BioSur Foundation

What BioSur Foundation does

BioSur Foundation is a Costa Rican non-profit organization founded in 2019 and headquartered in Puerto Jiménez on the Osa Peninsula. Its stated mission is to protect endangered wildlife by creating rainforest reserves through land acquisition, environmental education of local communities, and engagement with national and international partners. The foundation operates the 135-acre (55-hectare) Rio Nuevo Nature Reserve, a riparian rainforest adjacent to the buffer zone of Corcovado National Park and the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, and runs the Insectopia Rainforest Exhibition & Research Center, which houses more than 8,000 preserved insect specimens designated as a Natural Heritage of Costa Rica.

The foundation's service portfolio spans guided wildlife tours (day, night, bird watching, and butterfly expeditions), a three-tier volunteer program (national, international at $35/day, and scientific), an internship program, and monthly environmental education workshops that reach roughly 500 local children and teenagers annually. Its underlying technology base is modest but domain-specific: bioacoustics research conducted with Imperial College London for wildlife corridor design, plus a curated specimen database supporting biodiversity research and on-site education. The organization also produced the award-winning 'KALU – Growing Up Wild' documentary, narrated by George McGavin, which has aired on BBC and Sky Nature.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid non-profit model combining donations (via the foundation website, GoFundMe, partner platform Yo Me Uno, and the US 501c3 Lands for Biological Diversity), small-unit eco-tourism and volunteer fees, Insectopia visitor admissions ($5–$10), and grants (including repeat awards from the Hilton Global Foundation in 2023 and 2024). The foundation maintains 1–10 staff and a board that includes scientists affiliated with Imperial College London and the University of Costa Rica, supported by operational partnerships with Crocodile Bay Resort, Osa Conservation, and Flysansa.

Name

BioSur Foundation

Legal name

BioSur Foundation

Website

https://biosurfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BioSur Foundation is a Costa Rican non-profit protecting rainforest on the Osa Peninsula through the Rio Nuevo Nature Reserve, the Insectopia research center, guided eco-tours, volunteer programs, and environmental education for local communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rainforest Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE), Jungle/Rainforest Expedition & Survival Tour Operators (THAAADAI), Rainforest & Jungle Ecotourism Tours (THAAAEAF), Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Rainforest conservation
• Environmental education
• Wildlife tours
• Nature reserve
• Volunteer programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Puerto Jiménez

HQ country

Costa Rica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations collected through the BioSur Foundation website, GoFundMe campaign, and partner platform Yo Me Uno. US donors can also contribute through Lands for Biological Diversity (501c3).
2. Eco-Tourism Wildlife Tours: Revenue from guided wildlife tours at Rio Nuevo Nature Reserve including day walks, night walks, bird watching, butterfly tours, and Golfo Dulce expeditions. Tours include certified naturalist guides, transportation, insurance, and equipment.
3. Volunteer Program Fees: Fees charged for volunteer programs: National Volunteer Program (low cost covering expenses), International Volunteer Program ($35/day domestic, $20/day international), and Scientific Volunteer Program (includes food and lodging).
4. Insectopia Visitor Center Admissions: Entry fees to Insectopia Rainforest Exhibition & Research Center: Adults $10, Youth (12 and under) $8, Local residents adults $5, Local youth free.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

BioSur Foundation is a Costa Rican non-profit that protects tropical rainforest on the Osa Peninsula via the Rio Nuevo Nature Reserve (135 acres) and operates the Insectopia Exhibition & Research Center housing 8,000+ specimens. It generates impact through guided wildlife tours, community environmental education programs, volunteer placements, internships, and field research that has contributed to documenting 9 new species. Operations are funded through donations, grants (notably from the Hilton Global Foundation in 2023 and 2024), and service fees from tours and volunteer programs.

