Boston Flora

Tag: Costa Rica

  • Saturday, January 23 – Sunday, January 31 – Tropical Splendor: Costa Rica’s Gardens & Natural Wonders

    Embark on an unforgettable journey with American Horticultural Society through Costa Rica’s lush gardens and vibrant natural wonders. This meticulously crafted adventure will immerse you in the heart of Costa Rica’s tropical landscapes, where you’ll explore stunning botanical gardens and pristine rainforests. Along the way, experience guided tours of verdant gardens and an organic coffee farm, indulge in local cuisine with farm-to-table dining, unwind in natural hot springs, and discover the ecological richness of the region. With expert guides and delightful accommodations, this travel program is a paradise for plant lovers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking to experience the wonders of Central America’s biodiversity.

    This 2027 custom trip is part of the AHS Adventures travel program collection.

    Visit the Green Ark Botanical Garden, showcasing over 1,600 species of tropical plants and fruit trees.
Enjoy a coffee farm tour at Finca Rosa Blanca, including a “cupping” session to taste gourmet coffee.
Hike through Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges with spectacular views of Volcano Arenal.
Relax at the Titoku Hot Springs, featuring a variety of temperature-controlled pools.
Visit Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve, a protected tropical rainforest with over 500 acres of wildlife habitat.
Explore the Organization of Tropical Studies’ La Selva Research Station and its 4,000 acres of land.
Enjoy a boat ride on Rio Sarapiqui, surrounded by rainforest and wildlife.
Take a hands-on chocolate tour to learn about the cacao plant and its cultural significance.
Participate in a cooking class, making traditional Costa Rican dishes like empanadas and tortillas.

    Contact

    AHS Travel Department
    (703) 768-8801
    travel@ahsgardening.org

  • Saturday, January 17 – Sunday, January 25, 2026 – Tropical Splendor: Costa Rica’s Gardens and Natural Wonders

    Embark on an unforgettable journey with AHS through Costa Rica’s lush gardens and vibrant natural wonders. This meticulously crafted adventure will immerse you in the heart of Costa Rica’s tropical landscapes, where you’ll explore stunning botanical gardens and pristine rainforests. Along the way, experience guided tours of verdant gardens and an organic coffee farm, indulge in local cuisine with farm-to-table dining, unwind in natural hot springs, and discover the ecological richness of the region. With expert guides and delightful accommodations, this travel program is a paradise for plant lovers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking to experience the wonders of Central America’s biodiversity.

    This custom trip is part of the AHS Adventures travel program collection, a lower cost alternative to luxury garden travel. Visit https://ahsgardening.org/travel-study-program/costa-rica/

  • Friday, June 7, 11:00 am Eastern – 44th Annual Seed Savers Exchange Conference, Online

    In 2024, Seed Savers Exchange’s annual conference will take place over the course of four days in four different months. Join us virtually for inspiring keynote speakers, informational workshops, and a chance to connect with the larger seed community. By registering you will have access to all four days of programming, and recordings of any sessions you may have missed. There is no need to register for individual days. The June 10 roster is described below. To register, visit www.seedsavers.org.

    The Foodways day begins with a keynote panel with Bonetta Adeeb, Ira Wallace, Hanna Garth, and Vivien Sansour at 11 am Eastern. Then, Anita Thompson will speak on Tracing the Trail of the Scarlet Runner Bean. Scarlet runner beans have graced gardens and fields around the world and are especially well loved in the Southwestern United States for their history, cultural relevance, ease of growth, and colorful seeds and flowers. This session will trace their path from native habitat to current gardens, highlighting their geographic and cultural significance.

    At 1 pm, Nikki Rose will lecture on Protecting Heirloom Seeds in Crete, Greece via Education and Outreach. Since 1997, Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries has spread the word about the necessity of preserving our heirloom seeds and supporting organic farmers, which also helps to preserve safe and delicious local food sources. In this session, the organization’s founder will highlight stories of people in Crete, Greece, striving to protect their cultural, natural, and agricultural heritage, which is all at risk. It will include clips of their documentary, Heritage Protectors, that spotlight heirloom seed savers.

    Everyone will enjoy Julia Skinner’s Our Fermented Lives: The Global History of Fermentation, at 2 pm. Fermentation has influenced our lives and diets in many different ways throughout history. This session by the author of the award-winning book Our Fermented Lives explores fermented foods and their intersection with preserving, health, flavor, and community.

    Gabriel Bravo follows with a talk on Costa Rican Heirlooms. Costa Rica is well known for its national parks and rich biodiversity. Yet it’s also one of the most heavy pesticide users in the world, with a big agroindustrial influence and worrying genetic erosion. This session will explore the context and important historic, cultural, and culinary aspects of several Costa Rican heirloom varieties; it will also address how a lack of a significant seed-saving culture has made it even more imperative for home gardeners and farmers to rescue and promote these varieties.

    The Land is My Relative is presented by Teresa Peterson. Join Dakota gardener, writer, and relative, Teresa Peterson on a seasonal journey of gardening, foraging, storing the harvest, and preparing foods. In this session, she’ll explore how this way of life heals both person and place, provides inspiration calling us to to care for and be a good relative to the land that sustains us, and, if time allows, share a story, poem, or recipe from her new book, Perennial Ceremony: Lessons and Gifts from a Dakota Garden.

