Biological Diversity:

Turquoise blue waters, cascading waterfalls, lush primary forests, and pristine tropical beaches are just a few of the Osa Peninsula’s countless natural wonders that Friends of the Osa works to conserve and protect. This boot shaped peninsula is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just above the Panamanian border.

The Osa’s high level of biological diversity coupled with its unique combination of distinct tropical ecosystems have made it a high global conservation priority. It is here one can find the largest intact mangrove ecosystem in Pacific Mesoamerica, the most significant remaining areas of lowland Pacific tropical rainforest, and one of only four tropical fjords on the planet, the Golfo Dulce. These ecosystems, and numerous others, provide habitat that is essential for the Osa’s plentiful wildlife. 

Friends of the Osa’s efforts are particularly concentrated in the Osa National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR), a private conservation initiative that spans over 1800 hectares of primary lowland forest in the southeastern tip of the peninsula. The refuge is situated in the Matapalo-Cocovado Biological Corridor, in the southern part of the peninsula. This expanse of critical wildlife habitat stretches from the cape of Matapalo to the southern edge of Corcovado National Park.

General Location:

Friends of the Osa’s efforts are concentrated on the forests extending south from Corcovado National Park. This expanse of critical wildlife habitat stretches from the cape of Matapalo to the southern edge of Corcovado National Park. The complex mosaic of mostly privately-owned lands is commonly referred to as the Carate---Matapalo Corridor. It is referred to as a corridor becasue these lands connect with the national park and serve as a de facto extension of the boundaries of Corcovado.

Our Niche:

Other complimentary large-scale conservation efforts, such as projects carried out by the Nature Conservancy, focus on protection of the biological corridor spanning north from Corcovado along the arc of the peninsula to Piedras Blancas National Park.  Friends of the Osa is currently the only conservation organization with an on-the-ground presence in the Carate-Matapalo Corridor.

At a finer level of detail, much of the work that Friends of the Osa carries out takes place within the context of the Osa National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR).  The ONWR is a private protected area initiative that spans over 1,800 hectares of primary lowland forest in the heart of Carate-Matapalo Corridor. We work in partnership with landowners and the Costa Rican government to provide oversight and land stewardship for the Refuge.