Costas Verdes is a Costa Rican non-profit organization that has been restoring coastal forests since 2009. The organization is dedicated to restoring coastal ecosystems that have been impacted by human activities. The organization has worked with over 34 beaches and communities and more than 35 local schools, planting over 102,000 trees and reintroducing 96 species to the ecosystem. By creating, leading and implementing reforestation projects in public beachfronts and natural protected areas, Costas Verdes actively involves and empowers local communities to ensure sustainability on their projects.
Amigos of Costa Rica is a US nonprofit organization that invites people to invest in communities around Costa Rica by connecting their values and resources with vetted nonprofit solutions. The organization serves as a fiscal sponsor for over 100 Costa Rican nonprofit organizations and ensures responsible fund management through annual reporting. We believe in creating the best possible future for Costa Rica.
Project story
Along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, coastal forests provide critical habitat for wildlife, protect beaches from erosion, store carbon, and help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. Yet many of these ecosystems have been degraded or lost over the past decades due to development and land-use change.
Costas Verdes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring coastal forest ecosystems throughout Costa Rica’s Pacific region. Our mission is to recover degraded habitats, strengthen climate resilience in coastal communities, and inspire active citizen participation in environmental conservation.
Since 2010, Costas Verdes has led coastal forest restoration projects across the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. During this time, we have planted more than 100,000 trees representing 96 native species in 34 beaches and coastal communities, with the active participation of more than 13,000 volunteers and 35 educational centers.
Our pilot project in Playa Guiones, Nosara, demonstrates that coastal forest restoration is possible. After more than 15 years of continuous effort, we have successfully re-established significant forest cover in areas that were once heavily degraded. These restored forests now provide habitat and ecological connectivity for a wide range of native wildlife, including howler monkeys, birds, pollinators, and other species that depend on healthy coastal ecosystems.
North entrance to Guiones Beach before Costas Verdes in 2011 (left), and 12 years after reforestation, 2023 (right).
Our restoration model begins with the local collection of native seeds, which are propagated in our three community nurseries—two in Nosara and one in Jacó. Together, these nurseries currently produce more than 12,000 trees annually. During the rainy season, the trees are transported to coastal communities and planted through large-scale restoration events involving schools, local organizations, businesses, residents, and visitors. We also build strategic partnerships with local governments and public institutions to ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of every project.
However, our work does not end with planting. Every project includes monitoring, maintenance, and ecological follow-up carried out alongside community partners. This long-term commitment helps ensure tree survival while empowering local communities to become active stewards of the ecosystems they help restore.
Looking ahead, our goal for 2027 is to plant 30,000 additional trees and work with at least 20 coastal communities, engaging more than 2,000 volunteers and 15 educational centers in the restoration process.
Through this three-week campaign, we aim to raise $25,000. These funds are essential to propagate and grow the 30,000 trees that will be needed for our 2027 restoration goals and to prepare our nurseries throughout 2026.
For every $13 donated, we can guarantee the complete journey of one tree—from seed collection and propagation to transportation, planting, monitoring, and maintenance for an entire year.
By supporting this campaign, you are helping restore Costa Rica’s coastal forests, protect biodiversity, strengthen local communities, and create a more resilient future for generations to come.
Project updates
Team
Restoring Costa Rica's Coastal Forests
Costas Verdes is a Costa Rican non-profit organization that has been restoring coastal forests since 2009. The organization is dedicated to restoring coastal ecosystems that have been impacted by human activities. The organization has worked with over 34 beaches and communities and more than 35 local schools, planting over 102,000 trees and reintroducing 96 species to the ecosystem. By creating, leading and implementing reforestation projects in public beachfronts and natural protected areas, Costas Verdes actively involves and empowers local communities to ensure sustainability on their projects.
Amigos of Costa Rica is a US nonprofit organization that invites people to invest in communities around Costa Rica by connecting their values and resources with vetted nonprofit solutions. The organization serves as a fiscal sponsor for over 100 Costa Rican nonprofit organizations and ensures responsible fund management through annual reporting. We believe in creating the best possible future for Costa Rica.
Project story
Along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, coastal forests provide critical habitat for wildlife, protect beaches from erosion, store carbon, and help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. Yet many of these ecosystems have been degraded or lost over the past decades due to development and land-use change.
Costas Verdes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring coastal forest ecosystems throughout Costa Rica’s Pacific region. Our mission is to recover degraded habitats, strengthen climate resilience in coastal communities, and inspire active citizen participation in environmental conservation.
Since 2010, Costas Verdes has led coastal forest restoration projects across the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. During this time, we have planted more than 100,000 trees representing 96 native species in 34 beaches and coastal communities, with the active participation of more than 13,000 volunteers and 35 educational centers.
Our pilot project in Playa Guiones, Nosara, demonstrates that coastal forest restoration is possible. After more than 15 years of continuous effort, we have successfully re-established significant forest cover in areas that were once heavily degraded. These restored forests now provide habitat and ecological connectivity for a wide range of native wildlife, including howler monkeys, birds, pollinators, and other species that depend on healthy coastal ecosystems.
North entrance to Guiones Beach before Costas Verdes in 2011 (left), and 12 years after reforestation, 2023 (right).
Our restoration model begins with the local collection of native seeds, which are propagated in our three community nurseries—two in Nosara and one in Jacó. Together, these nurseries currently produce more than 12,000 trees annually. During the rainy season, the trees are transported to coastal communities and planted through large-scale restoration events involving schools, local organizations, businesses, residents, and visitors. We also build strategic partnerships with local governments and public institutions to ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of every project.
However, our work does not end with planting. Every project includes monitoring, maintenance, and ecological follow-up carried out alongside community partners. This long-term commitment helps ensure tree survival while empowering local communities to become active stewards of the ecosystems they help restore.
Looking ahead, our goal for 2027 is to plant 30,000 additional trees and work with at least 20 coastal communities, engaging more than 2,000 volunteers and 15 educational centers in the restoration process.
Through this three-week campaign, we aim to raise $25,000. These funds are essential to propagate and grow the 30,000 trees that will be needed for our 2027 restoration goals and to prepare our nurseries throughout 2026.
For every $13 donated, we can guarantee the complete journey of one tree—from seed collection and propagation to transportation, planting, monitoring, and maintenance for an entire year.
By supporting this campaign, you are helping restore Costa Rica’s coastal forests, protect biodiversity, strengthen local communities, and create a more resilient future for generations to come.
Project updates
Team
Location
Costa Rica
Round 3
Jul 1-21, 2026
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