Bosque del Pueblo

[3] The area where the forest was established is rich in gold, silver and copper deposits and was intended to be developed as an open-air mine.

Between the years 1980 and 1995 the cultural and environmentalist community group Taller de Arte y Cultura-Casa Pueblo lobbied against the construction of quarries in the area, and in 1995 the Puerto Rico government agreed to prevent mining from being developed in the forest lands.

[3] The forest reserve is open to the public and offers interpretative trails, a recreational and picnic area, a plant nursery, and a realistic replica of a native Taíno ceremonial court and batey.

The non-profit organization Casa Pueblo also hosts a butterfly house, a store that sells traditional arts and crafts, a small antiquities museum, and a café.

Casa Pueblo also offers educational tours, classes and talks on environmental issues, and cultural workshops.