Profundidad de navegación: Principal / Descripcion de los Programas

Neotropicourses - Short Term

Self - Management Sustainable Development: The Case of the Osa Peninsula: the Reality of the Southern Region of Costa Rica

In this educational field program, participants will have the opportunity to see current examples in which organized groups, communities, families and individuals are aware of the importance of sustainable development alternatives and implementing them in their daily lives.

Description of program activities:

- Lecture Who we are, what we do and where are we heading?: In this introductory lecture, the visitor can get a clear idea of what is done at Fundacion Neotropica´s field station, its goals, objectives and vision. Also, our staff will explain the relationship with communities in the Osa Peninsula and how they get involve in projects implemented by the Organization and get to know the people who make up the station’s team. Also participants will know the security protocol to be followed during the program.

- Night Walk in the Heliconia Trail: the station also has a forest dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of biodiversity; people who participate in this program will have an opportunity to learn about nocturnal life in the trail.

- Visit to the Community La Gamba: this community located east of Piedras Blancas National Park faced a difficult situation when this protected area was created, since they used to live out of its resources. Fundacion Neotropica, supported by Austrian Cooperation, executed the project "Strengthening Community Self-Management Capacity of La Gamba". This project had great results empowering women entrepreneurs groups and strengthening community interactions. These opportunities are still working for the community allowing them to improve their quality of life. Participants in this activity will have the opportunity to share with the community members and learn from their stories. The activity includes an explanation of the project by community leaders, a cultural event with school children and visits to the sustainable productive projects.



- Organic Farm Kobo: this is a good example of how agriculture can become a sustainable activity. For chocolate lovers, this is the perfect opportunity to learn about the process of the cocoa beans to become chocolate. Enjoy real high quality chocolate.

- Activity with the local Fishermen's Association: members of this association will provide an introductory talk explaining their project. During the activity, they will analyze the importance of conservation of the Golfo Dulce and the creation of alternative methods to take advantage of the natural resources in a sustainable way. The field visit starts visiting different ecosystems of the area, such as estuaries, coastal forests, mangroves and coral reefs, also includes a visit to the archaeological site "Palenque Cevaka". The group will also get a chance to see structures formed in the Gulf shaped like hummocks and participate in an activity of snorkeling and artisan fishing. In the way back, they will visit local “melina” plantations nearby to analyze the environmental impact of this kind of plantation.

- Visit to Danta Corcovado Lodge: is a local family business that aspires to be the leader in rural sustainable tourism in the Osa Peninsula, a model of local development and example of conservation of natural resources.

- Walk through the Waterfall Trail: a short hike by the community of El Campo where the Neotropica´s field station is located. Participants will have time to enjoy the waterfall before returning to San Jose.




Program Itinerary:

Day 1:
• Introduction of the Neotropica Foundation and general information at the headquarters of the organization
• Transfer to the CEEC AWT
• Talk about the CEEC AWT Who we are, what we do and where are we heading?
• Night Walk in the Heliconia Trail

Day 2:
• Visit to the community of La Gamba
• Organic Farm Kobo
• Lecture “Osa Sustainable Tourism, a paradox?”

Day 3:
• Activity with the local Fishermen's Association
• Visit to Danta Corcovado Lodge

Day 4:
• Hike along the Waterfall Trail
• Return to San Jose






The EP are programs designed to promote transformative and experiential learning.

These programs don’t just provide the participants the opportunity to see exotic and unique places, but also put them in close contact with the social-environmental realities of the areas visited. These programs are “tailor made” and they are adaptable to the academic needs of the group and they will be designed according to te goals and objectives of the visiting group. These programs include visits to the South and North Pacific Region, and the Central Caribbean of Costa Rica.


The proceeds of these recreational/educational activities are funneled directly to small rural community tourism operations and sustainable tourism ventures that have been thoroughly evaluated by Fundación Neotrópica’s team (with 25 years of experience in environmental work). The percentage going to Fundación Neotrópica supports the work of its Centers for Studies and Community Empowerment to improve the community conservation options and the social wellbeing of the region you are visiting.

Etiquetassss: Educacion ambiental, Ceec-awt, Península de osa

Fecha: 01/06/2011