Where the Forest Heals
My Time in the Osa Peninsula
This February, Amelia Cavanaugh, Marketing Specialist at 美姬社区, set out on her first 美姬社区 expedition鈥Rainforest Revival in Costa Rica. What she expected was hands-on conservation work鈥攚hat she didn鈥檛 expect was how deeply it would affect her. In the lush forests of the Osa Peninsula, surrounded by howler monkeys, dedicated scientists, and a team of volunteers, Amelia found something rare: a sense of peace, purpose, and belonging. Each day brought meaningful work and quiet moments that left a lasting imprint.
.
.
A JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF THE OSA PENINSULA
This February, I had the incredible opportunity to join the very first team on 美姬社区鈥檚 Rainforest Revival in Costa Rica expedition. It was my first expedition鈥攁nd one that quietly changed me.
Set deep in the dense, humming forests of the Osa Peninsula, the expedition is based at Osa Conservation, a place alive with the sounds of wildlife and people united by a shared mission. The campus felt like its own ecosystem鈥攚here science, conservation, and community moved together in rhythm.
From the very first day, I was struck by how deeply committed everyone was to protecting this biodiverse region. I wasn鈥檛 alone on this adventure; I joined two other 美姬社区 volunteers鈥攐ne new like me, the other a seasoned veteran on their tenth expedition. That contrast reminded me: 美姬社区 is for anyone who cares enough to take the first step. Everyone has something to give.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE REVIVAL
Across the Osa and beyond, forests are recovering from fragmentation and deforestation. This project is helping scientists figure out the best way to bring them back. By comparing old-growth forests to restoration plots, they鈥檙e testing which methods work鈥攚hat wildlife draws in, how fast trees grow, and how the ecosystem responds.
Every data point we collected鈥攚hether it was wildlife caught on camera traps or tree canopy measurements鈥攆eeds into this bigger picture. Our work helps identify what鈥檚 working, what鈥檚 not, and how those lessons can be applied far beyond the Osa.
We compared old-growth forests to restoration plots, tracking how trees grow, what animals return, and how the ecosystem responds. Every measurement, whether from a camera trap, a bird survey, or a vegetation plot, contributes to a growing body of knowledge that can guide reforestation efforts around the world.
.
GUIDING LIGHTS OF THE EXPEDITION
What made this experience so memorable were the amazing scientists and conservationists who not only led us through the work but made us feel like part of the team.
Chris Beirne, 美姬社区鈥檚 Lead Scientist for this expedition and Director of Wildlife Programs at Osa, grounded our expedition in the 鈥渨hy.鈥 He helped us understand our daily tasks and how each data point contributed to long-term research on species movement, biodiversity, and forest recovery. His ability to make complex research feel urgent and exciting sparked a deeper connection to the expedition and its purpose.
Yvonne Kemp, the Wildlife Program Manager, brought structure and care to each day. Walking to the field site with her felt like being let in on a secret鈥攕he鈥檇 point out a tiny frog tucked into a leaf, a spider in its web, or an owl hidden high in the trees. Suddenly, the forest felt richer, more alive. Her attention to these small wonders reminded me to slow down and look more closely. Each evening, she led thoughtful debriefs that helped us reflect on the day鈥檚 work and prepare for what lay ahead.
Paulina Rodr铆guez, the Lead Field Biologist, has an encyclopedic knowledge of local species鈥攅specially bats. She was patient, generous with her insights, and genuinely enthusiastic about the work. Whether we were crouched in the grass adjusting a camera trap for the third time or sharing a laugh over gallo pinto at breakfast, she made everything feel lighter and more human. Being around her was a reminder of how inspiring it is to love what you do鈥攁nd to share that passion openly.
And then there was Paco Vega, the expedition鈥檚 Ornithologist. He had an almost magical ability to identify birds by sound alone, often pointing out ones I hadn鈥檛 even noticed. Mornings spent birdwatching with him brought a calm focus to the landscape, making it feel both expansive and deeply personal. His passion for the work didn鈥檛 need to be spoken; it showed in the way he listened, observed, and cared. In the shared silence of birdwatching, I felt a connection鈥攏ot only to the forest, but to the quiet joy of simply being alongside someone who clearly loved what he did.
