Terrestrial conservation

As part of the Protected Areas Program, we carry out terrestrial conservation efforts through the administration and technical support of the II Debt for Nature Swap between the United States and Costa Rica (IICD).

The IICD is a bilateral agreement to finance the consolidation of prioritized terrestrial Protected Areas of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), under the framework of the commitments assumed by the Government of Costa Rica before the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Prioritized areas

The II Debt-for-Nature Swap supports 43 terrestrial protected areas prioritized by the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC).

We invite you to learn more at the II Debt-for-Nature website

Achievements in 2023

New projects for

US$ 0

Protected Areas Supported

Featured Projects:

1. Tenorio Volcano National Park and its Protected Zone now have updated planning tools

The project had a high level of participation from the local communities surrounding the PNVT and ZPT protected areas. These areas are among the most visited in the country because of the Celeste River waterfall and its cultural and ceremonial value for the Maleku indigenous community. This community was integrated into the process, with specific workshops held within their territory.

"The process developed for updating the Plan is of great importance, not only for having an updated planning instrument that technically guides the actions to be developed in the management of the Protected Area, but also because it represented a challenge and a qualitative change in the strategic and methodological approach to its construction, together with strategic partners and local stakeholders. At the end of the process, we defined 29 projects to be developed systematically during the lifespan of the General Management Plan, jointly with strategic partners and local stakeholders to achieve the efficient management of the ecological integrity of ecosystems and species, as well as the participation and sustainable use of biodiversity." Celso Alvarado, Director of Protected Wildlife Areas - ACAT

2. Biodiversity Management Priorities in the Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT)

The project involved the development of a technology platform, accessible to members of civil society organizations, that systematizes, analyzes, and stores information on the impact of the ACT's actions on the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.

It also prioritized implementation activities for the Regional Natural Resources Management Plan, including:

Restoration of mangrove areas and monitoring their ecological integrity in Las Baulas National Marine Park.

Stuying the capacity of ecosystemas to absorb the effects of tourism and designing strategies to control visitation to the Iguanita and Cipanci Wildlife Refuges.

Monitoring the water quaility of the Tempisque River as a way to control the use of pesticides in the agricultural landscape of the neighboring communities of the Cipanci Willife Refuge.