In 2004, we - Reinaldo Aguilar and Catherine V. Bainbridge - purchased the property Los Charcos de Osa in recognition of its potential for scientific study, and as a place where habitats could be rehabilitated and protected. It has since been evolving as a unique educational platform and alternative visitor destination.
Los Charcos is located in the heart of the Osa Peninsula, which lies in the far south western reaches of Costa Rica. The example of tropical lowland wet forest demonstrated on the property serves as an excellent introduction to the ecologically dynamic forests that surround the Gulfo Dulce. Home to an impressive diversity of life, these forests contain the richest flora of any area within the Conservation Area of Osa (ACOSA) and, inspite of a strong history of botanical collecting in the area, we continue to discover new records and even new taxa!
Today we operate as a private forest reserve and rustic field research facility, accomodating students and senior researchers. We are also open to natural history visitors, who join us either through our volunteer program or through a genuine desire to experience the wild beauty of the Osa Peninsula from a fresh perspective.
Visitors to Los Charcos have the option of lodging in our rustic-styled cabin, which has a balcony and private bathroom. The cabin is located on the margin of the reserve, with easy access to forest trails. Utilizing pre-existant logging and hunting tracks, we have established over 1 km of well maintained forest trails, allowing visitors to explore areas within the forest at leisure and with minimal impact. Further trails exist within the gardens and restoration areas.
Our chief objectives are to study, document, cultivate, protect and promote the Flowering Plants of the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. Within this framework, our interests and activities are broad, ranging from the development of a small botanical garden that will feature regional plant species, to conducting an active field research program.
As our knowledge advances, and as the pressures upon the natural resources grows, so does the need to make plant-related information widely available. Although the dissemination of information among the scientific community counts for a significant portion of what we do, we recognize that we have a responsibility to interpret plant science and plant conservation needs to a far broader audience by what ever means possible. Providing public access to living displays of selected regional plant species is one step in this direction. The development of informative electronic pages is another. Both reflect our ongoing commitment to the future survival of the Osa's unique flora.