• The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), through the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), and the Ministry of Culture and Youth (MCJ) through the National Museum of Costa Rica (MNCR), are promoting inter-institutional work for the proper maintenance of the Simón Bolívar Urban Nature Park (PANUSB), as well as the promotion of volunteer days.

On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, the MCJ, MINAE, and MNCR carried out a technical delineation of the areas of the PANU Simón Bolívar that will undergo a cleaning process during the volunteer days coordinated by SINAC, which will begin on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26. During the visit, MNCR botanist Eduardo Chacón and Mahyor Shirazinia Riggioni, Coordinator of Wildlife Areas of the Central Conservation Area (ACC – SINAC), conducted an inspection to assess the architectural, historical, and natural components of the site. The objective was to define priority areas for cleaning and to jointly establish an action plan to guide this and future volunteer days in the area.

During the tour, they determined the immediate interventions that need to be carried out, as well as the need for medium-term actions. “Several work sessions will be needed to complete the total cleaning of the area, which measures around 3 hectares and has approximately 1 kilometer of internal trails, so the work of civil society is fundamental,” explained Shirazinia. In the preliminary inspection, the priority activities to be developed were defined, aiming for the gradual rehabilitation of the park. The MNCR biologist’s recommendation for this first stage is the rehabilitation of use spaces and trails, along with the inclusion in the action plan of a clear delineation of the different zones within the park and the selection of focal elements, processes that will be articulated to rehabilitate the park.

“The Simón Bolívar Zoological Park began in 1916 as a botanical garden that belonged to the National Museum and was intended to educate the population about the natural heritage—plants and animals—of Costa Rica and even from other parts of the world. Many of these elements are still present in the natural park, making them historical attractions that show an important component of the tradition of the capital city. The intention is to maintain and protect them as witnesses of an era and to continue serving as an educational element for visitors,” explained Eduardo Chacón, who also has extensive experience in botanical garden management.

The park features centuries-old trees from species such as Guanacaste, Cedar, Walnut, and Cristóbal. The intention is to maintain and musealize them with informational plaques that contextualize the site and the different historical and natural elements it presents.

“Due to their educational character, it is common for botanical gardens to display not only native species but also introduced species. Conserving them in gardens is known as ex situ conservation; some of these are endangered plants, which is why we must identify and protect the great variety of species found in this historic place,” explained the Museum biologist.

The site has great richness in terms of vegetation, historical elements, aquifers, and a wide variety of birds and insects. The next step is to enhance the value of this natural and cultural heritage for public enjoyment, also incorporating spaces that allow for the development of various artistic expressions and reintegrating this environment into the cultural offerings of the capital.

Based on the legal tools that facilitate volunteer actions in protected wildlife areas, during April, the Central Conservation Area of SINAC – MINAE will be carrying out various volunteer days.

On April 25, 2025, with the support of the Proparques Foundation, 150 volunteers will participate, and on Saturday, April 26, 70 volunteers from the Frente por la Vida will be involved. This effort aims to maintain the site and engage civil society interested in the management of the Natural Park.

The National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC – MINAE) has a volunteer service initiative for individuals or members of organizations or local community groups, as well as organizations, institutions, and private, international, national, and regional companies that organize and execute volunteer actions.

The activities carried out through volunteering require proper organization and close coordination with different entities and individuals. In this case, it is essential to ensure that these activities are carried out in strict compliance with the protocols established by SINAC, guaranteeing at all times the respect, protection, and conservation of the site’s natural wealth.

Meryll Arias, Regional Director of the ACC, commented that, “Volunteer activities are of great relevance to the Institution. Besides being fun and educational spaces, they are a pillar of great support to meet institutional needs, and the volunteers are a cornerstone.”

With this process of technical delineation of the areas of the PANU Simón Bolívar to be subjected to cleaning, we are beginning the execution of concrete actions that will allow the recovery and enhancement of the physical space and its historical, cultural, and natural wealth.

Press materials: 05_Intervention_SimonBolivar