My painting From Land to Water captures my experience walking through Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica. The sea breeze mingles with the lush green forest, inviting our senses to relax. A Capuchin monkey—or perhaps a squirrel monkey—swings effortlessly from branch to branch through the rustling tree canopies. An iguana lies perfectly still on the hot rock, almost invisible but for the distinctive outline of its rugged form. Across the forest floor, a Jesus lizard darts quickly, seeking safe refuge. The yellow-beaked toucan sways side to side on its comfortable perch while frogs sing harmoniously and snakes slide nearby.
The sloths prove more elusive, requiring a special telescope to glimpse their powerful arms and claws hanging upside down. Their serene presence mesmerizes us—just suspended there, contemplating the world below. As our trail winds toward Espadilla Sur beach, I look out from land to water, breathing in the fresh, invigorating air.
The Inspiration: Costa Rica
As many of you know, I have a deep love for national parks, and I’ve long dreamt of visiting a rainforest—maybe even catching a glimpse of a sloth in its natural habitat. Sloths have captivated my imagination since childhood, and I’ve always had this belief that when I finally encountered one, it would teach me something profound, I wasn’t sure what but something. Yes, I can already hear my ocean-loving friends asking, “Nedret, what about seagrass?”
Here’s the beautiful connection: seagrass was once a terrestrial plant, some 70 to 100 million years ago, before it adapted to marine life. It was time to check out a new ecosystem—the rainforest. After all, rainforests and oceans are intimately connected through the lifeblood of rivers. These waterways serve as nature’s highways, transporting vital nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicon from the lush canopies of the rainforest to nourish our ocean ecosystems.
Exploring Costa Rica’s Rich Biodiversity
Costa Rica had been calling to me for years. This small Central American nation has over 326 plant species that provide food and shelter for an astounding 350 bird species, plus more than 100 mammal species. What makes this even more remarkable is Costa Rica’s commitment to conservation—25% of the country’s land is protected, encompassing 32 national parks. These protected areas span an incredible range of habitats: from dense jungle canopies to intricate mangrove systems, from pristine wetlands to cloud forests, each serving as home to countless species of wildlife. We had this wonderful opportunity to visit two of Costa Rica’s national parks; Arenal Volcano National Park and Manuel Antonio Park. Both brilliantly conserved and delightful to visit.
Waking Up Almost in The Rainforest
My days began at 5 AM, not by choice but by invitation—the howler monkeys had their own morning routine. These remarkable primates would gather their troops with a symphony of calls that could be heard for miles, their voices carrying through the humid air to energize their pods and establish their territory. Their thunderous morning announcements became my natural alarm clock, a wild and wonderful way to greet each day.
As the forest awakened, a cascade of bird songs would follow, each species adding its unique voice to the dawn chorus. The diversity was so overwhelming that I found myself downloading the Merlin app, trying to identify the singers behind each melody. From the haunting call of the Great Tinamou to the bright chatter of various tanager species, each morning brought new discoveries and a deeper appreciation for the forest’s acoustic complexity.
Lessons from the Forest
Experiencing Costa Rica’s rich cultural and biological diversity has fundamentally shifted my understanding of conservation. This journey has deepened my appreciation for the delicate balance required to preserve our planet’s wildlife and flora. The local people I encountered were generous in sharing not just their beautiful country, but their profound connection to the land—a relationship built on generations of coexistence with nature.
Their approach to conservation isn’t just policy; it’s a way of life that recognizes the intrinsic value of biodiversity and the economic benefits of sustainable tourism. Watching Cappacine monkeys swing through the canopy while tourists below contribute to the local economy through eco-lodges and guided tours demonstrates how conservation can be both environmentally sound and economically viable.
The Sloths's Wisdom
And what about those sloths? What profound lessons did they share? Their message was beautifully simple yet deeply meaningful: “Chill for the most part, and if you have to move, use your energy wisely—and for goodness sake, build some muscles!”
At first glance, this might seem like laid-back philosophy, but there’s genuine wisdom in the sloth’s approach to life. These remarkable creatures have perfected the art of energy conservation, moving slowly and deliberately through their arboreal world. Their unhurried pace isn’t laziness—it’s evolutionary brilliance. By conserving energy and moving only when necessary, sloths can survive on a diet of leaves that would be insufficient for more active mammals.
In our fast-paced world, perhaps we could all benefit from embracing a bit of sloth wisdom: slow down, move with intention, and remember that sometimes the most profound strength comes from knowing when to conserve your energy for what truly matters.
Finca Agrícola El Rocío- The People
Finca Agricola El Rocio is a small family owned farm that encourages visitors to come explore the spices, chocolate and coffee. It is located about 30 minutes away from Manuel Antonio National Park. It was a real treat to learn and see how vanilla is harvested, where cocoa and coffee comes from. What was wonderful was to see the excitement of the whole family as they welcomed us into their farm. More can be found here.
Reflections on Connection
This Costa Rican adventure reinforced something I’ve long believed: everything in nature is connected. From the ancient seagrasses in our oceans to the towering cecropia trees in the rainforest, from the nutrients flowing down mountain rivers to the carbon cycling through forest canopies, we are all part of one magnificent, interconnected web of life.
Costa Rica didn’t just show me sloths and capuchin monkeys—it showed me a model for how humans can live in harmony with nature, how conservation can be both a moral imperative and an economic opportunity, and how sometimes the most important lessons come from simply slowing down enough to listen to what the natural world has to teach us.
National Park Service (NPS) is facing potential budget cuts and staffing reductions that could impact park operations, visitor services, and resource protection. The House of Representatives has passed a spending bill that would cut over $200 million from the NPS budget.
More news on this can be found here: NPR
Click here for ways to get involved in protecting our parks:
Protecting America’s Legacy Campaign
National Park Foundation
Note: This blog was created with the help of Claude AI.
