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Welcome to this edition
of e-Canopy — a curated collection of stories
that reflect the vibrant spirit of our OTS community across Costa
Rica, South Africa, and beyond. From groundbreaking research in
tropical restoration and freshwater ecology to life-changing student
journeys and citizen science efforts, each article celebrates the
deep connections between people, place, and purpose.
These narratives are more than updates; they are
windows into how collaboration, education, and shared discovery
continue to shape a more sustainable future. Thank you for being part
of this global network of scientists, students, and nature lovers.
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Together,
we are connecting human ingenuity with nature.
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Special
Message the President/CEO and the Chair of the Board of Directors
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With heavy hearts, OTS shares the passing of Dr. Jay
Savage—renowned herpetologist, tireless mentor whose work shaped
generations of tropical biologists, and one of the founders of OTS.
Click to read a personal message from OTS President & CEO Elizabeth
Braker and Board Chair Chelsea Ward, learn how you can honor Jay’s
legacy, and find details about the memorial fund and upcoming
symposium.
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Researchers at our stations have discovered three new
wasp species, advanced mapping land surface phenology using remote
sensing, and studied the green and black poison frog's signaling
traits. Research also delved into strawberry poison frogs' navigation,
fungi's role in forest restoration, and new educational modules in
tropical ecology. Findings on howler monkey vocalizations, leaf
flammability, bird-window collisions, and the diversity of
leafhoppers and nematodes were reported.
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Additionally, researchers published discoveries of water
anole adaptation, unusual snake predation attempts, and genetic
diversity in tropical trees, further illustrating the intricate
biodiversity and ecological interactions within Costa Rica.
Read more about the diverse ecological research at our
stations.
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The
Legacy Behind La Selva’s Seedling Data
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What can decades-old data reveal about the future of
tropical forests? At La Selva Research Station, a long-term study of
over 6,000 seedlings is offering rare insight into how forests grow,
survive, and change over time.
Through the Legacy Data Project, the Organization for
Tropical Studies (OTS) is bringing this invaluable dataset—originally
collected in the 1980s—back to life, transforming past research into
an open resource for new discoveries.
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2026
OTS Experiences Trips
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Our Costa Rica trip took place from April 5 -19, 2026.
We visited all all three of our research stations in Costa Rica and
more. Stay tune for alumni stories.
Our South Africa trip will take place from August 10-22,
2026. Sign up now and join us as we travel throughout Kruger National
Park and Cape Town. Only 5 spots left!
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Bridge
to Knowledge: Environmental and Cultural Fair at La Selva
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The OTS-UNA Environmental and Cultural Fair at La Selva
Research Station was a vibrant celebration of community spirit! In
October 2025, over 1,600 enthusiastic visitors participated in a day
filled with guided walks, educational talks, cultural presentations,
and local artisan showcases. The theme, "Bridge to
Knowledge," emphasized the importance of environmental awareness
and cultural appreciation for all ages. The joy experienced by
children and older adults alike underscored the event's mission to
foster learning and curiosity. A heartfelt thank you went out to the
dedicated volunteers, staff, and community members who made this
celebration possible.
Read more about this inspiring event and its impact on the local
community.
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Finca
Feliz: Advancing a New Frontier for Science, Sustainability, and
Leadership
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During 2025, the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS)
received, with deep gratitude, the generous donation from the Crist
family of the property “Finca Feliz,” a 21.5-hectare tract of land
bordering Braulio Carrillo National Park, with exceptionally high
ecological value.
This contribution significantly strengthens OTS’s
mission in conservation and research, while opening the opportunity
to develop an innovative space envisioned as a “think tank” for
students, scientists, nature enthusiasts, and leaders from around the
world.
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At this site, OTS aims to promote the study of
biodiversity, climate change, and ecological interactions,
integrating scientific knowledge with action for sustainability.
OTS is also committed to honoring and preserving the
legacy and vision of the Whittington Crist family, ensuring the
protection of natural resources and Costa Rica’s extraordinary
biodiversity for future generations.
