News + Stories

Aquatic Health, Marine Conservation / 12.08.2016

By: Clara Gomez The world’s seafood stocks will have completely collapsed by the year 2050, scientists say.  According to a study done by a group of economists and ecologists, the growth of the human population combined with unsustainable fishing practices and the devastating loss of biodiversity will lead to the collapse of fish populations in the next 35 years, if trends continue on their current path. [caption id="attachment_9221" align="alignleft" width="199"] Image from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/[/caption] If the idea of losing all of the world’s fish scares you as much as it scares me,...

Uncategorized / 05.08.2016

Once, the idea that animals would go extinct was unthinkable; it was believed that the world’s resources were so vast that they could never be extinguished.   Yet, the dwindling numbers of so many well-known species such as the ferocious Tiger tell a different story.  Extinction is a natural phenomenon and should occur at about 5 species per year.  However, human intervention, climate change, and other factors, that rate is much accelerated and has been estimated by the Center for Biological Diversity to be 1,000 to 10,000 times the...

Uncategorized / 29.07.2016

Bats Around the World When you hear “bat”, what do you think of? A small, hairy creature that is active  in the darkest hours of the night and who sleeps upside down? (That’s what I think of!)  And it’s true! But there is so much more to bats than that. Did you know that bats are the second largest order of mammals in the word? In fact, there are more than 1,300 bat species worldwide and they represent about 20% of all classified mammal species! And, they play a...

Uncategorized / 22.07.2016

  Las abejas de orquídeas o euglosinos se encuentran solo en las Américas – Desde México hasta Argentina (aunque una especie fue introducida accidentalmente en el Norteamérica y ahora vive en Florida, EE.UU.) Estos insectos son uno de los polinizadores más importantes de la región Neotrópical y vienen en una increíble variedad de formas y colores. Sus géneros incluyen las Exaerete, que puede ser tan largas como un dedo y es de un color verde brillante; las Euglossa con sus cuerpos de tonos azules, verdes o rojos metálicos; las...

Uncategorized / 22.07.2016

Have you ever seen the Exaerete, the bright green bee as long as your finger?  What about the Euglossa, known for it’s metallic blue, green, or red body? These insects and many others like them aren’t just any bees—they’re Orchid Bees.  The Euglossini (the umbrella term for Orchid Bees) are some of the most important pollinator insects of the Neotropics, known for their unique coloring, size, and even shape.  Their bodies can be partially metallic or covered in brown or black hair.  From Mexico to Argentina (and Florida...

Uncategorized / 15.07.2016

Written by: Holly Fagan When I left England on a cold, dark morning in June I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I touched down in Costa Rica. I knew there was rainforest, but I didn’t really know what that was, and I knew I was going to do sea turtle conservation, but I had never done anything like it before. Now, back in England and reminiscing on my experience, I can say whole-heartedly that it was the best thing I have ever done. I spent one glorious month...

Uncategorized / 15.07.2016

Escrito por: Holly Fagan Cuando deje Inglaterra, una fría y oscura mañana de Junio, no sabía que esperar una vez que aterrizara en Costa Rica. Sabía que iba a la selva tropical, pero no sabía realmente qué era eso, y sabía que trabajaría en el área de conservación de tortugas, pero nunca había hecho nada parecido antes. Ahora, ya de vuelta en Inglaterra y rememorando mi experiencia, puedo decir de todo corazón que fue lo mejor que he hecho jamás. Pasé un fantástico mes en la Estación de Piro en...

Uncategorized / 24.06.2016

There is an often cited estimate that only 1 in 1000 sea turtles that hatch and make it to the ocean will survive to adulthood. With odds like that one can sometimes feel like the work is futile and has little impact. As Olivia points out in her blog this week - it just takes is one brush with success to remind us that every individual counts. By: Olivia Upon arriving to Osa to start my position as a Research Field Assistant (RFA), I was so excited to start a new life...

Uncategorized / 17.06.2016

[caption id="attachment_9083" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The beneficial mycorrhizal fungus found in large amounts in wild plants on Osa Verde. This fungus is one that gives several benefits to the plant.[/caption] Beginning four months ago, the National University, Osa Conservation, and University of Costa Rica have been uniting forces in order to carry out the establishment and development of organic mother vanilla plants in the Osa. Since the cultivation is very profitable, it would be a good economic opportunity for the farmers in the southern part of the country, many of whom...

Uncategorized / 17.06.2016

  [caption id="attachment_9083" align="aligncenter" width="300"] el hongo benéfico Micorriza encontrado en gran cantidad en plantas silvestres de Osa Verde y es el que le da varios beneficios a la planta.[/caption] Desde hace más de cuatro meses la Universidad Nacional, Conservación Osa y Universidad de Costa Rica, hanunido esfuerzos para llevar a cabo el establecimiento y desarrollo de plantas madre de Vanilla spp. orgánica en la zona de Puerto Jiménez de Costa Rica, debido a que el cultivo es sumamente rentable y sería una gran oportunidad para los agricultores de la...