Though Chris, Yvonne, Paulina, and Paco made up my team, depending on the season and the work being done, other Osa Conservation staff might join in鈥攁 reminder of how collaborative and vibrant this work truly is.
HANDS-ON IN THE RAINFOREST
Every day was filled with purpose and variety. We rotated between setting and checking camera traps, conducting vegetation surveys, checking bat boxes, and doing early morning bird surveys. Every task helped build a fuller picture of the rainforest's recovery and the wildlife returning to these early restored forests.
Setting up a camera traps meant reading the landscape, looking for signs of wildlife movement and placing the cameras with no idea what they might capture. Reviewing the photos days later always sparked a sense of wonder. Each image was a quiet reminder that the forest is always alive, even when we鈥檙e not there to see it.
Morning bird surveys felt like stepping into another world. The cool air, soft light, and slow pace made it feel as though we were waking up with the forest. With Paco鈥檚 uncanny ability to spot birds I would have missed entirely; our attention would suddenly lock on a Roadside Hawk perched in perfect light.
Bat box checks were another highlight. Led by Paulina, we鈥檇 tilt our heads to peer into the roosts鈥攁rtificial shelters designed to support local bat populations. Some days we saw just a few bats, other days, groups huddled in the shadows. Paulina鈥檚 enthusiasm made every discovery feel special.
Even the more routine work, like vegetation surveys, carried meaning. As we measured canopy cover and tracked new growth in open, recovering areas, we could see鈥攗p close鈥攖he rainforest coming back to life.
.
THE QUIET I NEVER SAW COMING
I came to this expedition expecting hands-on conservation and data collection. But it quickly became something more. It felt like a retreat鈥攏ot because it was relaxing, but because it reconnected me with something essential: the rhythm of nature, meaningful work, and the rare feeling of being fully present. The days were long and hot, starting before sunrise, yet I never felt tired. I wanted to keep going鈥攖o be with the team and see what each new day would bring.
One night, lying in my hammock and surrounded by the sounds of the forest鈥攂irds calling, insects humming, leaves rustling鈥擨 felt a sense of calm I hadn鈥檛 experienced in years. At home, the world often feels overwhelming: the constant news cycle, political tension, and a sense of powerlessness. But in the rainforest, I found something different鈥攈ope. Hope in the forest鈥檚 ability to recover, in the purpose behind our work, and in the shared connection of the community I was fortunate to be part of.
.
WHEN NATURE FEELS LIKE FAMILY
When it was time to leave, I genuinely didn鈥檛 want to go. The forest and field station had started to feel like a home I never expected. I had grown attached to the early morning calls of howler monkeys, the shared meals and laughter with fellow volunteers, and the quiet moments at the start and end of each day. You settle into the rhythm鈥攖he people, the place, the pace鈥攁nd then, all at once, it鈥檚 over.
THE QUIET IMPACT
What stayed with me most after the expedition was the sense that our work was part of something much bigger. I realized that conservation isn鈥檛 just about protecting nature in the moment鈥攊t鈥檚 about contributing to a long, steady process of healing. That perspective gave me a quiet sense of hope. Even when the world feels overwhelming, remembering that my efforts made a difference reminded me I鈥檓 not powerless. That connection and sense of purpose shifted how I see the world鈥攁nd my role in it.
Ready to reconnect with nature, with purpose, and with yourself?
Join an 美姬社区 expedition and be part of something bigger than yourself. Experience hands-on conservation, forge lasting connections, and witness the quiet magic of nature coming back to life.
Book your expedition today鈥攁nd discover what the rainforest can awaken in you.
Sign up for the 美姬社区 Newsletter
Be the first to know about new expeditions, stories from the field, and exciting 美姬社区 news.
.
.
.