News + Stories

Uncategorized / 20.03.2013

By: Pilar Bernal In order to instill an environmentally-focused culture and sense of environmental responsibility, the Public Ministry of Education (MEP) promotes the Blue Flag Ecological Program. Each year educational centers must carry out activities outlined in a work plan, which comply with the requirements to obtain the Blue Flag Ecological Award. These requirements are evaluated based on the following criteria: water quality, disaster risk management, environmental education, sanitary services, clean and safe spaces and reports of activities carried out throughout the year. Environmental education accounts for 35% of the...

Uncategorized / 20.03.2013

By: Pilar Bernal Con el objetivo de fomentar en los Centros Educativos una cultura y responsabilidad ambiental, el Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP) propone la implementación del Programa Bandera Azul Ecológica. Cada año se deben realizar actividades programadas en un Plan de Trabajo, las cuales buscan el cumplimiento de los requisitos para obtener el Galardón de Bandera Azul Ecológica. Estos requisitos son evaluados de acuerdo a los siguientes criterios: calidad de agua, gestión de riesgos a desastres, educación ambiental, servicios sanitarios, espacios limpios y seguros y los informes de...

Sea Turtles / 06.03.2013

By: Hansel Herrera 2013 turtle season is off to a great start for Osa Conservation! Our staff and volunteers are extremely attentive and excited. On Wednesday, February 13th, while out on their morning patrol, volunteers from our sister organization, Frontier, were pleasantly surprised to find the trail and nest of a leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coreacea) on the Pejeperro beach. Although historically leatherbacks were naturally found across a great many locations, they are currently the most in danger of extinction of all the species of sea turtles (CITES), and the...

Uncategorized / 06.03.2013

  by Hansel Herrera Para Conservacion Osa, la temporada de tortugas 2013 ha tenido un gran comienzo y tiene a todo el personal y voluntarios emocionados y atentos. Este pasado miércoles 13 de febrero, voluntarios de la organización hermana Frontier toparon con la grata sorpresa de encontrar un rastro y un nido de tortuga Baula (Dermochelys coreacea) en playa Pejeperro durante su patrullaje matutino. Las tortugas Baula, aunque con un amplio rango de distribución natural historico, son las que se encuentran en mayor peligro de extinción de todas las especies...

Land Conservation and Forest Restoration, Uncategorized / 28.02.2013

By: Larry Villalobos and Autumn Rauchwerk When a troop of squirrel monkeys passes near the station it is like watching a band of teenagers. Their antics are of course cute, and they look like they are happy and having fun. Of the four species of monkeys found in Costa Rica, squirrel monkeys are the smallest, weighing about one and a half pounds. This puts them at about the same size as a squirrel. Their fur is a rich orange color, and their faces are unbelievably expressive. These aspects make...

Uncategorized / 28.02.2013

By Larry Villalobos and Autumn Rauchwerk Cuando una tropa de monos ardilla pasa por la estación es como mirando una banda de adolescentes. Sus payasadas, por supuesto, son lindos, y aparecen como si están alegres y disfrutándose. De los cuatro especies de monos que uno se puede encontrar en Costa Rica, los monos ardilla son los más pequeños, con un peso de aproximadamente 1,5 libras, casi el mismo tamaño de una ardilla. Su pelaje es del color naranja y sus caritas son muy expresivas. Con estas características, son irresistibles...

Community Outreach, Environmental Education / 18.02.2013

By Pilar Bernal [caption id="attachment_4883" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Esquinas River which feeds into the Golfo Dulce[/caption] This year has been declared the International Year of Water Cooperation by the United Nations. As students return from vacations this month for another academic year, we at Osa Conservation are preparing environmental education materials and activities which will be taught in fifteen schools throughout the peninsula and surrounding areas. The environmental themes that we will be focusing on for this year are: terrestrial and marine ecosystems, deforestation and climate change, and waste management....

Uncategorized / 06.02.2013

By Pilar Bernal Mientras en este mes de febrero los estudiantes se preparan para iniciar su periodo escolar, en el Programa de Educación Ambiental nos estamos preparando con los materiales, actividades y cronogramas  para iniciar con los talleres a impartir a lo largo del año en 15 centros educativos de la Península de Osa. Los temas del currículo de educación ambiental para este año son: ecosistemas terrestres y marinos, deforestación y cambio climático, y manejo de desechos. Así mismo, todos los años en el mes de mayo Conservación Osa coordina...

Land Conservation and Forest Restoration, Science and Research, Wildcats / 23.01.2013

By Juan Carlos Cruz Jaguars are very charismatic creatures, and for indigenous people and ancient civilizations, were considered symbols of power, majesty and wisdom. While that symbolism still holds true, we now also recognize their intrinsic value for maintaining biodiversity in the forests. They are on the top of the food chain and therefore the health of their population affects all subsequent levels. In the absence of Jaguars, breakdowns occur in the ecosystem such as increases of populations of herbivores, decreases in population of some species of plants (eaten by herbivores) and loss of other species of birds, insects and reptiles that depend on those plants. The presence of Jaguars in a region is an indicator of the health and integrity of the forest since they are the most sensitive species of all large cats to exploitation and habitat alteration. Accordingly, they are also known as “health indicator species.”
Land Conservation and Forest Restoration, Science and Research, Uncategorized / 17.01.2013

In addition to celebrating a great year in 2012, Osa Conservation recently honored two staff members as outstanding employees of the year. If you have visited us here in Osa, these are most likely familiar faces. Thanks Agustín and Manuel for all of your hard work and for being such integral and exemplary members of the Osa Conservation team.  Agustín Mendoza Augustín has been working with OC for five years on our land stewardship and maintenance team but has lived in Osa for 38. He grew up in Cerro Arbolito a remote...