MORE THAN 200 VOLUNTEERS AND 10 ORGANIZATIONS UNITE TO PROTECT THE MOST BIODIVERSE PARK ON THE PLANET

• On the 50th anniversary of Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica leads a historic action against marine pollution threatening 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity.
• Dates: June 5–8, 2025. Location: Corcovado National Park (Puerto Jiménez and Playa Carate, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica).

A PROTECTED PARK… INVADED BY A GLOBAL PROBLEM

In the Osa Peninsula, home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity and declared by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on Earth,” a key battle against pollution will take place. From June 5 to 8, 200 volunteers, supported by the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), the Puerto Jiménez Chamber of Tourism, local and international organizations, partner companies, media, and the UN Costa Rica, will mobilize to clean 27 km of coastline and trails invaded by waste coming from distant areas of the country and even from South America, Africa, and Asia.

The initiative, called “Casita Limpia,” not only commemorates the 50th anniversary of Corcovado National Park, but also aligns with World Environment Day (June 5) and World Oceans Day (June 8), with the goal of preventing tons of plastic from endangering the lives of jaguars, tapirs, harpy eagles, and hundreds of other species that coexist in this natural paradise.

“This campaign to clean Corcovado National Park was born from the desire to use the reach of my networks to generate real impact in the community that welcomed me since my first trip to Costa Rica. Sometimes social media feels overwhelming or superficial, but then I remember it can also be a powerful tool to build community, raise awareness, and drive the world toward the change I want to see,” said Evangelina González, creator of @alinfinitoo and general coordinator of Casita Limpia.

This sanctuary, though carefully protected by park rangers and local communities, faces an unexpected challenge: trash. It’s not just locally generated waste, but debris brought by ocean currents from other countries, ending up on its most remote beaches.

Key facts

• 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity is concentrated here, in just 0.001% of the Earth’s land surface.
• The park is home to over 140 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 500 tree species.
• Corcovado has 23 km of coastline, where four species of sea turtles (leatherback, olive ridley, green, and hawksbill) nest.
• Waste found in the park travels over 12,000 km from other continents.
• Bottles collected in previous clean-ups had labels in Mandarin, Korean, and Arabic.
• 5,000 people registered to participate, showing unprecedented interest.
• In Costa Rica, 7 out of 10 volunteers are women and 60% are aged between 18 and 35.
• The organization expects to collect around 8 tons of waste.

“These campaigns are a powerful starting point to heal our ecosystems. Every action not only prevents tons of waste from choking our coasts, but also activates networks of committed allies for the future of the planet. Thanks to this collective mobilization, today we are driving sustainability projects in five provinces across the country, uniting communities, scientists, and companies with a single goal: to protect what connects us.

We invite you to be part of this movement that is already transforming realities. Together, we not only clean up: we build a model of hope that proves that when communities lead, change is unstoppable,” said Ellian Villalobos, Executive Director of Green Wolf Costa Rica.

FROM DIGITAL INFLUENCE TO GLOBAL ACTION: THE STORY BEHIND “CASITA LIMPIA”

The initiative arose when content creator Evangelina González (@alinfinitoo), who has visited Costa Rica three times, was deeply moved by Costa Rican culture and the country’s natural richness. On a recent visit to Corcovado National Park, accompanied by Nito (Dionisio Paniagua), the park’s most recognized guide and also a content creator, she witnessed a powerful scene: protected beaches covered in bottles brought by the sea.

It was Nito who shared with Evan the story behind the bottles—some bearing inscriptions in Mandarin or Arabic—and the idea of a massive cleanup. Evan, inspired and determined, decided to turn that conversation into real action. That’s how “Casita Limpia” was born.

“Corcovado National Park is a genetic bank, one of the last remnants of Pacific rainforest, a vital refuge for endangered species, a lung for Central America. And what does it mean for us, people from the South? It’s our economic engine, the heart that drives the local economy and creates real opportunities for future generations,” explained Dionisio Paniagua, Corcovado National Park guide and content creator.

HOW WILL THE MEGA CLEAN-UP WORK?

The park clean-up will be a nationwide operation, led by the community and uniting hundreds of people taking action to protect this natural sanctuary.

The organization of the initiative will include strict planning to ensure positive and measurable impacts:

Themed teams with specific functions:

• Ants: Trail collectors
• Squirrels: Waste sorters
• Whales: Maritime transport
• Monkeys: Logistics NGOs
• Macaws: Communicators
• Tapirs: Artists and creators
• Jungle: Food and support

Transparency and impact: The process includes sorting and weighing waste, data collection, sea and land transportation, and a final impact report.

Sustainable legacy: All recyclable waste will be managed by ASAOSA, while non-recoverable waste will be responsibly disposed of by the Municipality of Puerto Jiménez.

Global impact: Data collected will be used to call on the international community to take action against marine pollution.

CALL TO ACTION

Allegra Baiocchi, UN Resident Coordinator in Costa Rica, highlighted that this action is a global model, combining the strength of communities, science, and environmental diplomacy.

“Each bottle removed here saves species and sends a message to the world: the impacts of pollution know no borders, but neither do the solutions. We all have the obligation to take responsibility and stop the production and use of single-use plastics and other pollutants.”

The United Nations noted that Corcovado is a clear example of an environmental thermometer: its degradation signals the future of biodiversity and oceans. It also emphasized the need to promote protection models at all levels: from community action to state legislation and the adoption of global systems that prevent pollution and its impacts on biodiversity.

JOIN THE CHANGE

Follow live coverage:
Hashtags: #CasitaLimpia | #OperaciónCorcovado | #SalvarEl2PorCiento
Exclusive broadcasts: Instagram Live by @alinfinitoo, @nitocorcovado, @onucostarica

GENERAL INFORMATION

Dates: June 5–8, 2025
Location: Corcovado National Park – Playa Carate and Puerto Jiménez
Volunteers: 200 selected
Supported by: Esencial Costa Rica, SINAC, UN Costa Rica, ASAOSA, Green Wolf, Red Cross, Puerto Jiménez Chamber of Tourism, Municipality of Puerto Jiménez, environmental organizations, media, companies, and the local community.