SOUTH -PACIFIC
The Osa Peninsula
The National Geographic Society has called Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula “the most biologically intense place on earth,” and those who've had the privilege to visit there know this to be true. Eighty percent of the peninsula itself is either nationally or privately protected land, including Corcovado National Park, the Golfo Dulce Reserve, The Lapa Rios Reserve and the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre de Osa, to name a few. All of these efforts go toward the protection of this very special area of the country, where the Pacific lowland rain forest extends into a biogeographically link to the Amazon basin. Nearly all of Costa Rica's mammal species make the Osa Peninsula their home, as well as a disproportionate number of bird, reptile and insect species as well. It's noteworthy to point out that one of the country's largest populations of scarlet macaws resides in this region, so it isn't unusual to see these glorious birds flying in pairs overhead. It's rumored that the severely endangered harpy eagle still can be found nesting here within the largest trees in Costa Rica. The goal of many of the private reserves is to create biological corridors, linking the large tracts of land that would otherwise remain separate. Numerous foundations and research organizations have programs within this vast area, and in some cases visitors can get involved by volunteering their time toward conservation efforts. In almost every case, choosing to visit the region is a form of support, as proceeds from an amazingly large percentage of the local businesses is directed back into the community, whether by purchasing land in important watershed areas, or helping with education programs in the community.
In addition to its well-established education programs in the Osa Peninsula, the Neotropical Foundation has recently established a joint program with The Children's Alliance for Protection of the Environment (CAPE). This program will help to protect 2,500 acres in the Aqua Buena watershed area, giving direct cash incentives to the 14 families that make the region their home. Each family will receive extensive training in sustainable forestry and agriculture practices. In addition, funding is going toward a Youth Center for both Costa Rican and international students, as well as a tree nursery that will supply native species to landowners for reforestation projects. In addition to a donated trust for this purpose, the foundations will work toward fundraising and consciousness-raising: every $100 raised will protect one acre of rainforest.
Other very active foundations include the Cecropia Foundation, TUVA, and the Campanario Conservation Association. These organizations incorporate a variety of programs that involve local government, schools, environment and tourist groups in environmental outreach and education programs. It's important to note that one of the goals of TUVA—Tierra Unidas Vecinales Por El Ambiente or roughly Neighboring Lands United for the Environment, is not only working toward the development of the biological corridors, but also toward cultural corridors as well. They're joined in their work by the Amazon Conservation Team to bring indigenous peoples from neighboring countries together, working toward sustainable projects such as handicrafts and natural medicinal knowledge.
Often in many of these organizations there are volunteer opportunities to help with trail interpretation and maintenance, as well as species inventorying and monitoring. The National Parks system also sponsors programs through ASVO (Association of Volunteers for Service in Protected Areas), where volunteers are trained to help park rangers in maintenance and wildlife protection.
It's obvious to see that a great deal of forethought and follow-through has gone into making Costa Rica one of the world's prime ecotourism destinations. In addition to having set aside an astounding portion of the country's total landmass into protected regions and national parks, the national tourism board has developed a certification process to rate the sustainable practices of the industry—not just for ecotourism, but for all tourist companies. This helps to preserve the link between Costa Rica's visitors and the protection of the environments they've come to experience. Being an ecotourism in Costa Rica means participation—participation in the spirit of preservation that has given every visitor the opportunity to be amazed by the kaleidoscopic riches found here, as well as in the vision that those fragile riches will still be there for generations to come.
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