Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

As we have said before, Osa Peninsula can be described in one word: Biodiverse. Its biodiversity is the greatest strength of this Costa Rican region. You can see wild creatures left and right! In order for animals and wildlife to live a healthy life, we must be active and help conserve their homes and habitats. People in the community have already started! Geospatial educator, Amy taught the community to use technologies such as GIS and GPS to assist them in projects in efforts to conserve the environment and to teach others about the Osa. The introduction of these technologies have been another huge strength of this region. 

About 25 years ago, the Osa Peninsula was heavily involved in agricultural industries such as rice, beans, forestry and cattle production. Now, the entire community revolves around the Whale Tale. Communities surrounding the Osa Peninsula have become more involved in the ecotourism movement which has built Costa Rica into the country it is today. With ecotourism and the need to conserve the country's natural environment, technologies such as GPS and GIS have been introduced to the peninsula. Major companies, such as Geoporter, have influenced communities and the way they approach conversation.

For example, Geoporter has allowed the community surrounding the Whale Tale to use GPS and GIS technologies to map heavily polluted areas for trash, and to see where trash cans should be properly placed. Every week, citizens of the community come together to collect trash and trash map. Also, those who visit the community center build trash and recycle receptacles out of recycled materials and paint the bins with bright colors and pictures of sea animals. Employees of the community, such as those working in the community center or other ecotourism groups, also work together to teach tourists and citizens about the importance of conservation through boat tours and other park activities.

To learn more about Geoporters, click here:

Bahia Aventuras, a boat and nature tour operator in Uvita, has three stars for sustainability. The Bahia Aventuras team shares a love for education and conservation with tourists who come visit the area. 

The Osa has been shielded from the rest of the country with its dense forest cover and rocky terrain, which may be why the area is known for its sustainable ecotourism. But with growing popularity, the area will have to work hard to keep up its sustainable practices. Forests are being cut down due to improved transportation and development. Lands are also being cleared for logging and agriculture more than anywhere else in Costa Rica.

Local conservation groups have to fight off developers who want to build on natural areas to make a profit. There is an on-going controversy to build an international airport on the Osa, which would destroy wetland habitats and could bring in too many travelers. There are also constant issues of people wanting to build concession stands in protected areas such as parks. 

Read more about:

Threats and protecting the Osa

The development of an international airport

The fight against concession stands

Biodiversity- the variety of life on earth, reflected in the variety of ecosystems and species, their processes and interactions, and the genetic diversity within and among species. 

Peninsula- A piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of water.

Conservation- the use of natural resources in a way that assures their continuing availability to future generations; the intelligent use of natural resources for long-term benefits.

Sustainable- using natural and human resources in a way that does not compromise the needs of future generations

Ecotourism- travel to a natural destination that...

Minimizes impact

Builds environmental and cultural awareness and respect

Provides positive experiences for visitors and hosts

Provides direct financial benefits for conservation

Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people

Respects the host countries' political, environmental, and social climate

The Osa Peninsula is located in south pacific Costa Rica and is home to many different kinds of animals. Here, you can find animals such as scarlet macaws, baird’s tapir, and even whales! The area has a lot of biodiversity. The whale season is from July through November. The Osa Peninsula is famous for the “whale tail” which is named for the way that the water and the land come together. When the tide is low, the land looks like a whale’s tail.

The Baird's Tapir, commonly found on the Osa Peninsula

A Geoporter is someone who travels to different parts of the world and uses special electronic tools to help the people who live there. These tools are called geospatial technologies. The Geoporter teaches the local people how to use the geospatial technologies in order to solve problems in their community.

In Costa Rica, the Geoporter’s name is Amy. Amy was born in the the United States and studied geography in college. She moved to Costa Rica to help people who live in the Osa Peninsula community.

The geospatial technologies that are used are called GPS and GIS. The Costa Ricans use these tools to improve their community by finding the location of whales, trash, and mosquitos that carry a dangerous disease called dengue.

Osa Peninsula Crossword Puzzle

Use these clues to help you find the answers to the puzzle. You can also print the image and clues for a worksheet.

ACROSS

2. A ____ is land that has three sides of it that are surrounded by water

6. A ___ company does not make a profit off of the help they provide

8. Sea life that is tracked with a GPS

9. GEOPORTers is trying to ____ the environment

10. A form of technology used to conserve the environment

DOWN

1.This is what the community tries to do with trash, and sometimes they get creative with it.

3. What the community is trying to save

4.This is how GEOPORTers gets all their technology

5.These people help the environment when they visit this area

Ten years ago, the conservation efforts on the Osa Peninsula were underway, but it didn’t start to really improve and take off until technology came into the picture. A lot of the conservation that goes on here is through a company called GEOPORTers. They use technology in order to conserve the environment, and educate people on the environment.  They do many things with technology that has really made a positive impact on the environment. So far the company and citizens of this area do not believe that there are any weaknesses to using the technology. The man we interviewed stated that himself and the community believe the technology will only continue to increase conservation and will not harm the environment with the ways that they are using these devices.  All the technology that they use for these conservation efforts have been donated by people in the United States and England.

Using hand held GPS systems to track trash. After tracking the trash, the company can see where the most trash was and where to put trash cans.

Also, using the GPS systems, they track wildlife. When they spot a whale, dolphin, or sea turtle, they use the GPS to mark where the spotting of the sea life was. They have even used them to track other wildlife like pumas.

Questions to think about:

1. What other technology might come out in the future that will help conserve the environment?

2. Do you have any ideas of how other forms of technology could be used to conserve the environment?