AGP Executive Report

Surf Breaks Under Climate Pressure: A global study found most waves in World Surfing Reserves face medium or high climate and coastal-development risks. Costa Rica has one of the 11 reserves assessed, though the study summary does not give its individual risk rating. Teak Scheme Collapse: More than 6,000 European investors fear major losses after Swiss firm Life Forestry went bankrupt. It sold teak trees on plantations in northern Costa Rica and Ecuador, taking in about $245 million; Swiss prosecutors are investigating its former chief and another person. Reef Restoration: One million coral embryos have been returned to a Costa Rican reef in a national first, a major step for local reef recovery. Water-Smart Farming: Costa Rican farmer Olga Vargas was named among the FAO’s 100 women heroes for her work protecting a spring, conserving water and sharing farming practices. Hidden Wildlife: Camera traps are helping reveal Costa Rica’s elusive owls, most active at night and often difficult to spot.

Marine Discovery: Researchers led by the University of Costa Rica have identified a striking golden octocoral on an eastern Pacific seamount. So unusual that scientists created a new family for it, the species grows amid carpets of pink brittle stars. Reef Restoration: In a national first, one million coral embryos have been returned to a Costa Rican reef, offering a boost to restoration efforts. Women in Agriculture: Puntarenas farmer Olga Vargas was named one of the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes for her work in family farming and water conservation, including protecting a spring and reusing water for tilapia production. Global Species Protection: Costa Rica joined 15 other governments in a new coalition to help recover endangered species and restore them to their natural habitats.

Climate and Conservation: Costa Rican climate leader Christiana Figueres received a Jane Goodall Earth Medal for her work, alongside wildlife conservationist Brian May. Marine Life: Researchers at the University of Costa Rica described a striking new golden octocoral from a Pacific seamount, unusual enough to require a new family classification. Rural Resilience: Farmer Olga Vargas was named among the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes for combining food production with water conservation and sharing techniques with other growers. Species Protection: Costa Rica joined 15 other governments in a new coalition aimed at restoring endangered species and their habitats. Reef Recovery: A national first saw one million coral embryos returned to a Costa Rican reef. Climate Finance: More than US$30 million earmarked to help Costa Rica face climate change remains unused by officials.

Marine Conservation: Researchers have identified an unusual golden octocoral on a deep-sea seamount off Costa Rica, a discovery so distinctive that scientists created a new family for it. A separate national first returned one million coral embryos to a Costa Rican reef. Climate Action: Costa Rican climate leader Christiana Figueres received a Jane Goodall Earth Medal for her work; meanwhile, more than $30 million in climate funding for Costa Rica remains unused by officials. Water and Farming: Guanacaste’s first artificial beach relies on well water as the region dries, while farmer Olga Vargas was named among the FAO’s 100 women heroes for conserving water and supporting rural food production.

Species Recovery: Costa Rica joined 15 other countries in launching CARES, a coalition aimed at restoring endangered species to their habitats. Wildlife: A new feature explores how Costa Rica’s two sloth species became national icons—and the conservation work behind their fame. Marine Discovery: Researchers led by University of Costa Rica scientist Odalisca Breedy identified a striking golden octocoral off the coast, unusual enough to prompt creation of a new coral family. Reef Restoration: In a national first, one million coral embryos were returned to a Costa Rican reef. Rural Stewardship: Farmer Olga Vargas was named among the FAO’s 100 women heroes for protecting water and sharing resource-saving practices on her farm. Climate Pressure: Guanacaste’s first artificial beach relies on well water as the region dries, while more than US$30 million in climate funding remains untapped.

