The Bezos Earth Fund has announced $24.5 million in new grants to support park rangers, coastal communities, and local organizations in protecting critical marine areas across the Eastern Tropical Pacific, including Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. The funding aims to enhance on-the-water safety, expand community-led protection in nursery habitats, and strengthen the science guiding conservation efforts. These grants nearly double the Earth Fund’s total investment in the region to over $60 million. Since 2021, the four countries have collectively established more than 154,000 square miles (400,000 km²) of new marine protected areas, almost tripling the regional coverage.
Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia have each safeguarded over 30 percent of their national waters, while Ecuador has expanded protections in key offshore and coastal zones. By connecting protected areas across borders, the four countries are building one of the world’s largest coordinated marine conservation initiatives. Tom Taylor, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund, emphasized that empowering local communities and park rangers with tools and support allows them to protect endangered species and restore marine ecosystems effectively.
The new grants will provide practical tools and training for patrol teams, enabling safer operations and better coordination across remote and challenging marine areas. The funding will also help communities manage and protect nursery habitats, crucial for the early life stages of sharks, turtles, whales, and other species. In addition, it will strengthen long-term monitoring through methods such as underwater camera deployments and environmental DNA sampling, helping authorities track species migration and assess conservation progress.
A $13.85 million grant to Re:wild will support local and regional organizations in creating and managing coastal reserves, with a focus on securing long-term financing for lasting protections. A $1 million grant to MigraMar will expand monitoring of migratory species to inform better conservation decisions. A $4 million grant to Global Fishing Watch will provide satellite data, planning tools, and training to enhance patrol efficiency and safety. Lastly, a $5.65 million grant to WildAid will equip park rangers with the necessary gear and hands-on training to manage protected waters more effectively and sustainably.