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At this site, OTS aims to promote the study of
biodiversity, climate change, and ecological interactions,
integrating scientific knowledge with action for sustainability.
OTS is also committed to honoring and preserving the
legacy and vision of the Whittington Crist family, ensuring the
protection of natural resources and Costa Rica’s extraordinary
biodiversity for future generations.
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Welcome
OTS Restoration Corner
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We’re excited to share the next steps in the journey of
the Center for Tropical Restoration Science (CTRS) a growing
initiative designed to connect science, field practice, and the
restoration community action across the tropics.
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What makes this moment especially exciting is the focus
on action: from hands-on training opportunities at OTS research
stations, to strengthening knowledge exchange between communities,
scientists, and decision-makers, to advancing applied research that
directly informs restoration on the ground. These efforts are not
just about generating knowledge—they’re about making restoration more
accessible, collaborative, and impactful.
As this initiative continues to evolve, your voice is
essential. We invite you to help shape the future of CTRS by sharing
your priorities and insights.
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As this initiative continues to evolve, your voice is
essential. We invite you to help shape the future of CTRS by sharing
your priorities and insights.
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Announcements
from Admissions
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OTS welcomed 15 students from the United States, Guam,
Costa Rica, and South Africa for the Tropical Biology on a Changing Planet
and African Ecology
and Conservation Fall 2025 undergraduate semester
programs, and our next cohort of semester students arrived to Costa
Rica and South Africa in January.
We are thrilled to announce a new summer practicum in
South Africa, focused on veterinary research in partnership with
South African National Parks and other organizations, offering
students hands-on experience in veterinary practices and disease
ecology around Kruger National Park.
Applications are currently open for Summer 2026, Fall
2026, and Spring 2027 undergraduate programs. Read more about these
opportunities, and more, as well as how to apply!
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Mapping
Herpetofauna: From Field Data to Visual Insight
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During the XIII Latin American Congress of Herpetology,
the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) hosted a hands-on
workshop exploring how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can
transform the way researchers collect, analyze, and communicate field
data.
Designed for biologists and herpetologists, the workshop
combined an introductory session at OTS headquarters with a field
experience at the La Selva Research Station. Participants recorded
herpetofauna observations along forest trails using accessible, offline
tools, and later turned this data into simple maps.
The experience highlighted how GIS can reveal spatial
patterns—such as clusters and sampling gaps—making scientific
findings more visible, interpretable, and impactful. By the end,
participants had not only gathered field data, but also transformed
it into clear visual insights, demonstrating that powerful
environmental communication can be both accessible and collaborative.
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The
grandparents of the dry forest: New Guayacan finds in Palo Verde
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Some places reveal their stories slowly—asking us to
return, to observe more closely, and to listen with new eyes. At Palo
Verde Research Station, a second visit to the Guayacán trail
transformed a familiar GIS exercise into a deeper exploration of
pattern, resilience, and discovery.
What began as a simple effort to measure trees evolved
into something more: uncovering hidden clusters of ancient Guaiacum sanctum,
thriving in unexpected landscapes and quietly shaping the story of
the tropical dry forest.
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Interactive
'learning in tropical science: OTS and OCELOTS at CLAG 2026
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At CLAG 2026 in Puerto Vallarta, OTS highlighted its
growing partnership with OCELOTS and Gala—an alliance transforming
how tropical science is shared through interactive, data-driven
learning.
Through innovative modules, learners engage directly
with real research—many connected to OTS research stations—turning
complex data into accessible, hands-on experiences. Beyond the
sessions, the conference opened new opportunities for international
collaboration and reinforced OTS’s role as a bridge between science,
education, and global engagement
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Pura
vida mood activated: Chronicle of my OTS course
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In the heart of Cuba, amidst the energy of the Latin
American Congress of Botany, I faced a pivotal choice: to reapply for
the esteemed OTS Plant
Systematics course after a previous rejection. Despite my
hesitation and the weight of uncertainty, an inner drive pushed me to
take the leap. Once accepted, the journey from Colombia to Costa Rica
became a whirlwind of challenges and joyful discoveries. From bonding
with classmates over traditional food to exploring stunning
biological stations and lush jungles, every moment felt
transformative. As I navigated the trials of learning and connection,
I found myself deeply immersed in the world of botany and friendship.
