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Jennifer Harter headshot

jennifer harter

president

Jen is a professional photographer and co-owner at 2 Costa Rica Real Estate, Santa Teresa. Jen fell in love with the Nicoya Peninsula in her teens after learning to surf and do yoga. For the last seventeen years, she has made Santa Teresa her permanent home and has started a family here. Born in Costa Rica to American parents, she likes to bridge the cultural gap between her multicultural clients and her beloved country. Jen is honored to be a part of the Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeepers Organization and is happy to contribute to this community as it grows and develops in responsible ways. She is doing so by raising awareness and providing educational opportunities to the people she welcomes into the area.

Brett Callahan headshot

brett callahan

vice president

Originally from New Jersey, Brett's love of the ocean began during his summers spent at the Jersey Shore. After graduating from Boston College with a degree in psychology, a volunteer teaching opportunity led him to Mal Pais in 2006. After teaching English at the local elementary school, he quickly knew Mal Pais was a special place and decided to make it home. Brett has since built a successful local real estate business and is raising two young boys with his wife, Yalile. An avid surfer and fisherman, Brett is passionate about protecting his local waters so that his sons and generations to come can enjoy them as he has.

Ana Gayle Glenn headshot

ana gayle glenn

treasurer

Originally from Manhattan Beach California, Gayle also known as Ana, relocated at the age of 13 to Oahu, Hawaii. This upbringing on the Pacific Ocean and in the tropics is where her love and respect for the ocean and all living creatures began. Arriving in Costa Rica in 1972, she quickly became enamored with the beautiful and gentle nature of the Ticos. She officially became a Tica on 2015!

Her two children, Noah and Ana, were born in San Pedro de Póas where she started a small design and manufacturing business of swim and beachwear for the local market, HawaiiAna. This was a fantastic experience on every level. 28 years later, she moved back to the beach, to Santa Teresa and eventually settled off the grid in lovely Santiago. Gayle has been involved in local initiatives to help the community. She joined the Association Pro Salud de Cóbano in 2015 where she serves as VP, advocating for public health and supporting the Cobano's Clinic and Ebais. A second association, ASOCHOZA has just formed to realize the ambitious goal of building a retirement home for senior citizens of Cóbano.

Gayle is happy to support the efforts of the Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeeper in the ever expanding ways that this organization helps keep our area clean, safe and respected. Keeping the Puravida alive and well is her goal.

Grey Hecht headshot

grey hecht

fiscal

Grey is a green home builder, philanthropist, farmer and restorationist who has been lucky enough to have grown up in the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest in the United States. Tempered by rural lifestyle and a family culture of environmental stewardship, Grey is committed to the Waterkeeper mission of water protection and has been Board member of the Waterkeeper Alliance since 2009. Grey received a BA in Environmental Biology from Southern Oregon University, is owner of Grey & Green, Cloudburst Enterprises, and Small Creek Farm in Oregon, and co-owner/founder of the Ola Honua Restoration Project in Maui. He is husband to Nicoya, and father of two boys, Kadin and Gracen. Grey enjoys ultra-running, surfing, snow sports, rivers and mountains to help keep him sane and enriched.

Carolina Chavarría headshot

carolina chavarría

Waterkeeper® & ED

Carolina has a major in International Relations at the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, a Master’s Degree in International Cooperation for Development at the University of Pavia, Italy, and a Translation and Interpretation Certificate from the University of California-San Diego Extension. From 2004, she has been working with non-governmental organizations managing and designing social development projects and strategies for developing countries, which has taken her to live in Italy, Morocco, the Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bolivia, and back to her native Costa Rica. Originally from San José, driven by her passion for nature and water, on October 2012 she moved to the beautiful town of Santa Teresa on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast to initiate the Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeeper Organization.

Ariadna Sánchez headshot

ariadna sánchez

Program Coordinator

Ariadna holds a degree in Natural Resources Management from Universidad Estatal a Distancia. She has an art background at the Conservatorio de Castella and University of Costa Rica and studies in Tourism and Naturalism at the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje and other institutions. For over 20 years, she has been applying these disciplines in the area of ​​Environmental Education. Ariadna has worked as a Naturalist Guide and as a Coordinator of Environmental Education and Outreach Projects mainly in the South and North Pacific of Costa Rica, but also internationally, working with diverse audiences including children, youth, elders, indigenous groups, researchers, decision makers and others. Ariadna has worked for the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), the Center for Research on Natural and Social Resources (CIRENAS) and currently for the Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeeper Organization where she coordinates Solid Waste Management projects and the Ocean Friendly Business® project.

