Consulting

Applying solutions throughout the region

El Centro Verde now has ten years of research and application in developing practical solutions to critical local problems like soil erosion, dreforestation and agroforestry water supply issues. Founder Tom Peifer employs that expertise to assist regional landowners, farmers, and developers to incorporate sustainable land use strategies into new projects.

In addition to having worked on scores of local farms and developments, here are some of El Centro Verde’s most successful consulting endeavors:

Hotel Playa Negra - a collection of thatch roofed bungalows located on the world famous surf beach south of Tamarindo.

Created a tertiary wastewater filtering and stream bank retention system using bamboo 1996
Wastewater Treatment Wetland design 2005

Tierra Pacifica – a 220-acre conservation development community in Paraiso

Conservation design and nursery stock supply and planting to prevent erosion from storm water runoff on the 220-acre site. 2003
Created the 10-acre agroforestry Finca Lagunita Farm on site at Tierra Pacifica to produce vegetables, fruits and ornamental plants for Tierra Pacifica residents and the surrounding community. 2006
Pioneering an organic goat dairy in conjunction with the Paraiso Community Farm that will be integrated with crop production. 2006-7

Howler Ridge Development –300+ hectare project in the sensitive watershed upstream from Paraiso.

Ongoing design and installation of erosion/runoff within this new project. 2007-08

Neotropical Bird Project –funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Association, to study and improve migratory bird habitat in the Nandomojo Watershed. 2006-2008

ECV is assisting Ecological Design Services of Broadhead, Wisconsin to:

inventory migratory bird species in the region
evaluate the quality of the bird habitat and plan and implement restoration
assist locals to promote bird-based eco-tourism

R&D INITIATIVES
Sustainable solutions developed or under ongoing research at El Centro Verde:

Multi-tier agroforestry
Chinampas ancient growing bed system
Perennial/annual crop research
Constructed wetlands
Composting in the wet/dry tropics
Vetiver Plus Bamboo For Lightweight/Grown-On-Site Roofing System
Natural Materials For Seed Pretreatment Of Corn, Beans Squash
Vetiver Rolls And Palm Leaf Rolls For Erosion Control
Pre-Vegetated Erosion Control Rolls Planted Out When It Rains
Native Wetlands Plants For Constructed Wetlands And Infiltration Basins
Bamboo And Native Stake-Sprouting Trees For Streambank Retention
Native Fish For Mosquito Control
“Living Gabions” of bamboo - gabions are baskets or cages that hold material used to build a support or abutment.