ABOUT US

TIRIMBINA RAINFOREST CENTER . . .
Where education, research and striking beauty combine for outstanding encounters with nature

MISSION
• To preserve an endangered tropical ecosystem and its biological diversity
• To provide a unique education and ecotourism resource that promotes the understanding of life on Earth through the process of scientific investigation
• To provide research opportunities in tropical/temperate ecology and biodiversity and promote the restoration of the tropical rainforest

WHAT IS TRC?
TRC is an internationally recognized, non-profit organization created to conserve the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica; provide environmental education to the local community, students and ecotourists; and accommodate scientific research. Located within the rainforest and river environments of Sarapiquí County, TRC is a Private Wildlife Refuge which protects 345 hectares (852.5 acres) of mid-elevation (pre-montane) forest through which 9km (5½ mi.) of trails pass. One third of the forest is used for ecotourism and environmental education, keeping the majority of the Reserve naturally intact. TRC’s conservation education efforts and beautiful natural rainforest have made it a primary tropical science research center as well as a popular ecotourism travel destination.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The main objective of TRC is environmental education. National and international students from elementary, high school and college visit TRC daily to participate in eco-education programs. Just last year, 6,000 students visited TRC. The curriculum focuses on hands-on activities where students learn about ecology, biology, biodiversity and sustainable development. Students that visit the Reserve have the opportunity to develop practical field studies and use the available resources offered by the Reserve.

LOCAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
This program is a cooperative effort between TRC, the regional department of the Costa Rican Public Education Ministry, and the education centers of the nearby communities of La Virgen, Puerto Viejo, Río Frío and Venecia. In 2005, more than 110 local schools participated in the environmental education programs at TRC. In 2006, TRC additionally helped 16 students from a local high school obtain full scholarships for high school tuition. Also, more than 15 school projects, supervised by TRC naturalists, have entered in regional scientific fairs.

Please see ECO-EDUCATION PROGRAMS and COMMUNITY OUTREACH for more information.

ECOTOURISM ACTIVITIES

More than 8,000 tourists annually visit TRC for its one-of-a-kind tropical rainforest experience. The diverse tours offered allow visitors to experience the amazing beauty of the natural rainforest and learn about specific biological groups — birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects, plants, etc. — and the ecological interactions that occur between these groups. TRC’s ecotourism effort provides education in order to stimulate awareness of the issues facing rainforest health, and encourages conservation of the forest. TRC invites you to be part of this initiative that protects one of our most amazing natural treasures and gives social, environmental and economical benefits to the area.

Please see ECOTOURISM ACTIVITIES for activity descriptions.

RESEARCH AND STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
Today, conservationists, scientists and students from around the world use TRC to study important relationships in tropical ecology. The infrastructure, accessibility and type of forest make Tirimbina a special place for research purposes. Many projects have been carried out at this site, including long-term research, graduate-theses study, museum work and doctorate study by national and international visitors.

TRC also provides direction for interns and volunteers who would like to use the facilities for their studies.

Please see STUDY AT TRC for more information.

COMMUNITY

TRC is actively involved in several programs which enrich the local community and support conservation.
Please see COMMUNITY OUTREACH for more information.