Eden Project Costa Rica

Eden started in Costa Rica working with the Matambú Forest Nature Reserve, which in the last 30 years has regrown a vast swathe of degraded farm land into secondary growth tropical dry forest, part of Costa Rica’s remarkable programme of reforestation and restoring biodiversity.

We’re now working across a wider 65,000 hectare protected area on the peninsula. Our ambitious plan is to help to continue the regeneration of this forest and expand its area across the peninsula, encouraging the return of wildlife (including jaguars and tapirs) and working with the local communities to create a region that is sustainable both environmentally and economically.

In close collaboration with our partners, we’re creating training and education programmes that encourage business and employment opportunities that are sympathetic to the forest.

Encouraging sustainable tourism to help spread the message of regeneration around the world is also a vital part of this vision.

1. Enterprise

Agroforestry projects are underway, providing plants and training to local farmers to regrow forest, create sustainable, diverse and reliable livelihoods and...produce chocolate!

2. Education

Programmes are already being trialled in local schools, helping students learn about the local environment and the need to take care of it.

3. Science and conservation

Scientists are working with local communities to monitor the return of wildlife and map the positive changes to the land.

We aim to show that transformation is possible and that working together we can generate benefits for people and the environment in which they live.

In the late 1990s, philanthropist Peder Kolind bought a piece of land on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula that was coimpletely degraded by logging and ranching. 

In the nearby town of Paquera, the rivers ran dry for five months every year, fires raged, farms were scorched and there was unrest and great hardship. Peder had a dream to regrow the forest and transform the land by protecting it and allowing nature back in.

Over the next 25 years, nature gradually healed the land at Matambú. Trees and vines regrew, the barren landscape transformed into lush green forest, birdsong and the hum of insects filled the air and rejuvenated rivers began to flow all year round.

The forest brought clouds, regular rainfall and cooler weather – a nurturing climate for all.

Today it’s known as the Matambú Forest Reserve, 3,500 hectares of restored tropical dry forest, which is even more endangered than rainforest. In Costa Rica this habitat is home to jaguars, pumas, tapirs, macaws, anteaters and people.

In 2018 the Eden Project got involved, inspired to continue the regeneration on the peninsula.