Nature Air

The story behind the destruction on Playa Platanares to make way for a highway cutting right through the beach continues to unfold. Very often, the forces behind commercial growth and development are large and well funded, frequently supported by government institutions. Just as often, the opposition voice for nature and the environment is a small one, scrambling for recognition and support.

Please take a moment and watch a powerful video on Coalicion Sur, a web site intended to make a difference in the Osa Peninsula.

This part of Costa Rica is singled out for its exquisite natural beauty, variety of species, and as a showcase for efforts to preserve the environment. At the same, many people are living in poverty, without access to education and healthcare.  While it is featured in travel magazines and hailed as a premier ecotourist destination, it is left to organizations like Coalicion Sur to protect it against the powerful interests of development and to promote the welfare and well being of the local communities. Roberto and Daniela are the force behind this resource. Both of them left lucrative positions and possibilities in order to take up the cause.

This is a grass roots organization intended to protect the land and empower the local residents. They are currently developing an Online Directory of Osa Organizations, offering each one a web page and the ability to sell merchandise in order to raise funds to support their efforts. Sustainability projects will soon be able to use the site as an idea and information exchange. The primary rallying point will be monitoring the development of the Osa Peninsula Coastal Highway, and preventing the habitat destruction of pristine areas like Playa Platanares before it happens and not after. They will serve as a facilitator with the intention of supporting the development of locally owned ecotourism businesses in order to create a local economy for residents of the peninsula.

The big stories tend to get the attention in the media, but very often it is the smaller stories where the important battles are taking place. Natureair understands the delicate balance between development and conservation. It is challenging to be part of the problem and part of the solution at the same time. While Natureair flies visitors to the area, and Nature Vacations books vacation packages, the airline achieves its carbon neutral status by reforesting this area. The only way a balance of interests can be achieved is by having responsible voices that represent both sides, and nature must rely on us for its voice.