Osa Conservation

What Osa Conservation does

Osa Conservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (legally Friends of the Osa) founded in 2003 and headquartered in Puerto Jiménez on the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica, with a US administrative office in Washington, DC. Its mission is to conserve the globally significant biodiversity of southern Costa Rica — a land mass smaller than Los Angeles that hosts 400+ bird species, 140 mammal species, and 500+ tree species — through landscape-level conservation stretching from mountaintops to the ocean floor. The organization manages an 8,124-acre private wildlife refuge called the Osa Conservation Campus, supported by a 30+ km trail system, 100-ft canopy tower, and 7+ km of beach frontage, while coordinating a 1,330,428-acre working landscape that includes the 350-farmer AmistOsa Restoration Network.

The organization operates a portfolio of integrated programs: sea turtle conservation (four endangered species, 145,650 hatchlings released), Rewilding Costa Rica (including White-Lipped Peccary reintroduction), the Farms for Nature regenerative agriculture initiative, and a technology stack spanning the largest camera trap grid in Central America, drone-mounted thermal sensors for anti-poaching, GPS wildlife collars, passive acoustic monitoring, and the first Earth Ranger deployment in Latin America. It also runs structured research and education programs, including the Susan Wojcicki Tropical Field Fellowship, 3–12 month field internships, and an Osa Arboretum spanning 617 acres and 300+ native tree species.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model combining individual donations (online, PayPal, Network for Good, stock gifts, Biome Conservation for Canada-based donors), foundation and corporate grants (Walmart Foundation, Disney Conservation Fund, HCLTech), and earned income from day passes, overnight cabin stays, volunteer fees, and a private Osa Nature Retreat. Strategic content assets include The Nature Dilemma podcast, Camera Trap Chronicles video series, and 45+ co-authored scientific publications. Osa Conservation employs 11–50 staff and is led by an incoming Executive Director, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez (former GEF CEO and three-term Costa Rica Minister of Environment, effective May 2026), with Melissa Aubert serving as Interim Executive Director.

Name

Osa Conservation

Legal name

Friends of the Osa

Website

https://osaconservation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Osa Conservation is a Costa Rica-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects the biodiversity of the Osa Peninsula through an 8,124-acre wildlife refuge, regenerative agriculture, rewilding, sea turtle conservation, and a technology-enabled research campus serving donors, visitors, volunteers, researchers, and 350 partner farmers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation and Biodiversity Protection

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG), Marine Wildlife Sanctuaries & Protected Seascape Visitor Operations (Reef/Marine Parks) (THAAAFAJ), Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Ecotourism experiences
• Habitat restoration programs
• Marine conservation initiatives
• Field research internships

Headquarters

HQ city

Puerto Jiménez

HQ country

Costa Rica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from supporters, with 100% going directly to conservation work. Accepts credit card, PayPal, direct deposit, stock donations, and checks.
2. Foundation Grants: Funding from major foundations including Walmart Foundation for specific conservation programs like the Farms for Nature regenerative agriculture initiative
3. Visitor Experiences: Revenue from Conservation Campus visitors including day passes (Sea Turtle Conservation Pass, Canopy Exploration Pass, Waterfall Excursion Pass, Basic Pass) and overnight stays in conservation cabins
4. Volunteer/Internship Programs: Room and board fees from volunteers and interns participating in conservation programs ($40/day or $3,600 for 3-month internship)
5. Scientific Research Support: Facilitates research by university groups, students, and external researchers at the Conservation Campus
6. REDD+ Financial Incentives: Partnering with farmers to establish biodiverse agricultural areas as priority zones for Costa Rica's REDD+ scheme, generating financial incentives for forest restoration

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Osa Conservation operates an 8,124-acre private wildlife refuge and remote biological research station in Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, delivering landscape-level conservation programs including sea turtle protection, wildlife monitoring via camera trap and acoustic sensor networks, rewilding of endangered species, regenerative agriculture partnerships with 350 local farmers, and scientific research support. The organization generates revenue through donor contributions, foundation grants (e.g., Walmart Foundation), and visitor experiences including day passes, overnight cabin stays, and educational field internships.

