The wonderful Monteverde Conservation League was established in 1986 out of concern for the threatened forest found in the Tilaran Mountains.  Since then, children and adults from over 40 different countries have raised money which has enabled the league to purchase more than 22,000 hectares (over 54,000 acres) of verdant land, creating the largest privately owned reserve in Costa Rica.  It has been named Bosque Eterno de los Niños (BEN), which means Children's Eternal Rainforest in spanish, in honor of all the children who have contributed to its protection. The fantastic Monteverde Conservation League is saving an expanse of forest that enriches a community of people and preserves a uniquely diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna specimens. During the tour you may observe some mammals such as coatis, white-faced monkeys, agoutis, and porcupines.  Over 150 bird species may be seen, such as keel billed toucans, blue-crowned motmots, long-tailed manakins, squirrel cuckoos, and emerald toucanets.