Protecting critical watersheds through scientific evidence, cross-sectoral collaboration and community action

Agua Tica is Costa Rica's first water fund, contributing to the protection of water sources in the Rio Grande and Virilla river basins which supply water to the Greater Metropolitan Area of San Jose. Water sources of the region are under severe pressure due to high population growth, lack of land use planning, and development. The fund identifies conservation needs through scientific methodologists, then creates public-private partnerships to provide technical expertise and funding, and finally invests resources in conservation activities in the upper and middle catchments in order to ensure long term water security in the urban area.