The Osa Peninsula is a tropical paradise tucked away in the southwestern corner of Costa Rica. Its dense rainforests are buffered from the Pacific Ocean by only a strip of white sand beach. Deep in the jungle, it can be difficult to see the sky through the dense canopy of trees, which can reach dizzying heights of more than 200 feet. This verdant shelter hosts a wealth of wildlife, including 4,000 plant species, 375 kinds of birds and more than 6,000 types of insects. The 700 species of trees that grow on the Osa also provide a home to monkeys, sloths, termites, tree frogs and birds such as parrots, tanagers, flycatchers and scarlet macaws. The forest floor is shared by jaguars, pumas, tapirs and anteaters.

The Osa has two main protected areas – Corcovado National Park and Piedras Blancas National Park. To ensure safe passage for the peninsula’s roaming wildlife, the Conservancy is working with partners to build biological corridors between these two parks.

How The Nature Conservancy Works in the Osa Peninsula

With the Costa Rican government and a strong network of partners, The Nature Conservancy is working to protect and maintain the Osa Peninsula’s forests and coastal areas. We are doing this in a variety of ways, such as:

• Acquiring and protecting land;
• Strengthening the management of protected areas;
• Hiring and training park staff;
• Creating a 100,000 acre biological corridor between Corcovado and Piedras Blancas National Parks; and
• Partnering in a campaign to raise $32.5 million towards conserving the Osa.

Adopt an Acre® of the Osa Peninsula

When you make a $50 donation per acre donation to the Adopt an Acre® program, you will help protect a critical habitat. You can also call 1-800-84-ADOPT to donate.

You can also give Adopt an Acre as a gift – it’s perfect for any occasion.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Sergio Pucci (insect); Photo © Pierre Howard (White-faced capuchin monkey).