By Alejandra Monge | Executive Director
After more than 20 years of protecting the unique wilderness of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, the Corcovado Foundation is in danger of shutting up shop completely at the end of February.
2016 was not a great year for our small and passionate team of conservationists. Hurricane Otto and the unusually bad rainy season severely damaged business at our non-profit hostel, Drake Bay Backpackers. We needed to evacuate a group of sea turtle volunteers in November due to the severe weather. And we were unlucky with our grant applications and regular fundraisers.
Our environmental programs- sea turtle conservation, environmental education, sustainable tourism and development- are not only essential for the protection of biodiversity in the Osa Peninsula, but are also very near and dear to our hearts. Each one of us has been working hard to save our foundation and the communities we support. But we need your help!
In Rio Oro, Aida Garcia, our director of sea turtle conservation has just completed a gruelling 6 month nesting season, protecting 2400 green, olive ridley and hawkbill nests with local leaders and volunteers. Aida has worked for the program since 2013 and is out there on the beach, recording the data, protecting the hatchlings and often getting drenched to the bone.
“I never dreamed that I would be able to be right in front of a turtle while it was nesting. It was and is one of the best shows of my life. It’s such a joy to be able to be able to share my passion and the occasional madness of the project with all the volunteers and tourists who come to collaborate with us; and to contribute my grain of sand to conservation.” (Aida Garcia)
Alvaro Amo and Helena Pita, our environmental education team, work with 20 schools in disadvantaged communities across the southern pacific of Costa Rica. Since 2012, they have worked to create real change in the attitudes of young people in the region through weekly after school groups, tutoring, leadership programs and teacher training.
"Our project is so important for improving the socio-economic circumstances of children in rural communities. We empower them to determine their own futures with an awareness and passion for their natural environment" (Helena Pita)
Last but certainly not least, Alejandra Monge and Francisco Delgado. Officially known as our executive director and administrative director; but more accurately described as the heart and soul of the foundation. Alejandra has been there for us since 2001, putting up with our various dramas and telling us not to bite our nails! Fran has tirelessly driven all around the country, setting up sustainable tourism projects and dealing with our endless requests for more colored pencils, sea turtle patrol backpacks and car parts.
“Persistence is my word for 2017. This organization and its mission has meant so much to me and I won’t stop fighting until the end! I’ll go down with this ship if I have to.” (Alejandra Monge)
In the communities in which we work, local people often resort to illegal logging, poaching and hunting in order to feed their families. Many have very limited access to education and suffer social problems such as teenage pregnancy, addiction and abuse. By involving local people in our conservation projects and training them to develop their own ideas and businesses, we can improve the lives of rural Costa Rican people, while protecting the spectacular ecosystems that surround us.
We are asking all of our previous donors, anyone who has volunteered with us, worked for us or stayed with us to Make a Difference and donate $1 to save our environmental programs. You can contribute by:
However you can donate, however much you can donate, you will be helping to save thousands of sea turtles from poaching, educate 600 children in the importance of their natural world, empower 11 projects from several different communities to create sustainable rural tourism, and support 14 passionate (and worried) conservationists!
THANK YOU FROM THE WHOLE TEAM!
Alejandra Monge Natalia Andraws
Francisco Delgado Marvin Alvarez
Aida Garcia Charlotte Rogers
Alvaro Amo Ana Margarita Suarez
Helena Pita Marcela Peña
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