“Forest Friends: Restoring Wildlife Corridors in Osa”

In the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, forests that once connected wildlife habitats are becoming increasingly fragmented by development, roads, and land-use change. For endangered species such as the Central American squirrel monkey, these fragmented landscapes make it harder to find food, move safely, and survive long term.

Our organization was created to respond to this challenge through community-led restoration. We work directly with local landowners, women’s groups, students, guides, and families to restore biological corridors by planting native and endangered tree species that provide food and shelter for wildlife. To date, we have planted more than 11,000 trees across 14 properties on both public and private land.

What makes our work unique is that restoration is also a tool for strengthening the local green economy. We purchase trees from a women-led nursery and train and employ local community members to participate in planting, maintenance, and monitoring activities. In a region where conservation jobs are limited, restoration creates meaningful opportunities for people to become active guardians of their ecosystems.

Our long-term goal is to expand habitat connectivity for wildlife while building a restoration network led by local communities. Funding from this project would help us scale up tree planting, support local labor, improve long-term monitoring of restoration sites, and strengthen the survival of planted trees.

One of our biggest challenges is securing stable funding for the human work behind restoration. While tree donations are sometimes available, labor for planting, maintenance, and follow-up care is often difficult to fund. This support would help us continue building a model where ecological restoration and community wellbeing grow together.