    More programming for this date will be announced soon.

  • Friday, January 6 – Monday, January 15 – Costa Rica Garden Tour

    Costa Rica, meaning “rich coast” in Spanish, has a wealth of natural diversity and wildlife. With over 10,000 plant species and more than 850 species of birds, including many endemics found nowhere else on earth. This study program will expose you to some of this stunning array of exotic tropical plants and animals, the ecology of the rainforest and other ecological habitats, and tropical horticultural production.

    Join this Discover Garden Tours’ exclusive tour as we leave the typical tourist route to visit some of the most exclusive areas of this stunningly beautiful country to discover the vast array of endemic plants in the rainforest, be immersed in the rainforest, learn about tropical horticulture and crops, see abundant wildlife — monkeys, butterflies, birds, frogs and more — in their natural habitat, and much, much more.

    This trip is suitable for all ages if you are in good health, get regular exercise, enjoy the wilderness, and have a good-humored approach to traveling in Latin America — where things might not go as predictably as they do at home. Our trip is not strenuous and can be considered predominantly leisurely-to-moderate. In order to fully enjoy this trip, you’ll need to be willing to accept the many surprises this marvelous environment has in store for us!

    Although this trip is focused on botanical aspects, no prior knowledge about plants is necessary to enjoy this tour. All aspects of the natural world and culture are included where appropriate. Our Costa Rican guide and driver have extensive knowledge of the plants, ecology, culture, and history of Costa Rica — they are also expert birders and speak excellent English. For registration form and complete itinerary, email Ray Eaton at ray@discoverourtours.com or call 816-842-7500. $3,980 per person, not including airfare. Limited to fourteen participants – call today.

  • Saturday, November 16 – Sunday, November 24 – Costa Rica: Exotic Flora and Fauna

    Join Pacific Horticultural Society November 16 – 24 for a unique opportunity to tour the eco-tourism capital of Central America. As one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, Costa Rica boasts cool cloud forests, lush riverbanks, exotic waterfalls, and tropical dry forests.

    We’ll visit private gardens and botanical gardens that support some of the highest density of rare flora and fauna in the world. Our itinerary includes Wilson Botanical Gardens, Nectandra Cloud Forest, and Las Cruces Biological Station. We’ll also visit Chester Skotak, a world-renowned author and bromeliad hybridizer, who has led numerous plant collecting expeditions throughout Central America. A must-see, of course, is the Else Kientzler Garden where we will see a spectacular collection of orchids as we walk along the trails of this gorgeous garden. Included in Else’s garden is Costa Rica’s national flower, pictured below, known locally as guaria morada (Guarianthe skinneri), sometimes referred to as the Easter orchid. Approximately $4,000 per person, $708 single supplement.

    For complete itinerary details and information about booking this trip click www.sterlinggardentours.com/costarica2019

  • Thursday, January 4 – Saturday, January 13 – Costa Rica: Tropical Horticultural & Nature Tour

    Costa Rica, ‘rich coast’ in Spanish, has a wealth of natural diversity and wildlife — over 10,000 plant species and more than 850 species of birds, including many endemics found nowhere else on earth.

    This 10-day study program, January 4 – 13, 2018, will expose you to some of this stunning array of exotic tropical plants and animals, the ecology of the rainforest and other ecological habitats, and tropical horticultural production.

    Join Susan Mahr, Wisconsin Master Gardener Program Coordinator, on a special trip with Hidden Treasures Tours as we leave the typical tourist route to visit some of the most exclusive areas of this stunningly beautiful country to discover the vast array of endemic plants in the rainforest, learn about tropical horticulture and crops, see abundant wildlife — monkeys, butterflies, birds, frogs and more — in their natural habitat, and much more. Book by July 1st and save $300 per single booking or $500 per couple. Land only package starts at $3,475 per person. Download itinerary at http://hiddentreasurestours.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/CR2018regbrochure.pdf

    Contact:
    Kari Harper
    573.303.2872
    kari@hiddentreasurestours.com

  • Wednesday, March 23 – Thursday, March 31 – Costa Rica

    Join Pacific Horticulture March 23 – 31, 2016 as we explore this jewel of the neotropics. Situated at the southern end of Central America, Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity is a concentration of the plants, birds, and animals from both Central and South America.

    You’ll encounter a variety of microclimates including cloud forest, sub-tropical montane forest, dense riparian jungle, and lush rain forest habitats all the while learning about the remarkable flora and fauna of each region including orchids, heliconias, bromeliads, and ferns.

    You’ll visit well-recognized destinations such as such as the Nectandra Cloud Forest (pictured) and the Las Cruces Biological Station with its 800 butterfly species and 400 native and migratory bird species.

    Our tour includes major public gardens that you’d expect to enjoy on a trip to Costa Rica as well as private reserves and gardens not found on most. These include spectacular orchid collections, tropical plants thriving along the humid Caribbean coast, and a butterfly “farm.”