Luis Gómez headshot

luis gómez

coordinator for water pollution prevention

Luis has a degree in Environmental Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, as well as professional experience in research on the impact of microplastics on marine species and analysis of the quality of drinking water and wastewater. He has worked as a laboratory assistant at the Center for Chemical and Microbiological Research and Services (CEQIATEC) and participated as a volunteer in the area of environmental education. His experience and passion for the ocean has allowed him to understand the direct relationship between healthy ecosystems and human health, focused on mitigating the impact on water resources.

Mariana Cassini headshot

mariana cassini

project manager

Originally from Argentina, Mariana moved to Santa Teresa in 2017 and fell in love with its nature and people. She studied Political Science at the University of Buenos Aires and is currently doing a Masters Degree in Public Policy advocating her career in Environmental Politics. She also studied at Goethe University in Germany where she took courses related to participative innovations and citizen engagement determining the importance of local governments and civic participation in public policies. She is the coordinator of the communications department and the manager of the project Ocean Friendly Business. She understands that through a conscious education you can inspire different actors to take action. She is certain that without biodiversity and clean ecosystems the world as we know it doesn’t work, so that’s why she will encourage nature from wherever she is.

Cristina Orozco headshot

Cristina Orozco

communications coordinator

Cristina holds a degree in Advertising Design from Veritas University, Costa Rica, and a Master's degree in Neuromarketing from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain. She is passionate about the positive impact effective communication can have, serving as the bridge between information and better actions and decisions.

Her love for nature and her commitment to using her skills for the greater good have led her to volunteer with various NGOs and charities since 2014. Through her experiences, she has come to realize the powerful role that communication and design play. For her, communication brings ideas to life — what you communicate exists, and what you don't, doesn't. Cristina believes that anything with the power to bring about change must be communicated effectively to make that change a reality.

Cindy Murillo headshot

cindy murillo

Organic and Special Waste Project Coordinator

Originally from the north of Costa Rica, Cindy moved to Santa Teresa 12 years ago. She studied Ecotourism Activities in the Agricultural and Industrial Technical School (ETAI). During her first steps into the tourist market, she noticed the huge environmental problems that this field encounters and the few amount of people that lead the change, that is why in 2016 she decided to take action. Cindy began working at an NGO aiming to develop sea turtle conservation programs, restoration of the Caletas-Ario Wildlife Refuge, and the Ecological Blue Flag Beach and Ario River program which are now fully consolidated. Following her call to action, Cindy started working in 2019 at the Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeeper organization providing support in the efficient solid waste management project in the coastal area of the South of the Nicoya Peninsula.

Juan Pinto headshot

juan pinto

secretary

Juan Pinto is an Agricultural Engineer by formation (with an emphasis in sustainable development from EARTH University), a Biologist at heart and hotelier by profession. He worked for 4 years as General Manager of the world renowned (National Geographic unique lodge of the world) Lapa Rios Ecolodge. During his management, the hotel was recognized as one of the most prestigious in Latin America by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure and Andrew Harper. Juan served in advisory and general management capacity for several high-end sustainable tourism operations.

Worked on the creation of a 16 million USD agricultural theme park PANACA where he was responsible for implementing the landscape design; installing and operating the nursery of ornamental plants, fruit trees and native trees; supervising the purchase, transportation, treatment and distribution of the bamboo employed for all the constructions; and establishing +/-300 acres with different farming models for 25+ crops.

He also served as Director of Operations at Hacienda Ario for 2+ years developing, overseeing, and improving the financial and operational management systems and procedures for Ario Ranch, a coastal 4,500-acre, mixed-used sustainable development located in southern Nicoya Peninsula. He is proud to join the Board of the Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeeper organization and offer his knowledge, experience, and passion for sustainability.

Everardo Carmona headshot

everardo carmona

vocal

Originally from San Jose, Everardo has always been sharing his heart with Santa Teresa. He is a very passionate person and has always liked being involved in environmental initiatives, such as Macaw conservation projects around the North Pacific and South Pacific coasts of Costa Rica. Everardo has also volunteered as a park and mangrove ranger for the Ministry of Environment and has been involved in the sowing of endemic species and regeneration of forests.

He majored in Aviation Business Administration and Aeronautical Science in Daytona Beach Florida at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where at the same time, he also became certified as a commercial airline pilot. He then started a charter company flying to all major destinations in Costa Rica 16 years ago and in 2018, he launched Costa Rica Green Airways. Creating accessibility for all to the most remote destinations around the country is also one of his passions and goals.