Click to read more about this unforgettable adventure that changed my
life forever.
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Chasing
peccaries, Watching Monkeys, Becoming a Scientist
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Backpacking in the wilderness with my mom shaped my love
for nature, but it wasn’t until I enrolled in the Tropical Biology on a Changing
Planet program in Costa Rica that I truly found my
calling. From my first mesmerizing glimpse of La Selva [Research]
Station to the excitement of working on my own research project,
every moment was a revelation. Faced with the challenge of
adaptability and learning alongside more experienced peers, I
embraced the journey, turning initial doubts into confidence. I
discovered the joy of hands-on learning, whether it was witnessing
monkeys in the wild during class or sharing heartfelt moments with my
classmates. Click to read more about how this incredible experience
transformed me, both as a scientist and as a person.
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In
memory of William Bond
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The OTS community is deeply saddened by the passing of
Professor William Bond, a key figure in savanna and fynbos ecology
and a pivotal supporter of OTS in South Africa. His contributions to
the African Ecology
and Conservation course and mentorship of numerous
students have left an indelible mark on the field. Bond’s
groundbreaking research on disturbance in ecosystems transformed
global ecological understanding, particularly regarding fire and
herbivory, challenging conventional restoration practices. Read
more about his incredible legacy and impact on ecology and
mentorship.
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From
Field Research to Open Learning: OTS, TEC, and OCELOTS Connect Remote
Sensing with Tropical Forest Education
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A new bilingual OCELOTS module is transforming how we
explore tropical forests—using something as accessible as a
smartphone. Developed through a collaboration between the
Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) and Instituto Tecnológico de
Costa Rica, this initiative connects field research with interactive
learning, bringing remote sensing tools closer to students and
educators.
At its core, the module invites learners to see forests
differently—translating data into visual insights and turning
technology into a gateway for understanding forest structure,
conservation, and the dynamics of tropical ecosystems.
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Guarumo
+ OTS = Restoration rooted in the community
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In Sarapiquí, ecological restoration is taking shape
through collaboration, creativity, and community engagement. Guarumo Ecological
Restoration, founded by young Costa Rican biologists, has
been working hand in hand with local communities to transform
restoration into a shared, hands-on learning experience, where
nurseries become classrooms, and forests become spaces for
connection.
Through its collaboration with the Organization for
Tropical Studies, initiatives like “Vivero de la Cultura” are strengthening
local capacities, fostering environmental awareness, and building
active restoration networks. With upcoming events in June in
Sarapiquí and at the Jardín Botánico Lankester, this collaboration
continues to grow as a living example of how restoration can connect
people, knowledge, and ecosystems.
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We mourn and honor Jay Savage. His incredible life, the
long list of major accomplishments that helped create and grow OTS
into a unique powerhouse of field science and education in the world
are fundamental to OTS. Jay set an incredible precedent for so many
who have followed, to not only investigate tropical ecosystems and
biology, not only provide education that changes lives, but on top of
all that, to fund lots of their research and education with their own
money. Jay Savage, Gary Hartshorn, Beth Braker, Steve
Oberbauer, Deedra McClearn, the late Lynn Carpenter -- who else? --
are scientists that have done or do research at our stations and
often pay for it themselves. The culture of field science often
involves researchers funding their own or their students' field work.
That is an inspiration to me as I have learned how things work at
OTS, and it speaks to an incredible blend of dedication and amazing
“culture of philanthropy” in our core science research community.
Who benefits from this generosity? All of us do, the people that want
to know all about tropical ecosystems, the young scientists who are
given the chance to be mentored by scientists with extensive
experience, the stations that receive fees to serve their essential
purpose, and the policy world that can use the knowledge gained to
further goals for a resilient future. All OTS needs for a secure
future is for all of us to do our part. Let’s follow in those
footsteps in whatever way we can at this page,
where we honor Jay Savage and all the scientists that have followed
his example.
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