main house, while the forest continues to thrive under the Kirk's watchful protection. 

   There are  3 Guiding Missions for  Finca  El Tigre:

        1. Record an inventory of the flora and fauna, beginning with trees,then birds and mammals.

     2.  Document the natural forest regeneration of 7 distinct ‘charrales’, abandoned pastureland, over the next 20 years, as well as to enrich three charrales with hardwoods no longer extant in the forest (eg. Sideroxylon, Peltogyne pupurea, species of Platymiscium and others).

     3. Identify and reproduce the many indigenous fruits and vegetables growing in the forest, as well as medicinal remedies once used by the local Huetar population in this area.

I encourage you to view and subscribe to  the Finca El Tigre Blogspot if you want to see how one couple, is living their dream in paradise, while protecting "PACHA Mama"  Mother Earth.

Thank you Victoria and Gerald for showing us that....

You need not give up champagne to live the simple, country life.

You need not have just one heart and passion to beat as one.

You need not just Live the Good Life in Costa Rica, you can be a part of Improving Life here and Giving Back to the Planet.   

        http://fincaeltigre.blogspot.com/

Rosemary Rein, Ph.D is the Author of "Go Wild! Survival Skills for Business and Life".  An International Speaker and Author, she hosts Personal Growth and Leadership Retreats amidst the Tropical Beauty of Costa Rica. Visit Rosemary at www.retreatscostarica.com and www.gowildgogreat.com

For Realestate in Costa Rica, visit www.dreamincostarica.com