Meet the Osa Tree Sanctuary

We continue our journey on the Osa Peninsula at the Osa Conservation Tree Nursery. I had the pleasure of the meeting the arborist, Mairon, or Titi, as he prefers to be called. Titi is passionate about trees. He showed me around the expansive tree nursery where Osa is growing a 280 different tree species. These saplings will eventually be taken to one of the 300 partner farms that Osa works with to support the development of riparian corridors. Their goal is to regenerate the native landscape to support wildlife, farmers, and those who depend upon the farms. Having a wildland corridor that connects through a farm, allows farmers to grow more lucrative crops such as vanilla beans or honey. As they tend to pollinators or vanilla bean vines, the bees and plants themselves then become a part of the regenerating forest. Each farm becomes a circle of care. Back at the nursery, Titi is focused on planting hundreds of seedlings and tending to their initial growth under close observation. Osa works to revive even the most stubborn of tree species such as the Magnolia Hueteri, that is known to be difficult to cultivate at first. When I stood in the nursery, I felt hope for a life on this planet that continues to be green and vibrant. Even in the great uncertainties of life on this planet as it seems to devolve in front of our very eyes, I think of these trees, ever continuously planted in an effort to feed future humans and monkeys alike. One day, I hope to be able to return to see some of these trees as they reach old age. Perhaps, centuries from now, they will be regarded as some of the old growth elders that have witnessed the regeneration of all life on this planet. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthstoryourstory.substack.com