Costa Rica’s Greenwashing: The Fight for Authentic Environmentalism

In a world increasingly driven by environmental consciousness, few things offer a greater sense of satisfaction than making a purchase that promises to benefit the planet. Whether it’s a product labeled “organic,” “eco-friendly,” or a vacation stay in an “ecotourism” lodge, these choices are marketed as contributions to a healthier Earth. Yet, the allure of […]
Discovery and Conservation of the Tlalocohyla Celeste: A New Leap in Costa Rican Biodiversity

The journey to the discovery of Tlalocohyla celeste within the lush confines of Costa Rica’s Tapir Valley Nature Reserve is a tale of curiosity, perseverance, and scientific inquiry. Spearheaded by Donald Varela Soto, a local naturalist, and supported by biologist Valeria Aspinall, this endeavor highlights the critical role of local expertise and scientific collaboration in […]
Costa Rica’s African Palm Oil Dilemma: Unraveling the Ecological Catastrophe

The introduction of African palm (Elaeis guineensis) to Costa Rica can be attributed to several actors and factors. The first to arrive in the region was The United Fruit Company, which introduced the crop in response to the Panama banana plight of the 1940s. Another key driver behind the introduction of African palm was the […]
In the Footsteps of the Jaguar: A Journey into the Heart of Jaguar Territory

In the year 2014, amidst the bustling city life of Paris, a new journey was unfolding. Artist Tico Haroutiounian found himself captivated by a vision of mystical allure. Locked behind the bars of a Parisian zoo, was a Melanic jaguar (Panthera onca), exuding a captivating beauty and aura that held Tico spellbound. His attraction was […]
Successful Reforestation Project in Osa Peninsula

Reforestation is a crucial and necessary step to prevent biodiversity loss. The Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica is one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, with over 2.5% of the world’s species. Unfortunately, the rainforest in the region has been under threat for years due to development. Grow Jungles, dedicated to reforestation and many other […]
Ecological Diversity And Its Role In Nature

An introduction to the ecological hierarchy Populations Communities Ecosystem Biome Biosphere What is ecological diversity? Ecological diversity is the largest scale of biodiversity. On a global scale, ecological diversity would look into the variation in ecosystems such as deserts, grasslands, forests, oceans, and wetlands. Within each ecosystem, there is a great deal of both […]
Biodiversity As The Vital Building Block For Sustaining A Healthy Rainforest

Rainforests are found on every continent except Antarctica. The four critical layers in which they are made up include: Emergent Trees 200 feet (60meters) Grow far apart and tall. Branches reaching above the canopy. Upper canopy A deep layer of vegetation roughly 20 feet (6 meters) thick. Houses most of the rainforest’s animal species and […]
Top 5 Countries In The World For Conservation

USING MEGAFAUNA AS AN INDEX FOR SUCCESS: Megafauna (from Latin greek Megas ‘large’ and fauna ‘animal life’) comprises of the large or giant animals of an area. Megafauna has been used as a conservation index because they are particularly valuable in economic, ecological, and societal terms. Recent studies have indicated that 60% of the world’s […]