In the Media

Mongabay: Biological field stations deliver high return on investment, study finds.

Field stations provide many overlooked benefits and a significant return on investment for conservation, according to a new study authored by 173 conservation researchers. Field stations are described as underfunded and underappreciated, and although much of the information and research used to inform global environmental policy and goals come from field stations, few explicitly mention them.

By Liz Kimbrough

Mongabay: Tech to recover rainforest: Interview with Osa Conservation’s Carolina Pinto & Paulina Rodriguez

The organization uses a wide array of tech tools — from camera traps to acoustic recorders and GPS tags — to study, monitor and protect animals such as sea turtles, jaguars and spider monkeys. However, the harsh terrain, weak internet connectivity and the remote nature of the ecosystem are proving to be hurdles to quicker and more efficient deployment of tech tools.

By Abishyant Kidangoor

Mongabay: Deliberate Dumping of Plastic Trash in the Pacific: How Widespread is it? (Commentary)

In late August of 2022, the sea turtle conservation team of Osa Conservation in Costa Rica noticed a significant increase in plastic debris, mostly drink bottles, arriving on the beaches they patrol.

By Saam Shams

The Revelator: Could Baird’s Tapir be a New Conservation Ambassador?

This little-known neotropical megafauna offers hope for boosting conservation and fighting climate change.

By Soleil Gaylord

National Geographic en Español: La Liberación de Pedro Pardo: El ocelote de Costa Rica que vuelve a su hogar después de haber sido atropellado

En 2022 atropellaron e hirieron al ocelote Pedro Pardo. Hoy, corre libremente otra vez en la selva de Costa Rica…

By Alessandra de Zaldo, National Geographic

Monkeys want its fruit, scientists want its secrets: The mysterious case of an endangered tropical tree.

The Pleodendron costaricense is an ancient tree on the verge of extinction. Only nine specimens are known to exist. Found in Costa Rica, in the mountains near the Pacific Ocean and in the Osa Peninsula, the tree is referred to by botanists as a “living fossil” because of its historic lineage.

By University of Ottawa

National Geographic Magazine – The Osa Peninsula is a biodiverse wonder and a model for conservation

A loss of tourism threatens Costa Rica’s lush paradise…

By Jamie Shreeve, National Geographic

National Geographic premiers film on the marine richness of Costa Rica 

The documentary will show the marine habitats and breeding sanctuaries of various species such as sharks, rays, turtles, whales and dolphins, as well as other key commercial species that would boost the blue economy and the sustainable…

By Yurguin Zúñiga Pineda, La Nacion

Biological field stations: Indispensable but ‘invisible’

Costa Rica went from having one of the highest rates of deforestation in the 1980s to becoming the first nation to reverse tropical deforestation … One underappreciated aspect of its conservation success lies in the ability of field research stations to carefully monitor and study progress…

By Mike DiGirolamo, Mongabay

Osa Conservation: A Multi-Tech Toolbox of Solutions

In this Conservation Tech Showcase case study from Osa Conservation, you’ll learn about how technology is aiding their long-term efforts to prevent wildlife crime, protect critical species, and build a climate-adaptive biological corridor in the rainforest…

Harpy eagle’s return to Costa Rica means rewilding’s time has come (commentary)

Hollow eye sockets glared at me from the dark tropical leaf litter. Not expecting to be watched from below, I rested on my haunches, searching with the image recognition software…

By Dr. Andrew Whitworth, Osa Conservation Executive Director

Protecting Ridge to Reef: How Osa Conservation Is Using EarthRanger in One of Our Planet’s Most Biodiverse Habitats

Osa Conservation is on the frontlines of addressing these challenges, pushing the boundaries of technology to overcome the monitoring and protection challenges associated with one of the planet’s harshest environments – a lush and remote tropical rainforest…

Reforestation projects should include tree diversity targets, too (commentary)

Hanging in harnesses 80 feet above the rainforest floor, I realize Ruth and I might be the first humans to have ever been in the canopy of this living fossil…

By Dr. Andrew Whitworth, Osa Conservation Executive Director

In San Jose Costa Rica Artisanal Fishers Demand Action off Coast of Corcovado

As fish stocks are diminished, so is the livelihood of artisanal fishers. For years, fishing communities in southern Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula have had a…

By Lucy Kleiner, Osa Conservation 

Camera trap study shows conservation efforts ‘are working’ on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula

The largest-ever camera trap study in Central America, on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, has revealed how human disturbance affects where animals live…

By Liz Kimbrough, Mongabay

Mangrove Forest Restoration Boosts Costa Rica Communities

Mangrove forests are key ecosystems that host high levels of biodiversity, temper storm surges, and sequester large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. Despite their importance, mangrove forests endure high levels of deforestation for coastal development, charcoal production, and shrimp farms…

By Dr. Andrew Whitworth, Osa Conservation Executive Director

If You’re Scared of Snakes, Watch This

As of 2021, there are 368 species of viper worldwide. The name comes from the term viviparity, which means giving birth to live young. Vipers are often highly venomous, with two hollow, extra long fangs that unfold into imposing weapons when the viper prepares to strike. So, which are the most dangerous? Andrew Whitworth travels around the world to visit some of nature’s most incredible snakes. 

Written by Dr. Andrew Whitworth (Osa Conservation Executive Director), Directed by Billie Baxter, narrated by Jack Cutmore-Scott

RETV Replanting Mangroves

Osa Conservation restoring carbon-capturing mangroves in Costa Rican wetlands. Mangroves are one of the most effective natural carbon sinks on earth, storing up to four times…

Vanity Fair – Ode to Osa

When the Pacific crashes upon the Osa Peninsula, it’s not coconuts, seashells and single flip-flops that are washed up, like on other tropical beaches. Instead…

By Michelle Jana Chan, Vanity Fair

Global Biodiversity Festival 

In this international festival celebrating biodiversity and those working to conserve it, six of Osa Conservation’s team members were invited to showcase the incredible work they’re conducting live from Costa Rica.

Women Blaze Trails Festival 

In this international festival celebrating women in STEM, three of Osa Conservation’s team members were invited to showcase the incredible work they’re conducting live from Costa Rica.

In Costa Rica, Photographing Jaguars to Help Save Them

About 650 feet from the buildings of a remote eco-lodge in southern Costa Rica, an automatic camera last year shot a picture of a passing jaguar, a spectacular big…

By Jon Hurdle