After our friend Joey Santore (of Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t fame) went to Costa Rica last month, he kept trying to coordinate a field trip with us back to those mountains. We know Joey has good taste in habitats, so eventually we just said great, let’s go to Costa Rica, and host a Foray!
Now, Costa Rica has a large variety of ecosystem types, but one in particular we plan to visit is a rarely-researched transition zone between treeline and snowline around 11,500ft in elevation called the páramo. These rugged, glacially-shaped landscapes around contain a mosaic of grasslands, wetlands, and shrublands with a confluence of extremely interesting species found nowhere else.
In addition to páramo, we will also be exploring the high elevation oak forests just below, around 8,700 - 9,000ft in elevation. High elevation oak forests are one of the richest and most intact ecosystems in Mesoamerica. We will explore majestic woodlands dominated by towering oaks like Quercus costaricensis and Q. copeyensis, which can reach heights of up to 50 meters (165 feet). These biodiverse ecosystems are a vital refuge for rare species like tapirs, the resplendent quetzal, the emerald quick lizard, and Talamanca glass frog. Joey captured this epic photo (below) of the oak canopy, that I’m now obsessed with completely.
You can check out some other photos of the area, some from Joey and some from our other friends, in the gallery below.
All Meals and Lodging are Included
We will stay in rustic eco-lodges featuring charming wooden façades, with panoramic mountain views. Guests can chill in peaceful gardens and explore hiking trails that wind through highland landscapes straight from the properties. This is an ideal retreat for nature lovers in Costa Rica’s breathtaking wilderness.
Guests will enjoy fresh, locally sourced meals prepared with traditional flavors and seasonal ingredients. Each dish will offer a taste of local culture. Meals are designed to fuel participants for long days of forest exploration. On full-day adventures, we provide a convenient packed lunch to keep you energized.
Filling out the Questionnaire
If you have attended one of our events in the past, you know that filling out the Questionnaire is non-negotiable. Everyone is different and we want to make sure you are comfortable, so we use the information we gather through the Questionnaire to help tailor the event to each individual who attends. Remember, filling this out is not a guarantee of attendance, you will have to buy a ticket on our website to confirm participation.
Important Annoucement!
Joey’s audience has been buying up the tickets to this event, lickety-split! As of the time of this writing, about 30 hours after releasing tickets for sale, already 8 spots have been filled out of 20 spots total. This is the fastest we have ever sold tickets, by far. We are happy so many people are excited for this trip, but we also really want our mushroom people there! So, if you really want to come, Alan and I highly recommend grabbing tickets soon.
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