English - Three Paths

J. J. Pucci
J. J. Pucci
We invite you to join us and support our
efforts toward conservation.
Please contact us for more information on:
The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS)
is a non-profit consortium of more than 50
universities and research institutions from
Latin America, the United States, South
Africa and Australia.
Discover the Biological
Field Stations of OTS
Las
LasCruces
Cruces
Canopy Tower, Las Cruces Biological Station.
• BioCursos, a program that introduces you
to the spectacular natural offerings of
Costa Rica and other countries.
• Educational programs on a variety of
topics for undergraduate and graduate
students.
• Courses for professionals and political
decision-makers.
• Research scholarships for graduate
students.
• Organization of academic events and
workshops.
OTS was founded in 1963 to promote
education, research and the responsible
use of natural resources in the tropics.
OTS manages three biological stations in
Costa Rica: La Selva, in Sarapiquí; Las
Cruces, in San Vito de Coto Brus; and Palo
Verde, in Guanacaste. These three stations
are open to the general public, offering
food and lodging, guided hikes,
workshops, and lectures on various
subjects related to the environment and
conservation, among other services. OTS
also offers special group packages.
La La
Selva
Selva
Phone: (506) 2524-0607 ext. 1340
Fax: (506) 2524-0608
E-mail: reservaciones.threepaths@ots.cr
P.O.Box 676-2050 San Pedro, Costa Rica.
OTS.OET
OTS_OET
www.ots.cr
J. C. Ulate
J. J. Pucci
Palo Palo
VerdeVerde
As part of its mission, OTS offers courses to
undergraduate and graduate students, as
well as professionals and decision-makers.
The organization also facilitates research;
participates in forest conservation; and
leads programs in environmental
education.
C. Hildreth
J. J. Pucci
Las Cruces
Biological Station &
Wilson Botanical Garden
Palo Verde
Biological Station
Location:
Palo Verde National Park, Guanacaste,
230 kilometers (143 miles) from
San José.
Location:
San Vito de Coto Brus, 275 kilometers
(170miles) from San José.
C. Ziegler
P. Carmichael
J. J. Pucci
J. C. Ulate
Las Cruces Biological Station is a
center for applied research located
in premontane tropical forest.
It protects a total of 326 hectares
(805 acres), of which 200 hectares
(495 acres) are primary forest.
The station is an important center for
teaching, scientific research, and
environmental education in the
country's southern region.
Las Cruces is home to 413 bird
species, 113 mammal species (of
which 60 species are bats), and
2,000 plant species. The station
forms part of the La Amistad
Biosphere Reserve.
The Robert and Catherine Wilson
Botanical Garden is located on the
grounds of Las Cruces Biological
Station. The garden comprises one
of the most important collections of
tropical plants in the world.
Within its 10 hectares (25 acres), the
Wilson Botanical Garden harbors a
wide selection of ferns, bromeliads,
ginger, heliconias, marantas and
palms. More than 1,000 genera in
212 plant families are represented.
La Selva Biological Station
Location: Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí,
80 kilometers (50 miles) from San José.
La Selva is widely recognized as one of the
leading research centers in the tropics. Founded
in 1968, it was one of the first privately
protected areas in Costa Rica.
La Selva protects 1,600 hectares (3,950 acres)
of primary and secondary forest, and offers 61
km (38 miles) of trails, of which 16 km
(10 miles) are paved and 7 km (4 miles) allow
wheelchair access.
The biodiversity includes 2,078 species of
plants, as well as 467 bird species, more than
500 ant species, and 72 species of bats.
La Selva is connected to Braulio Carrillo
National Park, forming a biological corridor that
runs from 2,906 meters (9,534 feet) above sea
level at Barva Volcano to just 35 meters
(115 feet) above sea level in La Selva.
Research at La Selva has resulted in the
publication of more than 2,655 articles, theses,
and scientific books.
This biological station is located
within Palo Verde National Park,
which is home to one of the most
extensive wetlands in
Central America.
Palo Verde is an important refuge
for endemic and migratory
aquatic birds. Common sightings
include herons, storks, grebes,
ibis, ducks, jacanas, cormorants
and jabirus.
J. C. Ulate
Palo Verde protects one of the
world's last remaining neotropical
dry forests.
Since 2001, OTS, the Costa Rican
Ministry of the Environment, and
the National Wetlands Program
have worked together to restore
this important wetland.
Researchers at Palo Verde also
conduct important investigations
into the wetlands and surrounding
tropical dry forest.
Sergio Pucci
J. C. Ulate