By Gabriel Espasas | President, PHA Forest Board
Taking the Reins and Moving Forward: Signs of Change in the Forest’s Stewardship
What began as our GivingTuesday 2024 campaign has steadily grown into something much larger: a long-term, community-driven effort to sustain, interpret, and protect the Pterocarpus Forest. This overdue update comes at a moment of transition—one that restores an important role to the Friends of the Forest.
A Return to Proven Stewardship
Earlier this year, we shared that the Palmas del Mar Homeowners Association (PHA) had allocated $150,000 for Forest repairs and maintenance. For many years, the Friends of the Pterocarpus Forest directly managed funds like these, ensuring they were used where most needed.
That changed about two years ago, when a new PHA Board and management team centralized control of many aspects of the Forest, including major expenditures. While a few, small projects moved forward, the results were limited and often disconnected from the Forest’s broader priorities. And major items – such as the deterioration of the boardwalk and 40-foot observation tower – were simply unattended.
Now, under a new PHA leadership that launched a few weeks ago, we are hopeful that the Friends will once again be entrusted with direct management of PHA funds budgeted for Forest repairs and maintenance. This would represent a return to a proven model of stewardship—one in which the resources are managed by those most committed to the Forest’s care.
As a sign of change in the relationship, the Forest Board—led by Gabriel Espasas—has already begun soliciting and reviewing bids for the major repair projects. These include:
In addition to the quest for bids, we have already taken concrete steps to move one critical project forward: a new water line has been connected so that water can reach the Forest entrance, and the next step is extending this system to cover the entire boardwalk. This is essential for keeping the fiberglass surface clean, safe, and slip-resistant.
Education and Outreach: Ready to Continue to Grow
The transition in PHA leadership required immediate attention to infrastructure—securing bids, reviewing proposals, and setting long-delayed projects in motion. As a result, our education and outreach initiatives have been slightly on hold.
Even so, the renewed strategy launched in March remains in place and is ready to expand as soon as core infrastructure is stabilized. This includes a minimum of:
The early results have been strong—new followers, greater reach, and meaningful exchanges with our growing community.
Today, the Forest engages 7,500 followers on Facebook and 3,800 on Instagram, alongside steady visibility through Google reviews, photos, and comments.
Looking Ahead
This next chapter is about both continuity and renewal. If, as we hope, the Friends are entrusted once again with direct management of these resources, we will:
It’s critical to point out, though, that while infrastructure priorities are now receiving dedicated funding from PHA, the Friends of the Pterocarpus Forest continue to rely on the support of the Palmas community and the broader public for our educational mission. These programs—essential to inspiring and engaging the next generation of conservationists—are not covered by PHA’s allocations and depend on your partnership.
The Friends are resuming a role we know well: stewarding resources, engaging the community, and safeguarding the Forest for the future.
With Gratitude
To every donor, volunteer, and advocate: thank you for being part of this journey. Your support has fueled the campaign from a seasonal appeal into a sustained, community-centered movement. Together, we are not only sustaining the Forest but also restoring a legacy of stewardship that works.
Questions or comments? Write to me at bosquepterocarpus@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Gabriel Espasas
President, PHA Pterocarpus Forest, Inc.
(The Friends of the Forest)ducation and Outreach: On Pause, but Ready to Grow
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