    Many different species of trees can be seen in the high altitude forests of Cerro de la Muerte mountain, which is also considered a bird watcher’s paradise with fairly common sightings of the iconic Resplendent Quetzal, Emerald Toucanettes, and hummingbirds.

    You’ll stay in metropolitan San Jose for a short portion of your trip, in cabins at the Las Cruces Reserve and the Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve and Spa the balance, letting you experience this progressive country at its finest. For more information visit www.pacifichorticulture.org.

  • Sunday, February 21 – Tuesday, March 1 – Garden Tour of Costa Rica

    Costa Rica, ‘rich coast’ in Spanish, has a wealth of natural diversity and wildlife — over 10,000 plant species and more than 850 species of birds, including many endemics found nowhere else on earth. This 10-day study program February 21 – March 1, 2016 will expose you to some of this stunning array of exotic tropical plants and animals, the ecology of the rainforest and other ecological habitats, and tropical horticultural production.

    Join Susan Mahr, Wisconsin Master Gardener Program Coordinator, on a special trip as we leave the typical tourist route to visit some of the most exclusive areas of this stunningly beautiful country to discover the vast array of endemic plants in the rainforest, learn about tropical horticulture and crops, see abundant wildlife — monkeys, butterflies, birds, frogs and more — in their natural habitat, and much more.  See the complete itinerary at http://hiddentreasurestours.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/CR2016regbrochure.pdf. For more information call 573-303-2872 or email kari@hiddentreasurestours.com.

  • Thursday, December 4, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – “Jwal sulul li’be!”: Exploring the Muddy Path of Conservation and Development in Central America

    EcoLogic Development Fund, based in Cambridge and Guatemala, has worked to empower rural communities to protect and restore tropical ecosystems in Mexico and Central America since 1993. EcoLogic believes that what makes conservation stick is skilled local leadership and enduring community-level commitment. On Thursday, December 4, Anne Elise Stratton, a Tufts senior, will present her summer research in a lowland Caribbean Guatemala protected area. She’ll explain challenges farmers face with climate change, corn production, and agroforestry as well as her insights and anecdotes from fieldwork. Devyn Powell, Tufts class of 2014, joined EcoLogic’s staff before graduating last spring. She will add to Anne Elise’s presentation by leading lunch participants in a conversation about career paths, sustainability and climate, and EcoLogic’s special role and theory of change applied across the region – especially how a small NGO tackles deforestation and landscape restoration beyond protected areas alone.

    Anne Elise Stratton worked as a field intern for EcoLogic this summer in the Sarstún region of Guatemala, where she is also pursuing research about seed selection and exchange in the area. She is currently a rising senior at Tufts, where she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Studies with a focus on food systems. Devyn Powell, EcoLogic Development Fund Communications Officer. Devyn is responsible for the development and implementation of EcoLogic’s communications strategy. Prior to joining EcoLogic, Devyn helped coordinate online communications, website management, and graphic design for the Tufts Institute of the Environment. She spent time in Ancash, Peru, where she conducted field research exploring climate change adaptation strategies for rural farming communities, and has also lived in Costa Rica. Devyn was raised in Portland, Oregon, and earned a BA in International Relations and Environmental Studies from Tufts (Class of 2014). She is proficient in Spanish and knows some Portuguese and Japanese.

    Lunch & Learn lectures take place every Thursday from 12:00-1:00pm at the Lincoln Filene Center, Rabb Room on the Medford Campus during the academic year. The Tufts Institute of the Environment generously sponsors lunch. If you are interested in participating in the Lunch & Learn program as a guest lecturer/participant, contact environmentalstudies@tufts.edu.

    You can’t make it to the talk? No problem! Watch it live here from your computer or smart phone.

  • Saturday, February 18 – Sunday, February 26 – Costa Rica Photo Expedition

    Garden Club of the Back Bay featured speaker Rich Pomerantz is teaming up with past Garden Club of the Back Bay member Peggy Connors for a trip to Costa Rica February 18 – 26, with an optional extension February 26 – 29 to Tortuguero.  See and photograph rainforests, cloud forests, beaches, the central market in San Jose, tropical gardens at Dota, the Wilson Botanical Gardens in San Vito, pictured below, and you’ll take a motorboat ride in Golfito.

    Rich lectures about photography and teaches photography workshops at the NY Botanical Gardens, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and at Botanical Gardens around the country for trade organizations and private groups, and at his studio.  His photography has appeared in many books and gardening, travel and shelter magazines, including National Geographic for Kids, Traditional Home, Horticulture, Organic Gardening, Travel Holiday, and White Flower Farm catalogues.  His blog on richpomerantz.com was named by Horticulture Magazine as one of 2011’s best gardening blogs.

    Peggy Connors has been leading groups to Costa Rica since 1994 when she founded Costa Rica Naturally!  She is the co-founder and past president of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers and founder of Connors Landscape Design, Inc.. a landscape consulting and design firm.

    The price per person starts at $2,190, and if you book before December 18 you will receive $100 off – call 800-230-3826, or visit www.costaricanaturally.com for more information.