News + Stories

Land Conservation and Forest Restoration, Science and Research, Wildcats / 20.08.2013

by Lauren Lipuma Capturing a photo of an animal in its natural habitat is difficult at best, so for the past hundred-odd years camera traps have provided a distinct advantage to ecologists – allowing researchers to capture an image with minimal disturbance to the animal and without risking bodily harm. The first camera traps, pioneered by wildlife photographer George Shiras III in the late 1890s, consisted of a large camera and a trip wire connected to a car battery. When an animal tripped the wire, the battery would ignite...

Land Conservation and Forest Restoration, Marine Conservation, Science and Research / 12.08.2013

Taking advantage of a socio-environmental opportunity, Osa Conservation launches new Wetlands Program in the Terraba Sierpe wetlands by Andrés Jimenez [caption id="attachment_5289" align="alignnone" width="300"] Terraba Sierpe wetlands, Costa Rica. Photo credit: Cavu[/caption]   Wetlands have become a focus of interest worldwide recently, not only because of their ecological importance but also because the climate crisis has reminded us of these ecosystems’ capabilities for mitigation and adaptation to climate change. But why should we all turn our eyes to these wet, swampy, mosquito-infested areas? The answer is simple: protecting wetlands is a very...

Community Outreach, Environmental Education / 06.08.2013

  By: Pilar Bernal This past July 30, 16 students from Carbonera, Rio Oro and Piro schools toured the “Discovering the Rainforest” interpretive trail accompanied by two teachers and two persons familiar with the trail. During the tour, the students enjoyed a morning in the forest learning about the ecology of rainforests at each station on the path.   We had an opportunity to observe spider monkeys, Baird’s Trogon, snakes, and to observe and admire giant forest trees like the Ajo, Reseco, Baco, and Ojoche trees. This portion of the interpretive trail “Discovering...

Uncategorized / 06.08.2013

Por: Pilar Bernal El pasado 30 de Julio, 16 estudiantes de las escuelas Carbonera, Rio Oro y Piro realizaron el recorrido del sendero interpretativo “Descubriendo el Bosque Lluvioso” acompañados por dos maestros y dos familiares. Durante el recorrido los estudiantes disfrutaron de una mañana en el bosque,  aprendiendo en cada una de las estaciones del sendero sobre la ecología de los Bosques húmedos tropicales. Tuvimos la oportunidad de observar los monos araña, el trogón de baird, la culebra guardacaminos, observar y admirar los árboles gigantes del bosque como el ajo,...

Uncategorized / 25.07.2013

Home to dozens of marine species, including the four turtles known to nest in the Osa, two species of dolphins, and even Whale Sharks, Gulfo Dulce is an incredible addition to the biodiverse rainforest that surrounds it (Bessesen, 2011). An inlet, protected from the rough waters of the Pacific, and with waters as deep as 300 meters, it is the perfect birthing spot for many animals, especially the majestic Humpback Whale (Golfo Dulce). This calm water paradise is also a beautiful and popular boating spot for locals and tourists, and...

Uncategorized / 22.07.2013

[gallery columns="2"] Hansel Herrera Vargas   La temporada de voluntariado 2013 ya dio inicio en el mes de Julio y al parecer buenos tiempos están por venir… Con muchos voluntarios en el calendario, decenas de tortugas marinas llegando a nuestras playas, y el trabajo arduo de los asistentes de campo y pasantes, Conservación Osa abre sus puertas y da inicio a la temporada de voluntariado 2013. Los primeros voluntarios arribaron el viernes pasado y tuvieron la gran suerte de encontrar en uno de sus patrullajes uno de los visitantes mas preciados de...

Uncategorized / 22.07.2013

[gallery columns="2"] By Hansel Herrera Vargas The 2013 volunteer season began in the month of July and it seems good times are on their way… With so many volunteers on the calendar, dozens of sea turtles arriving on our beaches, and the hard work of the field assistants and interns, Osa Conservation is opening its doors and is beginning the 2013 volunteer season.  The first volunteers arrived last Friday and during a patrol had the good fortune of finding one of the most precious visitors of the Osa Peninsula.  On Sunday night...

Uncategorized / 17.07.2013

por: Madeline Crocker Los aves neotropicales migratorias inspiraron un acuerdo internacional entre Costa Rica y los Estados Unidos el mes pasado.  Estos aves migran entre el medio oeste superior de los EEUU y Central o Sudamérica. Ellos llevan a cabo funcionarios reproductivos importantes en el norte y migran al sur durante los meses inviernos en el norte, adonde estan abundante su comida. La doble importancia de los regiones en las vidas de estas aves provocó una colaboración “sister parks”, firmado entre el Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC) de...

Uncategorized / 17.07.2013

  By Madeline Crocker Neotropical migratory birds inspired an international agreement between Costa Rica and the United States last month.  These birds migrate back and forth between the United States and Canada and Central and South America.  They carry out important reproductive functions in the north and migrate south during the northern winter months, where food is more plentiful. The dual importance of both regions in the lives of these birds brought about a "sister parks" partnership, signed between Costa Rica's National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), the St. Croix National...

Uncategorized / 09.07.2013

By Gloriana Chaverri, Ph.D. Profesora Universidad de Costa Rica   Todos hemos oído hablar de las diferentes formas de atraer a las aves a nuestro patio trasero. Por ejemplo, algunas personas cuelgan bananos maduros, proporcionan plantas con flores de colores que son visitadas por colibríes, o colocan comederos con semillas. Sin embargo, pocas personas saben cómo atraer a los murciélagos a sus patios traseros, y tampoco lo desean dada su mala reputación como criaturas que chupan sangre. Conservación Osa, junto con la Fundación Universidad de Golfito, está utilizando cajas para atraer murciélagos...