Scaling Rare and Endemic Tree Conservation in the AmistOsa region of Costa Rica (Phase 3)

Scaling Rare and Endemic Tree Conservation in the AmistOsa region, Southern-Pacific Costa Rica (Phase 3)

Partner: Osa Conservation
Years: 2025-2028 – Phase 3

Rare and endemic trees in southern Costa Rica have been historically under-studied and under-protected and face mounting threats from climate change and land-use conversion. Supported by Fondation Franklinia since 2019, Osa Conservation has laid the groundwork for long-term protection, by mapping rare individuals, refining propagation techniques, and building local knowledge.

Caryocar costaricense

Building on successes from a first and a second phase, this initiative scales capacity and impact, safeguarding the future of southern Costa Rica’s most vulnerable tree species through an integrated strategy of monitoring, propagation, restoration, and community engagement.
Osa Conservation strategically collects seeds and develops phenological calendars for 16 species and uses remote sensing to map rare individuals. This project strengthens nursery infrastructure, expands propagation efforts, and incorporates seedlings into restoration plantings across Osa Conservation’s 1.5 million-acre working landscape.
Local communities play a leading role, equipped with the skills to protect these species for generations to come. Osa Conservation is training 25 local monitors, engaging at least 150 children and 150 visitors, and hosting taxonomic workshops for National System of Conservatio Areas (SINAC) rangers and local landowners. The Osa Arboretum is maintained with 2,000 rare trees, 28.6 km of trails, while improving access for research, conservation training and public engagement. A future in which Costa Rica’s rare and endemic trees thrive is within reach, and this phase brings it closer to reality.
The tree species targeted by this project are: Aiouea obscura (VU), Anthodiscus chocoensis (EN), Beilschmiedia osacola (CR), Caryocar costaricense (EN), Cedrela odorata (VU), Chrysophyllum sierpense (CR), Copaifera camibar (EN), Couepia osaensis (CR), Couratari guianensis (VU), Couratari scottmorii (EN), Dacryodes talamancensis (EN), Handroanthus chrysanthus (VU), Huberodendron allenii (EN), Hymenaea osanigraseminae (EN), Inga bracteifera (EN), Inga golfodulcensis (EN), Lonchocarpus calcaratus (EN), Magnolia wetteri (EN), Matisia tinamastiana (EN), Oreomunnea pterocarpa (EN), Paramachaerium gruberi (CR), Peltogyne purpurea (VU), Pera oppositifolia (CR), Pleodendron costaricense (CR), Pouteria juruana (EN), Pouteria spicata (VU), Pouteria triplarifolia (EN), Pradosia golfodulcensis (VU), Quararibea aurantiocalyx (CR), Quercus insignis (EN), Styphnolobium sporadicum (EN), Tachigali versicolor (EN), Vitex cooperi (EN), Williamodendron glaucophyllum (EN), Wimmeria sternii (EN).