AGP Executive Report

Biodiversity Talks: At COP17 in Yerevan, countries are reviewing progress toward the 2030 goal of halting biodiversity loss, with calls for an honest assessment and better access to conservation funding. Quetzal Sighting: A resplendent quetzal was recorded for the first time at La Marta Wildlife Refuge in Cartago, where observers counted 132 bird species during October’s global bird count. Waterfall Protection: Artists have rallied against land clearing near Montezuma Waterfall; a SINAC report documented changes to about 6,564 square meters of land near the falls. Deep-Sea Discovery: Researchers identified a vivid yellow coral on underwater mountains off Costa Rica, so genetically distinct it required a new family classification. Local Pressures: Reports warn that beachfront lights are driving sea turtles from Costa Rica’s nesting beaches, while a study says farmers apply nearly twice the official pesticide rate.

Wildlife: A resplendent quetzal was recorded for the first time at La Marta Wildlife Refuge in Cartago, highlighting habitat beyond the bird’s best-known strongholds. Coastal Protection: Costa Rican artists have rallied against damage near Montezuma Waterfall, where inspectors documented land clearing and vegetation loss. Marine Science: Researchers identified a vivid yellow deep-sea coral off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and established a new family for it. Sea Turtles: Artificial lights and coastal development may disrupt nesting and lead hatchlings away from the ocean on Pacific beaches, including Tamarindo and Santa Teresa. Conservation: Costa Rica received a $50,000 grant to develop a visitation-load tool for Cocos Island National Park, supporting the global 30-by-30 conservation target. The country also backed UN negotiations on a protocol to combat cross-border environmental crimes. Pesticides: Recent reports flag exceptionally high pesticide use on Costa Rican farms, renewing concerns about risks to people and ecosystems.

Montezuma Waterfall: Seventeen musicians have released a protest song after Costa Rica’s conservation agency documented land damage near the popular waterfall, including vegetation clearing across about 6,564 square meters. Marine Discovery: Researchers have identified a bright yellow deep-sea coral off Costa Rica and created a new family to classify it. Turtle Nesting: Artificial lights along Pacific beaches can disorient hatchlings and deter nesting females, conservationists warn. Environmental Crime: Costa Rica joined countries backing UN negotiations for a protocol targeting cross-border crimes such as illegal mining, wildlife trafficking and timber smuggling. Pesticide Use: New studies report Costa Rican farmers use pesticides at levels far above official or global benchmarks. Cocos Island: A $50,000 grant will help develop a tool to manage visitor pressure at the national park.

Deep-Sea Discovery: Researchers have identified a bright yellow coral on underwater mountains off Costa Rica and created a new family to classify it, highlighting how much of the deep ocean remains unexplored. Sea Turtle Protection: Artificial lights near nesting beaches can deter adult turtles and draw hatchlings away from the sea. A marine biologist says coastal development is reducing nesting at beaches including Tamarindo and Santa Teresa. Environmental Crime: Costa Rica joined seven Latin American countries in backing UN negotiations for a protocol targeting cross-border environmental crimes, including illegal mining and wildlife trafficking. Conservation and Farming: Costa Rica received a $50,000 grant to develop a tool for managing visitor pressure at Cocos Island National Park. Separate research has raised concerns about high pesticide use on Costa Rican farms.

Sea Turtle Protection: Artificial beachfront lights can send hatchlings away from the ocean and deter nesting females on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. A marine biologist cites concerns in Tamarindo and Santa Teresa, though long-term nest counts are lacking. Environmental Crime: Costa Rica is among the countries backing UN negotiations for a protocol targeting cross-border crimes such as illegal mining and wildlife trafficking; Indigenous leaders’ role in protecting ecosystems was recognized. Cocos Island: Costa Rica won a $50,000 grant to develop a tool for managing visitor numbers at the national park, supporting more effective conservation. Pesticide Pressure: A study reports that farmers apply nearly twice the official pesticide rate, raising concerns about impacts on ecosystems and health. Wildlife Survey: A survey recorded 60 new species records in urban Heredia, underscoring the biodiversity found even in developed areas. Shark Trade: Reports of declining silky shark populations are putting Costa Rica’s prominent shark trade under scrutiny.

