35 Years of Tropical Conservation: Our strategy for Impact
Next year, COTERC marks 35 years of tropical conservation research and training.
Since we built our station in Costa Rica in 1991, we’ve supported more than 2,400 early-career conservationists, equipping them with the field and analytical skills needed to deliver real-world impact.
Over three decades, we’ve hosted 30+ university field courses, with researchers and students collectively travelling an estimated 2 million kilometres to conduct filed surveys across the region. Along the way, they have studied 250+ species, contributing to one of the most consistent bodies of long-term ecological data in the region.
Today, COTERC manages 10 ongoing long-term monitoring programmes, spanning marine turtles, mammals, macaws, and other key species. These datasets underpin applied research, inform conservation management, and support evidence-based decision-making in Costa Rica and beyond.
Our work has delivered tangible conservation outcomes. A sustained research presence has helped reduce marine turtle poaching, while long-term data shared with MINAE supports the management of nearby protected areas.
Beyond the field, COTERC plays a critical role in knowledge sharing. Through 50+ peer-reviewed publications and 135 issues of The Raphia, we have connected science to action, strengthened public understanding of biodiversity, and supported conservation practitioners globally.
Why we’re updating our strategy now
The biodiversity crisis is accelerating — and the tropics are at its centre.
Deforestation, extraction, agriculture, infrastructure, and tourism are reshaping ecosystems that are globally important but locally under pressure. Even protected areas can become isolated “islands” in a rapidly changing landscape.
At the same time, conservation effort is growing. But without strong evidence, long-term data and local capacity, well-intentioned action can fall short — or unintentionally cause harm.
As a Board, that actively governs and supports COTERC, we asked a critical question:
What more can we do to strengthen conservation outcomes where they matter most?
Our answer is a new five-year strategy, designed to deepen impact, strengthen scientific credibility, and expand our contribution to tropical conservation research and training.
What stays the same
We are building on what has always defined COTERC.
Our focus remains on:
Training the next generation of conservation scientists through immersive, skills-based field experiences
Producing actionable science through applied research and long-term monitoring
Strengthening conservation outcomes locally by sharing evidence with decision-makers
Growing public understanding of biodiversity and conservation through education and outreach
These foundations continue to guide our work.
What changes in the next five years
Looking ahead, our ambitions are intentional — and grounded in evidence.
By 2030, COTERC aims to be a leading centre for tropical conservation research and training — known for high-impact science, empowered early-career conservationists, and measurable improvements in ecosystem protection.
Over the next five years, we will:
Double our impact by expanding our training and research reach.
Establish a second field site so we can work in more than one priority landscape.
Move from monitoring to restoration by supporting nature recovery where we can measure results.
Build stronger collaborations with Costa Rican and international research institutes to increase the quality and reach of our science.
Strengthen how we operate by investing in capacity and securing more reliable sources of revenue.
This is what our new five-year strategy is designed to deliver.
The biodiversity crisis is accelerating. Our response has to match it by enabling evidence-based conservation and building local capacity and leadership to tackle the realities we see on the ground.
We know we can’t do this alone and look forward to working with our entire network to deliver a new ambitious plan.
Download our new strategy here.
