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Reserva Natural Río Nuevo – Rainforest Conservation & Education Hub in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula

Trust T1

Climate Zones: Tropical rainforest.
Regenerative Focus: Biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and community engagement.

About this land node

BioSur Foundation manages this land node to protect tropical rainforest and endangered wildlife in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. The organisation creates reserves, conducts scientific research (e.g., insect sampling and camera traps) and offers environmental education for local and international communities, engaging volunteers, interns and researchers to raise awareness of the region’s ecological significance.

Overview

Project Vision: To safeguard the Osa Peninsula’s biodiversity and promote sustainable community development.
Project Purpose: To safeguard endangered wildlife by acquiring rainforest reserves, providing environmental education and collaborating with national and international partners; it also promotes scientific research through volunteer and internship programs and manages the Insectopia Interactive Center while offering guided wildlife tours.
Project Title: Reserva Natural Río Nuevo
Political Location: Puerto Jiménez, Costa Rica

Ecology & biodiversity

Biodiversity context: Part of the Osa Peninsula biodiversity hotspot, which contains ~2.5% of global biodiversity.
Ecological corridors: Part of the corridor linking Corcovado National Park to Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve.
Natural boundaries: Located within the Río Nuevo watershed draining into Golfo Dulce.
Ecosystem unity: Sits in a lowland tropical rainforest linking river valleys to coastal mangroves; forms a continuous habitat connecting Corcovado National Park and Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve.

Climate & water

Climate Zones: Tropical rainforest.
Rainfall patterns: Rainy season May–Nov with peaks around 500 mm/month; dry season Dec–Apr with reduced rainfall.
Average Rainfall: >3,000 mm per year.
Temperature Extremes: 22°C to 32°C.
Average Temperature: 27°C.
Watershed: Río Nuevo watershed feeding into Golfo Dulce.
Nearby water bodies: Near Río Nuevo (on site), Golfo Dulce (5 km) and Pacific Ocean (8 km).

Land & terrain

Elevation & slope: 10–50 m; flat to gentle slopes.
Landforms: Lowland rainforest, river valleys and nearby mangroves.
Soil Types: Alluvial and clay-rich soils with high fertility, supporting dense rainforest growth.
Soil health: High organic matter; some areas recovering from past land use.
Erosion risk: Moderate erosion in cleared areas; mitigated through reforestation and conservation.
Renewable resource potential: Solar energy (high potential), rainwater harvesting, biomass from forest.

People & history

Land Acknowledgements: Honours Ngäbe and Boruca peoples as original inhabitants.
Recent land history: Conservation efforts maintain ecosystems and water cycles.

Regenerative practice

Regenerative Focus: Biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and community engagement.
Regenerative Methodologies: Conservation, reforestation, camera-trap monitoring and environmental education.
Environmental objectives: Conserve biodiversity, protect rainforest ecosystems and support scientific research.
Community objectives: Foster community participation, provide environmental education and create sustainable livelihoods.
Community engagement: Research programs, volunteer opportunities, eco-tours and community workshops.
Economic Model: Donations, eco-tourism and sales from the nature store (e.g., T-shirts, jewellery).

Impact

Expressed Impact: Conserved 55 ha of rainforest, monitored more than 200 bird species and engaged over 300 community members in conservation.
Key impact metrics: Number of species monitored, hectares conserved and community members engaged.

Visiting & links

Nearest urban centres: 8 km from Puerto Jiménez.
Website: https://biosurfoundation.org/
Social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biosurfoundation/; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BioSurFoundationCostaRica