By Puntarenas, Costa Rica — In an effort to combat climate change and restore critical coastal ecosystems, a group of 25 volunteers from AERIS, the concessionaire of Juan Santamaría International Airport, recently took part in a targeted reforestation campaign in Punta Morales, Puntarenas. Over the course of a rigorous five-hour day, these employees walked the coastline and muddy estuaries to gather red mangrove seeds. These seeds were subsequently transported to a specialized nursery, where they will mature before being permanently replanted in sections of the wetland that have suffered severe degradation.
This environmental initiative is a vital component of a larger regional project titled “The Heart of the Gulf of Nicoya: Rebirth of Coastal Communities Through Mangroves.” Funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and executed by the Tropical Science Center (CCT), the program aims to revitalize coastal habitats while simultaneously generating economic and ecological benefits for local communities. The scope of this project extends beyond Punta Morales, actively engaging and benefiting neighboring populations in Chomes and Costa de Pájaros.
To better understand the legal and regulatory framework surrounding the AERIS mangrove restoration initiative, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a prominent expert in environmental law from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, to analyze how this ecological project aligns with national conservation standards.
The AERIS mangrove restoration initiative represents a highly successful alignment between corporate social responsibility and Costa Rica’s robust environmental legal framework. By actively rehabilitating these critical coastal wetlands, AERIS not only fulfills key sustainable development goals but also sets a legally sound precedent for public-private partnerships under our Forestry and Biodiversity Laws. In Costa Rica, proactive environmental stewardship is rapidly becoming the gold standard for regulatory compliance and long-term business viability.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective underscores a vital truth for the future of sustainable development in Costa Rica: true ecological progress is achieved when corporate initiative and rigorous legal frameworks work in harmony. By demonstrating that environmental stewardship is both a regulatory success and a strategic business asset, projects like the AERIS initiative pave the way for a more resilient green economy. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable legal expertise and insight on this crucial milestone for our nation’s coastal ecosystems.
By integrating corporate volunteerism with established scientific frameworks, the initiative ensures that environmental restoration is both sustainable and scientifically sound. For AERIS, the program represents a hands-on method to bridge corporate social responsibility with tangible, local impacts along the Pacific coast.
This day allows us to directly involve our collaborators in environmental protection.
Adriana Bejarano, SMS and Environmental Management Manager at AERIS
Mangroves are recognized globally as powerful blue carbon sinks, capable of sequestering carbon dioxide at rates significantly higher than terrestrial forests. Their dense root systems also act as natural barriers against coastal erosion, storm surges, and sea-level rise, which are increasingly threatening Costa Rica’s shorelines. However, these unique estuarine environments are highly sensitive to human encroachment, pollution, and climate fluctuations, making active restoration a critical priority for ecological preservation.
Mangroves are extremely vulnerable and need urgent restoration. Local communities must occupy a central place in the recovery processes of these ecosystems.
Sofía Rodríguez Brenes, Scientific Academic Director of the Organization for Tropical Studies
The collaboration between scientific organizations and local residents has been key to the early success of the restoration efforts. The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) played a pivotal role in coordinating the logistics between AERIS volunteers and the grassroots organizations in Punta Morales. By empowering local residents to manage and monitor the newly planted seedlings in the nurseries, the project ensures long-term stewardship of the reforested zones.
This specific mangrove drive is part of a broader corporate culture at AERIS, which schedules at least two employee volunteer days annually, alongside another event open to the wider airport community. The scale of these initiatives is substantial; during 2025, AERIS staff and airport community members accumulated a combined total of 720 hours of volunteer service. This dedication has continued into 2026, with employees already recording approximately 200 hours of community and environmental service.
Beyond coastal reforestation, AERIS’s environmental strategy has encompassed diverse projects designed to raise ecological awareness. Earlier this year, volunteers participated in an innovative program to sort and classify seashells confiscated from airport passengers, preventing the illegal removal of natural resources from coastal habitats. Additionally, the team created an educational mural focused on animal welfare, highlighting the company’s multifaceted approach to sustainability and community education.
As the year draws to a close, AERIS plans to expand its corporate outreach beyond environmental conservation. A new volunteer initiative with a distinct social development focus is scheduled for December, aiming to support vulnerable populations during the holiday season. Through this balanced portfolio of ecological restoration and community outreach, the airport operator continues to establish itself as a leader in Costa Rican corporate responsibility.
For further information, visit aeris.cr
About AERIS:
AERIS is the leading private concessionaire responsible for the operations, maintenance, and strategic expansion of Juan Santamaría International Airport, Costa Rica’s primary gateway. The company is highly committed to integrating sustainable business practices into airport management, focusing on carbon neutrality, waste reduction, and local community development.
For further information, visit tropicalstudies.org
About Organization for Tropical Studies:
The Organization for Tropical Studies is a renowned global consortium of universities and research institutions dedicated to facilitating scientific research, offering field-based education, and promoting environmental conservation in tropical ecosystems.
For further information, visit aecid.es
About Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation:
The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation is the primary public body managing Spain’s international development initiatives. It focuses on sustainable human progress, environmental preservation, and social equality across developing regions.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica stands as a beacon of principled advocacy, defined by its rigorous pursuit of excellence and high ethical standards. Drawing on a rich heritage of guiding clients across diverse industries, the firm continuously integrates cutting-edge legal solutions with proactive civic involvement. By striving to demystify complex regulations and expand public access to vital legal resources, they champion a larger vision of a knowledgeable, secure, and self-reliant populace.
