Protecting Paradise: Science-Driven Conservation in OSA

Protecting Paradise: Science-Driven Conservation in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula

The Osa Peninsula—ranked by National Geographic as "the most biologically intense place on Earth"—harbours 3% of global biodiversity in just 0.0001% of its landmass. This critical ecosystem faces mounting threats, and we’re implementing data-driven solutions to protect it.

Core Initiatives:

Community Science with Cornell Lab of Ornithology

- Bird Detectives Program (Detectives de Aves): Training local youth in biodiversity monitoring using eBird (global database) and Merlin (AI-powered ID)

- Preparing for Harpy Eagle reintroduction by educating communities on its role as a keystone predator:

- Feeds on primate/sloth populations for balanced seed dispersal

- Enhances rainforest regeneration through trophic cascades

Expanding Environmental Education

- Our Current Reach: Osa Birders Tours currently leads the Bird Detectives program for six students from under-resourced rural schools, bringing hands-on conservation training to communities where such opportunities are scarce.

Local youth are gaining skills to become the guardians of biodiversity

- Next Phase: Scaling to urban public schools in nearby cities, targeting high-impact zones where street litter flows directly into watersheds, creating a conservation pipeline from rainforests to coasts.

- Field-based training in:

- Avian monitoring (point counts, visual surveys)

- Conservation tech (camera traps, bioacoustics)

- Data-to-Action: Student findings directly inform municipal anti-litter campaigns and habitat protection plans.

- Future Vision: Establishing a conservation research and education station where specialists, students, and volunteers collaborate on field data collection, species recovery, and community outreach.

Coastal Ecosystem Protection

- Regular beach cleanups mitigating marine plastic pollution

Our Immediate Needs

To establish our organization, we require a minimum of $1400:

✅ for legal NGO registration and startup costs (CR government requirements)

✅️Transportation for team logistics, paperwork, and materials

Impact

Your support will:

✔️ Establish Costa Rica’s newest legally recognized conservation

✔️ Scale community-led species/habitat monitoring through Bird Detectives

✔️ Lay groundwork for Harpy Eagle reintroduction—a first for the region

✔️ Accelerate development of our research station, creating a permanent hub for conservation training and innovation

Every contribution plants the seed for lasting change. Donate now and be a part of a movement to help protect rainforest ecosystems.

Pura vida y gracias por proteger este laboratorio viviente.

Funds Transfer & Accountability

All donations will be securely transferred by fundraiser organizer Laura Bell directly to Javier Mendoza’s verified Costa Rican bank account.

More About Javier:

- Born and raised in the Osa Peninsula, with lifelong connection to its ecosystems

- Lead instructor for the Bird Detectives Program (Cornell Lab partnership), currently training 6 local students in field research and conservation tech

- Founder and operator of Osa Birders Tours, with 20+ years of on-the-ground expertise in Osa Peninsula ecology

- Responsible for allocating funds to:

- NGO legal registration fees (priority)

- Transportation for organization startup activities

- Snacks/drinks for students during field training (any leftover funds)

From Laura Bell (Organizer & Amateur Ecologist):

"The Osa Peninsula rewrote my understanding of nature. As an amateur ecologist, I came to study its legendary biodiversity—but left inspired by its people. Watching Javier Mendoza (a native Osa conservationist and birder) train local students as ‘Bird Detectives,’ I see true change happening: science and stewardship fusing to protect this living laboratory. Training the next generation of rainforest guardians. I’m channeling that inspiration into action."

Transparency note: I, Laura Bell, is limited to fundraising—Javier manages all project execution and financial reporting.