Miscellaneous / 24.07.2012

By Andrea Johnson [caption id="attachment_4002" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="A mango tree in the Osa"][/caption] Mango season arrived for Osa Conservation in June. The trees at Greg Gund Conservation Center have been dropping their luscious fruits for several weeks now in a display of bounty almost reckless to those of us from northern climes who grew up with scarce and pricey supermarket exemplars. Sometimes the mangoes drop unprompted, perhaps with a light push from the breeze. Often they fall half-eaten and accompanied by a telltale rustle of leaves as white-faced capuchins (Cebus capuchinus) take their pick of the crop, or flocks of red-lored parrots (Amazona autumnalis) and chestnut-mandibled toucans (Ramphastos swainsonii) descend for another feast. Best for those of us consigned to wait below, every new rainstorm (for the rainy season has arrived as well) also brings a rain of whole, perfect fruits.
Miscellaneous / 03.05.2012

[caption id="attachment_2495" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Our new Land Conservation Manager, Max Villalobos"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_2493" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Our new Stations Manager, Larry Villalobos"][/caption]
As with any well-oiled machine, Osa Conservation is nothing without its nuts and bolts. Our wonderful staff dedicate a tremendous amount of time and energy to helping us protect the land and wildlife of the Osa Peninsula, and today we would like to introduce our newest team members: Larry and Max Villalobos. Born and raised in Costa Rica, Max and Larry have always been avid fans of nature. Prior to his position at Osa Conservation, Larry, a self-employed water-rappelling entrepreneur,  had been accustomed to moving around due to his work in hotels. Both Larry and Max feel a close emotional bond with the Osa Peninsula, having always known it's significance to Costa Rica and to the world.
Environmental Education, Miscellaneous / 23.09.2010

This August 16-19, La Leona Lodge organized a workshop about frugivorous (that means fruit-eating) butterflies with entomologist and curator of Lepidoptera, José Montero of INBio (National Biodiversity Institute of Costa Rica). This workshop was attended by several people in the area, including naturalist guides and employees of La Leona Lodge. José taught us about the methodology that he has been using in different parts of the country with great success for several years and now La Leona Lodge has begun to use, in order to generate information about butterflies of...

Miscellaneous, Science and Research / 20.09.2010

In 2008, in order to determine the distribution and abundance of leaf litter amphibian species, I began a monitoring program around the Piro Research Center along with Federico Bolaños and Gerardo Chaves, herpetologists from the University of Costa Rica. In 2010, with the support of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZ), I expanded this project to Los Charcos and Petosa, a private property owned by Bert Kerstetter, an important supporter of Friends of the Osa. The information generated by this project was included in the latest update workshop...

Miscellaneous / 18.05.2010

[caption id="attachment_798" align="alignleft" width="300"] Recording a Stream Soundscape: Jeff Woodman, Luis Vargas & Leo Garrigues[/caption] By Karen Leavelle & Jeff Woodman The Osa Peninsula is known for its high level of biodiversity and is one of the most “biologically intense” places on earth according to National Geographic. The Osa has over half of all species found in Costa Rica. This is evident in the over 400 bird species found here. That’s quite a few birds for such a small area. Well, its time then to make them heard; to record...

Miscellaneous / 18.04.2010

Finding solutions and alternatives for human and feline coexistence Since mid 2006, Aída Bustamante and Ricardo Moreno, researchers of the Wildcat Conservation Program, have worked hand in hand with FOO on applied research, education and involvement with key actors (cattle ranchers, hunters, local children and youth, ecolodges, local authorities and NGOs). We recognize the need to address the livelihoods of local human populations so that they are in a better position to care about jaguars. The long-term conservation of jaguars and their ecosystem will not be possible with scientific research...