Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Osa Peninsula beach
© Emily Whitted/TNC
In just about 400,000 acres, the Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) in Costa Rica contains more distinct tropical ecosystems than any other place on Earth its size. The global importance of this unique region, which faces ever-increasing threats, has led The Nature Conservancy to partner with Conservation International, the Costa Rica-USA Foundation, and the Government of Costa Rica in the Osa Campaign, in an equally unique conservation and fundraising effort. Through the campaign, these partners are conserving the biodiversity of the Osa by strengthening national parks, creating biological corridors among them, and involving local communities in conservation efforts.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation recently awarded the Conservancy $8 million to help protect forested areas in the Osa Peninsula’s Piedras Blancas and Corcovado national parks and the biological corridor connecting them. The gift is part of the $32.5 million Osa Campaign, the largest private fund-raising effort ever for conservation in Costa Rica.
In just about 400,000 acres, the Osa Conservation Area in Costa Rica contains more distinct tropical ecosystems than any other place on Earth its size.
The grant, awarded in November 2004, has been put to good use. In March, 53 new park rangers were hired for the Osa Conservation Area. These new hires nearly double the number of rangers previously patrolling the area. The newly trained and equipped rangers are making the rounds in all seven protected areas in the ACOSA—including Piedras Blancas National Park, Corcovado National Park and the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetland—protecting it from rapidly growing threats such as illegal logging, gold mining, poaching and unsustainable agricultural practices. Newly constructed ranger stations and equipment, also being funded by the Moore Foundation grant, will soon aid them in their efforts.
For More Information about the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica:
- Feature: Rainforests – Trippin’ through Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula
Learn all about rainforests, explore a digital photo scrapbook, take our interactive rainforest quiz, and more!
- How We Work: The Osa Campaign
Working with partners, The Nature Conservancy is conserving the biodiversity of the Osa by strengthening national parks, creating biological corridors between them, and involving local communities in conservation efforts.
- Where We Work: The Nature Conservancy in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known as a leader of the environmental movement and a pioneer of ecotourism in Central America. The Nature Conservancy is working with Costa Rica's leading environmental organizations to protect the country's rich natural heritage.
- Where We Work: Tropical and Temperate Rainforests
Wild and wondrous, rainforests extend from as far as Alaska and Canada to Latin America, Asia and Africa. They nurture thousands of rainforest animals and plants found nowhere else on Earth and provide life's essentials such as our medicines, food and water.
- Places We Protect: The Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica
Located in the southwest corner of Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula encompasses lush primary rain forests and a complex system of freshwater and marine resources.
- Press Release: Moore Foundation Grants $8 Million to The Nature Conservancy to Protect Rain Forests in Costa Rica
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation granted $8 million to The Nature Conservancy to protect forest areas in the Costa Rican Osa Peninsula. This is one of the largest private donations ever given to a conservation project in Central America.
- Archive of our Saves of the Week and Success Stories
Read more about The Nature Conservancy's work to save the last great places on Earth.
