FRIENDS OF THE OSA
Organization Details
Mission Statement
TO PROMOTE LAND STEWARDSHIP, TO ENHANCE THE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF TROPICAL ECOSYSTEMS AND APPLY LEARNING TO CONSERVATION, TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES LIVING ON THE OSA.
Financial Information (2024)
Recent Progress (2026)
From March through June 2026, Friends of the Osa delivered a period of exceptional conservation momentum on the Osa Peninsula. The quarter opened with the Héroes de Bosque / Rainforest Heroes 2026 recognition event drawing nearly 300 community members, then accelerated with the appointment of Carlos Manuel Rodríguez — former Costa Rica Minister of Environment and Energy — as Executive Director in April. May brought a record-breaking Global Big Day count of 275 bird species across 7 communities. The quarter culminated in June with the historic reintroduction of white-lipped peccaries to Piedras Blancas National Park after an 18-year absence — a landmark multi-stakeholder rewilding achievement — alongside 250+ volunteers mobilizing for coastal cleanups at Carate and Corcovado.
Key Achievements
- 🐗White-lipped peccaries were reintroduced to Piedras Blancas National Park after an 18-year absence, requiring collaboration across government, communities, and scientific teams.
- 🌊More than 250 volunteers joined coastal cleanup efforts at Carate and Corcovado National Park, removing multiple kilos of plastic from the shoreline.
- 🎬The 2026 Rainforest Heroes documentary series premiered short films featuring local conservation leaders Yareth and Alex on YouTube.
- 🐆A visiting student group experienced a rare wild puma sighting at the Osa Conservation campus during a 10 km rainforest hike.
- 🤝More than 200 volunteers and multiple partner organizations were recognized for their participation in a conservation effort on the Osa.