Rubber trees — more precisely, the sticky sap that comes from them — are the building blocks of everything from tennis balls to tires. That sappy substance called latex is tapped from the Hevea brasiliensis tree, much like maple syrup! A rubber plantation may not be the first thing that springs to mind when it comes to high-quality bird habitat. However, a 2018 study supported by American Bird Conservancy (ABC) showed when rubber tree plantations are managed sustainably, they can contribute meaningfully to bird conservation and go the extra mile for birds. Since 2022, ABC has been working with local partner Hevea Costa Rica (Hevea) to expand and connect critical bird habitats in Costa Rica by creating natural rubber plantations, which traditionally use degraded lands, and provide a sustainable alternative to other methods of growing rubber trees that often rely on deforestation.
Now, that partnership is getting a boost with the support of Michelin, one of the largest tire producers in the world. The company has indicated its willingness to provide technical support to ensure the project’s success in Costa Rica. As a member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), Michelin’s involvement is much more than a rubber stamp: Michelin has also positioned itself as a potential buyer for natural rubber that meets their rigorous sustainability standards and technical specifications produced on these bird-friendly plantations.
“Through our work with Hevea Costa Rica, American Bird Conservancy is helping to convert thousands of acres of degraded pasturelands to thriving, working habitat that supports both birds and people, and we are thrilled to have Michelin’s support in this effort,” said Andrés Anchondo, ABC’s Director of Migratory Bird Habitats in Latin America and the Caribbean. “It is our hope that we can grow this project and create more quality habitat for birds, promote best practices for sustainable agriculture, and open more economic opportunities for Indigenous people and local communities in Costa Rica and throughout Latin America.”
The lush Costa Rican lowlands signal a sweet spot to land for Neotropical migratory birds. Of the 220 migratory birds found in the country, 180 use the Caribbean slope’s wet tropical forests as stopover habitat during migration or for an extended stay in the non-breeding season. Decades of deforestation, overgrazing of cattle, and large-scale production of monoculture crops like pineapples and bananas have left the habitat fragmented and degraded. These conditions are challenging for wildlife and people who make their living on the land. This habitat loss, whether through deforestation or degradation, is the primary driver of population declines for the Golden-winged Warbler, Wood Thrush, Kentucky Warbler, and the Endangered Great Green Macaw.
Here’s where the rubber meets the road: high-quality bird habitat can be created or enhanced by managing natural rubber plantations. And, it can be done in a way that balances sustainability, the well-being and livelihoods of local communities, and industry needs.
Natural rubber plantations of Hevea brasiliensis trees, a plant native to the Amazon basin, can be valuable bird habitat. The addition of other native hardwood tree species and an agroforestry approach can make that habitat richer and support more birds in terms of both abundance and diversity. Adding a mix of hardwoods, retaining towering legacy trees that reach heights of over 40 meters, and managing the understory make a rubber plantation all the more inviting for birds.
