MONTHLY ACHIEVEMENT REPORT

GVI Costa Rica Jalova Expedition, February 2013

GVI participates in workshop for updating and implementing the national research program
strategy for Costa Rican protected areas.
For the past months Costa Rica has been engaged in on ongoing process of updating the national research program
strategy for protected areas, through regional workshops and feedback from relevant community actors such as
governmental institutions, park administrators and research organizations. GVI Jalova staff participated in a specific
workshop for the Caribbean region, encompassing Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTo) and the Amistad Caribe
Conservation Area.

GVI Jalova manager Mariliana Leotta (far left in dark green GVI t-shirt) & workshop participants listen as Ministry of Environment
Park Ranger discusses the need for an integrated research strategy
EARTH University, Guapiles, Limn, Costa Rica

The two day workshop took place on the 5th and 6th of February at EARTH University, Costa Rica. It consisted of
presenting the general research situation from a national point of view, relevant topical discussions, brainstorming on
solutions to current problems, and team building activities, and ended with creating an agenda for each protected area in
order to formalize a specific research plan. For the Tortuguero area, invited participants included the 3 main research
organizations in the conservation area: GVI, the STC (Sea Turtle Conservancy), COTERC (The Canadian Organization
for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation); and representatives from the Ministry of the Environment, including
park administrators, park rangers and regional directors. Challenges and goals presented involved forming strategies to
increase and improve research in protected areas. For research organizations in the area, the overall aim was
unanimous: aligning research more effectively with the parks conservation objectives.
During the workshop a great deal of relevant information was brought to the table: lack of funding, institutional limitations,
lack of organization in research, and in some cases, low quality research, particularly in short-term research.
Nevertheless ,various positive aspects were also highlighted, such as a strong commitment by everyone involved from
park rangers to the top level institutional employees to collaborate and improve the current research situation.

On a broad level, the main outcome of the workshop was the constructive input and feedback to update the national
research strategy in a more realistic way, information that will be carried by regional representatives to the national level.
On a local level, the workshops achieved even more. One of the first meetings of its kind, bringing all players together in
one focused environment, the workshop opened up communication between different organizations and entities involved
and affected by research in the area. This is a huge step into a more integrated, collaborative research program for the
area. Mutual sharing of information and experiences, both practical and personal, forged bonds amongst people as well
as allowed each group to understand the reality of the situation from different perspectives. We hope that this represents
the beginning of a more cooperative and organized approach, and a more inter-institutional participation in research for
the Tortuguero area. One of the first steps was the creation of a local research committee for Tortuguero National Park;
GVI will form an important part of this team.
GVIs goal in Tortuguero has always been for our research be used in local conservation and park management. For GVI
this workshop was very important in that it gave us a more realistic and approachable perspective on how to work on
aligning our efforts in a more effective way. Future institutional cooperation and combined research goals will definitely
enhance our research in Tortuguero and ensure our research aids park managers directly in making conservation and
resource management decisions for the national park.