Founded in the mid-1990s by the Holbrook family and Selva Verde Lodge, the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC) is today a fully independent US and Costa Rica registered non-profit organization. The SCLC’s mission is to link communities and conservation through education and ecotourism in the Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica’s northern lowlands.

The SCLC focuses its efforts in four areas — environmental education, community development, conservation, and tourism — in order to help form future environmental leaders, raise the organizational capacity of local communities, promote sustainable land use, and connect tourists to the local community. Our programs which are run by international volunteers and community members serve hundreds of local people and thousands of ecotourists each year. These programs include environmental education, rural tourism activities, English classes, community outreach, women’s groups, and scholarship funds for high school students.

The SCLC gives visitors the opportunity to engage with local residents and international volunteers.

The SCLC offers community programs such as English classes, computer literacy, environmental education and after-school activities. By offering local residents opportunities to improve their job prospects, the SCLC hopes the population is able to cultivate more environmentally sustainable occupations to improve their job prospects.

The SCLC leads conservation projects such as water quality monitoring and recycling.

Participate in one of the activities held by the SCLC while visiting the lodge. Support a student high school scholarship by donating $250/yr for 5 years. Use your extra luggage space to bring a donation. Check out our listing at PACK FOR A PURPOSE.

Selva Verde Lodge encourages visitors to donate an economic or material donation to help support conservation environmental and educational programs developed by the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center. Make a donation directly to the center by visiting the SCLC WEBSITE.