← Back to the directory
Sol Academy - Regenerative Education for Biocultural Resilience
Trust T1
(13) Climate action
Courses
(10) Reduced inequality
(1) No Poverty
(8) Decent work and economic growth
Stratospheric Ozone
Land Use Change
Tropical And Sub-Tropical Forests
Ocean Acidification
(2) Zero hunger
Release of Novel Entities
Freshwater Use
Nonprofit / NGO
Biosphere Integrity
Land System Change
(17) Partnerships for the goals
(4) Quality education
(16) Peace, justice and strong institutions
Tours
Volunteer
Biogeochemical Flows
(5) Gender equality
Rivers And Streams
Climate Change
Events
(15) Life on land
(3) Good health and well-being
(11) Sustainable cities and communities
Collaborate
Participatory & Regenerative Governance
Regenerative Agriculture & Soil Health
Education
Regenerative Entrepreneurship
- Size
- 2 ha
- Climate Zones
- Tropical dry zone with strong coastal influence; drought-prone with high evapotranspiration
- Regenerative Focus
- Use of education to implement regenerative principles across ecological, economic, and cultural dimensions
About this land node
A bioregional learning ecosystem rooted in project-based holistic education, ecological restoration, and cultural resilience. The node regenerates a former grazing landscape through integrated pedagogy, soil restoration, and bioclimatic design, forming a replicable model for land-based education and adaptation.
Overview
- Project Vision
- To position education as a foundational infrastructure for regeneration, linking ecosystem health, community agency, and intergenerational adaptation
- Project Purpose
- To foster community participation and regenerative integration with bioregional stake holders to increase territorial resilience by integrating nature-based learning, ecosystem functionality, and social inclusion across educational and community structures.
- Project Title
- Sol Academy
- Political Location
- Santa Cruz Canton, Distrito 27 de Abril, Guanacaste Province, Republic of Costa Rica
Ecology & biodiversity
- Flora & Fauna
- Native dry forest flora, Guayacán, iguanas, pollinator species, turtles, coral reefs, sharks, hawks, howler monkeys, iguanas, possums, raccoons, foxes
- Keystone species
- Howler monkey (*Alouatta palliata*) as seed disperser, behaviorally adapted to local landscape
- Biodiversity context
- Located within priority dry forest restoration mosaic; fragmented habitat in process of reconnection
- Ecological corridors
- Part of a critical faunal corridor bridging marine edge and inland dry forest patches
- Natural boundaries
- Defined by micro-watersheds and seasonal riparian corridors within a dry tropical bioregion
- Ecosystem unity
- Ecological intersection of tropical dry forest and marine coastal systems, forming a high-value restoration interface
Climate & water
- Climate Zones
- Tropical dry zone with strong coastal influence; drought-prone with high evapotranspiration
- Rainfall patterns
- Dual-season regime with high interannual variability; peak rainfall May–Oct, dry stress Nov–April
- Average Rainfall
- 1,500–2,000 mm/year
- Temperature Extremes
- Min: 20°C | Max: 32°C
- Average Temperature
- Annual mean: 26°C
- Watershed
- Nandamojo watershed.Feeds intermittent streams flowing toward Nicoya Gulf recharge zones
- Aquifers & groundwater
- Shallow aquifers under seasonal stress; community-led monitoring in place
- Nearby water bodies
- Approx. 1 km from Pacific coastline, <2 km from seasonal freshwater flows
Land & terrain
- Elevation & slope
- 0–200m elevation with gentle slopes and intermittent ridgelines
- Landforms
- Former pastureland interspersed with rocky outcrops and ephemeral creeks
- Soil Types
- Sandy loam soils prone to degradation when exposed; current restoration underway with organic inputs and polycultures
- Soil health
- Organic matter increase through compost, green manure, and perennial root networks
- Erosion risk
- Moderate erosion risk, addressed through perennial cover and contour techniques
- Natural resources
- Solar exposure, native vegetation, biomass, and hydrological recharge potential
- Renewable resource potential
- Solar yield 5.5+ kWh/m²/day; biomass cycling through agroforestry; passive water harvesting corridors
People & history
- Land Acknowledgements
- Acknowledges historical stewardship of the Chorotega people and honors their ecological worldview
- Traditional ecological knowledge
- Fire management, seed saving, solar food preparation, and water retention practices incorporated into curriculum
- Human Cultures
- Multicultural rural community with Indigenous heritage, transitioning toward bioregional economy and regenerative education
- Cultural continuity
- Local Los Pargos residents, eco-tourists, educational groups; families and teachers
- Cultural landscapes
- Landscape transition from extractive use to ecological education and community regeneration
- Recent land history
- Low-impact cattle ranching legacy now transitioning to integrated restoration and food system pilot
Regenerative practice
- Regenerative Focus
- Use of education to implement regenerative principles across ecological, economic, and cultural dimensions
- Regenerative Methodologies
- Project-based learning, regenerative agriculture, climate literacy modules, bioclimatic campus infrastructure
- Environmental objectives
- To be a bioregional community hub for active collaboration of regenerative initiatives.Restore 5+ hectares of degraded forest using native species; regenerate soil and water cycles; embed ecological literacy in curriculum.Student led actions such as beach clean ups, reforestation, pollinators habitat restoration using native species, communal compost, permaculture farming, circular economy, socio ecological entrepreneurship.
- Community objectives
- Enhance food sovereignty, environmental awareness, and community capacity for territorial self-determination.Incubation, frameworks and community oriented capacity building
- Community engagement
- Participatory governance with local families; open curriculum sessions; youth-driven restoration brigades
- Economic Model
- Blended model: tuition + solidarity scholarships + ecosystem-based fundraising + aligned capital mobilization via traceable contributions and digital tools
Impact
- Expressed Impact
- Currently serves 50+ students; 5+ hectares under reforestation; embedded in territorial capacity development
- Key impact metrics
- * Verified area under restoration (hectares) * Soil carbon gains * Biodiversity indicators * Learners reached * Governance participation * Alignment with climate adaptation performance standards
Visiting & links
- Nearest urban centres
- 10 km from Nicoya; access to health, transport, and educational services
- Website
- https://linktr.ee/sol.academy.cr
- Social media
- https://www.facebook.com/sol.academy.cr
- Visit Link
- https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=50685559555