When Discover Term students arrive in Nosara for Surf Term and Surf & Service, they don’t just learn to surf, they learn what it means to serve their community each and every day. Whether it’s practicing selflessness on campus or volunteering with local reforestation projects, service is the foundation of all that we do at Discover Term. That’s where our partnership with Costas Verdes comes in.
What is Costas Verdes?
Costas Verdes, meaning “Green Coasts,” is a local nonprofit founded in 2009 with a mission to bring Costa Rica’s coastal forests back to life. The founder Max created Costas Verdes after witnessing how historic agricultural practices had completely devastated the beaches, leaving no natural shade, and decided to take action by locally growing native trees and involving the community in restoring the coastal wildlife refuge.
The results speak for themselves. Since the project began in 2010, Costas Verdes has planted over 102,750 trees, reintroduced 96 native species, and built four tree nurseries along the Pacific coast. From the beginning, the organization has relied on help from schools, volunteers, and local organizations to revitalize one of the most beautiful coastlines in Central America.
Each day on the student’s way to the surf lineup, they walk through a lush rainforest trail to the beach. This hallmark part of our morning routine at Surf Term and Surf & Service was made possible by Costas Verdes and the work they have done in Costa Rica over the past 15+ years. It’s environments like these that make Nosara such a special place to learn and explore, and we have Costas Verdes to thank.
Who is Gerardo?
If you’ve spent a day with Costas Verdes in Nosara, chances are you’ve met Gerardo Bolaños. Born and raised in San José, Gerardo graduated as a biologist with a focus on Ecology and Sustainable Development, then moved to Nosara in 2008 chasing a simple dream: surf every day and explore nature. He joined Costas Verdes as a volunteer with BarriGuiones, the organization’s flagship North Pacific project, back in 2011, and has led Costas Verdes’ reforestation work in the area ever since.
For our students, Gerardo isn’t just a guide, he’s the heart of the experience. Past Surf Term students have described him as informative and passionate, taking the time to share the history of Costas Verdes with the group before beginning tree planting work. Many groups dedicate their tree to someone, tying a small wooden tag to the post, a tradition that turns an afternoon of service into a legacy that students get to be a part of. Surf Term students who return to Nosara after their term have watched as their tree saplings have grown into vibrant, thriving forests in some of the most popular spots around town.
Experiences like this define what it means to be a part of the Discover Term community. Our students aren’t just visiting a new place, they are becoming part of a global community. They are living what it means to be stewards of the earth, and to give back to places in need of love and care. Those skills can’t be taught, only experienced.
How Costas Verdes Fits into Discover Term
Every student who visits Nosara with Discover Term spends time working with Costas Verdes — visiting their tree nursery, learning about the native species being brought back, and then heading to the beach to plant trees alongside the local team. Surf Term students also research the threats facing the rainforest and coastline firsthand, then take direct action to be part of the solution.
Our partnership with Costas Verdes reaches beyond the time spent physically in the nursery or planting trees. The reforestation work becomes part of a broader conversation about environmental stewardship, community partnership, and what it means to give back to the places that give us so much — including some of the best waves in Central America.
Why It Matters
Costas Verdes relies on community involvement to live out their mission, working with local schools, universities, governments, and businesses to build a culture of stewardship and responsibility. By partnering with them, Discover Term students aren’t just visitors to Nosara. They become part of the culture, contributing real, lasting work to a community that welcomes them.
Every tree planted is a small act with a big ripple effect: stronger dunes, healthier ecosystems, more resilient communities — and an opportunity to foster mindsets of service and stewardship in the next generation.
