Regenerative Earth

History of The Biodiversity Lab in Osa

In 2015, Regenerative Earth was invited to conduct a systems analysis of the Osa Peninsula, building on four years of Stanford University’s INOGO project. Together with the Indigenous People, local communities, and governmental leaders a systems map was created that showed the shared vision of the community, the current reality and barriers that are preventing this vision from happening, and high leverage points of action that could shift some of the root drivers of negative outcomes to virtuous cycles, enabling a desirable future. The shared vision that was collectively identified is a thriving rainforest and marine ecosystem, regenerative economy, community, and culture, whereby the economic success of the region depends on the health of the ecosystem.

Several groups, such as SINAC, the ADI Corcovado, and the Institute for Rural Development (INDER), utilized the systems map once it was completed for communication about the need to support sustainable livelihoods alongside conservation and for strategic planning.

In 2017, the Osa became its own territory and the Osa Territory Council was formed. The Osa Territory Council is a local governance body made up of 60% civic and 40% government representation, and is responsible for creating a sustainable development plan for the Osa Territory and selecting projects that INDER then funds. Once formed, the Osa Territory Council utilized the systems map for the development plan and began selecting high leverage projects with a systems lens to implement the plan. However, with a lack of capacity support, these projects over time were considered high risk and underdeveloped, and thus struggled to receive the funding needed to implement them. Regenerative Earth was asked to help address this capacity gap, so that these projects and future projects would have ongoing training support to effectively plan, develop, and implement projects and receive the funding needed.

Organization Description

Regenerative Earth focuses on three core areas to fulfill its mission:

Participatory Systems Mapping and Story Mapping
We co-create systems understanding and narrative power with local communities to shape collective futures and policy.

Regenerative Land Stewardship and Rights of Nature
We work to protect and regenerate vital ecosystems while supporting the legal recognition of nature as a rights-bearing entity.

Immersive Retreats for Leaders and Investors
We host transformative experiences that connect global decision-makers to the land, people, and wisdom of the places we serve—cultivating aligned investment and long-term stewardship.