Nosara Is Its People
Nosara is an amazing place to call home. It’s no accident that life here is so special—the true strength of this community is its people. From our schools and water systems to recycling, reforestation, sports, and cultural programs, these cornerstones of daily life are created and cared for by our neighbors.
photo courtesy of Dreamcatchers CR
In 2015, El Bosque founders John and Susan established the Harmony Fund, a small grants program, to stay closely connected with these efforts. The yearly call for proposals helps us understand grassroots movements, spot emerging needs and trends, and connect people toward collective action.
Over the last decade, the Fund has provided more than $290,000 to support local organizations. These grants are a boost - the real progress comes from the vision and ongoing work of community leaders. We’re grateful for their dedication and glad to share their success stories below so that all of us, new and longtime residents alike, can learn more about what’s happening and feel inspired to be part of this collective effort.
WATER
photo courtesy of La Liga Comunal del Agua
In most of rural Costa Rica, water is provided by local community organizations called ASADAS (Asociación Administradora de Sistemas de Acueductos y Alcantarillados). The Board members are usually community volunteers with no previous management experience nor technical knowledge. In 2016, several Nosara ASADAs required a consultant to help them improve their administration and general operations. That process eventually led to the establishment of La Liga Comunal del Agua, a self-sustaining organization that now provides technical assistance and preferential funding to its 126 Asada members across Guanacaste, as well as technical services to private clients.
EDUCATION
photo courtesy of Guardianes de la Naturaleza
In 2018 a local initiative called Educaverde dreamt of offering a website with free bilingual materials to support teachers deliver impactful education. The initiative turned into a movement now called Guardianes de la Naturaleza, with a focus on teacher training, transforming campuses and promoting student participation. Their online platform now serves over 1,200 users across 21 countries. The organization continues to pilot new programs using Nosara’s schools as their laboratory, with the support of the Ministry of Education in Costa Rica.
SOCIAL WELLBEING
photo courtesy of Nosara Food Bank
The Nosara Food Bank officially began supporting 6 families in 2013. They now feed 200+ people per month: single mothers, elderly or disabled, each person with a different story and challenge. With support from national and local partners, they promote the adoption of household gardens, family planning, and the new Nosara Sonríe, a free oral health outreach program for school aged kids.
REFORESTATION
photo courtesy of Costas Verdes
15 years ago we couldn’t imagine ourselves walking along the Guiones beach trails under the shade. Even with the creation of the Maritime Terrestrial Zone law or the protection of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge status, the deforestation impacts of the cattle farms expansion of the 40’s-50’s were still recently visible on Nosara’s beaches. Coastal restoration through community involvement became the mission of Costas Verdes. They’ve been able to plant over 43,000 trees in the Nosara area alone, reintroduce more than 80 species, and coordinate thousands of volunteers, bringing back the forest and honoring our country’s name.
CHILDHOOD SAFETY
photo courtesy of Dreamcatchers CR
Dreamcatchers uses art, dance, music and sports to develop essential social skills in kids as an innovative way to prevent bullying, abuse and other types of violence in our community. Their programs run year-round, weaving together capoeira, surfing, music, mentorship, and community engagement, along with offering vital support in schools through supplies, guidance, and protection protocols. Reaching 900 students across 7 local schools, Dreamcatchers is helping shape a resilient community where children can grow and thrive.
Each of these projects shows how much is possible when people come together with creativity and care. We hope you’ll feel inspired to stay connected and engaged with this community we all love.