Three years ago, T he Corcovado Foundation environmental lawyer, Steve Mack, was responsible for establishing and coordinating the Osa Corridor Project. Thanks to his efforts the Corcovado Foundation has taken the lead in consolidating a biological corridor uniting Corcovado National Park , Piedras Blancas National Park , and the Sierpe Térraba Wetlands, in the northern portion of the peninsula.
This corridor is crucial to the survival of large mammals present in Corcovado National Park such as the Jaguar, puma, and tapir, and is absolutely essential in maintaining the peninsula's extremely high level of biodiversity. In the last six months, the project has been carrying out basic studies to define the legal situation of lands in the corridor and prepared a map identifying areas which must be conserved. Based on the results of these studies, this work will begin to consolidate the corridor through the purchase of lands, the better management of existing protected areas, and the support of landowners in the area to conserve forests on private lands.
Other agencies that collaborate with us:
Besides the Corcovado Foundation (which coordinates the project), other members of the Commission include:
- The Nature Conservancy, ACOSA staff (ACOSA is the governmental agency responsible for the management of protected areas on the Osa)
- The National Biodiversity Institute ( INBio ).
- The Neotropica Foundation (which operates the Tropical Education Training Center on the Peninsula ).
- The TUVA Foundation (a local conservation organization based in Puerto Jimenez).
- The Environmental and Natural Resources Law Center ( CEDARENA ).
I n January 2001 the commission received a grant from the Costa Rica - USA Foundation and since then has been working very actively to obtain precious information in order to maintain this unique and priceless natural treasure.
These areas of work and the responsible organizations are as follows:
Operational support for Corcovado and Piedras Blancas National Parks : Corcovado Foundation
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Land Tenure and Private Conservation: CEDARENA (with local organizations)
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Biological Corridor Design: INBio and The Nature Conservancy
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The Guaymi de Osa Indigenous Reserve: The TUVA Foundation (with the Indigenous Development Association of the Reserve)
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Environmental Education and Documentation Center : The Neotropica Foundation
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Protection and Control: ACOSA (with local organizations)
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World Heritage Site and Man and Biosphere Reserve Nominations: CATIE/W.C.S.
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Land Purchases in Piedras Blancas National Park : The Nature Conservancy
The consolidation of the biological corridor addressed by this project was identified by ACOSA as its highest priority over the next five years in a Conservation Site Planning exercise facilitated by The Nature Conservancy in April and May 2000.
This project will take an ecosystem approach to planning and implementing the expansion of the Osa's protected natural area. This approach aims to use primarily biological criteria to maximize inclusion of the most important areas, and will result in a larger and unified protected area, under a single administration and with a single cohesive and comprehensive management and protection strategy.
