Mesoamerica is a narrow bridge between two continents, and everything about it follows from that. Species from North and South America met here and mingled, and the isthmus became a corridor and a crucible at once. Along the Caribbean shore runs the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef system on Earth, and behind it lies the Maya Forest, the largest tropical forest north of the Amazon.
Reef and forest are one system, though they are rarely managed as one. What happens on the land arrives, eventually, on the coral: sediment from cleared hillsides, nutrients from farms, and the freshwater pulses that reefs cannot tolerate. Protect the watershed and you protect the reef, and the organizations that understand this have made ridge-to-reef the working principle of conservation across the region.
The groups here defend the Maya Forest against the advancing agricultural frontier, restore coral and mangrove, and work with Indigenous and local communities whose land claims are often the most effective protection any forest can have. Jaguars still move through this corridor, which is the simplest test of whether it is still working.
Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion
39 organizations working across this landscape.
ARCAS Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Association
The Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Association is dedicated to combatting illegal wildlife trafficking and otherwise conserving wild animals and their habitat in G...
Asociación Ambiental Cerúlea
Our mission is to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems through research, education and ecological restoration.
Asociación Conservacionista Costasverdes (aka Costas Verdes)
To restore devastated coastal ecosystems from past human impact through local reforestation projects with active community engagement and empowerment.
Asociación de Servicio Comunitario Nacional Ambiental para la Conservación De la Biodiversidad (ASCONA)
We are a small grassroots organization located in Puerto Jiménez, in the beautiful Costa Rican Osa Peninsula. We promote sustainable livelihoods and social transfor...
Asociación La Ruta del Clima
A leading Latin American NGO at the national and international level on climate change governance and on the promotion of climate justice and public participation in...
Asociación para la protección de la cuenca del río Nandamojo
Protection of the water resources, flora and fauna of the Nandamojo river watershed thru environmental education and the promotion of good land uses practices and an...
Asociación Proyecto Corales
Our goal is restoring the coral reef in Sámara Beach, Costa Rica
Asociación Proyecto de Reforestación Eden Honduras (APREH)
To restore Honduras' forest ecosystems through reforestation, conservation, and sustainable management efforts that foster the holistic development of local communit...
Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales y Sociales-CIRENAS.INC
NGO in Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. Part of the Biological Peninsular Corridor, becoming a regional Bio Hub for landscape restoration and conservation.
Coalicion Floresta
Rainforest conservation through sharp legal strategy — protecting biodiversity where it matters most.
Costa Rica Coral Restoration
The ultimate goal of Costa Rica Coral Restoration is to recover, restore, and propagate the coral community at Marino Ballena National Park. We aim to achieve this v...
Crocodile Research Coalition
To promote conservation of crocodiles and their habitats throughout Central America and the Caribbean through community involvement, research, and education.
Fragments of Hope CORP
Fragments of Hope, Ltd. (FoH) is a non-profit, non-governmental, membership organization dedicated to promoting (and implementing) active management solutions for t...
Friends of Nature of the Central and Southern Pacific Coast ASANA
Fundación Agua y Tierra
Develop programs and projects that support conservation of our marine coastal environment with a focus on sea turtel conservation through community development and a...
Fundación Contexto (Puente)
A new generation of Guatemalans, healthy and with opportunities.
Fundacion Pro Eco Azuero
Pro Eco Azuero was founded by a group of scientists and local landowners interested in sharing the joy of conserving local wildlife through restoring the dry fores...
Fundacion Rescate de Alimentos
We combat food waste by rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to vulnerable communities,
Fundación SOMOS de Costa Rica
When you support SOMOS you are making a contribution to creating resilient communities every single day.
International Esperanza Project
Founded in 2017, Internationa Esperanza Project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas. IEP´s efforts currently are focused exclusi...
Jacó Impact
Jacó Impact is a nonprofit organization in Jacó, Costa Rica, dedicated to creating positive community impact through eight pillars: Environment, Education etc
Jaguar Rescue Center
The Jaguar Rescue Center rehabilitates and releases injured animals in Costa Rica and promotes environmental awareness to protect ecosystems through education
La Paz Community School
La Paz Community School was founded in 2007 in order to address socio-cultural gaps prevalent in a region struggling to cope with the balance between an agricultura...
MAIA
MAIA's mission is to maximize and amplify the transformative power of women
Monteverde Conservation League
Costa Rican nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation, preservation and rehabilitation of tropical ecosystems and their biodiversity. The MCL is the owne...
Nectandra Institute
Nectandra Institute is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with freshwater ecosystems. Based in San Ramón, Alajuela, Costa Rica, it is included i...
Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeeper
To monitor, protect and restore water quality in the coastal watersheds and marine ecosystems between the Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve and the Caletas-Ario Na...
Nosara Animal Care
Eliminating animal suffering, and promoting animal welfare and compassion for the most vulnerable dogs and cats in our community.
Osa Vive
Osa Vive! fights against irresponsible development in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica. We work for habitat protection, clean abundant water, and empowered local comm...
Project Somos
Teaching Indigenous children (preschool to young adults) about nutrition, gardening, the environment & empowerment to help create a more equitable community.
Rivers and Forests Alliance (RAFA)
RAFA Mission The Rivers and Forests Alliance (RAFA) is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and regenerating Costa Rica’s Pacuare River Basin, its forests, and biodi...
Roatan Marine International, Inc
A community-based, non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of Honduras’ marine and coastal ecosystems.
SERES (Social entrepreneurship, resilience and ecological sustainability)
Sustenta Honduras
To drive innovative solutions for sustainability and climate action through strategic analysis, knowledge production, and the implementation of programs that priorit...
Toledo Institute for Development and Environment
Toledo Institute for Development and Environment is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with freshwater ecosystems. Based in Punta Gorda, Toledo,...
Toucan Rescue Ranch
The Toucan Rescue Ranch’s (TRR) mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release Costa Rican wildlife. TRR works with a model that focuses on conservation, education,...