Uncategorized / 06.06.2011

By Karen Leavelle [caption id="attachment_2143" align="alignleft" width="187" caption="Female Yellow-billed Cotinga on the day of her tagging Feb. 15, 2011"][/caption] It really is like no other bird that I have seen. These birds are truly beautiful with movements and behavioral characteristics unique to its species.   These big black eyes belong to a male Yellow-billed Cotinga (Carpodectes antoniae), a highly endangered Costa Rican resident bird species.  It is also know locally as the Cotinga Piquiamarillo. He is just one of a dwindling number remaining here in the southern pacific coastal slope of Costa...

Uncategorized / 01.06.2011

La Península de Osa es uno de los sitios mas biodiversos del planeta, por ejemplo solo en  términos de arboles se ha calculado la existencia de mas de 700 especies en este pequeño espacio de tierra.  Aunque una gran parte del bosque en la Península aun se mantiene intacto, en las ultimas dos décadas se ha visto un aumento en la deforestación y degradación del bosque por algunas actividades como la tala selectiva de arboles o la conversión  de bosques a pastizales para ganadería. De esta forma  programas...

Uncategorized / 06.05.2011

[caption id="attachment_2013" align="alignright" width="300"] Obra de teatro: Lapa Roja. Hoja de Osa School. "Año Internacional de los Bosques"[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2011" align="alignright" width="300"] Desfile "Año Internacional de los Bosques" 30 de Abril. 2011[/caption] Para este año 2011, el programa está trabajando conjuntamente con la Asociación Centroamericana para la Economía, la Salud y el Ambiente (ACEPESA) en el proyecto “ Desarrollo de capacidades en las comunidades costeras del Golfo Dulce para el mejoramiento de las condiciones de saneamiento” (Octubre 2010-Agosto 2011). La labor de este programa es la sensibilización de las comunidades...

Community Outreach, Environmental Education / 06.05.2011

[caption id="attachment_2011" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Parade for International Year of Forests Celebration"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_2024" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Stencil painting activity with ASCONA for International Year of Forests"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_2016" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Puerto Jimenez students performing a traditional dance for International Year of Forests celebration"][/caption] Check out these exciting programs and events happening in Osa! INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS In celebration of the United Nations International Year of Forests, FOO’s environmental education program began tropical rainforest workshops in April with students and teachers from 13 Osa schools. There was an exciting opening event on Saturday April...

Birds, Volunteers and Visitors / 19.04.2011

[caption id="attachment_1988" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="International Migratory Bird Day 2011"][/caption] Just to set the scene… the following is a bit of what I wrote to you last October 2010 in recognition of a well known day that pays homage to migratory birds all throughout the Americas. “Have you ever sat and marveled at the wonder of bird migration; the journey that birds undertake between their winter and summer homes?  Well if so, you’re not alone, and it is a cause for celebration!  Each year hundreds of thousands of people gather to...

Sea Turtles, Volunteers and Visitors / 12.04.2011

Sea Turtles have been around for over 100 million years, but all over the world their survival is being threatened. Volunteers are crucial to protect the sea turtles during their nesting season. Our program conserves and protects 10 miles of sea turtle nesting beach on the Osa Peninsula—a largely untouched, and amazingly beautiful tropical rainforest located in southwestern Costa Rica. This rewarding program allows you to monitor sea turtle movements, protect hatchlings and learn about sea turtle conservation—all on some of the most incredible beaches in the world, from Matapalo to Carate. Our sea turtle program relies on volunteer support to increase our presence on these beaches and help reduce poaching pressure. Spaces are available from July through December – please visit our sea turtle volunteer page to sign up, or send this info to people you think may be interested. Volunteering is a great way to experience this unique place while giving back through valuable conservation efforts.
Uncategorized / 12.04.2011

Con emoción anunciamos que la temporada 2011 de nuestro Programa de Tortugas Marinas ya está por iniciar. El año pasado expandimos nuestro programa para cubrir desde Matapalo hasta Carate, un total de 18 km para patrullas protegiendo las tortugas marinas que se encuentran en peligro de extinción. En años previos, nuestro programa  cubrió las playas Piro y Pejeperro, protegiendo alrededor de 8 km de playa. La participación de voluntarios es indispensable para que podamos cubrir los 18 km de playa que actualmente protegemos. Para tener mayor presencia en las playas desde Matapalo hasta Carate, lo cual disminuye la presión por “hueveros”, nosotros necesitamos de la ayuda de voluntarios. Tenemos espacios disponibles desde Julio hasta mediados de Diciembre, visite nuestra página web para aplicar a nuestro programa.
Uncategorized / 01.03.2011

La Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas ha declarado este año 2011 como Año Internacional de los Bosques,  con el objetivo de fomentar mayor conciencia de que los bosques son parte integral del desarrollo sostenible del planeta debido a los beneficios económicos, socioculturales y ambientales que proporcionan. Con este fin, se promoverá la acción internacional en pos de la ordenación sostenible, la conservación y el desarrollo de todo tipo de bosques, incluidos los árboles fuera de ellos. El programa de Educación Ambiental de Conservación Osa se ha unido a...

Environmental Education, Science and Research / 25.02.2011

Located in southwestern Costa Rica, the Osa is hailed by many as Costa Rica's "last frontier" as it remains a largely untouched, remote wilderness. The Osa's high level of biological diversity coupled with its unique combination of 13 distinct tropical ecosystems have made it a high global conservation priority. With a total area of only 300,000 acres, the Osa is home to 50% of species found in Costa Rica, including many endemic species. When one considers the small size of the Osa, there are few places left on...

Environmental Education, Volunteers and Visitors / 04.02.2011

By: Vickie Buisset Volunteering with the FOO Sea Turtle Research Program was a wonderful experience.  My observations and field notes taken while on the Osa Peninsula were used to complete the final independent study project of my Master of Environmental Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).  The topic of my independent study project was Global Threats of Sea Turtles.  I graduated from VCU in December of 2010 and feel very lucky to have had this volunteer/research opportunity on the beautiful Osa Peninsula.  The personnel at the FOO Sea Turtle...