Palo Verde Research Station

The Palo Verde Research Station, situated within the Palo Verde National Park in northwestern Costa Rica, encompasses a significant portion of Central American wetlands and one of the largest remaining patches of tropical lowland dry forest in the region.  These wetlands, connected to the Tempisque River and delta, host diverse native and migratory bird species, including the majestic Jabiru.  The station offers a unique setting for studying eleven distinct habitats and their responses to the surrounding human-dominated landscape.

The surrounding dry forest is characterized by marked seasonal changes, with wildlife becoming more visible during the dry season when foliage is sparse.  However, the wetlands face threats from agricultural activities upstream.  The long-term collection and curation of long-term data at the station has enabled researchers to monitor habitat changes and develop strategies for conservation and sustainable management amidst evolving environmental pressures.

The station provides basic accommodations, hiking trails, research infrastructure and teaching facilities.  Key research themes at Palo Verde include global change, hydrology, wetland restoration, agriculture’s impact on human health, and protected area management.

• Logo:
• UN Geographic Region: Latin America
• Street: 30 Km West of Bagaces
• City: Bagaces
• Zip Code: 50401
• Country: Costa Rica
• State/Province: guanacaste
• Latitude: 10
• Longitude: 85
• FSML E-mail Address: paloverde@tropicalstudies.org
• FSML Web Address: https://tropicalstudies.org/portfolio/palo-verde-research-station/
• FSML Year Founded: 1968
• Year Join OBFS: 2025
• University affiliation(s)?: Yes
• Names of Universities affiliated / Parent Organization: Organization for Tropical Studies
• Address Line 1: Ciudad de la Investigacion, UCR
• City: San Pedro de Montes de Oca
• Zip Code: 11501
• Country: Costa Rica
• State: sanjose
• Contact Name: Sofia Rodriguez
• Contact Email: sofia.rodriguez@tropicalstudies.org
• Contact Position: Education Director
• Contact Address: Apartado 676-2050 San José Costa Rica
• Contact Phone Number: +50625116238
• Station Director Name: Luis Mario Calderon
• Station Director Email: mario.calderon@tropicalstudies.org
• Education Director Name: Sofia Rodriguez
• Education Director Email: sofia.rodriguez@tropicalstudies.org
• Billing Contact Name: Emilce Ramirez
• Billing Contact Email: emilce.ramirez@tropicalstudies.org
• Voting Delegate Email: sofia.rodriguez@tropicalstudies.org
• Additional Contact: Sofia Rodriguez
• Additional Contact Email: sofia.rodriguez@tropicalstudies.org
• Additional Contact Position: Education Director
• Operating Budget: $50,001 - $200,000
• Size of Field Station: 10000+
• Private nonprofit organization?: Yes
• Federal, state, or local governmental partners?: Other
• Other: UCONN, SINAC COSTA RICA, UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL, UNIVERSIDAD DE COSTA RICA, MUSEO NACIONAL DE COSTA RICA
• International partner/s?: Yes
• Name of International partner/s: Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS)
• Minority Serving Institution/Historically Black Colleges and Universities users?: Yes
• Community College users: Yes
• Member of the Virtual Field?: Yes
• Open to the Public?: Yes
• Onsite staff?: Yes
• Year Round Staff: 3-5
• Seasonal Staff: 3-5
• Overnight housing facilities: 50+
• Conference space: 51-100
• Food service or catering available?: Yes
• Electricity: On Grid
• Distance to emergency services?: 41-60 minutes
• Internet Access?: Yes
• Classes: Onsite public programs
• Hiking trails?: Yes
• Internships?: Yes
• Biome Type: Terrestrial
• Terrestrial Biomes: Tropical Dry Forest
• Minimum Elevation: 0-100 meters
• Maximum Elevation: 301-750 meters
• Köppen climate classification: A (tropical)
• Freshwater habitats: Yes
• Urban/Rural: Rural
• Dry lab space?: Yes
• Long term data sets?: Yes
• On site herbarium or voucher species?: Yes
• Research and/or graduate student training: 30
• Formal education: 50
• Outreach: 20