Kids as Forest Guardians in Rural Drake Bay

Dear friends, donors, and partners,

As we come to the close of 2025, we would like to sincerely thank you for walking alongside Corcovado Foundation. Thanks to your support, this year we strengthened biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and sustainable livelihoods in Costa Rica’s South Pacific, always working hand in hand with local communities.

The year 2025 was marked by consistent fieldwork, strong partnerships, and shared learning. Below is a summary of the key achievements we accomplished together.

Environmental Education and Community Empowerment

• 126 environmental education activities with community groups, benefiting more than 250 children.
• Implementation of the Forging Wildlife Guardians program in 11 schools, reaching approximately 200 students.
• 3 learning field trips with participating children, fostering direct contact with nature and the development of early environmental awareness.
• Creation and care of 2 school gardens, integrating environmental education, healthy food practices, and teamwork.
• Awareness-raising on illegal wildlife possession, the Wildlife Conservation Law, responsible human–wildlife interactions, and waste management.
• Presentation of the theatrical play “Nico the Parakeet”, created and performed by children as a tool for education and conservation through art.
• 4 agroecological markets and 10 exchanges among producers, strengthening the local economy, collaborative work, and women’s leadership.

Conservation and Restoration

• Protection of sea turtles in Punta Mala and Palo Seco.
• 16 beach cleanups, removing 2,583 kg of waste, including 1,600 kg of plastic.
• Night monitoring, nest relocation, and hatchling releases.
• 500 trees planted (343 native and 157 fruit trees) with 27 families in five communities in the Drake area, contributing to ecosystem restoration and climate resilience.

Sustainable Production and Livelihoods

• Implementation of the Regenerative Livestock Program with 9 small-scale producers in the Osa Peninsula.
• Development and updating of holistic grazing plans, stocking rate analysis, and individualized technical support.
• Functional Nutrition and Genetics Workshop, promoting livestock adapted to tropical conditions and the use of local inputs.
• Donation of materials, equipment, and supplies for the direct implementation of regenerative designs on farms.
• Progress in reducing agrochemical use and strengthening productive autonomy.

Each of these achievements reflects the power of collective action among communities, partners, and individuals committed to conservation.

Thank you for making this possible. We move forward with the conviction that protecting nature also means building a more just and sustainable future.

With gratitude,

Francisco Delgado

Executive Director

Corcovado Foundation

Over the past months, our Environmental Education Program in Bahía Drake has continued to grow, creating meaningful impact among children, youth, and communities committed to the conservation of the Osa Peninsula.

In local schools, we surpassed all expectations: we completed 54 educational sessions and expanded our reach from 7 to 11 schools, a significant achievement that reflects both community trust and the need to strengthen environmental education in the region. More than 200 children took part consistently, with a total participation count of nearly 900 student engagements.

Through hands-on activities, art, games, and guided reflections, students learned about local wildlife, the illegal pet trade, and best practices for coexisting with nature.

A major highlight was a workshop on Costa Rica’s wild cats, led by biologist Gianfranco Gómez, which inspired deep interest and admiration for these emblematic species.

With the environmental groups, we held 60 sessions, strengthening the connection of 86 children with birds, mammals, and local ecosystems. Field walks, citizen-science activities, community service, and participation in local festivals transformed conservation into a lived experience. We also organized two educational field trips to the Yaguará Wildlife Rescue Center, where children learned directly about wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release.

Our educational play, “Nico the Parakeet,” created and performed by local students, was presented at three festivals, carrying a powerful message about the illegal wildlife trade to both school and community audiences. With costumes and sets made from 100% recycled materials, the play beautifully combined creativity and conservation.

Thanks to your support, we also completed additional goals, including the production of 87 educational t-shirts and the creation of the program’s official mascot: Nico the parakeet.

Environmental education continues to be a powerful tool for planting seeds of awareness, empathy, and leadership in the next generation. Every workshop, every walk, and every shared learning moment contributes to building a community that understands and protects its natural heritage.

Thank you for walking with us.

Your support makes it possible for more children to become the future guardians of the forest.
We invite you to continue supporting this work and helping us inspire a lasting culture of conservation.