Product overview

BioSur Foundation offers a portfolio of conservation-focused products and services centered on rainforest preservation and environmental education in Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. The core offerings include the Rio Nuevo Nature Reserve (135-acre protected rainforest), the Insectopia Rainforest Exhibition & Research Center (housing 8,000+ insect specimens), and Wildlife Tours (guided day, night, bird watching, and insect tours). Supporting programs include Environmental Education Programs reaching 500+ youth annually, three Volunteer Programs (National, International, and Scientific), and an Internship Program. The Foundation also produced the award-winning documentary 'KALU – Growing Up Wild'. These offerings work together to fulfill the Foundation's mission of protecting endangered wildlife through land acquisition, environmental education, and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rio Nuevo Nature Reserve 135 acres of protected primary and secondary tropical rainforest on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, home to scarlet macaws, toucans, jaguars, ocelots, pumas, tapirs, sloths, poison dart frogs, and other species. Open to visitors via guided wildlife tours.
• Guided Wildlife Tours Guide-led tours of the Rio Nuevo Nature Reserve allowing visitors to observe and learn about tropical rainforest wildlife and ecosystems. Targeted at eco-tourists and nature travelers visiting Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula.
• Insectopia Rainforest Exhibition & Research Center On-site exhibition and research center housing 8,000+ specimens of insects and arachnids including ants, beetles, owl butterflies, and other rainforest species. Functions as both a public exhibit and a research facility supporting biodiversity documentation.
• Biodiversity Research Program Field research program at the Rio Nuevo Nature Reserve and Insectopia using bioacoustics and specimen analysis, which has contributed to documenting 9 new species. Supports scientific outputs and species conservation work.
• Environmental Education Programs Structured educational programs aimed at local Costa Rican communities, including schools and students, focused on biodiversity awareness and conservation. Designed to extend the foundation's impact beyond the reserve boundaries.
• Volunteer Program Fee-based volunteer placements at the Rio Nuevo Nature Reserve for individuals seeking hands-on conservation experience in a tropical rainforest setting. Participants contribute to reserve operations and conservation activities.
• Internship Program Structured internship placements for students and early-career researchers in tropical ecology, entomology, and biodiversity research. Offered alongside the open volunteer program through the foundation's website.
• KALU - Growing Up Wild (Documentary) Wildlife documentary produced in association with BioSur Foundation, supporting the organization's media and storytelling output around the Osa Peninsula's rainforest and wildlife.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500 kids & teenagers benefit annually from environmental education programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lands for Biological DiversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-based 501c3 non-profit organization that enables US residents to make tax-deductible donations supporting BioSur Foundation. Jim Cordoba Alfaro manages both organizations.
• Crocodile Bay ResortcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner resort housing the Insectopia Interactive Center in its main building. Provides facility space for the visitor center and research operations.
• Yo Me UnominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional donation platform partner allowing Costa Rican donors to contribute to BioSur Foundation conservation work.
• Wildreach ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduced 'Heart Of The Osa' documentary feature showcasing BioSur Foundation and Osa Peninsula conservation work.
• Imperial College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Jenna Lawson serves as research associate investigating ecosystem conservation technology. PhD research used bioacoustics for wildlife corridor design on Osa Peninsula.
• Botania ResortminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner resort supporting BioSur Foundation conservation initiatives.
• Osa ConservationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner organization working on Osa Peninsula environmental protection.
• FlysansaminorOthersRegional airline partner providing transportation access to Puerto Jimenez for visitors and volunteers.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Global Vision International (GVI): GVI runs fee-based volunteer and internship programs in conservation and community development across multiple countries. Comparable to BioSur's International Volunteer Program ($35/day) and Scientific Volunteer Program pricing model and target audience of impact-driven travelers.
• Earthwatch Institute: Earthwatch runs citizen-science and volunteer expeditions in biodiverse ecosystems globally. Comparable to BioSur's volunteer programs and scientific fieldwork offerings, with overlapping eco-tourism and research participation model.

Broad incumbents

• Conservation International: Conservation International is a global environmental non-profit operating in tropical biodiversity hotspots including Central America. Comparable in mission (rainforest protection, biodiversity, community engagement) but at enterprise-scale with diversified funding and policy influence.
• Rainforest Alliance: Rainforest Alliance is a much larger international NGO focused on biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use across the tropics. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the rainforest conservation space where BioSur operates, but at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.

Direct peers

• Osa Conservation: Osa Conservation is a direct peer — a non-profit operating on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula focused on rainforest protection, wildlife corridor research, and community-based environmental education. It is explicitly listed as a BioSur conservation partner and operates an overlapping geographic footprint with similar programs.
• The Osa Initiative: The Osa Initiative is a conservation non-profit working in the Osa Peninsula on wildlife research, reforestation, and community programs. Directly comparable as a peer NGO operating in the same micro-geography with a similar portfolio of conservation and education programs.
• Rainforest Trust: Rainforest Trust is a US-based non-profit that acquires and protects threatened tropical rainforests globally through land purchases and partnerships. Comparable to BioSur's land-acquisition-driven conservation model and partnership with conservation NGOs worldwide.
• Corcovado Foundation (FUNDECOR): FUNDECOR is a Costa Rican environmental non-profit focused on forest conservation, sustainable land use, and biodiversity protection, with long-standing work tied to the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado region. Highly comparable to BioSur Foundation in mission, geography, and non-profit conservation model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHSXiEXYVAVOLNNGAH1FOMw
• Facebookfacebook.com/biosurfound
• Instagraminstagram.com/biosurfoundation
• TikToktiktok.com/@biosurfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biosur-foundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about BioSur Foundation