PUERTO JIMENEZ, Costa Rica — Osa Conservation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the biodiversity of the Osa Peninsula, welcomed over 250 guests to its Piro Biological Station to celebrate Álvaro Day on Saturday, February 15. Special guests included Minister of Environment and Energy Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, Director of ACOSA Laura Rivera, the community of Rancho Quemado, local fishing groups, among others. The event commemorated the life of Álvaro Ugalde Víquez, a conservation pioneer who established Costa Rica’s National Park Service and served as a founding board member at Osa...

Blogpost written by Luis Carlos Solis, Technical Assistant The mangrove fern, an opportunist in disturbed environments Mangroves are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. Unfortunately, mangroves in Costa Rica are no exception -  every day, mangroves around the country are devastated due to human activity, despite being declared protected areas . There are more than 80 protected mangroves identified in Costa Rica, representing approximately 41,002 hectares (101 318 acres), of which 99% are located in the Pacific. Just north of the Osa,  Térraba Sierpe National Wetland stands...

Blogpost written by Luis Carlos Solis, Asistencia Técnica   World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2 of each year, the date on which the Convention on Wetlands was adopted. Wetland is all those areas that remain flooded or at least, with soils saturated with water for long periods of time – thus, water defines its structure and ecological functions. Wetlands are vital for human survival. As one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, they harbor a biological diversity and water sources on which countless species of plants...

Blogpost by Luis Carlos Solis, Asistencia Técnica We are excited to present the results of the "First Junior Christmas Bird Count, Península de Osa 2017" in conjunction with the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, Fundación Neotrópica and 16 educational centers in the Osa. During this special day, participants saw a total of 93 different species and 595 individual birds! Throughout the event, school children learned about the importance of local and migratory birds and their habitat,  helping to create the next generation of guardians for Osa's natural heritage. The logo of...

Blogpost written by Hanae Garrison,  Volunteer 4:30 am - I rise before the sun has woken up and while the nocturnal organisms are still out. I shove some food into my body in preparation of the day ahead. Another volunteer and I are staying at the cabins near the farm, where Osa Conservation grows much of their fresh vegetables, fruits, medicinal plants, and cares for their animals, restoration plots, botanic garden and much more. 5:00 am - After gearing up with our head lamps and day packs, we head out...