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Friends Of The Osa |
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Located in southwestern Costa Rica, the Osa hosts thirteen distinct tropical ecosystems. When one considers the size of the peninsula, approximately 300,000 acres, there are few other places on earth that rival the peninsula’s diversity. It is no wonder that the Osa has been declared an international hotspot and a high global conservation priority! We, at Friends of the Osa, are actively collaborating with the Osa’s communities, scientists, local landowners and conservationists to ensure the long term health of the region’s ecology. |
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About Us |
Our Mission
Friends of the Osa’s mission is to conserve the terrestrial and marine biological diversity of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula by creating a self-sustaining conservation organization that implements ecosystem stewardship, enhances scientific understanding, provides education and training, and creates economic opportunities.
Where We Work
Turquoise blue waters, cascading waterfalls, lush primary forests, and pristine tropical beaches are just a few of the Osa Peninsula’s countless natural wonders that Friends of the Osa works to conserve and protect. This boot shaped peninsula is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just above the Panamanian border.
The Osa’s high level of biological diversity coupled with its unique combination of distinct tropical ecosystems have made it a high global conservation priority. It is here one can find the largest intact mangrove ecosystem in Pacific Mesoamerica, the most significant remaining areas of lowland Pacific tropical rainforest, and one of only four tropical fjords on the planet, the Golfo Dulce. These ecosystems, and numerous others, provide habitat that is essential for the Osa’s plentiful wildlife.
What We Do
Friends of the Osa is dedicated to preserving the Osa’s globally significant biodiversity while supporting sustainable livelihoods on the peninsula. To accomplish this, we use an interdisciplinary approach, grounded in sound science, innovative partnerships, environmental stewardship and informed decision-making. We recognize that effective conservation strategies, innovative scientific research, and progressive environmental education are inherent to achieving our conservation goals.
Friends of the Osa’s efforts are particularly concentrated in the Osa National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR), a private conservation initiative that spans over 1800 hectares of primary lowland forest in the southeastern tip of the peninsula. The refuge is situated in the Matapalo-Cocovado Biological Corridor, in the southern part of the peninsula. This expanse of critical wildlife habitat stretches from the cape of Matapalo to the southern edge of Corcovado National Park.
Together, Friends of the Osa and its local, regional and international partners are working to:
- protect the region’s globally significant biodiversity
- strengthen conservation capacity among local communities, NGOs and government
- encourage regional and local participation in conservation efforts
- facilitate the exchange of scientific and research expertise
Our vision is to maintain a largely forested landscape surrounded by an intact coastal zone that protects the Osa’s unparalleled wealth of biodiversity while supporting sustainable human livelihoods.
Friends of the Osa is working to protect the Osa’s natural and cultural heritage. To this end, we have several projects underway in conservation, education, and research. Our project goals:
- improve management for ’at-risk’ protected areas
- support scientific research and develop science-based conservation strategies
- construct a biological research, training and educational center
- provide sustainable economic opportunities for the residents of the Osa
- establish a native species reforestation program
- implement an ecological monitoring program and species inventory
Friends of the Osa works in concert with numerous individuals and organizations to achieve regional conservation goals. Some of our partners include:
- The Nature Conservancy Helped the Costa Rican government create the Osa’s Corcovado National Park in 1975. Recently, TNC has renewed efforts on the Osa after identifying it as a conservation priority.
- The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- Bosque del Cabo Lodge A rainforest lodge in a 500-acre private primary forest reserve perched along the picturesque cliffs of Cabo Matapalo. Located in the Osa National Wildlife Refuge in an area designated as protected wildlife habitat.
- El Remanso Lodge A wildlife lodge located in the Osa National Wildlife Refuge. Dedicated to forest and wildlife conservation this lodge boasts pristine tropical rainforest and stunning ocean views.
- Women of the Osa (WOO)
- Osa Campaign Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, CR-USA Foundation for Development and the Government of Costa Rica came together in the Osa Campaign, an equally unique conservation and fundraising effort.
- Conservation International
- Wildlife Conservation Society
- Ministry of Environment & Energy, Costa Rica (MINAE)
- Alvaro Ugalde Known as the father of Costa Rica’s system of national parks, Friends of the Osa board member Alvaro was named one of the Latin American leaders for the new millenium by Time Magazine.
- Roy Toft Photography Roy Toft is a premier wildlife photographer who has done extensive work on the Osa Peninsula, and several of his outstanding shots appear in the Friends of the Osa newsletter and on this website. Roy’s work has been featured in such publications as National Geographic, Nature, Audobon, and Discover.
Who we areBoard of Directors
Adrian Forsyth, PhD, Founder & President of Friends of the Osa, Director of Biodiversity Science, Moore Foundation
Alvaro Ugalde, Director of ACOSA (regional body of the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment and Energy)
Dan M. Martin, PhD, Senior Managing Director of the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) at Conservation International
Deborah Sliter, Vice President for Programs, The National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF)
Jen Cruz, Amazon Program Officer for the Moore Foundation
Manuel Ramirez, Director of Conservation International - Southern Mesoamerica Program
Tom Lovejoy, PhD. President of the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment
Friends of the Osa’s Team
Dennis Vasquez, Director of Operations, Costa Rica
Javier Lopez, Director of Stewardship
Steve Bell, Director of Special Projects
Trond Larsen, Science Director
Paul Merrylees, DC Program Manager
Fabian Sanchez, Program Manager, Sea Turtle Program
Mike Boston, Research Associate, Costa Rica
Alejandro Lopera, Research Associate, Costa Rica
Daniela Solano, Research Associate, Costa Rica
Aida Bustamante, Research Associate, Costa Rica
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Contact Info |
Email: info@osaconservation.org
Phone: 506 735 57 56 in Costa Rica
Additional Contact Information: (202) 234 - 2356 in USA
 Contact Friends Of The Osa
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