Global Conservation—Global Park Defense Costa Rica–Panama
Costa Rica | March 26-29
PURPOSE OF THE VISIT
Strengthen high-level coordination of the Global Park Defense Costa Rica–Panama program, observe in the field priority intervention areas addressing illegal mining in Corcovado National Park, and reinforce institutional alliances for the protection of critical biodiversity areas across Central America.
This visit promotes regional cooperation, strategic alignment for 2026–2028, and direct engagement with protected area authorities and operational teams.
INVITED PROTECTED AREAS & CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES
Costa Rica
• La Amistad International Park, administrator and coordinator of the Control and Protection Program.
• Corcovado National Park, director of ACOSA, director of Protected Areas, park administrator, coordinator, and patrol of the Control and Protection Program.
• Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, administrator and coordinator of the Control and Protection Program.
• Guanacaste Conservation Area, director of Protected Areas and coordinator of the Control and Protection Program.
Panama
• Coiba National Park, coordinator of the Control and Protection Program.
• Darién National Park, coordinator of the Control and Protection Program.
• La Amistad International Park, Pacific sector, coordinator of the Control and Protection Program. • La Amistad International Park, Caribe sector, coordinator of the Control and Protection Program. • Coordinator of Protected Areas and Biodiversity.
KEY ACTIVITIES
Wednesday, March 26 – Arrival & Institutional Welcome Location:Puerto Jiménez
Main Activities
• Arrival of the Global Conservation delegation. • Official welcome dinner.
• Presentation of visit objectives and logistical overview. Participants
• Global Conservation leadership
• Global Park Defense Costa Rica-Panamá team • Strategic partners and invited authorities
Thursday, March 27 – Strategic Session & Marine Patrol Morning—High-Level Strategic Workshop
Location: Puerto Jiménez
Operational objective of the workshop:
Define and align strategic and operational priorities for 2026–2028, strengthening cross-border coordination, intelligence integration, and institutional capacity for effective conservation and threat response.
Highlights
• Dialogue with executive leadership.
• Briefing on program progress and regional priorities.
• Costa Rica–Panama coordination framework.
• Strategic discussion: priorities for 2026–2028.
• Binational patrol coordination in La Amistad International Park (PILA) and use of EarthRanger as an integrated patrol and intelligence system.
• Presentation on the use of the M2 radar as a key marine control and protection tool, with a focus on the radar’s real capabilities, integration with maritime patrol operations, costs, and replicability in Coiba National Park.
• Darién National Park expansion strategy and EarthRanger implementation.
• Use of thermal cameras and a control center for early fire detection, with a focus on system design, daily operation, response protocols, and results in reducing impacts in the Guanacaste Conservation Area.
• Use of EarthRanger as an integrated patrol and intelligence system in Chirripó National Park. • Alignment of joint operational priorities for 2026–2028.
Friday, March 28 – Field Visit: Sirena Station Location: Corcovado National Park – Sirena
Operational Objective:
Strengthen on-site coordination by identifying immediate actions to enhance patrol effectiveness, resource allocation, and response capacity for threat prevention and control.
Highlights
• Early transfer into the park.
• Institutional briefing on priority threats.
• Assessment of operational capacity and protection needs.
• Recognition of Sirena as a core biodiversity conservation site of global significance.
Saturday, March 29 Field Visit: Terrestrial Patrol
Location: Corcovado National Park, Los Patos Sector
Operational Objective:
Identify priority actions to strengthen terrestrial patrol capacity, improve inter-institutional coordination, and enhance response effectiveness to illegal mining activities.
Highlights
• Visit the Los Patos Operational Center.
• Presentation of enforcement actions addressing illegal mining.
• Engagement with field personnel and operational teams.
• Review of achievements, challenges, and strengthening opportunities.
STRATEGIC FOCUS OF THE VISIT
Protection of globally significant biodiversity.
Strengthening park protection capacity.
Addressing illegal mining threats in Corcovado National Park.
Enhancing cross-border conservation cooperation.
Building long-term institutional partnerships.
Presentation of real implementation experiences, led by the parks with the most experience in each tool.
Field visits to observe operations against illegal mining in Corcovado National Park and illegal fishing in the Golfo Dulce.
GC Mission Itinerary
Protecting Endangered National Parks of Panama and Costa Rica
Puerto Jiménez, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
March 25th-30th
March 25th: Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica, United 2312
Wednesday: Hotel Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen
March 26th: GC Park Protection Summit
Thursday: Fly to Puerto Jiménez. 9:50AM Sansa Air 3070 - World Ticket
Confirmation: HYV29X. Expedia 73388204572008
San José to Puerto Jiménez: 9:50am. Arrive at 10:40am.
Leaders of the 6 Largest and Most Endangered National Parks of Panama and Costa Rica
March 27th: GC Park Protection Summit
Friday: Global Park Defense and Community Protection
Corcovado National Park – Special Operation Illegal Mining
Sirene Station
March 28th: GC Park Protection Summit
Saturday: Global Park Defense and Community Protection
March 29th: GC Park Protection Summit
Sunday: Los Patos Operational Center AM
Flight—Puerto Jiménez (PJM) to San Jose 5:40pm
World Ticket 3099 operated by SANSA
March 30th: Return to USA
Monday: 8AM Flight United 2313