A fundamental aspect of Drake Bay Birdwatching has always been a commitment to sustainability and the best possible approach to sustainable tourism in Costa Rica. Also of additional importance are rural empowerment and rural tourism within Osa. They are a central core of our mission. Because through ecotourism, our local community is able to sustain themselves in an environmentally non-destructive way.

We recognize the activities of our company have potential negative impacts on the environment and community if not properly managed. It is a critical component of our daily operation, to manage our impact and diminish our contribution to waste, emissions and any practice that may pose a potential risk to the environment.

Eco-tourism should constantly be evolving, and can always be more sustainable through several approaches and procedures. A combination of technology, education, and conscious consumerism can all help businesses and individuals travel more sustainably. Also ideas like slow travel impact our business model here at Drake Bay Birdwatching. Our packages focus mostly on the Osa Peninsula and Drake Bay as to harness our clients connection to the area without feeling like they have to rush from one hot-spot destination to another during their travels.

Our company is rooted and remains committed to employing Costa Rican residents and sourcing products, food and services locally. We are committed to educating our employees and to display our commitment to environmental and social sustainability within the communities in which we operate.

When a focus on ethical and sustainable tourism come together, great advancements in protecting natural heritage and biodiversity arise. Locally in the Osa for almost a century, the people have lived off the land through farming and hunting practices. Also, gold mining was a big way of life during several gold rushes in the Osa Peninsula. We know now that both clearing land for livestock and gold mining have residual and long term negative effects on the environment. Being able to shift from old practices of sustenance, families can now reap the benefits that a booming eco-tourism industry can offer. This will help generate sustainable livelihoods and improve the local’s wellbeing.

Our guides have a genuine enthusiasm to share the stories, flora and fauna with our guests. We greatly value these natural assets and are fully committed to operating in a manner which conserves and enhances our natural world in Costa Rica.

Through designing a well rounded trip both rooted in wildlife and wild landscapes, we are hoping that positive ecotourism experiences will foster a strong relationship between humans and the natural world, thus contributing to living a more sustainable life extended both during travels and back home.

Drake Bay Birdwatching owes it’s inseption to the lovely community it was founded in. As a way of giving back we promote sustainable activities that protect the environment and the participation in social projects that help local communities

We never disappoint our customers when taking them to visit our residents properties and places of business. Whether it is a tour of a locals preserved private forest, a walk through a locals garden for birding, or eating at a local kitchen, our clients love to immerse themselves in the unique culture and life in Drake Bay. Thus, stimulates the Osa residents to protect their flora and fauna and in fact has helped generate the regrowth of secondary forests to begin growing back, closing the biological gaps that have developed from clearing forests for cattle. With eco-tourism, unspoiled wilderness draws in greater economic benefits than does rural farming.

Drake Bay Birdwatching is proud to be involved in Corcovado Kids, an organization dedicated to creating educational opportunities that promote self-reliance and social responsibility for our local and global community. Founder Trista realized that tourism is how everyone survives in Drake Bay. She also saw how the lack of resources for children affected the community. She started Corcovado Kids as a way to create a direct line of support for the wellbeing of the children in the area.

Corcovado Kids is currently working with LiveGlobally a non-profit to build rain catchment systems that purify rain into safe drinking water for the community an educational/recreational center for the community.

We donate our time and a percentage of our proceeds to help establish and promote a future educational center here in Drake Bay. As well, we participate hands-on during beach clean-ups and classes.

Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are typically used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These items include plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles, plastic cups and most food packaging.

Plastic pollution is impacting our waters and marine life, as well as our food chain and the public health. Plastic waste is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world today. The UK government estimates that there are currently more than 150m tonnes of plastic in the world’s oceans, and that some 100,000 sea mammals and one million birds die from eating or becoming tangled in plastic waste each year.

Sustainable tourism is essential for our industry and the planet’s long-term viability Plastics is one of the most pressing environmental issues, along with carbon and water conservation. During your time with us, we will actively attempt to limit any and all needs for single use plastics, and this includes during dining, all toiletries, tours and snacks.

Drake Bay Birdwatching Plastic Pollution Initiatives:

1. Eliminated all single-use plastics from our own operations.

2. Lead the way for other businesses.

3. Encourage and support innovation to develop local solutions

4. Use the power of our voice to influence others to take action

5. We will call for governments to adopt policy changes to protect our Oceans.

6. Safeguarding and cleaning our Marine Protected Areas and beaches through clean-up efforts.

TOURISM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:

FACTS via Sustainable Tourism

• Buying local could achieve a 4-5% reduction in GHG emissions due to large sources of C02 and non C02 emissions during the production of food.
• The average Canadian household used 326 litres of water per day….a village of 700 in a developing country uses an average of 500 litres of water per month AND a luxury hotel room guest uses 1800 litres of water per person per night…
• The average person in the UK uses approximately 150 litres of water per day – 3 times that of a local village in Asia
• A species of animal or plant life disappears at a rate of one every three minutes
• 70% of marine mammals are threatened
• The Western world (with 17% of the worlds’ population) currently consumes 52% of total global energy.
• 1 acre of trees absorbs 2. 6tonnes of CO2 per year
• More than 80% of the worlds coral reefs are at risk. Nearly 2/3 of Caribbean reefs are in jeopardy and it is reported that 90% of coral reefs will die by 2050
• Eating beef is the most water consumptive practice by travelers
• 2016 was the warmest year by margin on record
• Seawater is expected to rise 70 cm in the next 10 years
• By 2050 climate change could have directly led to the extinction of 30% of species, the death of 90% of coral reefs and the loss of half the Amazon rainforest.
• Since 1970 a third of the natural world has been destroyed by human activity. Almost 2/3 are degraded by human activity
• Half the world’s population lives in urban areas and this figure is expected to increase. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 76% of the population live in urban areas.
• 9% of the worlds coral reefs are in the Caribbean – most under threat
• 35% of mangroves have been destroyed
• The number of cars on the road surpassed 1 billion in 2010. Today it is 1.2 billion and will be 2 billion by 2035
• A European uses 14x more energy than someone living in India
• For every 1 degree rise in temperature above 34 degrees Celsius, yields of rice, maize and wheat in tropical areas could drop by 10%
• Every year we dump 40 million tons of carbon pollution into our atmosphere
• Although 70% of the earth’s surface is water, only 3% is potable.