If you are interested in applying for any of these studies please fill out a Choza Fellowship Application

We are currently looking for Funding to support these research opportunities. If you would like to donate to support any of these projects please do! and follow the paypal link at the bottom of the page

1. Choza Epiphytes Study

Costa Rica is a wild and rich landscape. The Choza Del Mundo resides in a mountainous region of Costa Rica between San Jose and the Central Pacific Coast. This area of Costa Rica is native forest but much is used locally for small Coast Rican Finca’s, or Farms. The 25 acre property of the Choza is a hybrid of natural dense forest which has been stripped for agricultural purposes in the past. The Choza is rejuvenating this land back to its natural state. Part of this process is understanding the native balance of the natural ecosystem. A national park 2 miles from the Choza property provides the perfect study to help guide the Choza on its rejuvenation project. This study would focus on identifying and understanding epiphyte relationships in the national park and applying that knowledge to the Choza to encourage healthy ecological relationships and disband un-natural or parasitic ones.

2. Medicinal plants of the Choza & other non food products

The Choza aims to be a model of a sustainable community. Plants are an excellent resource. This study focuses on identifying and documenting the medicinal plants and non-food product plant groups such as wood products, natural pigments, fuels or essential oils, which have potential to provide natural resources for the Choza.

In addition to independent study and research into medicinal and non-food producing plants, this study will provide a photographic record of these resources on the Choza property and record their species and uses in an online database. This study will also involve working with the local community to discover and document any local uses or methods for use of these products and establish their effectiveness. The results of this study would be made available publicly and specifically used as a reference to the local Choza Community.