The trees, the coatis, the monkeys and all the ecosystems that exist within the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge (RNVSO), are a heritage for all Costa Ricans and the world. In order to guarantee their conservation, on May 17th, SINAC together with the administration of the Refuge, built a fence in the external limits in the sector of the main entrance to Playa Guiones.

The sections where it was fenced were areas where the vegetation almost did not exist anymore due to several causes: visitors used them for parking, garbage was thrown there and even commercial activities were carried out. All of this caused the vegetation cover to be lost.

“This work is super important because it helps us to recover the areas of natural vegetation that had been invaded by parking lots and other uses within the Refuge. It is necessary to recover these natural spaces because they provide ecosystem services to all Costa Ricans”, commented Yeimy Cedeño, administrator of the RNVSO.

The construction of the fence was achieved thanks to an alliance between the RNVSO and the Guanacaste Airport in Liberia. There are piggy banks at the airport for passengers to donate and thus raise money to implement improvements within the Refuge.

In addition to contributing donations, the airport also sent volunteers to place posts and build the fence. Volunteers from the Nosara Fire Department, the Harmony Hotel and workers from the Nosara Civic Association also participated in the project.

“As allies of the Refuge, the collaborators of Guanacaste Airport gladly collaborate in the fencing. We know the importance of these actions to allow the regeneration of the ecosystem. We are happy to participate in this activity that promotes environmental awareness and learning to live in harmony with the protected area,” said César Jaramillo, general manager of Guanacaste Airport.

For now, the most vulnerable areas have been chosen, but the administration of the Refuge hopes to continue receiving donations from the airport to continue with the fencing of the refuge.

“For us at the Harmony Hotel and also as members of this community, it is very important to protect the Refuge, since in this way we can guarantee the conservation of all the species of animals and fauna that inhabit there, a valuable space for the Ticos and for the rest of the world”, added Adrián Arias, maintenance manager of the Harmony Hotel.

The Nosara Civic Association invites our members and friends of the community to support the Refuge in taking care of these fences and avoiding any type of vandalism on them. We have seen how many of the signs at the entrances have been scratched or broken and make the area look ugly and unkempt.

The Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, which includes the beaches of Guiones and Pelada, is home to all of us who live here and is the joy of many who visit us. Let’s show that together we can be a model community that lives in harmony, respect and admiration for the nature that surrounds us.