They say that life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans. Read about how one Osa Conservation research assistant ended up working with us in a happy twist of fate! My name is Casey Walker and I am a recent graduate from the Environmental Studies program at the College of Idaho in the United States. Sometimes it does not matter how much you plan out your life because life has a plan for you already. [caption id="attachment_8483" align="alignleft" width="228"] Research Assistant Casey Walker[/caption] I have always known...
News + Stories
Birds, Environmental Education, Science and Research / 05.10.2015
Love-songs and Lovebirds in the Osa
Read about Esmeralda Quirós Guerrero's research on the singing patterns of birds in the Osa. The intense biodiversity around our stations provided her with a perfect place to conduct her research. We love learning more about the incredible birds of the Osa! Did you know that many species of birds sing duets? Vocal displays are one of the most researched interactions between and within species. There is a great diversity in the structure of singing behavior. I have been investigating the learning process of duets in Osa songbirds. Duets...
Research Field Assistant - Erin Peeling Arriving at the field station on Day One: I was accepted to be a Research Field Assistant for the Sea Turtle Conservation program in late August 2015. Within two weeks, I was already off to Costa Rica. Because everything happened so quickly, I was nervous about what my job would be like and how I would adjust to living in a new country. Despite my worries, I could not have asked for a better time volunteering here on the Osa Peninsula. [caption id="attachment_8354" align="alignleft" width="305"] Me...
Volunteers and Visitors / 11.09.2015
Treefrog Breeding Frenzy!
Cesar Barrio-Amoros holds a PhD in biology and is a notable taxonomist, herpetologist, author, and photographer. Following his experience in the Osa, reflected below, Cesar has planned to lead a reptile and amphibian workshop at Piro Biological Station next May or June, the beginning of the wet season. I have traveled throughout most of Latin America in search of amazing herping spectacles. In the Galapagos, I saw marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) and Galapagos giant tortoises (Chelonoidis nigra). I witnessed an astonishing diversity of poison frogs in Peru and made some...
Uncategorized / 04.09.2015
Neighbors Collaborate for Stream Health
[caption id="attachment_8196" align="alignleft" width="366"] Pilar (far right) explains and demonstrates the dissolved oxygen test.[/caption] Last week, the Osa Conservation Rios Saludables team joined four staff members from the Lapa Rios Ecolodge for their second monthly chemical and biological assessment of Rio Carbonero's stream health. Pilar Bernal (Education Outreach Coordinator) led the chemical portion of the monitoring, walking us through testing water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, conductivity, alkalinity, and nitrates. Julieta Chan, the Lapa Rios Ecolodge Experience Manager, took detailed notes and filmed most of the workshop. Jim Palmer,...
We have the best staffers at our stations! They really go above and beyond to involve themselves in the environment and to inspire others to do the same. Osa Conseravation enables high schools, universities and school groups to learn, hands-on, in our field courses. Students get an amazing chance to actively learn important lessons with dedicated researchers in the paradise that is Costa Rica! Read below for the unique perspective of an OC Resarch Field Assistant leading these educational excursions. One of the greatest pleasures of working at Osa Conservation is being able...
Environmental Education, Science and Research, Volunteers and Visitors / 21.08.2015
A Night with Bats
Bats. These nocturnal creatures tend to get a bad rap. Associated for centuries with mythical creatures of the night, and used as Halloween decorations to add eeriness to a haunted house, the real life mammal often gets overlooked. OC aims to change that by collaborating with experts and educating the public on the crucial role bats play in restoration. [gallery columns="1" size="full" ids="8019"] Recently, Osa Conservation was honored with a visit from 2 remarkable scientists in the bat world: Cullen Geiselman, bat biologist and board member of Bat Conservation International & Gloriana Chaverri,...
Uncategorized / 21.08.2015
Una noche con los Murciélagos
Los murciélagos. Estas criaturas nocturnas suelen tener una mala reputación. Asociados por siglos con criaturas míticas de la noche, y utilizados como decoraciones de Halloween para hacer más escalofriante una casa embrujada, el mamífero de la vida real a menudo se pasa por alto. Mucha gente no saben o entienden el papel critical que los murciélagos tienen en la reforestación. Conservación Osa quiere cambiar esto por la colaboración con investigadores como Cullen Geiselman y Gloriana Chevarri. Recién, Conservación Osa fue honrada con la visita de 2 científicas notables en el mundo de murciélagos:...
Community Outreach, Environmental Education, Science and Research, Volunteers and Visitors / 14.08.2015
Environmental Festivals in the Osa
World Environment Day, 2nd Anniversary of the Luis Jorge Poveda Álvarez Arboretum and inauguration of the Centenary Forest. In early June, we had three important celebrations: World Environment Day, the 2nd anniversary of the Jorge Poveda Álvarez Arboretum and the inauguration of the Centenary Forest. World Environment Day was celebrated in early June, and had participation from diverse groups of people. We had students from various educational centers participate as well as people from organizations and businesses with various fields of focus, like mangroves in the case of Fundación Neotrópica, sea turtles in the case of LAST (Latin American...
Uncategorized / 14.08.2015
Festivales Ambientales en la Osa
Día Mundial del Medio Ambiente, 2do Aniversario del Arboretum Luis Jorge Poveda Álvarez e inauguración del Bosque del Centenario Este mes nos ha traído tres celebraciones importantes: el Día Mundial del Ambiente, celebrado el 7 de Junio en donde contamos con la participación de estudiantes de varios centros educativos, organizaciones y empresas que compartieron sus conocimientos en diferentes temas como manglares con la Fundación Neotrópica; tortugas marinas con LAST y plantaciones forestales sostenibles con LATC, así mismo contamos con la participación de agricultores y artesanos locales con la exhibición...