Deep-Sea Discovery: Researchers led by University of Costa Rica scientist Odalisca Breedy have identified a striking golden octocoral on a Pacific seamount. The species is so unusual it prompted scientists to create a new family. Water-Smart Farming: Costa Rican farmer Olga Vargas has been named one of the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes for protecting a spring, conserving water and sharing sustainable farming practices. Reef Recovery: Costa Rica has returned one million coral embryos to a reef in a national first, part of efforts to restore damaged marine ecosystems. Conservation Funding: More than US$30 million set aside to address climate change in Costa Rica remains unused, according to a recent report. Ocean Protection: Costa Rica and regional partners are working to connect protected areas across the Eastern Tropical Pacific, though conservation groups warn that protections need strong enforcement to safeguard migratory wildlife.

Deep-Sea Discovery: Researchers have described a striking golden octocoral found on a seamount off Costa Rica, naming it Laurinque elenya and creating a new family to classify the unusual species. Rural Conservation: Southern Costa Rican farmer Olga Vargas has been named among the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes for protecting a spring, conserving water and sharing sustainable farming practices. Reef Restoration: In a national first, one million coral embryos have been returned to a Costa Rican reef, supporting efforts to restore damaged ecosystems. Climate Funding: More than US$30 million earmarked to help Costa Rica face climate change remains unused, raising questions about why the money has not reached projects. Water Stress: A new artificial beach in Guanacaste relies on well water as the region faces drying conditions, highlighting concerns over water use. Ocean Protection: Costa Rica and regional partners have pledged linked marine protections for migratory species, but reports of industrial fishing inside protected areas underscore the need for enforcement.

Coral Recovery: A national first returned one million coral embryos to a Costa Rican reef, a major push to restore marine life. Climate Finance: More than US$30 million earmarked to address climate change in Costa Rica remains unused by officials, even as pressure grows to strengthen resilience. Water and Tourism: Guanacaste’s new artificial beach relies on well water as the region faces drying conditions, raising concerns about water use. Fisheries: Costa Rican scientists have revived fish-larvae research to help protect fisheries. Marine Protection: Costa Rica is part of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor, but conservation gains depend on funding, enforcement and lasting management—not protected-area declarations alone.

Marine Protection: Costa Rica’s role in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor links protected waters across four countries, but experts warn that safeguards need real enforcement to protect migratory wildlife. Reef Recovery: In a national first, one million coral embryos were returned to a Costa Rican reef, offering a boost to restoration efforts. Climate Action: Costa Rica is among just five countries with targets to cut black carbon in its national climate plan. Climate Funding: More than US$30 million set aside to help Costa Rica face climate change remains unused, according to a recent report. Guanacaste Water: The country’s first artificial beach relies on well water as the region faces drought, raising questions about water use. Fisheries: Costa Rican scientists have revived fish-larvae research aimed at protecting fisheries.

Marine Protection: A new review warns that ocean pledges can become “paper parks” without funding, staff and enforcement. Costa Rica is part of the Eastern Tropical Pacific corridor, a 500,000-square-kilometer network intended to protect migratory marine life. Coral Recovery: Researchers in Manzanillo returned nearly one million fertilized coral embryos to the reef in a national first. Raising young corals from mixed parent colonies could boost genetic diversity and resilience to warming seas. Wildlife Restoration: Thirteen white-lipped peccaries have been released in Piedras Blancas National Park after 18 years without sightings. The project aims to restore the species’ role in the rainforest and involves nearby communities. Climate Funding: More than US$30 million earmarked to help Costa Rica face climate change remains untapped, according to a recent report.

Climate Action: Costa Rica is among just five countries whose climate plans set targets to cut black carbon, a pollutant that worsens both air quality and global heating. Reef Recovery: Researchers returned nearly one million lab-fertilized coral embryos to the Manzanillo reef in a national first. The project could boost genetic diversity and help corals withstand disease and warming seas. Wildlife: Thirteen white-lipped peccaries have been released in Piedras Blancas National Park, where the species had gone unseen for 18 years. Climate Funding: More than US$30 million earmarked to help Costa Rica tackle climate change remains unused, according to a recent report. Water Concerns: Costa Rica’s first artificial beach reportedly relies on well water as Guanacaste faces drying conditions, raising questions about water use.

