Ecology Project International (EPI)

The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is a region that is economically impoverished, but rich in biodiversity and culture. Felines, primates, and tropical birds migrate through these slender corridors, and the coast is one of the world’s richest areas for nesting sea turtles.

Despite Costa Rica’s laudable efforts at wildlife conservation, pollution, hunting, and poaching continue to threaten forest and marine species alike. Costa Rican youth often inherit conflicting values, the old traditions of sea turtle consumption, and the new ideals of environmental conservation. Since 2000, EPI has provided science and conservation programming for Costa Rican youth in the belief that deep, substantive change—and the hope for our planet—rests in education.