In a town whose reputation has been largely built on its exciting range of physical activities, it’s easy to understand why those whose lives are anchored by yoga, surfing or some other physical activity may feel a unique brand of frustration right now. For days, perfect waves have been rolling in like forbidden fruit. Yoga, pilates, martial arts, and other classes have been pulled. The beaches are off limits, the social scene has come to a grinding halt, and everyone out there is wondering what will happen next. The answer to this looming question is as simple as it is complex: We don’t know.

What we do know is this: If lockdown and self-quarantining must take place then there’s few places many would rather be than Nosara. Yes, so much has changed. However, so much remains the same, particularly, the elements which drew us here in the first place. The waves will always roll in, and eventually life will return to normal. In the meantime the sun still shines, the birds still sing, the monkeys still howl, and the natural world goes on. And despite the current situation we face courtesy of coronavirus, that ‘natural world,’ is still freely accessible.

The NCA trail system was created as a way for visitors, locals, residents, and expats to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and delicate ecosystems that surround us. If there was ever a time to get back to nature, and remind ourselves of the treasures on our doorstep, that time is now. So If you absolutely feel the need to take a walk in nature then use the trails.

Just please remember social distancing.

First, a disclaimer: In no way do the NCA encourage people to dismiss coronavirus protocols, particularly those related to social distancing. However, we’re all smart enough to take a hike through these local woodlands without being told what’s acceptable and what’s not. It’s a small town, and the possibility of bumping into friends is very real. That’s why we love it here. However, just because we can’t fall into each other’s arms doesn’t preclude us from momentarily enjoying each other’s company from a safe distance, even if it’s just a smile or a wave.

And, whether it be on the trail system or on your own property, we’d like to offer a way to help preserve the natural beauty; by documenting and recording it.

Earlier in the year, the NCA produced a blog post about a cellphone app called I-naturalist. I-naturalist combines citizen science and rapid assessments to identify, evaluate, track and record biodiversity in places where mankind has butted heads with the natural world. Places like Nosara.

By recording and sharing their observations this free mobile application allows users to help wildlife organizations make better-educated decisions to minimize the impact of development on wildlife.

In Nosara, iNaturalist is already playing a key role in conservation programs. However, it would be wonderful if we could get more people on board, thus significantly adding to the data already acquired. I-Naturalist is a superb means of gaining insight into behavior, movements, and patterns of the species that live here. To download it, click here. 

iNaturalist is very simple to use, but for more information check out this short tutorial video.