Kids Saving the Rainforest (KSTR) is a nonprofit wildlife conservation organization based in Quepos, Costa Rica, dedicated to protecting the country's rich biodiversity. Founded in 1999, KSTR rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife through its rescue centre, while providing lifelong care for animals that cannot be returned to the wild. Beyond wildlife rescue, KSTR works to protect Costa Rica's ecosystems through environmental education, reforestation, and wildlife bridge projects, helping reduce the threats facing native wildlife and promoting long-term conservation.
Tierra Madre is a family-run eco-lodge and regenerative farm nestled in the tropical rainforest of northern Costa Rica. Over the past 14 years, former cattle pasture has been transformed into a thriving ecosystem of restored forests, edible gardens, agroforestry systems, wildlife corridors, and a welcoming community for volunteers from around the world. Our mission is to show that regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, education, and sustainable hospitality can thrive together. Volunteers help with a variety of seasonal projects, including creating edible gardens, planting trees, maintaining food forests, natural building, trail maintenance, harvesting food, and supporting the daily life of the eco-lodge. Tierra Madre is a living, evolving project where every volunteer helps shape a more sustainable future.
The Toucan Rescue Ranch (TRR) is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing Costa Rica's native wildlife. Working alongside the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), TRR provides expert care for injured, orphaned, and confiscated animals, with the goal of returning them to the wild whenever possible. Built on the pillars of conservation, education, and research, TRR offers hands-on internship programmes for students and aspiring conservationists, providing practical experience in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and animal care. TRR operates two facilities: - Headquarters (HQ), San Isidro, Heredia – Rescue centre, veterinary clinic, rehabilitation facilities, and wildlife sanctuary. - Release Site (RS), Nazareth, Sarapiquí – Final rehabilitation and pre-release facility for rescued wildlife.
The Toucan Rescue Ranch (TRR) is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing Costa Rican wildlife. Our work is built on three core pillars—conservation, education, and research—to help create a brighter future for the country's native wildlife. We provide specialised care for sick, injured, and confiscated animals referred to us by Costa Rican government agencies. TRR works closely with the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), which brings injured and displaced wildlife to our rescue centres. Animals receive expert veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, and, whenever possible, are successfully released back into their natural habitats. Our internship programmes offer hands-on experience in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation, making them ideal for students and aspiring conservationists who want to gain practical skills while making a meaningful impact. TRR operates across two locations: Headquarters (HQ) – San Isidro, Heredia Home to the rescue centre, veterinary clinic, quarantine, and rehabilitation facilities. Houses the wildlife sanctuary for animals that cannot be released and require lifelong care. Offers educational guided tours focused on wildlife conservation and environmental education. Release Site (RS) – Nazareth, Sarapiquí Functions as a second rescue centre. Serves as the final rehabilitation and pre-release site for many rescued animals before they return to the wild.
Our mission is to educate and empower local farmers, students, families, environmental interns, international volunteers, and community groups through hands-on learning experiences that promote sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. Our vision is to foster self-sufficient, sustainable, and agroecological farming systems in Costa Rica and beyond, creating healthier communities and a more resilient future for generations to come.
Our main mission at Tortugas de Pacuare is to protect endangered sea turtles such as the Leatherback sea turtle, Hawksbill sea turtle, and Green sea turtle. With the support of the local community and international volunteers, we aim to conserve the environment. By working with sea turtles, local communities, and environmental education programs, we strive to educate people on the importance of protecting the valuable marine ecosystem. Turtle seasons: - Leatherback turtle season: from the last week of February to the end of June - Green turtle season: from July to September - Hawksbill turtle season: from April to August One important thing to remember when working in animal protection is that wildlife is unpredictable, so we cannot guarantee exactly what your experience will be like. The only certainty is that nature is amazing and always full of surprises—that is why we love working to save turtles. Working with turtles: Working with turtles involves night patrols on the beach. Alongside local guides and other volunteers, you will patrol the beach to collect turtle eggs and relocate them to a turtle hatchery, where they will be protected from poachers. You will also work at the hatchery, caring for the eggs and newly hatched turtles, ensuring they are well prepared for their journey back into the sea. The Leatherback Turtle: Leatherbacks are the largest turtles on Earth, growing up to seven feet (two meters) in length and exceeding 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) in weight. These reptilian relics are the only remaining representatives of a family of turtles whose evolutionary history dates back more than 100 million years. Once widespread across most oceans except the Arctic and Antarctic, the leatherback population has declined significantly in many regions. Unlike other sea turtles, leatherbacks do not have hard, bony shells. Instead, they have a flexible, leathery carapace that gives them their name.
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary is a nonprofit rescue and rehabilitation center located in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica. Our mission is to give injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife a second chance while raising awareness about the importance of conservation. We envision a future where wildlife thrives safely in its natural habitat. Every year, we rescue more than 700 animals, release as many as possible back into the wild, and educate over 1,000 visitors. We are the only wildlife rescue center serving three major conservation areas that together protect 19.7% of Costa Rica’s territory. Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary began in 2014 as a small rescue project responding to the increasing number of animals affected by human development in the region. What started with only a few enclosures and a small team has grown into a fully equipped sanctuary with a veterinary clinic, nursery, research programs, and year-round internship and volunteer opportunities. Today, we are recognized as a leading center for wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and education in the region. 01. Fully Equipped Veterinary Center Our veterinary team works year-round to treat injured and orphaned wildlife. The clinic includes surgical equipment, diagnostic tools, and a specialized nursery with incubators for baby animals. 02. Sanctuary Some animals cannot safely return to the wild. For most of them, this is because they were kept as illegal pets. Our sanctuary provides long-term, species-appropriate care while maintaining the primary goal of releasing as many animals as possible. Interns support our veterinary, sanctuary, and orphan-care teams, gaining hands-on experience in wildlife rehabilitation and research, while also participating in nighttime emergencies and clinical procedures.
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary is a nonprofit rescue and rehabilitation center located in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica. Our mission is to give injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife a second chance while raising awareness about the importance of conservation. We envision a future where wildlife thrives safely in its natural habitat. Every year, we rescue more than 700 animals, release as many as possible back into the wild, and educate over 1,000 visitors. We are the only wildlife rescue center serving three major conservation areas that together protect 19.7% of Costa Rica’s territory. Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary began in 2014 as a small rescue project responding to the increasing number of animals affected by human development in the region. What started with only a few enclosures and a small team has grown into a fully equipped sanctuary with a veterinary clinic, nursery, research programs, and year-round internship and volunteer opportunities. Today, we are recognized as a leading center for wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and education in the region. 01. Fully Equipped Veterinary Center: Our veterinary team works year-round to treat injured and orphaned wildlife. The clinic includes surgical equipment, diagnostic tools, and a specialized nursery with incubators for baby animals. 02. Sanctuary: Some animals cannot safely return to the wild. For most of them, this is because they were kept as illegal pets. Our sanctuary provides long-term, species-appropriate care while maintaining the primary goal of releasing as many animals as possible.