Everardo is also a passionate member of CATUZA (Cámara de Turismo de La Zona Azul - Chamber of Tourism of the Blue Zone) sharing ideas from his knowledge of this area. He looks forward to working to increase the level of consciousness and awareness in how to protect water locally, so that we can continue to promote and enjoy a healthy lifestyle and destination.

Georgi Maule-ffinch headshot

georgi maule-ffinch

vocal 2

Georgi was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She has a law degree from Arizona State University and a French Language Diploma from the Universite d’Avignon. She started her career working for her family’s real estate development business.

Upon her father’s sudden passing in 2012 she took the opportunity to pursue her true passion, food. After a few years of cooking and studying nutrition, she and her husband, David, co-founded a company focused on using food as medicine to prevent and reverse chronic disease. Today that company is known as Better Therapeutics, a prescription digital therapeutic platform that uses cognitive behavioral therapy to prevent and reverse cardiometabolic diseases.

Aside from cooking, growing and continuously learning about food, she is learning to play the guitar and enjoys yoga and surfing in clean water, reason why she happily joined the Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeeper Board. Georgi has two children: a 6 year old little girl, Vivienne and an 11 year old pup, Charlie.

Carla Azofeifa headshot

Carla Azofeifa

Recycling Project Coordinator

Carla holds a degree in Biology and Non-Formal Education Administration from the University of Costa Rica. With over 10 years of experience in community outreach and environmental education, she has collaborated with renowned institutions such as the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) and the University of Costa Rica. Carla has served as an Environmental Education consultant on multiple projects across the country, with a particular focus on the southern region of Costa Rica. Throughout her career, she has engaged with diverse audiences, spanning from children to senior citizens, integrating solutions to address pressing socio-environmental issues. Passionate about nature, Carla's dedication extends from the land to the sea.

Armando Esquivel headshot

Armando Esquivel

Ocean Friendly Business® Project Coordinator

Armando has an Ecotourism degree from the University of Costa Rica (UCR). He took a life pathway immersed in the nature of the Central Pacific area of the country guiding and leading groups of tourists through the transitional tropical forest of that area, showcasing its biodiversity to visitors from all around the world.

In addition, Armando obtained a PADI Open Water Advance license from the National Learning Institute (INA). Nowadays, he is pursuing the intention of protecting the ecosystems that hold the water bodies around the Southern Nicoya Peninsula. He is enjoying, learning and experiencing new and different processes around the ocean that add great value to his own life.

Enthusiastic baker, musician songwriter playing live music around Santa Teresa. A human being protecting and giving thanks for the ocean, the rivers and nature itself.

Evelyn Sancho headshot

Evelyn Sancho

The Beach Cleanup Project Coordinator

Evelyn is originally from Heredia, Costa Rica, but has been a resident of Cóbano for the past 18 years. She is a lover of all the simple and honest, as well as plants and animals. Evelyn is a team player who enjoys developing projects and is dedicated to the causes she supports.

She graduated from the Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) with a degree in Business Administration and has a background in Public Accounting. With over 5 years of experience in the field, she has worked as a sales manager for networking and as a bilingual accounting assistant.

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Waterkeeper Alliance Member logo

Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeeper is a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance ~ waterkeeper.org, a global network of more than 300 Waterkeeper Organizations dedicated to cleaning up rivers, lakes and coasts through grassroots action. The vision of the Waterkeeper Movement is for swimmable, drinkable, fishable waterways worldwide. The guiding principle of Waterkeepers is that without water, there can be no life, and without clean water, there can be no healthy life.

Water is at the core of today's most pressing issues—security and scarcity, energy and climate change, the cause and spread of infectious disease. Communities are looking for ways to protect our right to clean water, as the quality and quantity of water resources decline around the world.