Climate Policy: Costa Rica is among just five countries with targets to cut black carbon, a pollutant that harms health and fuels warming, according to a new climate scorecard. Reef Recovery: Researchers returned nearly one million lab-fertilized coral embryos to a reef at Manzanillo, a first for Costa Rica that could boost genetic diversity and resilience to warming seas. Wildlife: Thirteen white-lipped peccaries have been released in Piedras Blancas National Park after 18 years without sightings, in a bid to restore a missing link in the rainforest ecosystem. Climate Readiness: More than $30 million in climate funding remains unused by officials, while Guanacaste’s new artificial beach relies on well water as the region dries. Fisheries and Forests: The United States has again raised concerns about illegal, unreported fishing by Costa Rica. A wider regional crackdown on environmental crime has led to 233 arrests and exposed 60,000 hectares to scrutiny.

Wildlife Recovery: Thirteen white-lipped peccaries have been released into Piedras Blancas National Park after 18 years without sightings. Osa Conservation, SINAC and local communities hope their return will help restore the rainforest’s ecological balance. Water Under Pressure: Costa Rica’s first artificial beach is filled from wells in drought-prone Guanacaste, just as a severe El Niño dry season is expected. The developer says the lagoon uses approved water concessions and needs refills mainly to replace evaporation. Climate Funding: More than US$30 million set aside to help Costa Rican producers adapt to climate change remains unused by officials, according to a recent report. Environmental Crime: An Interpol operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries led to 233 arrests and documented about 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Costa Rica was among the countries involved. Fisheries Research: Costa Rican scientists are reviving fish-larvae research aimed at protecting the country’s fisheries.

Wildlife Recovery: Thirteen white-lipped peccaries have been released in Piedras Blancas National Park, where the species had gone unseen for 18 years. Osa Conservation, SINAC and local communities hope their return will help restore the rainforest’s ecological balance. Climate Funding: More than US$30.6 million set aside to help Guanacaste producers adapt to climate change remains unused, leaving support on the table as the region faces mounting drought risks. Water Pressure: Costa Rica’s first artificial beach lagoon, near Liberia, draws water from three concessioned wells. Its developers say it needs only occasional refilling, but the project arrives as Guanacaste braces for a severe El Niño dry season. Environmental Crime: An Interpol operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries recorded 233 arrests and about 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest; Costa Rica was among the countries involved.

Wildlife Recovery: Thirteen white-lipped peccaries have been released into Piedras Blancas National Park, where the species had been absent for 18 years. Osa Conservation, SINAC and nearby communities hope their return will help restore the rainforest’s ecological balance. Environmental Crime: An Interpol operation across nine countries, including Costa Rica, resulted in 233 arrests and documented about 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Investigators also linked Amazon destruction to a network of companies operating across continents. Extreme Weather: Heavy rain triggered a landslide that trapped 21 people at a business in Alajuela; all were rescued. Forecasters warned saturated soils could raise the risk of further landslides and flooding. Water and Climate: Costa Rica’s first artificial beach, in drought-prone Guanacaste, draws water from concessioned wells as the region braces for a severe El Niño dry season. Meanwhile, more than US$30 million earmarked to help producers prepare for climate change remains untapped. Marine Science: Costa Rican researchers are reviving fish-egg and larva studies to identify breeding grounds and support better protection of fish populations.

Climate Funding: More than US$30 million intended to help Guanacaste producers prepare for climate change remains unused, despite the region facing a severe El Niño dry season. Water Under Pressure: Costa Rica’s first artificial beach is filled from wells in drought-prone Guanacaste. Developers say it will operate as a closed circuit, but the project raises questions about groundwater use as dry conditions loom. Marine Research: Costa Rican scientists are reviving research into fish eggs and larvae to identify where species reproduce and what conditions help young fish survive — information that could improve fisheries management. Environmental Crime: An Interpol operation across nine countries, including Costa Rica, led to 233 arrests and uncovered about 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. In Costa Rica, authorities seized tonnes of cyanide and containers of mercury linked to illegal mining.