PROGRAM FOR THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE OSA PENINSULA THROUGH COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND A NEW TRAIL NETWORK

The project will create green jobs for rural communities of the Osa Peninsula and reduce threats to wildlife posed by over-visitation at existing park entrances and illegal hunting, logging and mining.

Project will: 1) create an online reservation system to allow micro- and small tourism businesses to access a broader tourism market, 2) build high-quality infrastructure through the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve to Corcovado to ensure safe and environmentally conscious wildlife observation along three new trails previously used for illegal wildlife and natural resource extraction, 3) train at least 15 adult children of current or former illegal miners, hunters and loggers as certified nature guides who are prepared to lead tourists on these paths, 4) train 10-15 community leaders and park guards on biological inventory and monitoring, and 5) establish long-term community monitoring committees within existing community associations.