Coastal and marine water resources in the southern end of the Peninsula face threats which Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeeper addresses through research, field work, education, and advocacy.

meet our team

staff

carolina chavarría

Carolina Chavarría headshot

Waterkeeper® & ED

ariadna sánchez

Ariadna Sánchez headshot

Program Coordinator

Cristina Orozco

Cristina Orozco headshot

communications coordinator

Carla Azofeifa

Carla Azofeifa headshot

Recycling Project Coordinator

Evelyn Sancho

Evelyn Sancho headshot

The Beach Cleanup Project Coordinator

cindy murillo

Cindy Murillo headshot

Organic and Special Waste Project Coordinator

luis gómez

Luis Gómez headshot

coordinator for water pollution prevention

board of directors

jennifer harter

Jennifer Harter headshot

president

brett callahan

Brett Callahan headshot

vice president

juan pinto

Juan Pinto headshot

secretary

ana gayle glenn

Ana Gayle Glenn headshot

treasurer

everardo carmona

Everardo Carmona headshot

vocal 1

georgi maule-ffinch

Georgi Maule-ffinch headshot

vocal 2

grey hecht

Grey Hecht headshot

fiscal

recycling center staff

Recycling center staff
Ocean graphic

where we work

Wher we work green map

area description

There is one main river in the area, the Ario, as well as numerous streams and seasonal waterways.

The Ario joins the Bongo river approximately 1.2km before flowing into the Pacific Ocean. The Ario River, born inland in the northern most part of the Cóbano District, has been identified by GRUAS II (Proposed Zoning for Biodiversity Conservation in Costa Rica) as one of the major gaps in ecosystem representation and has proposed this watershed as a protected area of 10.023,23 ha.

higher ario watershed

The Higher Ario Watershed is characterized by broken terrain part of the central peninsular mountain chain which currently forms part of an important regional biological corridor. The grazing pastures give way to less altered environments such as gallery forests. A more thorough recognition of this area needs to be done in order to assess its main problems/opportunities comprising the communities that have a strong relation with the river.

The Lower Ario Watershed comprises tributaries (Caño Seco, Ceritral, Negro and Seco rivers) as well as the surrounding land from Cerro Villalta downwards. The lower watershed of the Ario is a mixture of riparian areas, gallery forests, agricultural land, pastures for cattle grazing and small rural towns. Near the coast, approximately 1.2 km inland, Ario joins with the Bongo River forming an estuary of environmental relevance currently protected through the Caletas Ario National Wildlife Refuge. Artisanal fishing and recreational activities such as bathing and camping also occur along this river.

caletas-ario national wildlife refuge

The Caletas-Ario National Wildlife Refuge is located along the coast of Ario and Caletas, with a total of 9.36km of coast. The Refuge’s total area is 20.179 hectares, of which 332 ha. terrestrial and 19.846 ha. marine. This Refuge includes areas such as mangroves, marshes, rivers, estuaries, marine rocky reefs, and beaches that serve as nesting grounds for 4 different species of marine turtles. The Caletas wetland is an area that has been severely affected by the creation of illegal rice fields, causing great environmental damage. Regrettably, this wetland received the 2010 Grey Globe Award, given by the World Wetland Network for inadequate management of wetlands.

bajos de ario

The Bajos de Ario community is located just before the junction of the Ario and Bongo and in the outskirts of the Caletas-Ario National Wildlife Refuge. The people of this community work mainly in the cattle and agricultural sectors with a minority traveling to the neighboring tourism communities to work. The lack of job availability in the community is forcing the locals to move elsewhere. Bajos de Ario relies on private water wells for their water supply.

bello horizonte

Bello Horizonte is a small town 2kms inland from Manzanillo. The area is home to many locals whose primary source of employment is tourism and construction in the neighboring towns of Hermosa and Santa Teresa. The majority of the area is owned primarily by local Costarican families in small cattle farms. Many of these farms are slowly being broken down into smaller parcels and sold off to either foreigners or to Costaricans from other areas of the country.

manzanillo, hermosa, santa teresa, carmen and mal país

Manzanillo, Hermosa, Santa Teresa, Carmen and Mal País communities are very renowned touristic destinations in Costa Rica. Having a very distinct high and low tourism seasons, the population of these communities doubles at the peak of the high season (December through April). The majority of the accommodations are small hotels or bed and breakfasts that cater all types of tourism, from adventure, sports, surf and environmental-driven tourism to leisure, relaxation and yoga. There are a few high-end resorts in the area which maintain a small number of rooms.

The maritime-terrestrial zones in these communities are managed as state concessions and are controlled by a land use regulation plan. Land use outside the maritime-terrestrial zones is not yet regulated.

cabo blanco absolute nature reserve

The Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve was Costa Rica’s first protected national park and was the first conservation area with a management category and that included a marine component in all of the Central American Region. This Natural Reserve serves as a shelter for marine flora and fauna and its surrounding unprotected waters have seen an increase of biodiversity that has benefitted the marine health as well as the income for small artisanal fishers of Cabuya and Mal País.