Illegal Gold Mining: Washington says Chinese mining firms in Nicaragua’s practices are pushing artisanal miners across the border to dig illegally in northern Costa Rica. Beijing rejects the allegation, as scrutiny grows over enforcement and environmental harm. Farm Pollution: Recent studies highlight Costa Rica’s heavy pesticide use: one reports farmers apply nearly twice official rates, while another puts use at more than 10 times the global average. Banana Adaptation: Costa Rica’s banana industry is testing gene editing, biological soil controls and drone monitoring to respond to heat, heavy rain and black sigatoka fungus. Wildlife and Habitats: A survey recorded 60 new wildlife species records in urban Heredia, while conservationists warn that silky shark declines are putting pressure on Costa Rica’s prominent shark trade. Environmental Crime: A new U.N. resolution will begin negotiations on a protocol targeting crimes such as illegal mining and wildlife trafficking, with Indigenous Peoples and local communities recognized as key partners.

Illegal Gold Mining: The U.S. Embassy alleges Chinese mining firms in Nicaragua pressure artisanal miners to sell gold cheaply, pushing some to dig illegally in Costa Rica. Beijing denies the claims; the dispute follows a U.S. visit to the northern border. Farm Impacts: A Costa Rican study finds farmers apply nearly twice the official pesticide rate. Banana growers, meanwhile, face heat, heavy rain and black sigatoka, and are testing gene editing, biological soil controls and drone monitoring. Wildlife: A survey recorded 60 new wildlife species records in urban Heredia. Costa Rican conservation groups also helped spur a U.S. bill to restrict wild sloth imports after 58 of 69 sloths died at a Florida attraction. Climate Outlook: Costa Rica is bracing for hotter December conditions, while drought and energy concerns linked to El Niño remain in focus.

Illegal Mining: The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica says mining practices by Chinese firms in Nicaragua are pushing artisanal miners across the border to dig for gold illegally. China rejected the allegation, as pressure grows to protect the northern border. Farming and Pesticides: A study puts pesticide use on Costa Rican cropland at 21.9 kilograms per hectare annually—nearly twice the official rate, largely because the figures count different land. Bananas had the highest estimated use, at 78.88 kilograms per hectare. Climate-Smart Agriculture: Costa Rica’s banana sector is testing gene editing, biological soil controls and drone surveillance to cope with heat, heavy rain and fungal disease. Environmental Crime: Governments at a U.N. meeting agreed to begin negotiating a protocol targeting crimes including illegal mining, wildlife trafficking and timber trafficking, while recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ role in protecting ecosystems. Sloth Protection: Costa Rican conservation groups backed a bipartisan U.S. bill to curb imports of wild sloths after 58 animals died at a Florida attraction.

Banana Adaptation: Costa Rica’s banana industry is facing heat, heavy rain and black sigatoka fungus. Researchers are testing gene editing, biological soil controls and drone monitoring to protect crops. Pesticide Pressure: A study estimates cropland pesticide use at 21.9 kilograms per hectare—nearly double the official figure, which includes lower-use pasture. Bananas had the highest estimated use, at 78.88 kilograms per hectare. Sloth Protection: Costa Rican conservation groups helped spur a U.S. bill to restrict wild sloth imports after 58 of about 69 animals died at a Florida attraction. More than 1,100 sloths entered the U.S. from 2011 to 2021. Urban Wildlife: A survey recorded 60 new species records in Heredia, underscoring the biodiversity found even in Costa Rica’s cities.

Biodiversity: Scientists have described a third species of Colobura butterfly, long mistaken for one of two known species. Discovered in Venezuela, it highlights how much remains unknown about wildlife across the tropical Americas, including Costa Rica. Pesticide Use: A study estimates Costa Rica’s cropland uses 21.9 kilograms of pesticide per hectare annually—nearly twice the official figure. The difference reflects how the figures count land; bananas had the highest estimated use. Environmental Crime: Costa Rica is among 11 countries pushing for a UN protocol to tackle cross-border environmental crimes, including wildlife and timber trafficking, illegal mining and waste trade. The proposal has EU support but faces opposition from several countries. Weather: Costa Rica is forecast to have a warmer-than-usual December, despite brief cold surges that may bring cooler conditions in the mountains and Central Valley. Sloth Protection: Costa Rican conservation groups helped spur a bipartisan U.S. bill to restrict imports of wild sloths after 58 of about 69 animals died at a Florida attraction.

