Wildlife Conservation Association - Costa Rica

Wildlife Conservation Assocation works to inspire sustainable living through research, community outreach, and immersive educational experiences. The project aims to consolidate the existing recycling efforts of the community of Nosara. By selling products and offering educational workshops, we will promote circular economy in the area, increasing awareness, helping manage waste from development and creating new and innovative sources of income to support conservation. This project will benefit sea turtle conservation by keeping plastic out of our oceans and consolidating local initiatives to create a more sustainable and circular economy with local plastic waste. By giving a percentage of sales to the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, we will further support sea turtle conservation by providing additional resources to carry out and enforce conservation in the area.

The communities surrounding the Ostional Refuge represent a diverse population of around 6,000 people, represented by locals, foreign residents and a growing tourism industry. These communities depend on the natural resources of the refuge and fast-paced development in the area is threatening local wildlife, human health, and the economy. The administration of the Refuge has limited funding and resources to carry out and enforce necessary conservation measures within the entire protected area. Local recycling pick-up is carried out by Nosara Recyles, a community-based initiative funded by small private donations. The organization currently employs two local people and is struggling to keep afloat. The Seventh Wave is another organization that is making and selling art and pottery items using concrete and recycled beach plastic. By collaborating with these and other existing initiatives, we will create new sources of income for organizations, supporting their long-term operation and the creation of more jobs.