Product overview

Osa Conservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating a multi-faceted conservation model centered around its remote Osa Conservation Campus in southern Costa Rica. The organization offers visitor experiences including day passes (Sea Turtle Conservation Pass, Canopy Exploration Pass, Waterfall Excursion, Basic Campus Pass), overnight cabin accommodations, and exclusive private nature retreats. Core programs include Sea Turtle Conservation with hatchery management, Camera Trap Chronicles for wildlife monitoring, Rewilding Costa Rica for species reintroduction, and Farms for Nature for regenerative agriculture. The organization supports scientific research through its field station facilities, publishes research findings, and offers educational programs including the Susan Wojcicki Tropical Field Fellowship and field internships. Media offerings include The Nature Dilemma podcast, the Osa Arboretum online resource, and field guides. Revenue generation comes through visitor fees, donations, and grant funding from foundations like the Walmart Foundation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Osa Conservation Campus Day Visits Day visitor experiences at the Osa Conservation Campus offering multiple pass options including Sea Turtle Conservation Pass, Canopy Exploration Pass, Waterfall Excursion Pass, and Basic Campus Pass with access to 30+ km of trails and the Osa Arboretum. Targeted at tourists and nature enthusiasts.
• Conservation Campus Overnight Stays Overnight accommodations in conservation cabins at the Osa Conservation Campus, including shared or private rooms, unlimited trail access, beach access, and three fresh meals daily prepared by local chefs. Targeted at eco-tourists, researchers, and film crews.
• Osa Nature Retreat Exclusive private retreat offering high-end accommodations in the rainforest overlooking the Pacific coastline for private groups. Targeted at private groups seeking premium rainforest experiences.
• Sea Turtle Conservation Program Flagship initiative protecting four endangered sea turtle species through monitoring, hatchery management, community engagement, and scientific research along 6.5 km of pristine beaches, with 145,650 hatchlings released to date.
• Camera Trap Chronicles Wildlife Monitoring Conservation technology program using the largest camera trap grid in Central America for research and 24/7 monitoring of elusive wildlife from forest floor to canopy, including a YouTube video series featuring wildlife footage.
• Scientific Research & Publications Conservation-led science program supporting research in tropical ecology, climate resilience, and biodiversity through field facilities and collaboration with international researchers, with over 45 publications co-authored.
• Susan Wojcicki Tropical Field Fellowship Fully-funded six-month fellowship program for early-career conservationists and graduate students to conduct research in southern Pacific Costa Rica.
• Sea Turtle Conservation Field Internship Three-month short-term field internship offering hands-on experience in sea turtle conservation including patrols, hatchery maintenance, data collection, and community education, at $40/day ($3,600 for 3 months).
• Field Internships 3-12 month field internship opportunities in tropical biology, ecology, sustainable agriculture, and community involvement at the Osa Conservation Campus.
• Rewilding Costa Rica Initiative Rewilding project focused on reintroducing White-Lipped Peccary and creating forest corridors to restore ecosystem balance and biodiversity in the Osa Peninsula.
• Farms for Nature / Regenerative Agriculture Agricultural sustainability initiative partnering with 350 farmers to implement regenerative farming practices, restore degraded land, establish climate-resilient landscapes, and access REDD+ financial incentives.
• Donation & Support Programs Multiple donation avenues including credit card, direct deposit, stock/securities gifts, PayPal, Network for Good, check donations, and employer-matched contributions supporting conservation work, with 100% pass-through to conservation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 145,650 sea turtle hatchlings released to date
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Biome ConservationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Canadian charity working to combat biodiversity loss that processes donations for Osa Conservation. Since 2018, supporters from Canada can donate through Biome Conservation's website with 100% of donations going directly to Osa Conservation as Biome does not charge administrative fees or overhead.
• National Geographic Pristine SeascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on marine conservation featuring documentary 'OSA: Exploring the Blue' premiering February 2023, highlighting the marine richness of Costa Rica's Corcovado National Park and supporting the push for a Corcovado Marine Protected Area.
• MINAE-ACOSA (Costa Rica Government)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCosta Rica's Ministry of Environment and Energy (ACOSA) working in partnership for protected area management, rewilding initiatives including White-Lipped Peccary reintroduction, and climate adaptation corridor development in southern Costa Rica.
• AmistOsa Restoration Network (350 Farmers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of farmers in the AmistOsa landscape partnering with Osa Conservation to implement regenerative farming plans, establish REDD+ priority zones, and participate in forest restoration and riparian protection initiatives.
• CorcovadoAzulminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeb resource dedicated to marine conservation of the Corcovado region, acting as a hub for news publications, scientific journals, and up-to-date information on the potential Corcovado Marine Protected Area.
• Stanford UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research including avian research studies and collaborative conservation science projects.
• Cornell UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership contributing research assistants and scientific expertise to conservation projects.
• Pacific Sea Turtle NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for sea turtle conservation, collaborating on data collection and population monitoring (SWOT - State of the World's Sea Turtles).
• IUCN Sea Turtle Specialist GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Union for Conservation of Nature specialist group contributing to global sea turtle conservation strategies and data contribution to PRONAMEC.
• Scientific Exploration SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExplorer program supporting Eleanor Flatt and other field researchers in conservation science expeditions.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Lapa Rios Lodge: Boutique eco-lodge on the Osa Peninsula operating within a private reserve adjacent to Corcovado National Park. Highly comparable as a near-neighbor tourism-conservation hybrid in the same Costa Rican peninsula.
• Pacuare Lodge: Costa Rica-based luxury eco-lodge that funds conservation through tourism and partners with NGOs. Compares as a complementary Costa Rica hospitality-conservation model where visitor revenue supports conservation outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• Conservation International: Global environmental nonprofit focused on biodiversity hotspots, scientific research, and policy. Comparable in biodiversity-corridor concept and global funding access but at a much broader portfolio scale.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Global conservation giant working on species protection, habitat preservation, and policy. Comparable in species-and-habitat mission but with a global portfolio and substantially larger fundraising and operational scale.
• The Nature Conservancy: The largest global conservation nonprofit with deep Costa Rica presence and land acquisition strategy. Comparable at the level of conservation science, donor base, and protected-area approach but operates at vastly greater scale and broader geographic mandate.

Direct peers

• Rainforest Trust: Nonprofit that secures threatened tropical habitats through purchase and protected-area designation globally. Shares the conservation land-protection, donor-funded model and biodiversity-first mission with Osa Conservation.
• Amazon Conservation Association: Nonprofit operating a network of biological stations, community programs, and conservation science across the Amazon basin. Matches Osa's biological-station-plus-community-conservation structure and tropical habitat mandate.
• Earthwatch Institute: Nonprofit running paid and grant-funded expeditions pairing citizen scientists with field researchers. Comparable volunteer-paid research-station model and donor-funded science infrastructure to Osa Conservation.
• Corcovado Foundation: Direct Costa Rica-based conservation nonprofit focused on the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce region. Highly comparable in mission (biodiversity, community engagement), geography, and operating model, making it the closest peer.

Emerging players

• Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire: Specialist nonprofit running monitored sea turtle nesting programs with volunteer engagement. Comparable to the Sea Turtle Conservation Program at Osa Conservation, particularly around paid internships and citizen-science data collection.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/osaconservation
• Facebookfacebook.com/osaconservation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/osa-conservation
• Instagraminstagram.com/osaconservation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Osa Conservation