Sloth Protection: Costa Rica-based conservation groups helped shape a bipartisan U.S. bill to ban most imports of wild sloths after 58 animals died at a Florida attraction. Pesticide Use: A study estimates Costa Rican cropland uses 21.91 kilograms of pesticide ingredients per hectare each year—over ten times the global average. The country’s lower official figure includes managed pasture, where pesticide use is far lower. Climate Risks: Costa Rica is forecast to have a warmer-than-usual December, while El Niño is adding pressure through drought and energy concerns. Wildlife: A survey recorded 60 new species in urban Heredia, while declining silky shark numbers are raising questions about Costa Rica’s shark trade. Environmental Crime: Costa Rica joined ten countries calling for a UN protocol to strengthen international efforts against crimes such as wildlife trafficking, illegal logging and illicit mining.

Pesticide Use: A new study estimates Costa Rica’s cropland uses 21.91 kilograms of pesticide ingredients per hectare each year—more than 10 times the global average. The government’s lower figure includes pastures, which use far fewer chemicals. Climate: Costa Rica is forecast to have a hotter-than-usual December, despite brief cold surges. Environmental Crime: Costa Rica and 10 other countries are pushing for UN negotiations on a protocol to target cross-border crimes such as wildlife, timber and waste trafficking. Sloth Protection: Costa Rican conservation groups helped shape a bipartisan U.S. bill to ban most live-sloth imports, following the deaths of dozens of animals sent to a planned Florida attraction. Urban Wildlife: A survey in Heredia recorded 60 species not previously documented there, highlighting the biodiversity found in the city.

Pesticide Use: A new study estimates Costa Rica applies 21.91 kilograms of pesticide ingredients per hectare of cropland each year—more than 10 times the global average—with banana and pineapple production among the major users. Global Conservation: A new assessment says protecting 30% of the planet by 2030 remains possible, but governments need to speed up action, especially at sea. Sloth Protection: Costa Rican conservation groups helped shape a bipartisan U.S. bill to block most live sloth imports after 58 of 61 sloths brought to Florida for a planned attraction died. Shark Trade: Costa Rica accounted for 82% of global silky shark product exports from 2020 to 2024. The trade is under CITES review, with exports at risk if the fishery cannot demonstrate sustainability. Weather and Wildlife: Costa Rica’s rainy season is forecast to begin easing in early November, first in Guanacaste. A wildlife survey in urban Heredia also recorded 60 species new to the area’s survey.

Sloth Protection: Costa Rican conservation groups helped shape a bipartisan U.S. bill to block most live-sloth imports, after 57–58 sloths died at a planned Florida attraction. Rainy-Season Shift: Costa Rica’s weather service expects the transition to drier conditions to begin in early November, with Guanacaste likely first and a drier-than-usual pattern possible. Urban Wildlife: A survey in Heredia recorded 60 species not previously documented there, highlighting the biodiversity found in city landscapes. Shark Trade: Costa Rica accounted for 82% of global silky-shark product exports from 2020 to 2024. The fishery is under CITES review; failure to show it is sustainable could bring new controls or an export suspension. Drought Concerns: El Niño-related drought and energy worries are adding pressure to Costa Rica’s economy.

Flood Risk: Costa Rica put all seven provinces under a rain alert after saturated soils and more than 100 flood incidents raised the threat of flash flooding and landslides. Shark Trade: The country accounted for 82% of global silky shark product exports from 2020 to 2024. CITES is reviewing the fishery; exports could be suspended if Costa Rica cannot show the trade is sustainable. Renewable Power: A Cartago medical-cannabis producer says its operation runs on Costa Rica’s grid, which was 98.6% renewable in 2025, led by hydropower, wind and geothermal energy. Climate and Health: Costa Rica is one of just five countries with national climate-plan targets to reduce black carbon, a pollutant that harms health and contributes to warming. Surf Breaks: A study found many World Surfing Reserves face risks from coastal development and climate change; Costa Rica is among the countries with designated reserves included in the research.

Shark Trade: Costa Rica supplied 82% of global silky shark product exports from 2020 to 2024. The fishery is under CITES review; if the country cannot show the trade is sustainable, exports could face new controls or suspension. Flood Risk: Saturated soils have put all seven provinces under a rain alert, with more heavy showers forecast through Wednesday. Officials warn that intense bursts could trigger floods and landslides. Climate and Health: Costa Rica is among just five countries with targets to cut black carbon in its climate plan, a pollutant that harms health and contributes to warming. Surf and Climate: A study found most World Surfing Reserve breaks face medium or high climate and coastal-development risks; Costa Rica is among the countries with designated reserves. Wildlife: A Costa Rica owl feature highlights camera-trap sightings and the challenge of spotting these elusive forest predators.